WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association has released its December 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report.
According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9 percent in December compared to December 2011. For the year of 2012, printing-writing and related paper shipments were 4.6 percent below the 2011 level. All four of the major printing-writing grades posted decreases compared to last December, with inventory levels increasing in November, led by double-digit increases in mechanical grade papers.
Additional key findings:
- December shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 7 percent when compared to December 2011 and were down 3 percent for the year in 2012. Year-to-date imports of CFS through November were down 12 percent compared to the 11-month period in 2011.
- Uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers shipments decreased 7 percent compared to December. Annual purchases of UFS papers for the year were down 4 percent compared to 2011. Year-to-date UFS imports are up 4 percent in 2012 compared to same 11 months in 2011.
- December uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 27 percent when compared to December 2011, with annual shipments 17 percent below 2011 levels.
- December shipments of coated mechanical (CM) papers decreased 10 percent compared to December 2011 and 5 percent for the year.
The complete report with detailed tables, charts, and historical data can be purchased by contacting Caroline Nealon at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-2448.
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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4.5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures approximately $190 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.