Paper Companies Hiking Recycled Board Prices

The Newark Group, Caraustar Industries and Sonoco have all announced plans to raise prices for finished uncoated recycled paperboard grades by $25 per ton, effective with shipments in February.

The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., will raise the prices on shipments on or after Feb. 18, 2013. In announcing the plan to raise prices, Raymond Vargo Jr., vice president of sales for Newark Paperboard Mills, says, “The increase is necessary to recover escalating costs.”

In its announcement, Sonoco Products, based in Hartsville, S.C., announced plans to raise prices for its uncoated recycled paperboard products by $25 per ton, effective with shipments starting Feb. 11, 2013. In deciding to raise prices, Marty Pignone, vice president of Sonoco’s primary materials group, North America, says, “This price increase is necessary to recover continued inflationary pressure from non-fiber-related costs, including chemicals, energy, freight, repair materials, labor and other expenses.”

Another paperboard producer, Caraustar Industries Inc., Austell, Ga., also recently announced plans to a price increase of $25 per ton on all uncoated recycled paperboard grades. The increase will be effective starting with shipments on Feb. 15, 2013. According to the company, the increase is in response to increasing costs, including raw materials, energy, transportation, labor and benefits.