AF&PA June paper reports

The American Forest & Paper Association released its June 2011 United States paper reports.

Containerboard production was flat when compared to May 2011, however, the month-over-month average daily production was up 3.3 percent. The containerboard operating rate for June 2011 was up slightly, 0.1 point over June 2010 to 96.9 percent but it gained 3.1 points over May’s operating rate.

Additional key findings on containerboard production include:

• Linerboard production has a slight gain over last year.
• Medium also showed a slight increase over June 2010.

Total boxboard production decreased by 0.2 percent compared to June 2010, and was flat from last month.

Additional key findings on boxboard production include:

• Unbleached kraft folding production decreased over the same month last year, and decreased over last month.
• Solid bleached boxboard and liner production increased over June 2010.
• The production of recycled folding decreased compared to June 2010, and decreased when compared to last month.

The Recovered Paper Monthly Report showed total industry consumption of recovered paper at 2.57 million tons, 3 percent lower than June of last year, but 2 percent higher than last month. So far, the United States has consumed 3 percent less recovered paper in the first half of 2011 than during the same period last year. The United States exported 4 percent less recovered paper in May than in April.