The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, on Tuesday (May 10) released the 56th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity, reporting that domestic paper and paperboard capacity declined minimally -- only 0.3% in 2015, compared with a long-term trend rate of 1.3% overall since 2001.

Containerboard capacity reached an all time high of 37.7 million tons, while capacity to produce newsprint and P&W papers continued to decline.

The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2015 and 2016 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 data includes responses from companies  that represent more than 88% of U.S. paper and paperboard industry capacity, with estimates completing the data set.

 

In 2016, the containerboard and tissue sectors are expected to grow, while newsprint, P&W paper, and bleached board sectors are projected to decline. Survey responses suggest total paper and paperboard capacity will decrease 1.3% in 2016. Some capacity reductions in P&W papers and bleached board are due to conversion of machines to make fluff pulp.