Paper Packaging
Linerboard, Testliner & Cartonboard
In October, the average price of US Linerboard was unchanged M-O-M and rose by 7.0% Y-O-Y to $0.46/lb. Export demand from China for US kraftliner has vanished due to tariff challenges and the rise of local production within China. Since the start of the year, mill shutdowns have eliminated about 6% of containerboard production capacity from the market, leading to upward pressure on prices, industry sources report.
In October, the average price of US Testliner was unchanged M-O-M and rose by 8.3% Y-O-Y to $0.39/lb. Pricing for old corrugated containers (OCC), a key input for testliner, increased 1.2% from September to October, continuing a trend of gains since late 2024. Testliner prices were steady month to month as ongoing adjustments to containerboard capacity maintained prevailing price levels.
In October, the average price of US Testliner was unchanged M-O-M and rose by 8.3% Y-O-Y to $0.39/lb. Pricing for old corrugated containers (OCC), a key input for testliner, increased 1.2% from September to October, continuing a trend of gains since late 2024. Testliner prices were steady month to month as ongoing adjustments to containerboard capacity maintained prevailing price levels.
In October, the average price of US Cartonboard FBB was unchanged M-O-M and rose by 3.0% Y-O-Y to $0.69/lb. Prices for FBB kraft were unchanged from the previous month as the market continued to absorb price adjustments from producers, market contacts said. Sources said Graphic Packaging's price increases were the primary driver of July's upward pricing movement for FBB.
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