U.S. Containerboard Output Rose Marginally in April

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has published the production and export statistics for various products for the month of April this year. The U.S. Boxboard Report states that total boxboard production surged higher by 4%, when compared with April last year. Over the prior month, boxboard production registered a rise of 2.6%.

According to AF&PA, unbleached kraft boxboard production increased over the previous year. The production of solid bleached boxboard & liner production too increased when compared with April 217. Recycled boxboard production too climbed higher from year-ago levels. The production witnessed significant jump over the previous month too.

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The AF&PA data indicates that the total shipments of printing-writing paper by the US dropped by 4% in April 2018 in comparison with April last year. The shipments all major categories of printing-writing paper except uncoated free sheet witnessed decline during the month. The total inventory levels registered 1.5% month-on-month decline. The exports remained flat over the previous month.

The shipments of coated mechanical (CM) paper registered eleventh consecutive month of decline. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper exports increased during the month. Also, shipment of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers has declined by more than 20%.

The total packaging paper shipments by the US during April 2018 were up by 12.3% when matched with the same month a year before. The year-to-date shipments have declined marginally by 1.0%. Bag and sack shipments remained flat during the initial four-month period of the year. Also multiwall shipments and converting shipments were down by 6.7% and 0.4% respectively.

The AF&PA monthly data also indicates that the U.S. containerboard production in April 2018 surged higher marginally by 0.7% compared to April last year. The year-to-date production too recorded similar jump.