U.S. Recovered Paper Use Declines

U.S. pulp and paper industry consumption of recovered paper in November 2011 was 2.4 million tons, 5% lower than November of last year, and 5% lower than October 2011, according to the AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA. Decreases compared with October were observed across all grades of recovered paper, with corrugated consumption entering its third straight month of decline, and mixed consumption dropping 5% despite holding relatively steady over the past four months.

Overall, year-to-date consumption of total recovered paper compared with the same period in 2010 has also decreased by 5%. Inventories, on the other hand, reached their highest point for 2011, bringing days of supply up one day to 11 days.

U.S. exports of recovered paper rebounded 4% in October after a drop in September, with the biggest increase by volume surprisingly in mixed grades. Year-to-date exports in 2011 continue to be 14% higher than last year by volume. Imports, despite being relatively inconsequential in U.S. recovered paper trade, are 29% higher year-over-year.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/