Printing-Writing Paper Production

The American Forest & Paper Association reports that total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5.0% in January compared to January 2015. Total printing-writing paper inventories increased 2.0% from December levels.

Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased slightly less than 1.0% relative to shipments in January 2015, the first consecutive three-month period of year-over-year increases since December 2009. For the year of 2015, UFS imports were down 12% compared to 2014, and down 27% year-over-year in December.

January coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 5.0% compared to January 2015, with annual shipments down 6.0% versus 2014. Imports of CFS papers during 2015 were 2.0% higher than 2014, but decreased 2.0% year-over-year in December.

Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 11% when compared with January 2015. Imports of UM papers were also down 11% in December relative to December 2014, and were down 15% for the year.

Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in January decreased 15% relative to January 2015. Imports of CM increased in December, up 3.0% percent compared to December 2014. For the year 2015, imports of CM were up 9.0% percent compared to the previous year.

Boxboard Production in January

According to the AF&PA report released on Feb. 23, total boxboard production in January increased 0.5% when compared to January 2015 and increased 2.6% from December. Unbleached kraft boxboard production increased over the same month as last year but decreased compared to December. Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased when compared to January 2015, but increased compared to December. The production of recycled boxboard increased compared to January 2015.

January 2016 Kraft Report

Total kraft paper shipments were 127.8 thousand short tons, 8.5% lower compared to January 2015. Bleached kraft paper shipments decreased from 7.5 thousand short tons in December to 6.9, while unbleached kraft paper decreased from 122.4 to 120.9 thousand short tons. Total month-end inventories increased to 74.8 thousand short tons.

Containerboard Production in January
Containerboard production was 1.0% higher compared to January 2015. The month-to-month average daily production compared to December 2015 was 5.3% higher. The containerboard operating rate for January increased to 95.2%.