U.S. Uncoated Groundwood Flat

U.S. uncoated groundwood (UGW) estimated prices were flat in September, Mark Wilde of Deutsche Bank reports. Prices for 22-lb directory were at $790 - $810/ton, 35-lb offset was at $650 - $700/ton, and SC-A was at $820 - $860/ton. Demand remains anemic, Wilde adds.

August shipments were down 14.0% y/y. Second quarter shipments were -15.7% y/y. The impending restart of the 395,000 tpy SC machine at Port Hawkesbury, N.S., will increase supply in a very weak demand environment. "The $40/ton October 1 SC price hike seems unlikely to gain traction. The real risk is slippage in prices in the coming months," Wilde notes.

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