AF&PA Highlights 'Essential' Services Offered by Wood and Paper Industry

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) urged federal, state and local governments to exclude wood and paper industry manufacturing operations from ‘Shelter in Place’ and similar orders aimed at enforcing social distancing in order to contain the spread of coronavirus.

In a statement issued yesterday, Heidi Brock, President and CEO, AF&PA noted that the manufacturing facilities of the wood and paper industry must be recognized as “essential”. The members of the association make essential products including tissue products, packaging for food, building products and shipping containers. Any disruption in the availability of these goods would cause significant hardships for consumers, he said.

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Meantime, AF&PA reiterated the industry’s commitment to provide customers and businesses worldwide with essential products, by continuing to work in a safe and automated environment.. The industry will work diligently to respond to the spike in demand for tissue products due to widespread outbreak of COVID-19 across the world.

In related news, AF&PA applauded the U.S. and Canada leadership for deciding to close the border to all but essential travel and trade. The trade of “essential” pulp and paper products will be unaffected, it said.