U.S. containerboard mills ran at 94% in February, pushing up inventories

The US linerboard production in February 2005 rose 0.8% from the previous year, bringing the year-to-date increase in production to 1.6%. Linerboard mills ran at 94.7% of capacity in that month, up from 93.3% in January and 90. 1% the previous year. On the other hand, production for export declined 3.9% for February and also year-to-date compared with a year ago. Most of the strength in domestic linerboard production through February was in unbleached kraft, while recycled linerboard was flat white top grades were down 8.5% from a year ago.