U.S. Containerboard Output Extended Surge, Says AF&PA

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the containerboard monthly report for June this year.

The report states that monthly containerboard production during the month surged higher by 9% over the same month a year before. The half-yearly cumulative production was up by 5% when matched with Jan-June ‘20.

The monthly production of containerboard for export recorded drastic decline by 15%, compared to the same month in 2020. Also, for the first half of 2021, the production was down significantly by nearly 25%.

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The containerboard operating rate edged higher marginally to 92.7% from June last year. The year-to-date operating rate has surged by 1.4%.

AF&PA reported significant month-on-month decline in mill inventories of containerboard in June 2021 by 74,000 short tons. The end-June 2021 mill inventories too were down by 76,000 short tons, compared with June-2020 level.

The Association also released its June 2021 Boxboard Monthly report. The total boxboard production remained essentially flat when compared to June 2020. The boxboard operating rate too fell slightly to 92.7%.

The recycled board production surged higher by 5% year-on-year in June this year. Over the six-month period, it declined by 1%. Meantime, solid bleached boxboard production recorded a decline by 8% in June 2021 and 4% during the initial six-month period of the year.