Welcome to Webcom's March issue of Paper Clips, a bulletin
dedicated to simplifying the vast amount of information available
regarding pressures affecting the book paper market. Back issues can
be requested via our web site at www.webcomlink.com.
Webcom Paper Developments:
Protecting Old Growth Forests
At Webcom, we understand that our paper choices have very real consequences for the survival of our ancient forests and their ecosystems. Interest in sustainable forest practices is increasingly an area of focus for paper mills and book manufacturers as our customers demand corporate responsibility as an expectation of doing business.
We take this expectation very seriously and purchase our paper exclusively from companies that meet or exceed environmental regulations and standards. The majority of our papers (95%) comes from the eastern boreal forest in northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. None or our paper comes from British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, Clayquot Sound or Haida Gwaii, ancient temperate rainforests that continue to be under threat.
At present, there is no firm, widely accepted definition of "ancient forests" and debate continues on how to best protect the boreal forest ecosystems. Webcom is committed to developing our understanding of the issues and choosing suppliers that develop and implement environmentally sustainable forest practices which maintain biodiversity and wildlife habitat. We also choose paper suppliers heavily involved with recycling and recuperation activities.
Webcom continues to test enviro-friendly paper alternatives that contain larger amounts of post-consumer waste yet meet the requirements of our manufacturing processes and quality expectations.
The current public campaign to support ancient forests gives Webcom the opportunity to further seek enviro-friendly solutions throughout the entire manufacturing cycle. We're interested in hearing your viewpoint. Contact us at webcom@webcomlink.com.
Pricing Trends
Newsprint prices continue to drop. Consumption of Newsprint started on a downturn in the middle of 2001 and shows little sign of picking up.
Though stable, Groundwood book paper prices are also starting to show some early signs of softening in the short term, while Fine Paper prices remain stable, for now.
In general, the economic slowdown in North America has hurt both demand and prices for business and printing and publishing papers.
Paper Tips:
Consider Lightweight Papers for Distribution Savings
Avoid the impact of rising postal rates by switching to one of Webcom's lightweight papers for your directories or catalogs. By effectively using less paper, you can reduce your mailing costs and the impact on the environment without compromising quality.
Why not consider lightweight papers such as Newsprint (30 lb.), Directory Newsprint (22.5 lb.), Lightweight Opaque (30 lb.) or Hi Value Text (40 lb.) as alternatives to Book Opaque (60 lb.) or Trade Book White (50 lb.).
Webcom's Paper Grades:
Projected Trends for March '02
Webcom's Paper Grades:
Projected Trends for March '02
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Availability stable
Prices currently stable
- Book Opaque
- Economy Offset
- High Value Text
- Reference Opaque
- Performance Text
- Lightweight Opaque
- Recycled Opaque
- Publishers' Plus
- Publishers' Preference
- Directory Newsprint
- Paperback 4 pt.
- Hi-Brite
- Hi-Bulk 5 pt.
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Good current availability
Prices softening
- Trade Book Natural
- Trade Book White
- Book Brite
- Newsprint
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NOTE: The above categorization of Webcom's paper grades is meant for informational, planning use. The information is based on Webcom's assessment of third-party publishing paper industry reports and our paper partners' current business comments. Exact paper costs and paper availability for projects should be confirmed with your Webcom Sales Representative.
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