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M-real is increasing the price of its speciality papers by up to 10% from 1 April to offset input costs rises.

The price increase affects all one-side coated, cast coated and uncoated label, board and flexible packaging papers produced at its Simpele mill in Finland and the Zanders mills at Gohrsmühle and Reflex in Germany, M-real said in a brief statement today.

"The increase is mainly driven by continuous increases in raw material and logistics costs," the firm said.

Today's announcement comes two weeks after the Finnish firm announced £50-a-tonne price increases for its white-top kraftliner grades.

Last month, M-real reported its pre-tax loss had tripled to EUR150m last year as sales fell by a quarter.

Nonetheless, the firm is confident about the future after moving into profit in the fourth quarter for the first time in 2009.

Chief executive Mikko Helander said at the time that the gradual recovery of the market situation supported "the continuation of our positive profit development".

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