Hansol Paper rolls back printing paper discounts from 28 September
Hansol Paper will roll back discount rates on white paper, MFC, art paper and lightweight paper from 28 September 2026, effectively raising supply prices to offset pulp and energy costs. The move follows an April 2026 Korea Fair Trade Commission ruling that Hansol and five other paper makers colluded on printing paper price increases; Hansol's fine was set at USD 104m (KRW 142.58bn) before leniency reductions cut the six companies' combined penalty to USD 106m (KRW 144.1bn).
Why this mattersDiscount rollbacks from 28 September lift Korean printing paper prices while Hansol carries a cartel fine and borrowings above USD 601m (KRW 820bn).
- Hansol Paper will adjust discount rates on white paper, MFC, art paper and lightweight paper from 28 September 2026, effectively raising supply prices.
- The KFTC ruled in April 2026 that Hansol Paper and five other paper makers had agreed printing paper price increases over about three years and ten months.
- The original combined fine for the six companies was USD 248m (KRW 338.3bn), with Hansol Paper's share set at USD 104m (KRW 142.58bn).
- After leniency applications, the six companies' combined fine was reduced to USD 106m (KRW 144.1bn).
- Second-quarter 2026 operating profit was USD 37m (KRW 50.8bn) against USD 14m (KRW 19.3bn) a year earlier; first-half revenue rose 1.0% and operating profit 56.4%.
- First-quarter 2026 total borrowings exceeded USD 601m (KRW 820bn), with negative operating cash flow.
- Hansol Paper and Korea Paper Co notified printers of further price increases of up to 13% beyond the discount rollback
- Korea Federation of Printing Cooperatives and 11 regional cooperatives issued a joint statement against the increases on 27 September 2026
- Chinese hardwood pulp, which accounts for about 40-50% of printing paper production cost, rose about 13% from USD 510 per tonne in September 2025 to USD 576 per tonne on 21 September 2026