Recycled Paperboard Improves

The production of recycled paperboard posted a modest decline for November, compared to figures the same time last year. Despite the modest dip, production for the first 11 months of the year are up 0.2 percent from figures the same time in 2001.

According to the American Forest and Paper Association, November’s recycled paperboard production level stands at 1.224 million tons, compared to November 2001’s figure of 1.240 million tons. For the first 11 months production stands at 14.405 million tons, compared to 2001’s 11-month total of 14.382 million tons.

While total production improved modestly, under the three different components of the recycled paperboard sector recycled linerboard, the fastest segment in the recycled board industry, posted a 1.1 percent improvement between 2001 and last year. For November, production stands at 318,000 tons, pushing the annual rate, year to date, to 3.849 million tons.

While recycled linerboard showed some strength, total linerboard production improved by a much sharper 2.7 percent between last year and this year.

Recycled  corrugated medium showed the strongest improvement between 2001 and last year. Production increased by 1.9 percent to 4.168 million tons, with the annual rate reaching 4.168 million tons.

While the figure is promising, total corrugated medium production increased by a much sharper 3.5 percent, with the annual rate, year to date standing at 9.703 million tons.

The biggest loser between 2001 and 2002 continues to be the recycled boxboard segment. According to the AFPA, recycled boxboard for November stands at 212,000 tons, bringing the annual rate, year to date, to 2.634 million tons, a 0.5 percent decline.