U.S. Newsprint Capacity Down
U.S. newsprint capacity edged down 0.8 percent in 1996, to 7.2 million tons, and is expected to show virtually no growth during the next three years. These are the main findings of the American Forest & Paper Association's 37th annual Capacity Survey, released Dec. 12, 1996.
The absence of anticipated growth reflects two factors: No new newsprint machines are scheduled to come online, and normal productivity gains will be offset by planned swings to uncoated groundwood.
Canadian newsprint capacity is growing slowly. It expanded an estimated 0.2 percent in 1996, to 9.6 million tons, and is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 0.5 percent through 1999.