Papierfabrik August Koehler SE to increase prices for carbonless paper

Operating profit for January–June 2017 was SEK 1 152 million (January–June 2016: SEK 1 063 million, excluding items affecting comparability). The improvement in earnings was due to higher wood product prices, better earnings from forests and the divestiture of the newsprint mill in Madrid. Compared with the first quarter, operating profit decreased by SEK 102 million to SEK 525 million as a result of a maintenance shutdown within paperboard and seasonally lower hydro power production. Profit after tax for January–June amounted to SEK 880 million (587), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 10.5 (7.0). Return on capital employed increased to 9.4 (8.4) per cent. Production of paperboard, paper and wood products has been established at a higher level than previous years and the sales mix has developed well. Cash flow was strong and largely covered the SEK 1 billion dividend that was paid in April.

In an effort to address prevalent supply chain uncertainties and to maintain the commercial viability of its Graphic Paper business, Sappi Europe will keep prices for its Woodfree Coated Paper grades stable at today’s level for the remainder of 2023. This commitment facilitates customers' ability to commit to business in advance of the traditionally busier fourth quarter for the printing industry. Market conditions are similar across the region, but obviously diverge between countries and segments and as such Sappi Europe’s sales personnel is always available for these individual customer specifics. Sappi Europe remains fully committed to serving the printing business and will work closely with our customers to ensure the best possible outcome throughout the print media value chain.

SCA invests mSEK 196 in increased production of White-top kraftliner, packaging paper with a white surface, in the Munksund papermill in Piteå. Through this investment, the mill’s capacity to produce white kraftliner will increase from 150,000 tons to 200,000 tons per annum. The total production capacity will not increase as a result of the investment. The investment will affect the woodroom, where the pulpwood is debarked, and the pulpmill. The project will be finished and in operation in May 2019. "This is an important step in our development towards more value-added products in Munksund papermill", says Mats Nordlander, President Business Area Paper. "The demand is increasing for white kraftliner with excellent printing properties. Through this investment we increase the production of high-value products in Munksund and we can optimize the production of kraftliner in the Obbola papermill. Thereby we improve the competitiveness of both mills." Click Read More below for additional information.