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May 17, 2019
Press Release

American Forest & Paper Association Releases April 2019 Containerboard Monthly Report

CONTACT: Barbara Riley
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its April 2019 Containerboard Monthly report on May 16.

The report featured revised data based on findings from the 59th Annual Capacity Survey released May 15. Containerboard production in April 2019 decreased 5.3 percent compared to April 2018 and was down 4.1 percent year-to-date. The average daily production compared to March 2019 was 3.1 percent higher.

The containerboard operating rate bounced back above 90 percent due to the high rate for medium (96.5 percent), while the liner operating rate was at 89.6 percent. In spite of the bounce back, the April operating rate was 6.2 points lower than the same month last year, and the year-to-date operating rate was down 5.8 points compared to last year. Production for export, most of which is liner, was down nearly 20 percent year-over-year and was also down 20.5 percent year-to-date.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716.

 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public 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. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.