Nippon Paper announces price hike for printing papers

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. recently announced price increases for its printing and communication papers in the domestic market (Japan) to all its agencies, effective April 1, 2017.

The price hikes will be applied to printing paper grades such as woodfree, coated woodfree, medium weight coated, and lightweight coated papers, etc., and communication paper grades such as business forms, carbonless copy, thermal, PPC paper, etc.

Prices for printing paper will increase by a minimum 15 Yen/Kg, and communication paper by a minimum of 10%.

In a press release, Nippon paper Industries said, “Printing paper and communication paper have been facing a difficult earnings condition because of declining domestic demand and softening market. Furthermore, it has been put pressure on the company's profits due to rising prices of a number of raw materials and fuels since the second half of last year.

“The company has been promoting thorough cost reductions, but the current price level is lower than the revenue level where reproducible profit can be secured through our independent efforts alone. Therefore, the company decided that it is necessary to realize the revision of the product prices."

Nippon Paper Industries produces coated and uncoated paper, including specialty grades, and paperboard.