Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 5% in August 2025

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the August 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August increased 5% compared to August 2024. They were down 1% when compared to the same eight months of 2024. The bleached operating rate increased to 78.2%, tying January 2025 for the highest level over the last 15 months. Unbleached bag & sack shipments were up 6% from last August, but down 5.4% year to date. Total inventories were up 7.3% from the same month last year.