Newsprint market continues to Decline

Both Bowater and Abitibi-Consolidated (two of the largest USA newsprint producers) have reported that standard newsprint consumption is declining. Primary causes stated included fewer US Dailies (91 dailies shut down 1994 to 2004); switching to lighter paper; and producing a narrower newspaper. Many paper producers have converted newsprint paper machines to production of value added grades such as high bright, directory, super calendar, and base sheet for coated papers. Since 2003, an estimated 3million tons of newsprint capacity has been retired.