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Product Categories in 2007
VALUE OF PRODUCTION (HUF million)
1. Corrugated Board Paper
2007 brought a very lucrative year for the corrugated board market in Europe. No significant new capacity entered the market, and two paper mills (with capacity of approx. 200.000 tons) discontinued operations. In contrast, especially Germany and Central- Eastern Europe saw a very strong demand arising for paper products, which surpassed all expectations. In the first half year, the market was characterised by constant shortage of paper, which – despite rising costs of energy and waste paper – allowed room for significant price increases. The price of corrugated board paper rose by EUR 70-80/t that year.
The first signs of market slowdown were seen in the UK, France and Italy at the beginning of autumn. In these countries, it was impossible to raise prices as in Central-Europe, and by the end of the year, there was an express pressure to lower prices in our major markets too. Our conclusion is that the market cycle has reached its peak and price trend in 2008 may turn negative. |
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