Pulp manufacturers optimistic about market outlook until year end

摘要

The plunge in prices of hardwood pulp, which started in the European market in the middle of 2013 and continued into the third quarter 2014, appears to have come to a halt for the time being. Most manufacturers therefore tend to be optimistic regarding the last weeks of the current year and the weeks beyond. Furthermore, with the appreciation of the dollar against the euro, the financial situation of European players has improved in recent weeks. In October, all key markets showed clear signs that the price trend is turning around. Although suppliers said they faced more difficulties in price talks with European customers than for example with customers in China, the Middle East or Latin America, in most cases prices could be raised on average by $10/metr.t for bleached hardwood pulp. Only few paper manufacturers were able to postpone the increase to November. In some cases, prices of BEK pulp also rose by up to $20/ metr.t. October prices therefore ranged from $720 to $740/metr.t.