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U.S. Containerboard Operating Rate Reaches 95% in Q2, AF&PA Says

Paper Recycling  |  2026-08-05 11:54:36

AF&PA report noted that Solid Bleached Boxboard recorded a 4% increase in production from a year earlier.

U.S. Containerboard Operating Rate Reaches 95% in Q2, AF&PA Says
Summary
  • Boxboard production increased 2% year over year in Q2 2026, while the overall operating rate edged down to 88.8%.
  • Containerboard operating rates improved to nearly 95%, despite a 2% decline in quarterly production and a 5% drop in first-half output.
  • Domestic demand rose 1%, exports declined nearly 19%, and mill inventories fell to their lowest level in over 15 months.

USW Returns to Pittsburgh for U.S. Steel Bargaining, Seeks Job Security and Investment Guarantees

The United Steelworkers negotiating committee is back at the bargaining table in Pittsburgh, pressing U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel for a contract that protects jobs and locks in promised investments. Union leaders say the deal must reflect more than a century of workforce contributions to the company.

What Readers Should Know

  • USW's negotiating committee has returned to Pittsburgh for U.S. Steel contract bargaining.
  • The union wants U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel to follow through on promised investments.
  • Facilities covered span Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
  • USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall chairs negotiations with U.S. Steel.
  • USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap chairs the union's Basic Steel Industry Conference.
  • Union leaders are seeking wage, benefit, safety and health care commitments.

Why the union is pushing for job security

USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall, who chairs negotiations with U.S. Steel, said union members have spent more than a century providing the skill, experience and dedication essential to the company's success. He said workers deserve long-term job security in return.

Hall said the union will seek commitments from U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel to follow through on promised investments and secure the long-term future of steelmaking operations and family-sustaining jobs at facilities in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He added that USW members work in some of the industry's toughest and most hazardous environments while sacrificing family time to keep mills and mines operating.

What the union wants in a new contract

Hall said workers deserve wages and benefits that reflect their contributions, along with the dignity and respect that come with a strong union contract. He said the agreement should provide meaningful economic security for workers, their families and the communities that depend on steel production.

Why history and legacy matter to the union

USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap, who chairs the USW's Basic Steel Industry Conference, said union members have been part of U.S. Steel's history for more than 125 years, helping build the company into one of the nation's most recognizable industrial manufacturers.

Millsap said the union is committed to preserving that legacy by negotiating a contract that protects both workers and the future of domestic steelmaking. He said the union will fight to secure continued capital investment in the company's mines and mills, improve the safety of working conditions, and maintain quality health care for members and their families.

People Also Ask

Who is leading USW negotiations with U.S. Steel?

USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall chairs the negotiations with U.S. Steel.

Which facilities does the contract cover?

The contract covers facilities in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

What is the union asking Nippon Steel to do?

The union wants Nippon Steel to follow through on promised investments in steelmaking operations.

Who chairs the Basic Steel Industry Conference?

USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap chairs the Basic Steel Industry Conference.

What issues is the union prioritizing beyond wages?

The union is prioritizing capital investment, workplace safety, and quality health care coverage.

Courtesy: www.usw.org

Frequently Asked Questions


  • How did U.S. boxboard production perform in Q2 2026?
  • U.S. boxboard production increased 2% year over year, according to the AF&PA quarterly report.

  • What was the containerboard operating rate in Q2 2026?
  • The containerboard industry operating rate improved to nearly 95%, up from 93% in the previous quarter.

  • Did containerboard production increase in Q2 2026?
  • No. Containerboard production declined 2% year over year in the second quarter and was 5% lower in the first half of 2026 compared with H1 2025.

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