Paper production reported to be up from last month

The American Forest & Paper Association released its March 2011 United States Containerboard Statistics Report.

Containerboard production rose compared to February 2011, with month over month average daily production up 0.8 percent. The containerboard operating rate for March 2011 was up 0.5 points over March 2010 to 94.1 percent.

Additional key findings include:

• Linerboard production increases over last year.
• Medium production rose over March 2010.

The March 2011 Kraft Paper Sector Report showed total Kraft paper shipments were 140.1 thousand tons, an increase of 2.1 percent compared to March 2010, and up 12.9 percent when compared to February 2011. Total inventory was 70.1 thousand tons.

Additional key findings from the report include:

• Total Unbleached Kraft shipments increased over same month last year.
• Total Bleached Kraft shipments fell compared to March 2010.

The Paperboard Report showed total boxboard production increased by 2.2 percent compared to March 2010, and increased 11.1 percent from last month.

Additional key findings in this report:

• Unbleached Kraft Folding production increased over the same month last year and last month
• Recycled Folding production increased over last month
• Inventory of Solid Bleached Kraft Paperboard rose slightly in March.