Aug 23, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Austrian cardboard maker Mayr-Melnhof is expected to post Euro 712.9 million ($868.7 million) turnover year-on-year for the first half of 2005 against Euro 709 million ($864 million), according to a consensus forecast of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), Erste Bank and Raiffeisen Centrobank (RCB). Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) are seen at Euro 72.1 million ($87.9 million) compared to Euro 75.9 million ($92.5 million) in the first half of 2004. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) are expected to fall to Euro 117.5 million ($143.2 million) from Euro 122.3 million ($149 million). BA-CA analyst Jens Zimmermann attributed the lower forecast to strong price and profit margin pressure resulting from the low demand, chiefly on Asian markets. Erste Bank forecast continuing tight market conditions for Mayr-Melnhof despite throttling production and the slack reluctant demand.