Sappi Europe is putting up the price of its woodfree coated sheets by 8%, while the price of its woodfree uncoated sheets and reels is set to rise by 5%-8%.

The rises are effective from 1 July, and follow Sappi's announcement earlier this month about its intention to raise the prices of coated fine paper and coated mechanical reels, also by 8%.

Sappi stated: “Ongoing cost increases allied with present price levels have led to unsustainable profitability for this business also, therefore corrective price actions are inevitable.”

Meanwhile, Lecta has adopted a similar stance, and has announced a 6%-8% price rise on its coated woodfree papers. This is also effective from the beginning of July. The group had already put the prices of its speciality papers up by 5%-7% in April.

In a statement announcing the increase, Lecta said: “This price movement is essential in order to offset rising manufacturing costs, particularly regarding high prices of raw materials.”

It remains to be seen whether the price rises will be successfully pushed through.

One printer told PrintWeek: “At the moment our view is that paper is too expensive in the UK compared to continental Europe. It may well be that the price in euros goes up, but the price in sterling will be okay.”