Paper pulp market

In the first five months of 2018, total demand for hardwood pulps rose by 4.3%, reflecting an additional increase in consumption of 0.6 million tonnes.

In the first five months of 2018, total demand for hardwood pulps rose by 4.3% on the same period the previous year, reflecting an additional increase in consumption of 0.6 million tonnes. The total consumed from January to May of this year was 14 million tonnes. The figures come from the Pulp and Paper Products Council (PPPC World Chemical Market Pulp Global 100 Report – May 2018).

If we analyse demand in geographical terms, we can see that European consumption of hardwood pulps rose by around 5.5%, while in China it grew by 7.8%.

As regards BEKP, the second quarter of 2018 was characterised by a 3% increase in the US Dollar price on the previous quarter, and a 6% rise in the Euro price. The average price recorded in the second quarter reached 1,043 USD/t (vs. 1,009 USD/t in the previous quarter), which in euros was 871 EUR/t (vs. 824 EUR/t in the previous quarter).

The report estimates that the third quarter of 2018 will see the hardwood pulp reference price stay at the same level, while in operational terms it is expected that operating efficiency will be strengthened as a result of completing the investment project at Celtejo. This project is on time, and completion is expected during the third quarter.