2024 AF&PA Annual Report
Grounded in Purpose, Guided by Vision
Value of an Industry Voice Joined in a Common Mission
In 2024, AF&PA made remarkable progress in addressing the most pressing priorities of our industry. We forged strong collaborations to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and promote the vital pulp and paper mills and employees who make the essential paper products Americans rely on. We are pleased to share a snapshot of our key achievements.
As we reflect on our accomplishments, we also look ahead to the future. Together, we will ensure that our industry meets the demands of tomorrow with innovative solutions and remains a steadfast leader in manufacturing sustainable products for a sustainable future.
Advancing Regulatory Reform to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing
55+ Comments filed
13+ Offices engaged
Our Work in Action
In 2024, AF&PA welcomed a ground-breaking Supreme Court decision that ended court deference to agency statutory interpretations and should change the regulatory framework to consider cost.
Our work resulted in significant cost savings for U.S. pulp and paper mills, including:
- Approximately $270 million and strengthened the duty of agencies to reasonably respond to comments from rare stay of EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan in Ohio v. EPA – added to the $170 million saved from earlier federal circuit court stays for other states.
- Roughly $300 million from a DC Circuit Court decision in U.S. Sugar Corp. v. EPA, which upheld our Boiler MACT rules based on Loper Bright.
- About $1 billion in avoided costs per integrated pulp and paper mill by securing an exclusion from EPA’s final Risk Management Plan Rule
Looking ahead, we are working with the administration to enact policies that follow the best reading of the law and allow our industry to continue as an American manufacturing success story.
Trade Progress – Secured EUDR Implementation Delay
AF&PA engaged on multiple fronts to garner support from the U.S. government to urge a delay in the implementation of the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) to avoid trade disruptions. We emphasized:
- Our concerns with the traceability requirement
- Our industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation
In December of 2024, the EUDR implementation deadline was delayed until December of 2025. However, a delay does not solve our concerns with the regulation’s complex requirements and significant technical barriers.
Now, we are working with the administration to further address our concerns and the trade barriers EUDR poses for our industry.
Advocating for a Strong, Sustainable Industry
65+ pieces of testimony and coalition letters in the States
215+ meetings with congressional offices on Capitol Hill
Our Work in Action
Recycling is a critical part of the U.S. paper industry. We have a track record of success in improving paper recycling.
AF&PA is highly engaged on extended producer responsibility (EPR) in states across the U.S. and in Washington, D.C. Our work in 2024 resulted in key wins including:
Currently, we are engaged in multiple states and with the federal government as they move policies forward that impact our industry.
Furthering Our Voice
AF&PA’s efforts to amplify our industry’s policy positions and engage key stakeholders earned several awards:
- 2024 Association Executive of the Year, Heidi Brock: Association TRENDS CEO Update
- Gold ASAE Power of Associations Award: ‘Advancing a Safety Culture in Paper Manufacturing’
- Silver ASAE Power of Associations Award: ‘Paper Packaging Recycling: The Gift That Keeps on Giving’
- Platinum Viddy Award: ‘The Unsung Hero: Tissue Products’
- Platinum Viddy Award: ‘Paper Recycling: The Gift That Keeps on Giving’
- Gold Trendy Award: Tissue Box Advocacy Leave-Behind
- Drum Awards Finalist: Innovative Digital Strategy
