March 2010 containerboard report

For the fifth straight month, containerboard paper production has risen sharply when compared to last year. Current total production saw an increase of 379,100 tons or 15.6 percent over March 2009.

Although, total production amounts also increased compared to February 2010, average daily production was down slightly due to the number of days in March. Year-to-date 2010 production has increased 13.2 percent over 2009. The containerboard operating rate for March 2010 rose 16.3 points over March 2009 to 93.6 percent. The capacity figures for the March release are based on AF&PA’s 50th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity released in March 2010.

Additional key findings from the report include:

• Linerboard production posts a large increase over same month last year.
• Medium production follows the trend and increase over March 2009.
• Operating rates also reflected the year over year increase.