Battles are raging on several fronts in the UK at present: The paper industry is trying to charge more for kraftliner alongside the planned increases in publication paper prices as well as attempting to maintain or even raise the price of chronically weak graphic paper at the end of the summer holidays. However, elevating kraftliner prices is proving difficult because customers are unwilling to swallow higher prices in the summer. Publication paper suppliers had to back down from their original price plans and had to be content with mark-ups of up to £25/t, although not all talks have produced deals yet. Board prices are also slowly coming under pressure. While demand skyrocketed around this time last year, the market has now cooled considerably. Buyers feel that they have a chance of squeezing prices, which are still relatively robust at present. Demand for recycled corrugated case material was stable, with prices not having altered since June's increase. Prices are just as steady on Britain's recovered paper market, which contrasted with other European countries by not experiencing any significant price cuts to date.
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