Pulp producers are looking to open the year with back-to-back price increases in Europe for softwood and hardwood kraft grades. Suppliers are seeking an extra $30/tonne in February, following hikes of $30/tonne this month.

A flurry of announcements have come for most key grades from major producers, brushing off a rise in December global pulp mill inventories amid stronger demand this month than market players expected.

Producers said they had to scramble to get tonnage to customers this month. Some buyers have complained about late shipments due to long mill backlogs, the inability of producers to refill depleted stocks at the end of 2009, and a lack of cargo space in a downsized shipping industry.