Sdra and Holmen have notched up healthy six-month profits on the eve of more price rises in the pulp and paper industry.


Sdra wrapped up a 71m (SEK944m) profit for the first six months after a loss of 2.8m last year.


Net sales were 410m with 256m of that in exports. Upturn was due to strong pulp prices, it said.


Sdra took over Norways pulp mills Tofte and Folla in early July to become the lead producer of bleached kraft market pulp.


Holmen also announced a profit jump. Its 136m (SEK1,809m) in six months was up 49m on last years profits.


Net turnover was 552m, stoked by newsprint and magazine paper sales. It also benefited from higher earnings at Igessund Paperboard.


Last week Holmen sold its 50% shareholding in associate firm Modo Paper to raise almost 140m. The Holmen board also decided at an extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday (15 August) to buy nearly 9m of the groups shares. This would raise earnings per share by around 7%, it claimed.


The firms second-quarter profits were up by 12m on the first quarter to 74m.


Meanwhile, Papyrus and Antalis have sent letters to customers informing them of September price rises to track pulp prices and paper demand.


Papyruss go up next month with 6-10% increases on coated, 8-12% on uncoated and 15% on carbonless.


Antalis has put 6-9% on coated. Some uncoated grades go up by 3-8%, carbonless reels roll up by 10-12% with sheets by 5%. Some adhesive labels will rise by about 5%.


Sory by Jez Abbot