AF&PA: U.S. Paper and Paperboard Capacity Dipped in 2023

Meanwhile, the packaging paper capacity surged higher by 4.8% in 2023.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the 64^th Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey. The report outlines data on U.S. paper industry production and capacity.

According to the report, the U.S. paper and paperboard capacity totalled 79.7 million tons in 2013, down by 1.6%. This compares with the average decline of 0.9% per year since 2014. Also, the U.S. paper and paperboard production registered notable decline by 7.2% in 2023. The production of all categories, except tissue, recorded decline, the survey said.

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During the previous year, 2.1 million tons of containerboard and packaging paper capacity started up. On the other hand, over 1.7 million tons of capacity, mostly using wood fiber, was permanently removed. The containerboard capacity dropped marginally by 0.7%. Meanwhile, the packaging paper capacity surged higher by 4.8% in 2023.

AF&PA noted that printing-writing capacity recorded decline by 5% in 2023. However, it stood lower upon comparison with average declines of 7.1% and 6.9% over previous 3-year period and 10-year period respectively. The printing-writing capacity dropped below 10 million tons for the first time in more than five decades. Also, the tissue capacity registered a decline by 0.9% during the previous year, thus marking the second consecutive year of decline.

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