N.A. Uncoated Groundwood Paper Demand Remains Soft

October estimated uncoated mechanical prices were flat m/m, Wilde continues. Demand trends remain weak, he says, with overall shipments -20.1% y/y (YTD -11.8% y/y). However, SC demand appears better (October +7.1% y/y) and the market is tight. This is driven by recent capacity moves in the U.S. and Europe (Newpage's 360,000 tpy PM 2 at Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Verso Paper's 103,000 tpy at Sartell, Minn., and UPM's mill shutdown in Finland). These moves should aid prices, according to Wilde.

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