Enron Industrial Markets has launched a European version of its Clickpaper.com website following the US launch last September.


The site has a trade platform, which acts as a futures market and a match area where buyers and sellers can advertise or buy specific unquoted commodities like fluff pulp.


Enron pulp, paper and packaging manager Fraser Allen said: "In the trade section Enron is principal. We deal with the buyer and seller at any given time. Theres no third party. Once someone clicks on the screen the price theyre buying or selling at is guaranteed by ourselves."


The site is commission free although Enron makes money through a mark-up on selling tariffs.


Allen said the site offered around 150 different pulp, paper and packaging products, including NBSK, newsprint, LWCs, A4 copier, old corrugated containers and testliner, although Enron has plans to extend its range.


The company is in the process of transferring its 300-strong client base online.


The sites match area allows companies to anonymously post bids and offers for products not fitting specifications of products posted on the trade section, whether that be grade, reel type or size.


"Unlike some other sites, were not charging for this service its completely free of charge," said Allen.


The site currently quotes in sterling and German marks but there are plans to include the franc and lira.


*In the US, Enron Industrial Markets has signed an agreement to buy Daishowa Forest Products, a holding company for its newsprint mill in Canada, for an undisclosed sum.


Story by John Davies