The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2024 paper reports.
Containerboard
According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q4 increased 1 percent compared to Q4 2023. It was up 5 percent when compared to the same 12 months of 2023.
- Operating rates for Unbleached Kraft Liner and Recycled Medium increased compared to Q3 2024, while Recycled Liner and Semichemical Medium rates declined.
- Production for export was at its lowest so far for 2024, with Q4 volumes dropping 11.2 percent from the same quarter last year. Nevertheless, year-to-date production for export was up 15.4 percent due to the very strong first half of 2024.
- Recycled Medium production increased for the 3rd straight quarter, while Semichemical Medium declined for the 3rd straight quarter. Total Medium production was up 3.4 percent for the year, versus 5.3 percent for Liner.
- New supply for Q4 increased 1.5 percent from Q3 and was the highest it has been since Q2 2022. It was up 3.6 percent compared to last year.
Boxboard
Total Boxboard production in Q4 increased 5 percent compared to Q4 2023. The boxboard operating rate was 84.7 percent, up 3.8 points from the same quarter last year and up 3.3 points year-to-date.
- Solid Bleached Boxboard unmade orders were down 8 percent compared to the end of the previous quarter and increased 42 percent compared to December 2023.
- Solid Bleached Folding–Domestic production increased 15 percent compared to Q4 2023.
- Uncoated Recycled Boxboard production increased 3 percent compared to Q4 2023 and was up 3 percent when compared to the same 12 months of 2023.
Published April 2025
