PPPC Reports H1 2012 Numbers

The Pulp & Paper Products Council reported that North American coated mechanical paper demand fell -4.1% in the first half of 2012 as compared to H1 2011, shipments decreased -3.3%, imports were down -7.4% and the operating rate was 91% (for June, the rate was 100%). Coated woodfree demand in H1 declined -7.1%, shipments were down -4.5%, imports fell -12% and the operating rate was 85%. SC-A/A+ demand for the first six months decreased -23.9%, shipments fell -24.3% and imports were down -23.9%. The operating rate for Supercalendered paper was 94%.