Annual Report

Download our 2025 Annual Report

An Industry Joined in Our Mission

In 2025, AF&PA stood strong as the trusted voice for U.S. pulp, paper, packaging and tissue manufacturing. We are pleased to share a snapshot of our key achievements.

By the Numbers

12

Federal Agencies Engaged

87

Federal and State Comments Filed

75+

State Testimony & Coalition Letters

150+

Congressional & Advocacy Meetings

12

Member Company Facility Visits

21

Speaking Engagements

As we reflect on our accomplishments, we also look ahead to the future. AF&PA will continue to lead with purpose. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.

Read the letter from AF&PA Leadersihp

View AF&PA's Board of Directors

Advancing Biomass Energy Policy

In 2025, AF&PA’s strategic advocacy elevated biomass as a renewable energy solution in federal and state advocacy, reinforcing its role in powering U.S. pulp and paper mills and reducing emissions.

Biomass isn’t just good policy—it’s smart business. Using residuals that would otherwise go to waste lowers energy costs, strengthens supply chains, and positions our industry as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.

Our Work in Action

AF&PA secured legislative direction for the U.S. Department of the Treasury to consider existing lifecycle studies and is pressing for recognition in the next Annual Table.

This keeps mills positioned for future recognition, and once qualified, continues access to clean energy credits, and supports long‑term investment and operational stability.

Explore Biomass 101

Get the Facts About Energy and the Paper Industry

Supporting High-Performing Paper Recycling

Paper recycling works. It’s America’s recycling success story. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and advanced recycling proposals threaten to shift costs to mills and redefine recycling to include fuel production. AF&PA advocates for fair, practical solutions that protect jobs and preserve competitiveness.

Our Work in Action

AF&PA drove a coordinated advocacy effort to stop costly EPR proposals. We shaped the debate, defeating bills in 11 states and preventing mandates that threaten efficient recycling.

Our work resulted in other key wins, including:

We narrowed action to data-driven needs assessments in Hawaii, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
We secured changes that protect paper products and maintain labeling flexibility in Maine, Maryland and Washington.

See Paper Recycling Facts

Learn About EPR

Explore the Role of Needs Assessments

Leading on Practical, Science-Based Policy

AF&PA is advancing practical, science‑based regulations that protect health while enabling investment and growth. From air standards to permitting and workplace safety, we collaborate with policymakers to deliver solutions that keep mills competitive and jobs secure.

Our Work in Action

AF&PA engaged with the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through testimony and written comments during the agency’s informal public hearing on the proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule.

Drawing on member experience, AF&PA shared input on approaches that protect workers while allowing effective industry safety programs to continue and evolve.

Explore our commitment to worker safety

Keeping U.S. Mills Competitive Worldwide

AF&PA is advancing fair and reciprocal U.S. trade policy, reducing non‑tariff trade barriers and ensuring essential inputs and equipment remain accessible. Our approach protects cross‑border supply chains and positions members to invest and grow.

Our Work in Action

We engaged U.S. decision‑makers to:

Keep the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant flows duty‑free
Address the EU deforestation regulation (EUDR) as a non‑tariff trade barrier
Prevent tariffs on critical pulp inputs and machinery

Our work resulted in significant achievements for the industry, including:

The European Parliament voted to delay and simplify EUDR
An U.S. – EU joint statement recognized the U.S. as “negligible risk”
The pulp and paper industry was not included in remedial tariffs in the lumber/timber 232 outcome