A company spokesman said: ''Bielefeld Mill has done everything possible to reduce costs during 2009, and the restructuring programme is on schedule despite disappointing trading results due to the economic climate'.'

He said the price increase is due to raw material cost increases and the added burden of the weakness of the pound versus the euro.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper is part of Mitsubishi Paper Mills, a Japanese-based manufacturer of coated papers, communication papers, photo-sensitive materials and wood-free paper.