The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the September 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report on October 16.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in September increased 9% compared to September 2024. They were essentially flat (+0.5%) when compared to the same 9 months of 2024.
The unbleached operating rate increased to 88.0%, reaching its highest level over the last 15 months.
Bleached food wrapping shipments were up 6% from last September, and up 8.4% year to date.
Total inventories were up 5.9% from the same month last year.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.
The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. The industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually.
