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US packaging board output rises

The Washington-based American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has announced that containerboard production increased by 4.2 percent in July 2018 compared with July 2017. Year to date, according to the AF&PA, containerboard output has grown by 1.5 percent.

Momentum also grew during the summer months, with the AF&PA saying the July 2018 containerboard output figure is up by 3.8 percent compared with the previous month.

The containerboard mill operating rate was 99.4 percent this July, 2.5 percentage points higher compared with July 2017.

Production for export in July 2018 was at its highest level so far this year and was 2 percent higher than in July 2017.

The trade organization also has reported that total boxboard output in the U.S. in July increased by 1.9 percent when compared with July 2017 and by 4.1 percent when compared with the previous month.

The production of recycled-content boxboard increased this July compared with both the previous month and with July 2017.