#London #United Kingdom #Fastmarkets #NOREXECO #Pulp Futures

The Launch of European Pulp Futures: A Game Changer in the Market

In a groundbreaking announcement made on December 10, 2025, Fastmarkets, a leading global agency in commodity price reporting, and NOREXECO, a premier exchange specifically designed for pulp and paper futures, have unveiled two pioneering spot-based futures contracts for Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) and Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft (BEK). This initiative marks a significant shift in the European pulp market, responding to evolving price structures and a growing demand for improved risk management tools in pricing.

The introduction of these contracts signifies an important milestone for industry stakeholders as it translates real-time spot pricing into actionable trading options, enhancing the industry's ability to navigate ever-fluctuating market dynamics. Prior to this, European futures were linked to Fastmarkets' benchmark PIX indices, reflecting gross contract prices. The new contracts provide insights that reflect net pricing, which could prove critical for companies aiming for more refined price risk management strategies.

Matt Graves, Senior Vice President at Fastmarkets, expresses the impact of this development: "These new European futures represent a significant shift for the industry. By closely aligning with net price dynamics, we provide market participants with a robust tool to more effectively manage risks and adapt to changing price trends."

He further elaborated that the new spot pricing contracts broaden Fastmarkets' extensive global price reporting, which already covers net pricing in North America and China. This means that industry actors will now gain a broader, more transparent view of global market trends, ultimately assisting them in their decision-making processes.

Stein Ole Larsen, CEO of NOREXECO, emphasized the importance these tools hold for traders: "The introduction of these European spot prices provides an essential tool for price risk management in the industry. Spot price settlement will open new avenues for traders and arbitrageurs, injecting necessary liquidity into the market. Our experiences from other commodity markets highlight how positively the industry welcomes effective price risk management instruments."

This initiative marks a continuation of the successful partnership between Fastmarkets and NOREXECO, which previously established contracts based on net pricing for NBSK and BHKP and recycling materials. The collaboration shows their commitment to meeting modern market requirements with advanced risk management tools. As the industry grows, these contracts are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping trading practices and fostering an environment that encourages thoughtful decision-making.

To get in touch with Fastmarkets and learn more about how they can assist with evolving market needs, you can reach out by sending an email to [email protected].

About Fastmarkets

Fastmarkets is a premier environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarking provider for resource markets encompassing agriculture, forest products, metals, carbon, and energy transition. It enables clients to understand and navigate the complex, dynamic commodity landscapes through benchmark prices, forecasts, analysis, insights, news, and events. Fastmarkets has a rich history dating back to 1865 and operates globally with over 850 employees across multiple locations including the United Kingdom, USA, China, Singapore, Brazil, Bulgaria, Belgium, Ukraine, and Finland. Fastmarkets is privately owned and registered in the UK, supported by shareholders and Astorg, a European private equity firm.

About NOREXECO

NOREXECO is a regulated exchange specializing in futures contracts for pulp and paper, operating under a license granted by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance. With the capacity for global accessibility, NOREXECO has provided electronic trading since October 2018 through its KB Tech Portal. In collaboration with European Commodity Clearing (ECC), KB Tech Ltd, and Fastmarkets FOEX/RISI's leading index provider, NOREXECO represents a comprehensive marketplace for derivatives trading under emerging global regulatory frameworks.