Paper price rise 'unjustified'

Plans to increase the price of paper by as much 12% are not justified, the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has claimed.

BPIF chief executive Michael Johnson said the National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM) had not explained the hikes adequately, adding that he feared for the future of many businesses if the increases were passed.

"Although we appreciate that manufacturers are facing increases in raw material and production costs, our members will find it well-nigh impossible to pass these increases on to customers in the present climate," he said.

"Demand remains depressed and the level of trading in our industry is still well below pre-recession levels. The NAPM and its members will need to do some convincing to justify increases of this order."

Responding, NAPM director Tim Bowler claimed prices had remained relatively constant for seven years.

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