Coated mechanical mills reach 'pain point' on prices; 2014 contract deals pressured by 4Q demand drop

摘要

Pressure on pricing for a wide range of coated printing and writing papers and the glossy su-percalendered (SC) grades that compete with them in North American magazine and catalog markets worsened in December, sources said. With orders abruptly disappearing after 2013's short and less than strong printing season, low-priced tonnes became readily available at short notice on the spot market, and contract buyers are having no difficulty obtaining discounts on coated mechanical (CM) from mills, too, contacts said.