Containerboard production dips in US

The Washington-based American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has reported that containerboard production in the United States was down 3 percent in February 2018 compared with February 2017’s output.

The organization states containerboard output declined 1.1 percent year to date. Average daily production in the U.S. in February 2018 was 3.2 percent lower than in the preceding month.

In February, the containerboard mill operating rate was 94.1 percent in the U.S., or 3.1 percentage points lower than the same month last year, according to the AF&PA. Production for export was 6 percent lower in February 2018 compared with February 2017 and has been 8.4 percent lower year to date.

In the boxboard sector, AF&PA reports total boxboard production in the U.S. in February 2018 increased 2.4 percent when compared with February 2017 but decreased 4.8 percent from the prior month.

Unbleached kraft boxboard production and total solid bleached boxboard and liner production likewise increased over the same month a year ago but decreased compared with January 2018. The production of recycled-content boxboard followed the same pattern, the association says.

More detailed reports on containerboard and boxboard production can be purchased by contacting the AF&PA at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org.