Displaying items by tag: uncoated

Caraustar Industries, Inc. announced today that it will increase prices by $60 per ton on all uncoated recycled paperboard grades and $45 per ton on coated recycled paperboard grades produced by its mills. The increases are effective with shipments on and after April 5, 2010. Caraustar will also increase prices of tubes and cores and all other uncoated recycled paperboard converted products on the same date. This series of price increase announcements comes shortly following earlier increase announcements.

Greg A. Bartlett, vice president sales and marketing for Caraustar’s Mill Group, stated, “Publication prices for Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) have reached an average of $170 per ton in the middle and eastern United States, up $95 per ton since December publications. Unreliability of supply has forced us to reach out further with higher cost freight lanes and pay significant premiums over publication list prices to secure our recovered fiber needs. Fiber quality has also declined during this period, impacting our yield of our most important raw material.  Prices for all fiber grades have increased significantly.  We understand the impact that this has on our customers; however, we cannot continue to absorb these costs.  We will be vigilant in monitoring this situation and keep our customers informed of changes and challenges in this volatile recovered fiber market.”

About Caraustar

Caraustar Industries, Inc. is one of North America's largest integrated manufacturers of 100% recycled paperboard and converted paperboard products. The company is a socially responsible corporation, is committed to environmentally sound practices and is dedicated to providing customers with outstanding value through innovative products and services. Caraustar has developed its leadership position in the industry through diversification and integration from raw materials to finished products. Caraustar serves the four principal recycled boxboard product end-use markets: tubes and cores; folding cartons; gypsum facing paper and specialty paperboard products. For additional information on Caraustar, please visit the company's website at www.caraustar.com.

The continued upward pricing cycle for pulp has recently intensified due to the unfortunate events in Chile which has led some pulp suppliers to suspend deliveries under force majeure. This is compounded by strikes at some transportation companies and ports in Finland together with severe weather conditions in Scandinavia. This has resulted in an extraordinary situation concerning both the availability and subsequent costs of this key raw material.

M-real has announced price increases for all uncoated paper products in reels, cut sizes and folio sheets across all European business by 8% as of 1 March.

In addition, a further increase in paper prices of 15% will become effective as of 15 April 2010 to be applied to all uncoated paper products in reels, large formats and cut sizes.

Further information:

Marcel Bigler
Head of Sales & Marketing, M-real Office Papers business area
Tel + 31 (0) 20 572 7550

Helga Disimimo
Head of Sales & Marketing, M-real Speciality Papers business area
Mob. + 49 172 293 0992