Performance Papers managing director David Cook said the company had seen growth of 2-3%, and there was a feeling that some printers were more optimistic about their prospects.
Cook said the market had also experienced one of the longest periods of price stability he had known, due to the economic climate.

"We have seen a slow summer, where July was like an early August, but from the end of August we saw a rise in coated paper use," he said.

Cook attributed the rise to "quality direct mail". Although he said volumes of direct mail had actually gone down, the quality of material produced had improved.

"Direct mail is much more targeted now, and we are seeing better design, better printing and better paper being used."

Cook said that overall the company expected further growth in the UK coated market next year.

The general feeling was that the UK economy would improve, he said, and that a lot of print jobs that had been temporarily shelved due to this years climate would materialise next year.

ArjoWiggins Coated Papers has two production sites in France, the Aa mill in Wizernes and the Bess-sur-Braye mill, with capacities of around 155,000 tonnes and 280,000 tonnes respectively.

Story by Andy Scott