State of the Industry: Folding Cartons — Doing Well and Getting Better

Annual capacity statistics

The American Forest & Paper -Association (AF&PA) conducts its “Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity” in which it analyzes the U.S.’s capacity to produce paper and paperboard. According to its 48th Annual Capacity Survey Synopsis, U.S. capacity to produce paper and paperboard was down 0.6 percent in 2007. Paper and paperboard capacity had declined 1.6 percent in 2006 and at an average annual rate of 0.7 percent for the period of 2000 through 2007. These declines, according to the survey, reflect weak demand for some paper and paperboard grades. “However, U.S. exports of paper and paperboard have increased briskly during the past year or so, while imports have eased, helping to support domestic production,” the survey states.