AF&PA: paper news roundup

AF&PA: paper news roundup

By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling

According to recently-released figures from the American Forest & Paper Association [1] total production and shipment figures were up and down for boxboard, containerboard, Kraft paper and printing-writing paper in September 2011.

The AF&PA found that total boxboard production in September 2011 dipped by 3.6 percent compared to year-earlier levels, and decreased 5.9 percent from August 2011. The group additionally noted that the production of recycled folding boxboard dropped when compared to September 2010, and also decreased when compared to last month.

Containerboard production last month fell 2.2 percent when compared to month-earlier levels, though the month-over-month average daily production was up 1.0 percent. The operating rate for containerboard in September 2011 was down a touch from September 2010 to 98.4 percent but up 1.0 points from the August operating rate, according to the AF&PA.

Total Kraft paper shipments in September 2011 were 124.6 thousand tons, a drop of 13.4 percent compared to September 2010 and total inventory was 80.9 thousand tons. The AF&PA additionally found that total unbleached Kraft shipments dipped when compared to year-earlier levels.

September 2011 printing-writing paper shipments fell 8 percent in September when compared to September 2010. Too, all four major printing-writing grades posted drops compared to last September. According to the trade group, U.S. purchases (shipments plus imports minus exports) of printing-writing papers decreased 7 percent in September and total printing-writing paper inventory levels dipped 2 percent compared to month-earlier levels.

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