{"id":8863,"date":"2025-08-21T04:05:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T08:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8863"},"modified":"2025-08-21T04:05:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T08:05:41","slug":"us-specialty-packaging-shipments-record-5-jump-year-on-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8863","title":{"rendered":"US specialty packaging shipments record 5% jump year-on-year"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The rise signals stronger demand, led by bleached food wrapping, but year-to-date shipments are still 1 % lower than in 2024. \/ Credit: Soho A Studio via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In July 2025, total shipments of packaging papers and specialty packaging in the United States increased by 5 % compared with July 2024, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).<\/p>\n

Despite that monthly gain, cumulative shipments over the first seven months of 2025 remain 1 % lower than the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n

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Unbleached operating rate climbs, bleached food wrapping grows, inventories up<\/h2>\n

The report shows the unbleached operating rate rose to 86.3 %, marking its second-highest level in the past fifteen months.<\/p>\n

Shipments of bleached food wrapping papers surged by 15 % year-on-year in July, and were up 9.6 % on a year-to-date basis. Inventories also increased, rising by 8.1 % compared with July 2024.<\/p>\n

Broader industry context and economic footprint<\/h2>\n

AF&PA statistics underline that, even though July showed a month-on-month improvement, the overall packaging papers sector remains under pressure, with shipments down 1 % year-to-date.<\/p>\n

The broader US forest products industry, which includes paper and packaging, employs more than 925,000 individuals\u2014especially across rural areas\u2014and contributes about 4.7 % of total U.S. manufacturing GDP, generating over $435 billion in annual output.<\/p>\n

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