Germany: producers of woodfree uncoated paper are optimistic for 2016

摘要

Following February's uptick in the German market for fine paper, especially for uncoated grades, another improvement is expected in March. For the current year, shipment figures are expected to remain stable by and large. While capacity reductions in the uncoated paper segment are helping to balance the market, more still needs to be done in the coated segment. In light of the continued considerable oversupply, the price hikes in this segment were quite modest and are the subject of intense debate in many cases. For uncoated papers, the latest price hike of around €20/t appears to be fairly secure. The market for magazine and catalogue paper is unsettled. Paper producers agree that changes are urgently needed - with respect to both capacity reductions and improving price levels. Lately, the latter has only been possible with compromises. There continues to be pressure on prices for unbleached kraftliner, but there were no further price declines as of the beginning of March.