Feb. 28, 2006 - The Association of European Publication Paper Producers (CEPIPRINT) has issued its monthly statistical summary for the European mechanical paper industry.

The year kicked off with a positive start as January 2006 figures were mainly up across the board.

Newsprint made good progress as European demand rose by 7.0% or 55,000 tonnes. Total European shipments climbed by 6.8%, which could have been even higher if exports had not fallen by -11.1% largely due to a decline in shipments from Eastern Europe.

The SC-Magazine sector witnessed a surge in shipments to outside Europe. A 38.9% increase on previous, coupled with a 10.1% increase in shipments to Europe took total shipments to 369,000 tonnes.

Coated Mechanical Reels had a more modest start to the year. Total shipments were up by 2.0% despite a healthy 6.4% increase in domestic deliveries. Exports dragged down the total, due to a -11.6% drop in shipments to outside Europe.

Uncoated Mechanical was another sector to receive a boost from overseas shipments. Deliveries outside Europe climbed by 25.0% to reach 60,000 tonnes in January, offsetting the small but stable 0.5% rise in domestic shipments.

NOTE: Beginning January 2006, CEPIPRINT statistics represent Western and Eastern Europe combined. Please see the Demand-Supply Statistics Report 1990-2004 for further information regarding regional classification.

Paper grades covered are: Newsprint, Supercalendered (SC) Magazine, Coated Mechanical and Uncoated Mechanical (Improved & Others).

SOURCE: CEPIPRINT