<B>North American Newsprint Production Ends Up for Year</B>

North American newsprint production increased 0.4 percent in December, pushing the total production for 2000 to 15.898 million metric tons, a 1.1 percent improvement from 1999’s production level.

According to the Pulp and Paper Products Council, December’s total production total stands at 1.351 million tons, compared to 1999’s December total of 1.346 million metric tons.

Production at both Canadian and U.S. newsprint increased for the month, with Canadian mills increasing production by 0.6 percent for the month and U.S. mills increasing production by 0.2 percent.

For the full year Canadian newsprint mills increased production by 0.2 percent to 9.222 million metric tons, while U.S. mills increased production by 2.5 percent for the year to 6.676 million metric tons.