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October 30, 2026
Press Release

AF&PA Releases Q3 2026 Boxboard Quarterly Report

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q3 2026 Boxboard Quarterly report. 

Total Boxboard production in Q3 increased by 1% compared to Q3 2025. The boxboard operating rate was 88.3%, down 1.5 points from the same quarter last year.

  • Solid Bleached Boxboard production in Q3 increased 4% compared to Q2 2025.
  • Unbleached Kraft & Coated Recycled Boxboard operating rate was 88.4%, down 0.6 points from the same quarter last year and up 1.1 points year-to-date.
  • Uncoated Recycled Boxboard operating rate was 95.6%, up 2.2 points from the same quarter last year and up 2.1 points year-to-date.

A subscription to 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. 

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