Attracting talented staff and the price of paper are some of the biggest issues facing corrugated packaging firms, according to industry experts.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2023 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June decreased 1% compared to June 2022. They were down 4% when compared to the same 6 months of 2022.

Prices for US-origin old corrugated containers (OCC) have crept up $5 per tonne in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Taiwan despite an ongoing downturn in the downstream packaging market across Asia. Contacts said the increases were due to restocking at recycled pulp plants operated by China-affiliated producers in SEA and an increase in inquiries from India.

Grupo Corporativo Papelera, a Mexican toilet paper manufacturer, is set to embark on a significant expansion venture in the United States.

Northwood Group successfully launched Northwood Consuma Tissue (NCT) in December 2022, the company announces now the expansion of its converting capability with the purchase of a new 14-acre (5.7 hectares) site housing a 235,000 sq ft (22,000 sq m) facility in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. This will dramatically increase the available output of toilet tissue and kitchen towel and allows the company to be true cross-category paper partners to its premium grocery customers.

Highly dependent on the economic context, the European pulp and paper sector has experienced a slowdown in 2022, particularly in the last quarters of the year.