Paper Mill Closures and Rising Costs Drive Up Newsprint Prices

Quad/Graphics Inc. has released an industry update highlighting significant developments in the postal, paper, and logistics sectors. The report notes that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not implement zone pricing for Marketing Mail and Outside County Periodicals in January, following a Postal Regulatory Commission ruling. However, the USPS has indicated potential rate increases for July 2026. In the paper market, recent mill closures-including Domtar’s Grenada, Mississippi, and KAP Paper’s Ontario newsprint mills-are expected to eliminate up to 25% of North America’s newsprint production if not reopened, pushing mill operating rates into the 90% range by 2026. This, combined with a 10% increase in U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber and production cuts at Canadian sawmills, is driving up the cost of wood chips and paper. Consequently, North American producers have announced a $50 per metric ton price increase for 45 gsm newsprint effective November 1, with negotiations ongoing. In logistics, new federal rules may limit the eligibility of foreign nationals for commercial driver licenses, potentially impacting the trucking industry. Quad/Graphics emphasizes its position as a leader in navigating these challenging market conditions and providing clients with up-to-date insights and best practices. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Quad/Graphics Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 30, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2025 - Public Technologies (PUBT) Original Document: here