U.S. containerboard production during the first quarter of 2021 improved by 2 percent compared to the same period in 2020, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reported.
Production in March was up 9 percent compared to March 2020, when pandemic-related business closings went into effect.
- Other highlights from AF&PA’s monthly containerboard report included:
March 2021 production of containerboard for export decreased 15 percent compared to the same month last year; it was down 25 percent year-to-date; - The containerboard operating rate was 98.4 percent, up 2.8 points from March 2020 and essentially flat (-0.3 points) year-to-date;
- Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of March decreased by 77,000 short tons from the previous month and were down 56,000 short tons compared to March 2020.
