Mar 01, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. The start of a new year has witnessed a return to some positive changes for the first time in over 12 months for all of the publication paper grades except for SC-Magazine. However, it is worth remembering that January 2009 was an extremely weak month amidst the global economic crisis, CEPIPRINT said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. European demand for newsprint dipped just 1.0% (-7,000 tonnes), while total European shipments of the grade were up 1.1% (8,000 tonnes). The increase in shipments was largely due to a rise in newsprint exports to the Far East and Latin America. The SC-magazine paper sector has not seen the same level of domestic pick-up as the other grades. European demand fell 5.8% (-18,000 tonnes), but the continuous slump in shipments overseas has at least slowed to -8.4% (-4,000 tonnes) in January year-on-year. Demand and shipments in the coated mechanical reels sector recorded improvments across the board compared to the weak results from January last year. European demand rose 1.0% (5,000 tonnes) and total European shipments were up 4.3% (23,000 tonnes). Exports climbed 21% (18,000 tonnes) on the back of increased deliveries to all export regions except North America. The market situation for uncoated mechanical also improved last month year-on-year. European demand rose 4.8% (7,000 tonnes) and coupled with a 24.4% (8,000 tonnes) rise in exports mainly to Turkey, this led to an 8.5% (15,000 tonnes) hike in total European shipments. The Association of European Publication Paper Producers, CEPIPRINT, is a legally and financially independent association based in Brussels, Belgium. It is a non-profit making organisation funded by its members, who are manufacturers of newsprint and magazine paper grades in Europe.