Several producers announce higher prices for NSBK pulp as of 1 December

摘要

Producers of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp were able to widely implement the remaining $20/t mark-up they needed to reach the figure of $880 they had originally targeted in October. There were only scattered reports that slightly less was still being paid here and there. However, this may not be the final word on prices this year. In the last week of November, while it was still unclear whether the second step of the October hike could even be realised, one Scandinavian producer informed European paper mills about a further price increase for NBSK pulp to $910/t, effective as of 1 December. At least one other producer officially followed suit, and other competitors also want to increase prices. Industry observers, however, say these new demands are "completely excessive" and the timing is "more than inappropriate."Even one NBSK pulp producer said the current situation is not conducive to a further price step in 2020, given that Europe is in the grips of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic with all its knock-on effects. "The underlying market data must improve before prices can be adjusted again," said one EUWID respondent.