The Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) has released an update on the corrugated industry's economic performance, available for download. Corrugated packaging's economic indicators are monitored, measured and reported as part of the industry's sustainability program.

Among the facts reported:

Corrugated packaging contributes to U.S. success in a global economy.

• The value of industry shipments increased to $26.4 billion in 2012.
• Corrugated packaging exports amounted to more than $1 billion in 2012.
• Containerboard exports accounted for $2.3 billion in 2012, or a total of 22 percent of paper industry exports.
• Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) exports accounted for more than $1.6 billion in 2012 and 49 percent of the 2012 value of recovered paper exports.

Corrugated containers package, protect and transport products economically, helping manufacturers minimize costs.

• Corrugated packaging is custom engineered to optimize material use. Since 2000, the amount of corrugated required to ship a unit of industrial production has declined in area by 13.7 percent.
• With more than 1,200 manufacturing locations, competitive supply sources are readily available, minimizing inbound freight charges.

Corrugated packaging is a natural product billboard.

• Corrugated boxes can be printed with custom graphics to promote products and brands.
• Corrugated packaging can include key product information such as features and benefits, instructions for use or assembly and quick answers to frequently asked questions right on the box.

Corrugated production and sales are growing.

• In 2012, corrugated industry shipments grew to 359 billion square feet, supporting economic growth through continued employment, sales and cost-effective packaging for other products. For more information about the economic sustainability of corrugated packaging, visit www.corrugated.org.

The Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) is a corrugated industry initiative, jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC), the Fibre Box Association (FBA) and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). CPA members include corrugated manufacturers and converters throughout North America. For more information contact: Katharine Eaton, katharine_eaton@afandpa.org; Rachel Kenyon, rkenyon@fibrebox.org; or Cheryl Reynhout, cheryl.reynhout@gmail.com.