Schweitzer-Mauduit International, the US-based manufacturer of speciality papers, reported that its second quarter net income for 1997 reached US$ 12.7 million compared with a net income of US$ 10.5 million in the same period of 1996 – an increase of 21 per cent

Net sales amounted to US$ 116.3 million for the second quarter against US$ 117.5 million in the comparable period of 1996, a decline of 1 per cent. Unfavourable exchange rates, primarily related to the strength of the US dollar, reduced net sales by US$ 5.8 million. The net sales benefit of stronger sales volumes and improved sales mix in France was partially offset by lower sales volumes for the US business. Operating profits amounted to US$ 22.9 million for the quarter.