American Forest & Paper Association Releases December 2013 Printing-Writing Report

WASHINGTON—January 31, 2014—The American Forest & Paper Association has released its December 2013 Printing-Writing Paper Report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 2 percent in December compared to December 2012, with increases in uncoated papers more than offsetting decreases in coated grades. Additional key findings:

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in December increased year-over-year for the fourth time in the last six months, with shipments 4 percent ahead of December 2012. For the year, uncoated free sheet shipments were 2 percent below 2012 levels.
  —In December increased year-over-year for the fourth time in the last six months, with shipments 4 percent ahead of December 2012. For the year, uncoated free sheet shipments were 2 percent below 2012 levels.
• December coated free sheet (CFS) papers shipments decreased 4 percent compared to December 2012, with 2013 shipments down 2 percent relative to the same twelve months of 2012.
  —Decreased 4 percent compared to December 2012, with 2013 shipments down 2 percent relative to the same 12 months of 2012.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments increased 12 percent in December compared to December 2012, the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year increases.
  —Increased 12 percent in December compared to December2012, the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year increases.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments of 244,500 tons in December decreased 1 percent compared to December 2012 and were down 9 percent for the year in 2013.
  

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 4.5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $200 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 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: American Forest & Paper Association.