If anyone still believes market pulp is just a “standard” commodity, the Shanghai Futures Exchange just proved otherwise.
On June 20, 2025, they suspended the “Bratsk” brand bleached softwood pulp—produced by Russia’s Ilim Group—from delivery eligibility in futures contracts. The reason? Ongoing complaints from leading paper manufacturers about inconsistent quality and poor performance. The move is not just regulatory—it’s a clear signal: quality matters.
Hopefully, the issues are confined to specific lots. But the message is bigger than Bratsk. Paper production demands consistent fiber performance. Poor quality pulp throws off stability, increases chemical and energy consumption, and—most critically—slows down the machines.
So here’s the question: shouldn’t pulp buyers be willing to pay more for premium, stable-performing grades? A 3% improvement in a paper machine’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) can unlock substantial gains—especially considering the scale and complexity of the machines China has commissioned over the past decade.
Quality pulp isn’t a luxury. It’s a performance lever.
