Folding carton shipments are up in the first half of 2006.

By Missy Smith

“The primary reason for the lower growth in carton shipments [in 2005] was a much slower economy than expected, and slower industrial production during the first half of 2005. In spite of the slowdown, 2005 was the second strongest year in the past five year,s and expectations for 2006 are positive, as long as energy costs do not escalate too quickly. Economists are suggesting a stronger U.S. economy in 2006, and many are predicting a return to capital investment,” according to the PPC.