In 2026, the North American wood products industry enters a year of cautious stabilization.

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its PIX Pulp China Net indices as part of its announced annual methodology review process.

This Fastmarkets Viewpoint explains how headline growth has been buoyed by AI‑driven investment even as the broader goods economy cools, and why truly disposable income and packaging demand move in lockstep.

International Paper (IP) will increase its North American containerboard prices by $70 per ton, effective March 1. This follows a similar announcement from Packaging Corp of America (PCA) on January 23.

Packaging Corp of America (PCA) is set to raise linerboard and corrugating medium prices by $70 per ton starting March 1, marking the first containerboard price increase in 13 months.

In today's market, effective food and beverage procurement is critical for profitability. However, many procurement teams face challenges due to fragmented data, where packaging and ingredient costs are managed in separate silos. This disconnect creates a massive blind spot, making it difficult to challenge supplier price hikes or accurately model total product costs.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ France Cartonboard averages for October 2025 were delayed because of a procedural error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

US recovered fiber prices and demand remained stable through January as buyers fortified inventories ahead of a projected February generation drop. Leading containerboard producers report healthy to heavy raw material levels, especially for old corrugated containers (OCC), ensuring optimal supply despite anticipated seasonal shifts.

Fastmarkets hosted a pivotal discussion recently on the state of the global pulp and paper market. While the calendar pages have turned, the realities outlined during that session have only crystallized further. The pulp industry remains in a precarious balance where supply-side mechanics – rather than surging demand – are dictating the tempo of the market.

As previously announced, Fastmarkets has discontinued its legacy assessments for bleached and unbleached European sack kraft as of January 22 2026.