American Forest & Paper Association Releases December 2014 Printing-Writing Statistics Report
WASHINGTON, DC—January 23, 2015—The American Forest & Paper Association has released its December 2014 Printing-Writing Paper Report.
According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 4 percent in December compared to December 2013, with total paper inventories flat compared to November.
- Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in December decreased 8 percent compared to December 2013. Shipments for the year were down 9 percent relative to 2013. Imports of UFS increased 4 percent in November and were up 21 percent year-to-date compared to the first eleven months of 2013.
- December coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments increased 1 percent compared to 2013. Annual shipments of coated freesheet grades in 2014 decreased 2 percent compared to the previous year. Exports of CFS papers were down 6 percent for the year compared to the first eleven months of 2013, with imports increasing 1 percent in November and 4 percent for the year.
- Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 2 percent in December but were up 4 percent for the year compared to 2013. Imports of UM papers through November were down 6 percent, with exports 18 percent below the 2013 level.
- Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in December increased 4 percent relative to December 2013 and were down 4 percent for the year. Exports of CM grades were essentially flat in November but were up 6 percent compared to the first 11 months of 2013. Imports were down 16 percent through November.
About The 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.