AF&PA Annual Survey Report: U.S. Paper, Paperboard Capacity Declined 1.7 Percent in 2014
WASHINGTON—May 15, 2015—The American Forest & Paper Association has released the 55th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity, reporting that while U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.7 percent in 2014 it is expected to hold nearly stable in 2015.
Containerboard and tissue remain growth sectors for the paper industry. Tissue capacity reached an all-time high in 2014 and the upward trend is expected to continue next year. Capacity to produce newsprint and printing-writing papers continued to decline.
The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2014 and 2015 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 respondents represent more than 88 percent of the U.S. industry capacity.
About American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative—Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.
Source: AF&PA.
