Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased seven percent compared to July 2019. They were up three percent when compared to the same seven months of 2019.
The operating rate was 84.5 percent, up 2.2 points from July 2019 and down 0.7 points year-to-date.
Mill inventories at the end of July decreased 1,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 17,000 short tons compared to July 2019.
https://afandpa.org/media/news/2020/08/17/american-forest-paper-association-releases-july-2020-packaging-papers-monthly-report
Related Posts
Tony Smurfit, President and CEO, commented: “I am pleased to report a strong first quarter performance with Net Income of $382 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $1,252 million, in-line with our stated guidance, and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.4%. This performance was driven by good results across all three segments, with notable progress in North America, and is significantly ahead of the combined result for the prior year. “I am especially pleased with how well the combination has come together, with strong operational and cultural integration taking place across all three regions. Coupled with our geographic footprint and our unrivalled portfolio of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, we have a customer-focused and performance-driven team that is delivering for all stakeholders. “Our synergy program is on track to deliver $400 million, with approximately $350 million in the current year. We believe there is substantial opportunity to continue to structurally improve the business through a sharper commercial and operational focus, at least equal to our synergy target. “We continue to actively optimize our asset base. We have recently announced the closure of over 500,000 tons of paper capacity in North America. We are also closing two converting facilities in our North American region and have initiated consultations to close two of our converting facilities in EMEA & APAC.
At Crown, we continue to prioritize initiatives that enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is reflected in our Twentyby30 sustainability strategy, which includes a commitment to dedicate at least half of Research & Development (R&D) efforts toward minimizing the footprint of our products and manufacturing processes. Our ambitious plan also strives to decrease GHG emissions by reducing packaging material use by making aluminum cans 10% lighter in weight by 2030 (compared to a 2019 baseline). In 2021, after several years of intensive development efforts, our R&D and Customer Technical Services (CTS) teams achieved a 4% global average reduction in our standard 12 oz. (330 ml) can weight. The CTS team, composed of expert engineers offering training and production analysis support, was pivotal in ensuring these lighter-weight cans did not sacrifice performance or the critical barrier and strength properties that brand owners’ demand. Lightweighting efforts add to metal’s superior properties in terms of recyclability and the benefits are compounded as the material circulates through the process time and time again. Weight reductions allow us to produce more cans with the same amount of aluminum used previously for standard cans, which has a positive impact on GHG emissions through energy savings.
Wisconsin-based Green Bay Packaging Inc. (GBP) has announced its acquisition of SMC Packaging Group, Springfield, Missouri. GBP describes the acquired firm as a producer of custom corrugated boxes, displays, packaging materials and equipment. SMC Packaging Group, founded in 1972 by Ross Ausburn and Charles Bachus, operates from multiple locations in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, says GBP. “We are excited to unite two well established, family-run businesses,” says Will Kress, board chair and CEO of Green Bay Packaging, which this decade has invested to build a new recycled-content paperboard mill in Green Bay, Wisconsin. That mill consumes several recovered paper grades, including mixed paper and old corrugated containers (OCC).