Paper

DS Smith has posted "creditable" half-year results as the paper and packaging group warns lower demand will mean trading conditions will remain difficult.

The print and paper industry must project even greater commitment and efficiency if it is to rise to the challenges of 2009, according to Robert Horne managing director Alistair Gough.

Innovation in the paper sector is central to make the product more valuable in years to come, the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) has said.

Denmaur Papers and Independent Paper will merge their operations on 1 March 2009, parent company Denmaur group has announced.

Paper manufacturer M-real has said it will further increase the price of its coated fine and magazine papers by 8% in order to improve profitability.

More than 560 staff will be affected as paper giant Stora Enso concludes co-determination negotiations at its Finnish-based Imatra, Varkaus and Veitsiluoto mills.

Paper giant Stora Enso has become the latest company to put its weight behind the Two Sides campaign, launched by the National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM).

Russia's announcement to postpone the increase of export duties on wood does not reduce the need for paper price increases, according to manufacturer M-real.

PaperCo subsidiary Mason's Paper has opened a 2,694sqm warehouse in Birmingham to service its Midlands customers.

Specialist paper manufacturer James Cropper has slipped to a first-half loss of 261,000 and halved its dividend, after being hit by soaring energy and pulp costs.