Although prices for unbleached kraftliner in Germany generally remained weak in February despite rising demand, several European manufacturers have taken action to resist the failing price trend and have announced price hikes of €50/t as of 1 April. Manufacturers said that they anticipated stronger demand over the coming months. Producers of uncoated woodfree paper are fairly busy at the moment. Nevertheless, overall demand in Germany continues to decline and the trend is even more pronounced in Western Europe. In the coated paper grades segment as well, manufacturers are quite satisfied with their order books. However, it seems that here, too, prices are heading unchecked in only one direction and the suppliers'margins are dropping into a void.
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