Survey data indicates growth in containerboard and tissue

WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the 54th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity, reporting that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.1 percent in 2013.

The survey findings reveal the direction and magnitude of capacity changes vary by grade category. Tissue paper capacity reached an all-time high in 2013 due in part to rising tissue paper consumption resulting from U.S. population growth. Containerboard capacity has been rebounding from recession-induced reductions. However, capacity to produce newsprint and printing-writing papers has been trending downwards.

The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2013 and 2014 for all major grades of paper, paperboard and pulp, as well as fiber consumption, based on a comprehensive survey of all U.S. pulp and paper mills. Survey respondents represent about 90 percent of the U.S industry capacity.

The complete survey with detailed tables can be purchased for $1,975 by contacting Kory Bockman at [email protected] or 202-463-4716.