The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) this week released the 57th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity, reporting that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.3% in 2016, in line with the long-term decline rate of 1.3% per year since 2001.

 

Containerboard capacity continued to expand during recent years, increasing 1.4% in 2016 to a record 38.2 million tons. Containerboard accounted for 45% of U.S. paper and paperboard capacity in 2016, up from 36% in 2000. Tissue paper capacity has also been trending upward, expanding 0.7% in 2016 to 8.7 million tons. 

Reflecting displacement from digital communications, capacity for newsprint and printing-writing papers continued to decline in 2016. Some of the capacity reductions in printing-writing papers are due to conversion of machines to produce fluff pulp and other paper products.

Survey responses indicate total paper and paperboard capacity will decrease 0.4% in 2017.

The annual survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2016 and 2017 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 representing more than 88% of U.S. paper and paperboard industry capacity, with estimates completing the data set.

The complete survey with detailed tables is available from AF&PA. Contact Kory Bockman, (202) 463-4716, for this report as well as other industry reports published by AF&PA.