H2: Introduction: They Raise Prices — But Do You Have to Follow?

In May 2026, the paper industry saw waves of price hike notices from the Nine Dragons and Shanying group.

On May 1, Nine Dragons increased white cardboard prices by 200 yuan/ton. On May 22–27, the Quanzhou base raised corrugated paper, recycled kraft, and Dìlong kraft prices three times, each time by 50 yuan/ton. On May 29, the Taicang base increased Dìlong kraft by 50 yuan/ton and recycled kraft/corrugated paper by 80 yuan/ton. Shanying Paper also announced production halts across multiple bases from late May to early June for equipment maintenance.

Meanwhile, Jingxing Paper announced on June 3 that corrugated paper prices underwent multiple rounds of increases in May, with a total increase of 300–350 yuan/ton.

But here's the key question: should you, as a B2B buyer, just follow these price hikes?

H3: 1. What's Really Behind the Price Hikes? Two Core Drivers

Driver One: Rising costs for waste paper and chemical auxiliaries

The primary pressure on packaging paper production comes from waste paper and chemical auxiliary costs, not wood pulp prices. Waste paper prices have been climbing due to supply tightness, lower recycling volumes in the southern rainy season, and active mill restocking. As of early May, the waste paper benchmark had already reached 1,664 yuan/ton, up 2.27% from the beginning of the month.

For B2B buyers of thermal paper and carbonless paper, the direct raw material is wood pulp — which means packaging paper price hikes have limited direct impact on your categories.

Driver Two: Maintenance halts reducing supply

May is the traditional maintenance season. Nine Dragons, Shanying, and others arranged concentrated maintenance, pulling some capacity offline in the short term, reducing product supply and giving paper mills more bargaining power.

For you, however, the key is to confirm: does your supplier's thermal paper or carbonless paper production face similar supply cuts?

H3: 2. The Real Issue for B2B Buyers: Differentiated Impacts

The current paper market shows a distinct structural differentiation.

Packaging paper (corrugated, kraft, cardboard): Raw material costs (waste paper) are rising, supply adjustments from maintenance are significant → prices face clear upward pressure.

Cultural paper and white cardboard: Wood pulp (the raw material) has seen falling prices, but end demand is weak → prices face limited pressure or even downward risk.

Thermal paper and carbonless paper: Raw material costs are primarily wood pulp. Pulp prices are at near-year lows, and end-market demand is relatively stable. Technically speaking, price hikes on these products lack full cost support.

As a buyer, you must distinguish: are the price hikes your supplier is referencing in the same category as what you actually need?

H3: 3. Three Reality Checks for B2B Distributors When Facing Price Hike Notices

Check One: Determine price hike type

Ask suppliers: "Did you receive the manufacturer's price hike notice? Which specific category does it apply to?"

Don't take "manufacturers are generally raising prices" as your only source of information. Verify the exact product line.

Check Two: Understand real cost fluctuations

As mentioned earlier, pulp prices are at near-year lows. Request that suppliers offer detailed cost breakdowns rather than relying on vague "raw materials are rising"explanations.

Check Three: Use medium- to long-term contracts to mitigate risk

For customers with stable demand, consider signing medium- to long-term supply agreements with price adjustment clauses (e.g., "subject to pulp market price fluctuation range"). This provides protection against frequent price adjustment notices from suppliers.

H3: 4. Industry News Worth Special Attention

RMB exchange rate fluctuations

The RMB recently broke through 6.78, hitting its highest level in nearly two years. RMB appreciation directly benefits the paper industry by reducing raw material procurement costs (pulp imports are priced in USD), helping companies increase profitability. For thermal paper and carbonless paper buyers, this may be a favorable factor.

Global industry consolidation accelerating

The EU approved Suzano's $3.4 billion acquisition of Kimberly-Clark's tissue business. This joint venture will integrate 22 production bases across 14 countries. Stora Enso plans to close a softwood pulp production line and refocus on fluff pulp production. UPM and Sappi formed a 50/50 joint venture combining their European graphic paper operations.

While these global moves may not directly impact your near-term procurement, in the medium to long term, continued industry consolidation could affect pulp supply patterns and pricing — an important factor to track.

New capacity commissioning may increase supply options

In May, multiple specialty paper projects in China completed commissioning or capacity ramp-up. For the specialty paper sector as a whole, these may create more supply choices in the long run.

H3: 5. Three Practical Sourcing Recommendations

Recommendation 1: Don't rush to follow "industry price hikes"

Verify whether the price hike applies to the specific product category you need. Differentiate between categories. The current market shows distinct structural segmentation.

Recommendation 2: Seize the current lower window for pulp prices

If you have stable demand for thermal paper or carbonless paper, now is a good time to lock in prices with suppliers or sign medium-term supply contracts.

Recommendation 3: Build a buffer in your supply chain

Given ongoing maintenance halts across the industry, consider building 1–2 months of buffer inventory to avoid supply disruptions if upstream capacity tightens. Maintain moderate inventory levels without overstocking.

H3: 6. What We Do

We don't hide behind industry price hike narratives. Our pricing is based on real costs. If pulp prices fall, our prices reflect that. If market prices need to be adjusted, we provide clear, transparent explanations. No opaque marketing jargon.

Request free samples and see our pricing approach firsthand.

Let facts speak, not hype.

Author: Mia | Casperg Paper Industrial Co., Ltd

Industrial Paper Manufacturing And Export Specialists

18+ Years Experience In Thermal Paper And Specialty Paper Industry

Focused On Office Paper Manufacturing OEM Supply Global Paper Export And B2B Packaging Solutions

Last updated June 2026