Total U.S. Containerboard Production Essentially Flat in Q1 2025

Operating rates for Unbleached Kraft Liner in Q1 2025 decreased compared to Q1 2024, while rates for all the other grades increased.

April 29, 2025 - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q1 2025 Containerboard Quarterly report. According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q1 remained essentially flat (-0.4%) compared to Q1 2024.

The operating rate for Unbleached Kraft Liner decreased compared to Q1 2024, while rates for all the other grades increased. The rates for all 4 grades were above 90% for the first time in over a year.

Production for export increased in Q1 after 2 consecutive quarterly declines in the 2nd half of 2024, but it was still 7.7% lower than Q1 2024.

Domestic new supply for Q1 increased 1.0% from the same quarter last year, but declined 3.8% from Q4 2024, which had been the strongest quarter since 2022.

Inventories at mills at the end of Q1 declined 4.2% from their December 2024 levels. They were nevertheless 6.8% higher than the average mill inventories for the last 15 months.

About AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycle resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future.

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states.

SOURCE: AF&PA