April 17, 2024 - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its March 2024 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March decreased 5% compared to March 2023. They were down 2% when compared to the same 3 months of 2023.
The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 82.5%, up 5.7 points from March 2023 and up 9.5 points year-to-date.
Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers — bag & sack — were 99,700 short tons for the month of March, down 0.3% from the same month last year but up 3.5% year-to-date.
About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycle resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future.
The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states.
SOURCE: AF&PA