Printing and writing paper manufacturers seeking to offset currency effects in the UK

摘要

Major printing and writing paper manufacturers are taking action to offset the effects of the weak pound Sterling against the euro and the dollar in recent months, discussing sizeable mark-ups with their customers to take effect from 1 January 2017. These mark-ups will be bigger than those sought in mainland Europe. The goal in forthcoming price negotiations for publication paper is to tack on 10%, even though demand is not very strong in some sectors of the magazine paper business. While market insiders feel that the newsprint market has a good chance of prices rising, this is somewhat less true for fine papers, especially for woodfree coated grades. However, paper producers feel that they have their backs against the wall and describe higher price increases as imperative in the UK or they would run the risk of operating at a loss.