9 Aug. 2023: Fine paper demand in Europe is currently far below existing capacities, with approximately 2.5 million tpy of overcapacity, suggesting that more mill closures will be necessary.

Demand for woodfree coated and uncoated paper in Europe has been weak this year like hardly ever before. Up to and including May, European demand for woodfree coated paper was down around 40 per cent compared to the first five months of 2022, while the decline in the woodfree uncoated paper market was around 22 per cent. If demand and deliveries continue to develop in a similar way throughout the year, total European woodfree paper demand in 2023 would be around 6.6 million t, of which almost two-thirds would be accounted for by the uncoated paper segment. In addition, there is an export surplus of about 500,000 tpy with non-European countries as a market for European manufacturers, especially for woodfree

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