U.S. Coated Board Demand Still Healthy
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All of the major U.S. producers of SBS have announced $40- $50/ton price hikes, effective late-May/early-June, according to Wilde. If implemented, this will be the first hike since last October's $40/ton increase.
Demand is healthy, but not as strong as last-year, Wilde says. Unmade orders, he adds, eased to ˜437,000 tons for the week of May 4 from the ˜464,000 tons level seen for April 6. During the same period, operating rates eased from 102.6% to 84.9%. For the week of May 4, U.S. SBS production was +2.3% y/y. In May, SBS estimated prices were flat at $1,130 - $1,180/ton, +8.5% y/y and +26% - 28% versus May 2008.
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