The Pulp & Products Council has reported North American coated mechanical paper shipments in Jun declined -14.6%, as compared to the same month last year. Shipments for H1 2013 fell -10.7%. Demand for the month decreased -5.8% and for the first six months it was down -5.1%. Imports grew +63.8% in June and +22.1% for H1. The operating rate was 91% for the month, 87% for the first six months.
Coated woodfree shipments fell -2.5% in June, -1.2% in H1. Demand was up +1.7% for the month, 0.4% for H1. Imports increased +20.7% in June, +4.5% in H1. The operating rate was 86% for the month and 86% for the first six months.
SC-A/SC-A+ shipments rose +17.9% in June and +25.9% in H1. Demand was up +4.6% for the month and +13.5% for the first six months. Imports fell -16.7% in June, -11.1% in H1. The operating rate for Supercalendered paper, including SC-A and SC-B, was 91% for the month, 90% for the first six months.
Uncoated woodfree shipments declined -3.2% in June and -4.8% in H1. Demand decreased -1.6% for the month and -4.5% for the first six months. Imports grew +15.1% in June, +13.7% for H1. The operating rate was 87% in June and 91% in H1.
