The American Forest & Paper Association has published its October 2018 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly report. According to the report, total U.S. Packaging Papers shipments were up 7.2 percent compared to October 2017 and up 3.1 percent year-to-date.
In October:
- Bag & Sack shipments were up 6.0 percent year-to-date,
- Multiwall shipments were up 0.9 percent,
- Converting shipments were up 0.7 percent,
- Food Wrapping shipments were up 2.5 percent.
The operating rate for October remained essentially flat at 95.6 percent compared to 95.9 percent in September. Inventories dropped 1.2 percent since September and were 5.3 percent lower than the same month last year.