Germany: Price round for fine and newsprint papers has picked up speed

Despite price pressure on the market, suppliers are working with price increases for wood-free papers in the face of rising production costs and with demands for a price update for newsprint. There is resistance here. Critics see the risk that demand could be curbed again. This would be a further sign of consolidation in the industry.

In the packaging paper segment, the focus is on kraftliner. Here, players are recognising a stable movement. Processors' attempts to adjust the price structure downwards remain unsuccessful.

Demand for corrugated board remains rather subdued and further developments are difficult to predict.