AF&PA Releases Annual Paper Industry Capacity Survey
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has re- leased the 66th Annual Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey. The report provides detailed data on U.S. paper industry capacity and production compiled by the AF&PA statistics team. “This year’s survey underscores the scale of the U.S. paper manufacturing industry and the essential role it plays in the economy,” said Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association. “Even as some grades face market pressure, manufacturers are investing and aligning capacity with demand, maintaining solid operating performance and continuing to compete.” Though U.S. paper and paperboard production de- clined 3.7 percent in 2025, to 66.3 million tons, several sectors showed continued resilience. Containerboard op- erating rates held firm at 91.9 percent, while printing-writ- ing operating rates improved to 82.8 percent, reflecting continued capacity adaptation to demand changes. Pack- aging paper production increased 1.7 percent, boxboard production was essentially flat at 12.4 million tons and tis- sue production remained near 7.8 million tons. Overall fiber consumption used to make paper and paperboard products in 2025 decreased by 3.5 percent compared to 2024. Wood pulp decreased by 3.2 percent and recovered fiber decreased by 4.0 percent. “U.S. mills continue to produce the packaging, tissue and other paper products that people and businesses rely on every day,” said Brock. “The data shows an industry that continues to operate at significant scale, adapt to changing market conditions and serve strong demand for fiber-based products.” Containerboard production fell 4.4 percent to 36.1 mil- lion tons, and containerboard capacity declined 5.1 per- cent in 2025. Despite that reduction, containerboard con- tinued to account for more than half of total U.S. paper and paperboard capacity, and mills maintained a 91.9 percent operating rate. Printing-writing capacity fell 13.9 percent in 2025 to 7.7 million tons. Capacity has fallen from nearly 18 million tons in 2015, reflecting a long-term adjustment in this segment. However, operating rates for Printing-Writing increased from 76.8 percent in 2024 to 82.8 percent in 2025. Tissue production declined 0.8 percent in 2025 to 7.8 million tons, underscoring the essential role tissue contin- ues to play in the industry’s product mix. Over time, tissue has also represented a growing share of total U.S. paper and paperboard capacity. AF&PA’s Capacity Survey is based on a comprehensive survey of U.S. pulp and paper mills. It includes production data for 2025. AF&PA data represent about 87 percent of U.S. paper and paperboard industry capacity, with estimates complet- ing the data set.
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36 June 8, 2026
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