U.S. Packaging Paper Exports Flat in November

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced publication of U.S packaging paper export statistics for the month of November this year.

The total boxboard production registered marginal decline by 0.8%, upon comparison with the same month in 2017. The recycled boxboard production too has declined by 2.2% during the month. On the other hand, the U.S. containerboard production rose marginally by 3.2% over the previous year. The production for export increased from the prior month. The monthly production was 5.2% higher than October 2018. Also, the year-to-date production was up marginally by just less than 1%, said AF&PA monthly data.

The U.S. printing-writing paper shipments recorded modest decline by 6% in November, as compared with the previous year. The total printing-writing paper inventory levels have increased by 3% from October. The shipments of coated free sheets have declined marginally by 1% year-over-year in November. The shipments of coated mechanical papers dropped significantly by 12%. The shipments of uncoated mechanical papers have collapsed by 75% over the previous year to hit new record low.

The U.S. packaging paper shipments remained essentially flat in November 2018, as compared with the previous year. The cumulative shipments during Jan-Nov ’18 were up by 2.8%. Multiwall shipments witnessed marginal uptick by 3%. The bag & sack shipments and food wrapping shipments were up by 5.3% and 2.5% year-on-year. Meantime, the converting shipments too were up slightly by 1%.