Uncoated Free Sheet Markets Mixed

All of the major North American mills have announced a $40/ton hike on offset rolls, effective late March/early April, Wilde reports. The increase excludes cutsize, envelope, and converting grades. The key rationale has been escalating input costs for fiber, energy, and chemicals. Offset demand appears to be better than cutsize, driven by a steady recovery in commercial printing. Cutsize appears a bit more sluggish at the moment. In January, shipments were down 3.7% y/y. In February, estimated offset prices were flat at $930/ton and 20-lb repro bond prices were flat at $1,095/ton., Wilde says.

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