Recycled boxboard production down in July

Boxboard production was down in July compared with the same month in 2019, according to the American Forest & Paper Association’s (AF&PA’s) July 2020 Boxboard Monthly report. For the first seven months of the year, boxboard production declined 2 percent compared with the same seven months in 2019. The boxboard operating rate was 90.4 percent, down 3.3 points from July 2019 and flat year to date, AF&PA reports.

Recycled boxboard production in July decreased 7 percent compared with July 2019, and it was down 1 percent compared with the same seven months in 2019. 

Containerboard production in July was flat, AF&PA reports. According to the association’s July 2020 Containerboard Monthly report, containerboard production was up 4 percent for the first seven months of the year compared with the same time frame in 2019. 

July 2020 production of containerboard for export decreased 7 percent compared with the same month last year and was up 28 percent year to date. AF&PA says the containerboard operating rate in July was 89.4 percent, down 1.6 points from July 2019 and up 3.1 points year to date. 

Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of July decreased 7,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 67,000 short tons compared with July 2019. 

In addition, AF&PA reports that printing-writing paper shipments decreased 26 percent in July compared with July 2019 based on findings in its July 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly report. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers decreased 24 percent in July compared with the same month in 2019, and total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent when compared with June. 

AF&PA’s latest reports along with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at statistics_publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716.