Xerox recently added a 60lbs text stock to its Digital Color Select Gloss paper line. The sheet features a 90 brightness blue/white shade and is offered in 17x11 and 18x12” sizes.
Paper.com carries all the Xerox paper grades.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Mohawk Successfully Markets new BriteHue line
Mohawk completely revised the BriteHue line of papers and is enjoying excellent
success with new sales. The bold and vivid colors make a powerful impact for
any printed piece. The product line now includes 20lbs smooth finish, 60lbs text, and 65lbs semi Vellum finish. The grade now has 17 colors – 10 of which are produced with 30% recycled content from post consumer fiber.
Paper.com has all the Mohawk products, in stock and ready for immediate shipment.
success with new sales. The bold and vivid colors make a powerful impact for
any printed piece. The product line now includes 20lbs smooth finish, 60lbs text, and 65lbs semi Vellum finish. The grade now has 17 colors – 10 of which are produced with 30% recycled content from post consumer fiber.
Paper.com has all the Mohawk products, in stock and ready for immediate shipment.
Pulp Market Update
Over the past several months, hardwood pulp worldwide inventories have been climbing, while the softwood inventories have been falling. There have been many mill closures with the softwood manufacturers, and the industry has witnessed and overcapacity of Hardwood production. Many of the eucalyptus pulp producers are building new capacity
and this will displace hardwood supply.
Pricing, to date, for pulp has risen steadily since the 4Q05 and has just stabilized over the
past few months.
and this will displace hardwood supply.
Pricing, to date, for pulp has risen steadily since the 4Q05 and has just stabilized over the
past few months.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
North America Slows World Demand Growth
It appears worldwide demand for Printing and Writing grades is experiencing slower growth. While the world demand increased 11 million tons from 2000 to 2006 (7 million from Asia alone) – North America declined 500,000 tons.
RISI, a large paper consulting company, predicted world demand will increase only 2.6% this year, and 2.3% for 2007, and 4.3% for 2008.
The slow growth is mainly attributed to the increase of the Internet and electronics – yielding less paper consumption. Also, we wonder what affect the USPS postal rate increase might have – most likely it will be a negative impact on paper.
RISI, a large paper consulting company, predicted world demand will increase only 2.6% this year, and 2.3% for 2007, and 4.3% for 2008.
The slow growth is mainly attributed to the increase of the Internet and electronics – yielding less paper consumption. Also, we wonder what affect the USPS postal rate increase might have – most likely it will be a negative impact on paper.
Coated Free Sheet Market update
Coated markets are very weak; we understand prices fell $20/ton to $925.
Imports (Asian & European) and more LWC supply (Port Hawkesbury) are having a double impact. NewPage recently announced the permanent closure of a machine in Luke, Maryland and extensive downtime at Rumford, Maine. On October 31, NewPage also filed antidumping charges against Chinese, Korean and Indonesian producers. In Europe, Lechta has just announced a 5-7% price hike for January.
Imports (Asian & European) and more LWC supply (Port Hawkesbury) are having a double impact. NewPage recently announced the permanent closure of a machine in Luke, Maryland and extensive downtime at Rumford, Maine. On October 31, NewPage also filed antidumping charges against Chinese, Korean and Indonesian producers. In Europe, Lechta has just announced a 5-7% price hike for January.
Newsprint Market update
The market appears headed for another shake-out. Standard newsprint (paper used for newspapers) prices fell another $5/ton in November to $665/metric ton. October consumption figures at the US daily newspapers were off an 9%. So far this year, consumption is down 7.9%. Overcapacity in Asia and publishers' desire for pricing leverage is likely to bring some Chinese tonnage to the US - the publishers don't need to bring in much paper to create a big pricing lever.
Uncoated Freesheet Market update (UFS)
The big producers are starting to respond to signs of market softening. Domtar will take market related downtime at its Woodland, Maine mill. International Paper appears to be considering an accelerated closure of the 350,000 ton Pensacola, Florida UFS machine. September offset prices were revised down $5/ton to $845/ton; October prices were reported flat from last month. We think the industry needs to cut supply by 400-500,000/tons. While pricing is around "mid-cycle" levels, high costs mean that profitability is still poor. Paper.com has over 20,000 items on site, many of which are uncoated free sheet.
Uncoated Groundwood Market Update
The story across Uncoated Groundwood grades is mixed, but the recent bias is
downward, especially in super-calendered grades (grades used for newspaper inserts). The healthiest markets are high-bright grades which compete with uncoated free sheet and were being helped by the rebound in the white paper
prices. Overall shipments are up 4.5% YTD. Stora's Port Hawkesbury mill is running at full capacity; the additional SC volume will ripple into LWC markets.
downward, especially in super-calendered grades (grades used for newspaper inserts). The healthiest markets are high-bright grades which compete with uncoated free sheet and were being helped by the rebound in the white paper
prices. Overall shipments are up 4.5% YTD. Stora's Port Hawkesbury mill is running at full capacity; the additional SC volume will ripple into LWC markets.
Xerox Designs an Erasable Paper – Ink that disappears!
Xerox Research Center announced a grade they developed that is an erasable paper. The goal was to produce a completely recyclable paper grade that could be used an unlimited amount of times.
A survey revealed an average of 1200 pages were printed each month by individual office workers – 44.5% of the printed sheets had a life span of one day. Most documents today are printed merely to review; the archival function is almost completely on an electric storage devise such as a server or PC.
People still really like paper – but not enough to maintain a copy of the printout. The new technology produces a low resolution, purple ink. This ink disappears in 16-20 hours and is ready to be printed again as a blank sheet. Xerox believes the sheet will be functional for at least 50 copies.
This sheet is not available for commercial use yet, when it becomes available, companies like Paper.com will market it.
A survey revealed an average of 1200 pages were printed each month by individual office workers – 44.5% of the printed sheets had a life span of one day. Most documents today are printed merely to review; the archival function is almost completely on an electric storage devise such as a server or PC.
People still really like paper – but not enough to maintain a copy of the printout. The new technology produces a low resolution, purple ink. This ink disappears in 16-20 hours and is ready to be printed again as a blank sheet. Xerox believes the sheet will be functional for at least 50 copies.
This sheet is not available for commercial use yet, when it becomes available, companies like Paper.com will market it.
Yupo Corporation Increases Capacity
The Yupo Corporation recently announced it would expand capacity, by 20 percent, both manufacturing and storage for its successful synthetic paper grades. The grade is used by commercial printers, packaging converters, and label printers. The company lunched a new grade called Accel – a high gloss fast drying grade that does not require a primer.
The Yupo grades are available at Paper.com. These grades perform well in outdoor environments.
The Yupo grades are available at Paper.com. These grades perform well in outdoor environments.
UPS Announces Increase in Shipping Rates
The United Parcel Service (UPS) recently announced a rate increase effect beginning of January. The carrier confirmed ground shipments 4.9% and all air express by 6.9%.
Companies that distribute paper on the internet, like Paper.com, will be forced to pass this increase along to end users.
Companies that distribute paper on the internet, like Paper.com, will be forced to pass this increase along to end users.
Georgia Pacific Mill Sold
The Georgia Pacific Mill in Old Town, Maine has been sold to an investment group, Red Shield. This mill had been shut down. It produced pulp and tissue grades.
Glatfelter Places Equipment in Auction
The Glatfelter Paper Company mill in Neenah, Wisconsin will auction all the equipment from the 120,000 ton/year mill it shut down earlier this year. This mill produced Text and Cover paper grades.
Paper.com marketrs all the Glatfelter grades, including it's recent introduction of Mead's Carbonless grades.
Paper.com marketrs all the Glatfelter grades, including it's recent introduction of Mead's Carbonless grades.
Marcal Paper Mill Declares Bankruptcy
The Marcal Paper Company, a tissue producer, declared bankruptcy protection citing 40% jump in energy costs.
Legion Paper Acquires Moab
Legion Paper recently announced that it has acquired Moab Paper Company. The acquisition will form the Moab by Legion Paper division to distribute archival digital papers, storage and display products.
Paper.com markets all the Legion Art and Exotic papers as well as a complete line of digital papers.
Paper.com markets all the Legion Art and Exotic papers as well as a complete line of digital papers.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
RR Donnelley to Acquire Banta for $1.3 Billion
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. has agreed to buy Banta Corp. for about $1.3 billion in cash. The deal, valued at $36.50 a share after a special dividend of $16 a share already declared by Banta, came on the same day Cenveo Inc. pulled its $50 a share offer. R.R. Donnelley’s bid was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007. Donnelley reported sales of $8.43 billion in 2005, and Banta has annual revenue of approximately $1.5 billion.
Update on Market Pulp
Market pricing for pulp has remained strong. NBSK (bell weather grade for Pulp) export hikes to Europe appear to have gone through; prices leveled out at $720/mton-$730/mton. Hardwood and Softwood inventories dropped to their
lowest levels since June last month spurring some hardwood producers to announce hikes. New supply may In Chile, Arauco's Nueva Aldea started up last month and CMPC is expected to ramp up its Santa Fee equipment in November. Terrace Bay Pulp started up its 350k/mtpy NBSK line in Ontario and may restart a smaller (125k tpy) line. With
current pulp prices, we suspect that other Canadian mills may be looking at restarts.
lowest levels since June last month spurring some hardwood producers to announce hikes. New supply may In Chile, Arauco's Nueva Aldea started up last month and CMPC is expected to ramp up its Santa Fee equipment in November. Terrace Bay Pulp started up its 350k/mtpy NBSK line in Ontario and may restart a smaller (125k tpy) line. With
current pulp prices, we suspect that other Canadian mills may be looking at restarts.
Coated Magazine Paper
Coated paper used for magazines and publications remains among the most competitive paper grades.
September prices were adjusted down $10/ton and October prices fell another $10/ton to $825/ton. Demand is down 2.5% YTD and the restart of UPM's Mirimichi mill has boosted supply. Experts are hopeful that capacity closures in Europe - including a just-announced 230K Myllykoski shutdowwn - will begin to help the market. The biggest move to date is the decision by UPM to close 17% of its W. European LWC capacity.
September prices were adjusted down $10/ton and October prices fell another $10/ton to $825/ton. Demand is down 2.5% YTD and the restart of UPM's Mirimichi mill has boosted supply. Experts are hopeful that capacity closures in Europe - including a just-announced 230K Myllykoski shutdowwn - will begin to help the market. The biggest move to date is the decision by UPM to close 17% of its W. European LWC capacity.
Digital Printing Continues to Increase
First nine months of 2006 illustrated a continued increase of toner based/digital printing growth versus the traditional ink on paper. This trend is forecasted to continue. Toner based/ Digital printing grew 4.5% 1Q06 and 6.1% 2Q06. Of the $170billion USA Printing industry, 70% still constitutes ink on paper and 20% is Toner based / Digital ($34biliion). PIA/GATF estimates 11,680 digital plants are currently in USA - compare to 25,300 sheetfed and 4,200 webfed printing plants.
Printing Impressions, Inc estimates 2006 printing-
Total Shipments $171Billion
Shipment Growth 3%
Ink on Paper growth 2%
Digital Print growth 4%
Printing Impressions, Inc estimates 2006 printing-
Total Shipments $171Billion
Shipment Growth 3%
Ink on Paper growth 2%
Digital Print growth 4%
Top Book Printers
Top North American Book Printers are as follows-
1 -Visant Corp
2- Quebecor
3- Banta
4- Bertelsmann Arvato
5- Courier
6- Transcontinental
7 - Walsworth Publishing
8- Phoenix Color
9- Maple-Vail Book
10- Wbcrafters
11- Edwards Brothers
12- Hess Management
13- Friesens Corp
14- Webcom Ltd
15- Sheridan Group
1 -Visant Corp
2- Quebecor
3- Banta
4- Bertelsmann Arvato
5- Courier
6- Transcontinental
7 - Walsworth Publishing
8- Phoenix Color
9- Maple-Vail Book
10- Wbcrafters
11- Edwards Brothers
12- Hess Management
13- Friesens Corp
14- Webcom Ltd
15- Sheridan Group
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