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European mechanical paper markets are improving, according to CEPIPRINT (the Association of European Publication Paper Producers), Brussels, Belgium, which has issued its most recent monthly summary of European (Western + Eastern) mechanical paper statistics. In November 2009, the newsprint market recorded a 22% rise in European shipments overseas year-on-year, which translates into an increase in exports of 27,000 metric tons. This put year-to-date newsprint exports almost on a level (- 0.3%) with the same period last year. There was a 10% (87,000 metric tons) reduction in European domestic deliveries, with the largest drop in tonnage volumes seen in the U.K., Germany, and Italy.

European demand in the SC-magazine paper sector contracted 4.0% (13,000 metric tons) last month compared with the same period last year. Total European shipments were down 6.5% (26,000 metric tons), with the drop in exports split between North America and Oceania.

November shipments of coated mechanical reels to outside Europe were sitting flat (0.9%) on the previous year, but domestic shipments fell 11% (72,000 metric tons), with Italy, France, and Germany posting the largest declines. The uncoated mechanical sector saw a 22% (7,000 metric tons) rise in exports in November, with Turkey taking the lion's share of the increase. Domestic shipments were down 10%, with the reduction evenly split across the main markets for the uncoated mechanical grades.