AF&PA reports declines in containerboard, boxboard production

Containerboard production decreased 1.8 percent in February 2019 compared with production in February 2018, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington. The association reports that production was down 1.4 percent year to date as of February. Additionally, the average daily production compared with January 2019 was 3.8 percent lower. 

The containerboard operating rate was 89.5 percent, which is 6.2 percentage points lower than the same month in 2018 and down 3.9 points year to date. 

Containerboard production for export continued its steep decline and was nearly 30 percent lower than in February 2018, dropping below 300,000 short tons for the first time since May 2010. 

Boxboard production also experienced declines in February. AF&PA reports that total boxboard monthly production decreased 0.8 percent when compared with February 2018. The total boxboard operating rate was 97.4 percent for February. 

AF&PA reports that unbleached kraft and gypsum declined 1.3 percent year-to-date. However, total solid bleached boxboard and liner production was up 3.3 percent year to date. Also, recycled boxboard production rose 2.6 percent year-to-date.

Full detailed reports on these numbers can be purchased by contacting statistics_publications@afandpa.org or calling 202-463-4716.