The Association of European Publication Paper Producers, CEPIPRINT, issued its monthly summary of European mechanical paper statistics. European Newsprint demand was up 10.6% (96,000 tons) compared to the same month last year. As a result, total European shipments increased by 6.6% (65,000 tons) largely due to a rise in domestic shipments, which were up 8.1% (70,000 tons).
SC-Magazine paper was the best performing sector in December. European demand rose 24.3% (79,000 tons). The rise in local shipments coupled with the 8.9% (5,000 tons) increase in exports of the magazine grade helped to boost Total European shipments by 22.1% (84,000 tons).
The figures for Coated Mechanical Reels are all negative for the month of December. European demand fell 3.6% (24,000 tons). Overseas shipments of CMR dropped 8.2%, representing an 8,000-ton reduction compared to December 2007. Together, the changes contribute to a 4.3% (32,000 tons) contraction in Total European shipments.
The Uncoated Mechanical paper sector ended the month on a better level, as European demand rose 6.2% (12,000 tons), which helped to boost Total European shipments by 4.7% (11,000 tons) despite a slight 2.9% (1,000 tons) reduction in exports.