Coated groundwood April list prices in N.A., also were reportedly up around $5/ton. "The market direction appears to be turning, aided by better volume comparisons and supply cuts," Wilde says. Domtar's plans to shutter its Columbus, Miss., mill and sell the inventory and brands to NewPage will trim N.A. LWC supply by 4.5%, he points out, adding that major N.A. LWC producers are integrated, so rising prices are a relatively modest issue for them.
"The N.A. industry is apt to see further restructuring in 2010 as European players have been re-assessing their N.A. operations. There are also a number of 'orphan' LWC mills that could change hands," Wilde says.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/