IP announces US$50-US$70/ton price increases on uncoated freesheet paper, effective March 3; prices on various paper grades announced by other producers for February-March

Debra Garcia

LOS ANGELES , January 30, 2014 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – International Paper Co. (IP) has announced a March 3 price increase of US$50-$70/ton on uncoated freesheet paper, according to sources, reported RBC Capital Markets in a Jan. 30 research note.

IP will be shutting down significant freesheet capacity with the planned closure of its 765,000 tons/year mill in Courtland, Alabama. The mill's last two paper machines are set to be permanently idled in early February.

In other paper price hikes, P.H. Glatfelter Co. plans a 6% increase for its carbonless sheet products, effective with shipments on or after Feb. 3, according to news from The Millcraft Paper Co.

For orders received on or after Feb. 6, Spinnaker Coating LLC will boost prices on its full-sheet products by 5%. This does not include its Spinnaker Brand Digital Multi-Purpose and Offset die-cut label products.

MeadWestvaco Corp. plans to raise prices 3%-5% on its Tango Blanks, Tango C1S Coated Cover and C2S Cover in all calipers, effective with shipments on or after March 3, Millcraft Paper reported in its Jan. 30 Millcraft PaperClips.

North American freesheet capacity is shrinking, with 1.053 million tons/year, or 9.5%, of it to be eliminated between fourth-quarter 2013 and first-quarter 2014. This follows reductions totaling 495,000 tons/year in 2012, RBC Capital Markets reported.

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