Low profitability forces Sappi to put up woodfree paper prices

The company will increase its prices for all woodfree and mechanical coated sheets and woodfree coated reels by 8-10% for deliveries from 1 September.

Prices for its flexible packaging, label papers and release liner grades will also increase by €80 (£63) per tonne as of 1 October.

Its prices for Algro Design – its solid bleached board range – will also rise by €80 per tonne as of 1 October.

Marco Eikelenboom, director marketing graphic papers, said: "While we expect industry activity to continue operating at an acceptable level, the unprecedented rise in input costs is now so great that it entirely outstrips benefits from further cost reduction programmes we are implementing."

Sappi said it was probable that it would increase prices again before the end of the year.