US NBSK holds as BEK producers move on $20 hike; Chinese push-back heats up on 'very weak' market

摘要

Bleached softwood and hardwood pulp supply and demand fundamentals appear generally balanced, and preliminary effective list prices on two key grades of bleached softwood kraft (BSK) held after summer's price erosion waned in the USA. But industry contacts report little seasonal bounce so far in North American or offshore markets as producers entered a traditionally stronger-demand fall season. The mixed views on market conditions led a $20/tonne global price hike on bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) to see uneven implementation depending on customer and region, with negotiations expected to continue for weeks to come, contacts said.