Containerboard Output in U.S. Rises Sharply

For the fifth straight month, U.S. containerboard paper production has risen sharply compared with last year, according to AF&PA's March 2010 U. S. Containerboard Statistics report released this past week. Current total production saw an increase of 379,100 tons or 15.6% over March 2009. Although total production amounts also increased compared with February 2010, average daily production was down slightly due to the number of days in March. Year-to-date production has increased 13.2% over 2009.

The containerboard operating rate for March 2010 rose 16.3 points over March 2009 to 93.6%. Additional key findings from the report include:

• Linerboard production posts large increase over same month last year
• Corrugating medium production follows the trend and increase over March 2009
• Operating rates also reflected the year-over-year increase.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/