AF&PA: Packaging Papers See Strong Growth in October 2025 as Printing-Writing Market Weakens
According to the October 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 14% year-on-year in October.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released its October 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly Report, highlighting a notable upswing in packaging paper demand across the United States. The latest industry data shows that shipments of packaging papers and specialty packaging products climbed 9% in October, compared to the same month last year. For the first ten months of 2025, shipments edged up by 1% year-over-year, indicating steady market resilience.
The report also reveals a significant improvement in the bleached packaging sector, with the operating rate rising to 80.8%, marking the highest level seen in recent years. Despite the stronger utilization rate, total production capacity declined 8% versus October 2024, reflecting continued capacity adjustments within the paper and packaging industry.
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In the unbleached segment, bag and sack paper shipments increased 8% year-over-year in October, although year-to-date totals remained 2.3% lower. Industry inventories rose substantially, with total stock levels increasing 12% compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, the association’s October 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly Report painted a contrasting picture. Shipments of printing-writing papers fell 14% year-over-year, continuing the ongoing downward trend driven by digitalization and reduced paper consumption. Inventory levels across printing-writing grades also slid 2% from September.
All major printing-writing categories—uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH)—registered declines, with the mechanical grade experiencing the sharpest contraction.