The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the September 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, 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 nine 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 complete report with detailed tables, charts and historical data can be purchased by contacting Kory Bockman at Statistics_Publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716.

About AF&PA
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. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry's decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.

Source: AF&PA