February 22, 2019

American Forest & Paper Association Releases January 2019 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report

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

WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association released its January 2019 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly report on Feb. 21.

Total Packaging Papers shipments were up 4.5 percent from January 2018. Bag & Sack shipments were down 2.5 percent month-over-month; Multiwall shipments were up 12 percent; Converting shipments were up 12.2 percent; and Food Wrapping shipments were up 2.4 percent. The operating rate for January increased to 92.5 percent compared to 87.0 percent in December 2018. Inventories decreased 2.4 percent since December and were 1.3 percent lower than the same month last year.

The complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org.

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.