Westvaco has warned that weaker volumes and lower prices for printing papers and certain sectors of the bleached board market will hit its second quarter results.


It expects earnings to be 12.5p (17-18 cents) per share, below analysts' estimates of around 19p, but said the media, pharmaceutical and medical premium packaging markets continued to grow, despite sales for some customers being delayed due to regulatory and supply chain problems.


Operating results for its wholy-owned Brazilian subsidiary and its chemical division will be somewhat below last year.


Westvaco said it would continue to focus on high value consumer packaging, strengthening its technology and putting sound cost control programmes in place.


The group will release its results on 24 May.