North American Coated Paper Ships Fall, SC Up

The Pulp & Products Council has reported that North American coated mechanical paper shipments fell -9% in March as compared to the same month last year. Demand declined -5.9%, imports increased +5.3% and the operating rate was 86%. Coated woodfree paper shipments for the month were down -2.9%, demand decreased -7.3% and imports fell 23.7%. The operating rate was 84%. SC-A+/SC-A paper shipments rose +27.3%, demand was up +7.6% and imports fell -32.1%. SC-B/SNC+ paper shipments were up 4.4% and demand rose 1%. The Supercalendered operating rate was 91%.