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INDUSTRY STRUCTURE. Bleached paperboard, also known as solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board, is a premium paperboard grade produced from a furnish containing at least 80% virgin-bleached wood pulp. Major markets for SBS are folding cartons, milk and juice cartons, and disposable foodservice products. Lightweight bleached board grades not primarily intended for packaging are classified as bleached bristols. Coated bristols are used for paperback book covers, greeting cards, postcards, advertising cards, etc. Uncoated bristols are used for tickets, tags, file folders, etc. Most companies report the combined capacity and production of SBS and bristols.
For 2006, total bleached packaging paperboard capacity is estimated at 5.8 million tons, and bleached bristols account for an additional 1.3 million tons. In the packaging segment, folding cartonboard represents about 52.3% of the total; milk carton and foodservice products, 44.2%; linerboard, 1.4%; and other grades, 2.1%.
The industry continues to undergo significant restructuring, consolidating market...