AF&PA's 51st annual survey shows US paper/board capacity declined 3% in 2010; 12 mills permanently closed

WASHINGTON, DC, March 31, 2011 (Press Release) - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the 51^st Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity, which reported that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 3.1% in 2010 to a level of 91.05 million short tons. Total paper and paperboard capacity previously declined 0.8% in 2008 and 2.5% in 2009.

In addition, the survey reported that a total of 22 machines and 12 mills were classified as permanently closed and removed from the Survey base during 2010. Seven additional machines and two mills are slated to permanently close during 2011.

According to the Survey, total paper and paperboard capacity is expected to contract by 1.4% in 2011 and then record small gains of 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, in 2012 and 2013

The Survey reports U.S. industry capacity for data for the years 2010 through 2013 for all major grades of paper, paperboard, and pulp, based on a comprehensive survey of all U.S. pulp and paper mills. Survey respondents represent about 90% of the U.S industry capacity.

The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. Our companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources that sustain the environment. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Industry companies produce about $175 billion in products annually and employ nearly 900,000 men and women, exceeding employment levels in the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.