sawlogs, pulplogs, pulp, wood, panels, plywood, mdf, osb, chipboard, veneer, bulk, pallets, wood, timber Arctic Paper increases capacity to 700 thousand tonnes with purchase of German mill

   Moscow. Sep 15, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Fine paper manufacturer Arctic Paper has boosted its annual production capacity to 700 thousand tonnes after acquiring Mochenwangen Papier in Germany, Printweek.com reported.

The 190-staffed mill annually manufactures 115 thousand tonnes of fine paper for paperback books and holds FSC and PEFC certification. Arctic Paper said it would not rule out further consolidation and would continue to be active in the ongoing restructuring of the European fine paper industry.

Chief executive Olle Grundberg said: "Arctic Paper has grown organically in recent years. Our strategy is to grow further, both through restructuring with purchases of interesting European mills and through continued organic growth."

The company said it has been able to increase the price of its paper over the past year, but declined to comment further and instead said it has "followed the market movements".

Grundberg said: "Our industry has had a difficult seven or eight years and profitability is generally weak, but there are reasons for optimism.

"We have been able to increase the price of fine paper, if only marginally, and the capacity balance has improved through the closure of some mills."

While Mochenwangen Papier's main market is in Germany, products will also be sold in other European countries.