AF&PA: U.S. Boxboard Output Ended 2020 on a Strong Note

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) published its December 2020 Boxboard Monthly Report.

Upon comparison with December 2019, the total boxboard production during the month surged higher by 5%. The yearly production was down by 3% in 2020. The box-rate operating rate in December last year was 93.8%, up by 5.3% from a year before. The operating rate stood flat during the full year 2020.

The solid bleached boxboard production has increased by 3% during the last month of the previous year. The recycled boxboard production was up marginally by 1%. Meantime, unbleached kraft & gypsum production surged 12% compared to December 2019. The solid bleached boxboard production for the year was down by 4%, while recycled boxboard production declined by 2%. The unbleached kraft & gypsum production in 2020 remained essentially unchanged.

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According to AF&PA, the total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 26 percent in December compared to December 2019. The U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers dropped by 22%. The inventory levels remained essentially unchanged when compared with November 2020.