In the UK output grew by 0.3% to 1.5m tonnes for the third quarter.
Graphic papers, used for printings and writings, and newsprint production in the UK both increased during the period, with newsprint helped by an increase in pagination in magazines and newspapers.

Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) head of statistics Eric Kilby said although the growth in both sectors was not significant, it was noticeable that there had been a general growth in the markets.

"I don't think these were affected by either any one item or company's production output though," he stressed. "The market conditions have just generally improved."

UK graphic paper achieved totals of 661,000 tonnes, a growth of 3.7%, with newsprint up 6.3% to 283,000 tonnes.

Figures for Europe showed that all graphic grades improved over the corresponding period in 2003. Output for uncoated woodfree grades, such as those for books and annual reports improved by 10.3% to 2.5m tonnes, with coated woodfree production such as magazine papers up 9% to 2.5m tonnes.

Uncoated mechanical grades, a newsprint production grade, reported an increase in production of 3.9% to 1.7m tonnes, while the output of coated mechanical grades increased by 12.5% to 2.7m tonnes.

Story by Andy Scott