Aug. 25, 2010 - According to the American Forest & Paper Association’s July 2010 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 1% in July compared to July 2009.

Three of the four major printing-writing grades posted increases compared to last July, AF&PA said.

U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing-writing papers declined 1% in July.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 3% from June 2010.

Some additional key findings include:

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) year-to-date shipments increased versus the same seven months of 2009; the seventh consecutive month where 2010 YTD exceeded 2009 YTD.
• Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments increase year-over-year for the ninth consecutive month.
• Coated mechanical (CM) shipments surge ninth double-digit growth versus year-ago.
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) shipments increase year-over-year for seventh consecutive month.

SOURCE: American Forest & Paper Association