Germany: Price pressure and competition reach limits in the fine paper market

For wood-free uncoated papers and wood-free coated papers, the plan of many paper mills to achieve a sideways movement in the latest price round failed. Despite a slight upturn, business is described as unsatisfactory.

The capacity utilization of paper machines and printing plants remains comparatively poor. As a result, paper mills and paper wholesalers were also willing to negotiate prices in some cases in October. In the current mixed situation, the agreements for October and very often for the fourth quarter show slight discounts for all fine paper grades.