more on COATED FREE SHEET

Most producers have announced $50-$60/ton hikes on lower grade coated free sheet for March. It is interesting to note that Asia Pulp & Paper "led" the increase, while major offshore producers like Lecta, Sappi, and Stora quickly followed. Rising pulp costs and capacity reductions are both helping to firm the market. NewPage recently announced the permanent closure of a machine @ Luke, MD and extensive downtime at Rumford, ME.