The American Forest & Paper Association released its December 2011 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report today. Containerboard production was flat, gaining only 0.8% over same month last year. The production was also flat when compared to November 2011, increasing 0.2%, however, the month over month average daily production decreased 3.0%. The containerboard operating rate for December 2011 was up slightly from December 2010 to 93.6% from 93.1%.