AF&PA Releases Q4 2025 Containerboard Quarterly Report
Operating Rate for 2025 Flat vs. 2024
WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2025 Containerboard Quarterly report.
According to the report, total Containerboard production in 2025 decreased 4% compared to 2024. Operating rates stayed flat over the same time period, ending the year above 91%.
- While linerboard production for export declined throughout 2025, medium production for export finished the year up 3%.
- Semichemical medium and recycled linerboard production were fairly consistent over the year, with overall declines of 1% and 2% respectively.
- Mill inventories dropped significantly in October but increased during the rest of Q4, finishing the year at their highest level since early 2022. Historically, December inventories tend to be higher than any other month of the year.
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.