Packaging

The 65th Paper Industry Annual Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey was released by AF&PA. The report provides detailed data on U.S. paper industry capacity and production compiled by the AF&PA statistics team.

U.S. pulp, paper and packaging manufacturers rely on a complex supply chain to produce the everyday goods Americans rely on. That supply chain begins by sourcing forest materials to make fresh wood pulp.

Paper products are an essential part of daily life. Manufacturers rely on a complex supply chain to produce these goods. 

Total Boxboard production in Q1 decreased 1% compared to Q1 2024.

According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q1 remained essentially flat (-0.4%) compared to Q1 2024.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March increased 1% compared to March 2024.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5% in March compared to March 2024.

Maryland lawmakers are hastily considering SB 901, a misguided bill that introduces an EPR program for packaging and paper products and poses significant risks to the paper industry. Lawmakers didn't consider the data or that paper recycling works. 

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February decreased 8% compared to February 2024.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in February compared to February 2024.

Nearly 33 million tons of cardboard was recycled in 2023. The cardboard recycling rate was 71% -76%.

Manufacturing different products is a lot like following a recipe. The U.S. paper industry uses a balance of fresh wood pulp and recycled paper pulp to make products. Fresh wood pulp comes from sustainably managed forests.