U.S. Containerboard Output Continues Sharp Rise

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For the sixth straight month, containerboard production in the U.S. has risen sharply compared with last year, according to the April 2010 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week by AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA. Current total production increased 351,500 tons or 14.6% over April 2009. Although total production amounts decreased compared with March 2010, average daily production was up 1.6% due to the number of days in April. Year-to-date 2010 production has increased 13.5% over 2009. The containerboard operating rate for April 2010 rose 16.2 points over April 2009 to 95.0%.

As with total containerboard, linerboard production has seen six months of large increases over last year. April's production level was 17.6% higher than in April 2009. Again, due to the number of days in April, average daily production rose despite the 1.5% decrease in monthly production compared with March 2010. Production for exports increased 20.5% over this time last year but was down 3.4% compared with March 2010. The April linerboard operating rate mirrors the rise, increasing 17.4 points over April 2009 to 94.3%.

April corrugating medium production was up 56,900 tons or 7.8% from April 2009. April's production fell 2.3% but the average daily production showed a 0.9% increase over March 2010. Exports experienced a sizable increase, posting an 82.4% rise over the same month last year and 14.2% over March. The April corrugating medium operating rate of 96.6% is an increase of 13.0 points over April 2009.