U.S. packaging papers shipments in December 2018 were down 7.9% from December 2017 but up 1.8% year-to-date, as the American Forest & Paper Association reported.
Bag and Sack shipments were up 4.4% year-to-date; Multiwall shipments were down 1.4%; Converting shipments were up 0.5%; and Food Wrapping shipments were up 1.9%.
The operating rate for December dropped to 87% compared to 89.5% in November. Inventories increased 2.2% since November and were 4.9% higher than the same month last year.
The American Forest & Paper Association serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy.
