U.S. industry capacity sees first decline in 2001; Further negative growth ahead

Due to the removal of 2.8 million tons of paper, paperboard and pulp production, the US paper and paperboard capacity declined for the first time in the year 2001. The net contraction, due to industry slow down, was 1.3% or 1.3 million tons. In the year 2001, another 1.8 million tons of capacity was shut down but not officially removed from the US production database. The over-valued US dollar also impacted negatively on the capacity growth.