According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 11 percent in May compared to May 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased six percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (+0.3 percent) when compared to April 2021. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased 22 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to April 2021. UFS imports and exports both increased compared to April 2020, up 10 percent and 25 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased one percent compared to April 2021. CFS imports decreased 14 percent while exports increased 32 percent in April 2021. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 14 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased one percent compared to April 2021. CM imports decreased 17 percent while exports increased five percent in April 2021. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May increased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased 15 percent compared to April 2021. UM imports increased 10 percent while exports decreased 17 percent in April 2021.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in May 2021 were UP 27.3% vs. May 2020 and are down 2.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in May 2021 were UP 8.5% vs. May 2020 and are down 9.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in May 2021 were UP 17.0% vs. May 2020 and are down 2.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in May 2021 were UP 25.6% vs. May 2020 and are down 6.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in May 2021 were UP 13.5% vs. May 2020 and are UP 1.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in May 2021 were UP 49.8% vs. May 2020 and are down 2.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in May 2021 were UP 46.7% vs. May 2020 and are UP 5.7% year-to-date.

“We delivered strong results in 2024, achieving nineteen percent earnings growth,” said Deon Stander, president and CEO. “Both our Materials and Solutions Groups delivered strong top-and bottom-line results, with our industries recovering from downstream inventory destocking last year, once again demonstrating the strength of our overall franchise. “We remain well-positioned to continue our long track record of strong earnings growth in 2025, including accelerating growth in our high-value categories, which now account for almost half of our portfolio,” added Stander. “We are confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to meet our long-term goals for superior value creation in a range of geopolitical and macro scenarios."