Against the backdrop of an exceptionally weak economy, U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 2.5% in 2009 to 93.9 million tonnes, according to the American Forest & Paper Association’s 50th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity.
A total of 27 machines (14 entire mills) were permanently shut down in 2009.In addition, four more machines (three mills) are slated for permanent closure in 2010. Total paper and paperboard capacity is projected to decline 3.4% in 2010 and then will remain essentially stable in 2011 and 2012.
Paper Grades Capacity in U.S.:
• Newsprint capacity declined 0.9% in 2009, to 4.8million tonnes
• Total printing-writing paper capacity (uncoated and coated free sheet, uncoated and coated mechanical papers) declined 6.6% in 2009 to 22.7 million tonnes.
• Uncoated mechanical paper is one of the few grade categories that have been recording capacity gains.
Following a 4.5% increase in 2008, uncoated mechanical paper capacity expanded 6.2% in 2009 to 2.5 million tonnes.
• Coated mechanical paper capacity declined by 483,000 tonnes, or 10.4% in 2009.
• Coated free sheet capacity decreased by 11.8% in 2009, to 4.6 million tonnes.
• Uncoated free sheet capacity dropped almost 25% in 2009 to 11.4 million tonnes.• After expanding by 4.6% in 2008, unbleached Kraft paper capacity contracted 2.9% in 2009 to 1.6 million tonnes.
• Meanwhile, bleached packaging and industrial converting capacity rose 5.2% in 2009.
• Tissue paper capacity increased by 1.3% in 2008&1.4% in 2009.
Paperboard Grades Capacity:
• Linerboard capacity declined 0.3% in 2009 to 26.4 million tonnes.
• Corrugating medium rose 0.6% in 2009 to a level of 10.6 million tonnes.
• Bleached paperboard (excluding bleached linerboard and bristols) capacity declined 2.8% in 2009.
• Recycled paperboard capacity (folding, set-up and other) declined 5.6% in 2009 to a level of 4.9 million tonnes.
• Gypsum wallboard facing increased 3.4% to 1.8 million tonnes in 2009.
• Unbleached Kraft folding boxboard declined 2.9% in 2009 to 2.5 million tonnes.
Market Pulp Capacity:
Chemical paper grade market pulp capacity expanded 0.7% in 2009 to 10.0 million tonnes.
