PIX Methodologies & Policies

COVERAGE NOTE: PIX Paper Indices - Starting from July 11, 2019, FOEX launches new PIX PAPER INDICES METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

COVERAGE NOTE: PIX Packaging Europe Indices - Starting from July 1, 2019, FOEX launches new PIX PACKAGING EUROPE INDICES METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

COVERAGE NOTE: PIX US Pulp Index - Starting from June 1, 2019, FOEX launches new PIX US PULP INDEX METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

COVERAGE NOTE: Call for comments on new indices for the MENA region

HELSINKI, June 27, 2019 (Fastmarkets) – Fastmarkets FOEX and Fastmarkets RISI are seeking feedback on potential new pulp, paper-based packaging and recovered paper indices for the MENA region.

This follows market trends towards increased trade in the MENA region. Companies active in the region have expressed a demand for benchmark prices to help them make better business decisions.

Specifically, we would like to hear from stakeholders:

• Whether they would be interested in contributing to or receiving packaging indices for the MENA region;
• Which grades and specs they would like us to consider;
• Which countries should be included in the index;
• Which publishing frequency would be most appropriate;
• Whether the basic principles of the current PIX pulp and paper methodologies might be adapted for the MENA market and what specific changes if any would be needed.

Please send comments and queries to hello.foex@fastmarkets.com or pricing.risi@fastmarkets.com by July. 31, 2019, indicating “MENA packaging indices” in the subject line of the email.

To view Fastmarkets FOEX methodologies, policies and other Coverage Notes, please see here.

To view Fastmarkets RISI methodologies, policies and other Coverage Notes, please see here.

COVERAGE NOTE: PIX Bioenergy - Starting from July 1, 2019, FOEX launches new PIX PELLET NORDIC INDEX METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

COVERAGE NOTE: Changes to US Newsprint Coverage - Consultation

In view of changes on the US newsprint market, Fastmarkets FOEX proposes a number of updates to its PIX US Newsprint indices.

1. Since the US newsprint market has shifted towards lighter basis weights, Fastmarkets FOEX proposes to discontinue price assessments for PIX US Newsprint (30 lb/48.8 g). We would continue to publish the PIX US Newsprint 27.65 lb (45 g).

2. As newsprint of lower brightness has become more common, Fastmarkets FOEX proposes to adjust its current specifications from 58-60 ISO to 55-58 ISO.

3. Fastmarkets FOEX currently tracks US newsprint delivered to the east coast. We are investigating whether to include deliveries to the west coast in one single US Newsprint index.  Fastmarkets FOEX encourages market participants to submit feedback on such a potential change.

The following price series would be affected:

PIX US Newsprint (30 lb/48.8 g)

PIX US Newsprint 27.65 lb (45 g)

The changes #1 and #2 would likely be implemented at the start of 2020. Depending on the feedback received, we will evaluate how to move forward with #3.

Fastmarkets FOEX is inviting feedback on these proposals by July 31^st, 2019. To comment, please email hello.foex@fastmarkets.com indicating “PIX US Newsprint” in the subject line of the email.

COVERAGE NOTE: Changes to PIX Forest Biomass Finland – Final Decision

HELSINKI, May 24, 2019 (PIX Bioenergy and Wood Indices) – Following a market consultation with no objections to the proposal received, Fastmarkets FOEX would like to confirm the following changes to its PIX Forest Biomass Finland index and its sub-indices with no material changes:

PIX Bioenergy and Wood Indices:

• Specify the eligible price definition concerning longer than 12-month transactions
• Detail the eligible price definition concerning indexed prices
• Define the grade classification using Fuel Classification 2019 by Statistics Finland
• Specify the delivery terms to DDU, unloaded at buyer’s plant/ TOP Finnterms
• The specifications will be in English, with a Finnish summary including all parts concerning price reporting practices available

Outside of the specifications themselves, Fastmarkets FOEX will replace the unofficial logging residue & unpruned stem chip number in the monthly letter with only logging residue number, and considers publishing a separate sub-index for that in the future. Also, regional collection and publishing for the indices will be considered and developed further.

For queries, please email hello.foex@fastmarkets.com, indicating “PIX Forest Biomass Finland Index” in the subject line of the email.

Change in the publishing time of the PIX Pulp & Paper indices - Notice of Implementation

As previously announced, Fastmarkets FOEX will concentrate the publishing time of all PIX indices to 12 noon EET (Helsinki time) on Tuesdays with the effect from April 1, 2019.

This change was subject of consultation and is meant to streamline operations and better serve clients with one publishing time for all Fastmarkets FOEX deliverables.

This change will affect the publishing of the following PIX indices:

Current publishing at 9 am EET:

• PIX Pulp China BHKP Net
• PIX Pulp China NBSK Net

Current publishing at 9 am EST:

• PIX Pulp US NBSK
• PIX US Newsprint
• PIX US Newsprint 27.65 lb

For comments or queries, please email: hello.foex@fastmarkets.com, indicating “Change in publishing times” in the subject line of the email.

PIX Recovered Paper Europe Indices - Starting from March 1, 2019, Fastmarkets FOEX launches PIX RECOVERED PAPER EUROPE METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS including PIX Recovered Paper Germany indices

4.2 and 4.2.1 revised to reflect the new Data Submitter Policy (DSP) document replacing formal audits of the price data providers

4.2.2 Added sentence about auditing of FOEX calculation procedure and methodology

4.2.3 Auditing - (of price data providers) section has been deleted

6.2. Weighting - section has been shortened

PIX Recovered Paper Europe Indices - Starting from April 1, 2018, FOEX launches new PIX RECOVERED PAPER EUROPE METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS

Changes to PIX China Indexes - This coverage note confirms that FOEX will cease publishing the old PIX Pulp China indices from January 2018 onwards and continue only with the PIX Pulp China Net Indexes for NBSKP and BHKP.

PIX Pulp China Net Indices – Starting on April 4, 2017, FOEX will begin publishing new weekly net price indices for NBSK and BHKP in China. The previous PIX Pulp China price indices will continue to be published in the weekly email to subscribers alongside the new PIX Pulp China net price indices until further notice and likewise in the online weekly report “PIX Pulp China letter”.