AF&PA: Weak Printing Demand Weighs on U.S. Paper Shipments
Paper Recycling | 2025-12-17 12:21:00
The unbleached paper operating rate declined to 79%, marking its second-lowest level of the year.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released its November 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report, highlighting mixed trends across U.S. paper markets.
According to the data, total packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments fell 10% month over month in November, but were 1% higher year on year. Shipments were also up 1% on a year-to-date basis compared with the same period of 2024. The unbleached paper operating rate declined to 79%, marking its second-lowest level of the year, while unbleached capacity was down 1.6% year to date. Bleached food wrapping shipments slipped 2.2% from November 2024, although they remained 7.4% higher year to date. Total inventories increased 6.2% year on year.
AF&PA also published its November 2025 Printing-Writing Papers report. The association said year-to-date printing-writing shipments were 8% lower than last year, even as the 2025 operating rate stood nearly four percentage points higher than in 2024. Inventory levels declined 5% from October.
Based on U.S. Census Bureau trade data for September 2025, purchases across uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) grades fell 12% year on year, led by a 15% drop in MECH, while UFS and CFS declined 11% and 12%, respectively.
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What best describes the trend in U.S. packaging paper shipments in November 2025?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did U.S. packaging paper shipments perform in November 2025?
Shipments fell 10% month on month but were 1% higher year on year and also up 1% on a year-to-date basis.
- What was the operating rate for unbleached packaging paper?
The unbleached paper operating rate declined to 79%, the second-lowest level of 2025, while capacity was down 1.6% year to date.
- How did bleached food wrapping shipments change?
Bleached food wrapping shipments fell 2.2% year on year in November but remained 7.4% higher on a year-to-date basis.
