Although the fourth quarter is generally one of the weaker periods of the year for the label paper industry, 2015 was an exception. Comments from producers ranged from “it remained quite lively” to “continued very strong demand”.
Yet industry observers believe the good order levels resulted less from real demand from converters, but instead from the fact that the price hike announced by label paper makers in September was due to take effect on 1 January. Buyers “filled their warehouses to the rafters at the end of the year” in order to avoid the upcoming hikes, at least for a while, said one EUWID respondent.