Winter of discontent for coated publication paper firms in North America, from CM imports, currency

摘要

Makers of publication papers in North America — particularly coated mechanical (CM) and and supercalendered papers (SC) — are facing a bleak start to the year, sources said. They note that the void created by 430,000 tons/yr of combined capacity closures at Verso's Wickliffe, KY. and Androscoggin, ME, mills in the fourth quarter was quickly filled with competitively-priced imports drawn by the strong US dollar. Consequently, it failed to shore up CM prices, and, as a result, producers are facing seasonally weak winter months with an oversupplied market and unfavorable pricing environment.