Sep 29, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. European demand for newsprint fell 12% (100 thousand tonnes) with the largest tonnage drops seen in UK and Italy, CEPIPRINT, the Association of European Publication Paper Producers reported. In the SC-Magazine paper sector, demand dropped 10% (35 thousand tonnes) in August y-o-y. Total European shipments were down 16% (69 thousand tonnes) with exports almost cut in half by 43% (34 thousand tonnes), mainly to the US, Australia and Brazil. Looking at CMR, European demand was down 16% (104 thousand tonnes) last month, the mildest y-o-y contraction so far this year. After 8 months, demand remains 25% below the level of 2008. Total European shipments contracted by 18% (140 thousand tonnes) with significant volume reductions to the US and Australia, but continued growth in shipments to Japan. In Uncoated Mechanical, demand fell 18% (33 thousand tonnes), remaining in line with the ytd decline. Overseas shipments were reduced by 22% (51 thousand tonnes). The biggest declines in shipments were seen in Germany, Spain and the US. The Association of European Publication Paper Producers, CEPIPRINT asbl, is a non-profit making organisation funded by its members, who are manufacturers of newsprint and magazine paper grades in Europe. CEPIPRINT membership currently includes 52 companies belonging to 17 independent groups, over 60 paper mills and 165 paper machines in 13 European countries.