The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 82.5%, up 5.7 points from March 2023 and up 9.5 points year-to-date.
American Forest & Paper Association
U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers also decreased 1% in February compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 1% when compared to February 2024.
U.S. packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February 2024 increased 5% compared to February 2023. They were essentially flat when compared to the same 2 months of 2023.
Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 1% when compared to January 2024.
U.S. printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in January 2024 compared to January 2023. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 19% in December 2023 compared to the same month in 2022.
U.S. packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January 2024 decreased 4% compared to January 2023.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) introduced Sonoco President and CEO Howard Coker as AF&PA’s Board Chair.
Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 3% when compared to November 2023.
U.S. packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December 2023 remained essentially flat (+0.4%) compared to December 2022. They were down 1% when compared to the same 12 months of 2022.
Total U.S. packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in November 2023 increased 1% compared to November 2022. They were down 1% when compared to the same 11 months of 2022.