The papermaker said the increase would be applicable to all of its woodfree coated, uncoated and mechanical coated paper grades, across all European markets. 

The group said that “continuing heavy cost rises” for input materials and freight charges made the action necessary to recover profitability.

“The increase will be applied with immediate effect on all new business and latest by 1 October depending on current agreements,” Sappi stated. 

A raft of papermakers, plate and ink manufacturers have been forced to put up prices, or implement surcharges, in what has been described as a perfect storm of spiralling raw materials and transport costs.  

At the beginning of the year Sappi announced an increase of 8%-10% on woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated paper grades in Europe, effective from March. 

In April that was followed by a further a Europe-wide price increase on all of its woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated paper grades of 7%-10%, effective from 1 June, which was in addition to the previously announced and implemented increases. Sappi’s packaging and speciality grades; containerboard, and sublimation and inkjet products have also gone up in price.