Containerboard and boxboard production rates both decreased in August compared with the same month last year, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, states in its latest monthly reports.
AF&PA released the August 2019 Containerboard Monthly Report on Sept. 17. According to AF&PA, containerboard production in August decreased 2.4 percent compared with August 2018 and was down 4.9 percent year to date, AF&PA reports.
However, the average daily production compared with July 2019 was 3.2 percent higher. Also, containerboard operating rates increased from 89.9 percent in July to 92.8 percent in August, which is the highest rate so far this year.
AF&PA reports that total linerboard operating rates increased to 91.6 percent in August, going above 90 percent for only the third time this year. Yet August’s total operating rate was 4.6 points lower than the same month last year, and the year-to-date operating rate was down 6.3 points.
Production for export, most of which is linerboard, was down 12.2 percent month over month and was down 17.7 percent year to date, AF&PA reports.
Boxboard production rates
AF&PA also released its August 2019 U.S. Boxboard Report. Total boxboard monthly production decreased 1.0 percent compared with August 2018. The total boxboard operating rate was 94.1 percent for August, AF&PA reports in a news release.
The association reports that total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased 0.4 percent year to date; recycled boxboard production fell 1.0 percent year to date; and unbleached Kraft and gypsum production decreased 0.5 percent year to date.
Printing-writing paper shipments
According to AF&PA’s 2019 Printing-Writing Monthly Report in August, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 14 percent in August compared with August 2018. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers declined 13 percent in August compared with the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained flat compared with July 2019, AF&PA reports.
Complete reports with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716.