Printers and paper buyers are dealing with a further rash of increases as the energy crisis bites and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causes jitters across world economies.
Lecta said that the unprecedented rise in the prices of gas, energy and raw materials made the surcharge necessary.
The £126/tonne charge is effective from 1 April and is in addition to previously-announced price increases.
At the beginning of the month Lecta said that it would increase the price of all two-side coated woodfree and uncoated woodfree papers by €50 per tonne for all March orders.
Regarding the fresh surcharge, the Spain-headquartered group said: “This surcharge will be applied in all paper grades, fine papers and specialties, and it is additional to the previous increases already announced.
“For orders with delivery beyond this date, energy surcharges will be confirmed month by month according to the evolution of this volatile environment.”
Separately, historic 300-year-old family papermaking business Guyennne Papier wrote to customers and said it was “now facing challenges that we have not seen for decades” and had to implement a surcharge to cover freight costs.
“Whilst the consensus has been that rising inflation, disrupted supply chains and a very tight labour market were transitory, it is now apparent that this is not the case,” the company stated.
Guyenne makes a range of specialist papers including fluorescents, blue-back poster paper, fireproof and tear-resistant papers, sublimation papers and label stocks.
“Whilst we have made every effort to make cost savings, introduce efficiencies and improve our productivity we are now faced with the reality and we have no alternative but to request a freight cost participation,” the firm said.
“We appreciate that this is significant but hope you will understand that we have little choice in view of the extremely difficult market conditions we face.”
Guyenne had not specified the amount or the effective date of the surcharge at the time of writing.
The firm also offers specialist sub-contracting services for other paper suppliers.
