Industries in the Paper Manufacturing subsector make pulp, paper, or converted paper products. The manufacturing of these products is grouped together because they constitute a series of vertically connected processes. More than one is often carried out in a single establishment. There are essentially three activities. The manufacturing of pulp involves separating the cellulose fibers from other impurities in wood or used paper. The manufacturing of paper involves matting these fibers into a sheet. Converted paper products are made from paper and other materials by various cutting and shaping techniques and includes coating and laminating activities.
The Paper Manufacturing subsector is subdivided into two industry groups, the first for the manufacturing of pulp and paper and the second for the manufacturing of converted paper products. Paper making is treated as the core activity of the subsector. Therefore, any establishment that makes paper (including paperboard), either alone or in combination with pulp manufacturing or paper converting, is classified as a paper or paperboard mill. Establishments that make pulp without making paper are classified as pulp mills. Pulp mills, paper mills and paperboard mills comprise the first industry group.
Establishments that make products from purchased paper and other materials make up the second industry group, Converted Paper Product Manufacturing. This general activity is then subdivided based, for the most part, on process distinctions. Paperboard container manufacturing uses corrugating, cutting, and shaping machinery to form paperboard into containers. Paper bag and coated and treated paper manufacturing establishments cut and coat paper and foil. Stationery product manufacturing establishments make a variety of paper products used for writing, filing, and similar applications. Other converted paper product manufacturing includes, in particular, the conversion of sanitary paper stock into such things as tissue paper and disposable diapers.
An important process used in the Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing industry is lamination, often combined with coating. Lamination and coating makes a composite material with improved properties of strength, impermeability, and so on. The laminated materials may be paper, metal foil, or plastics film. While paper is often one of the components, it is not always. Lamination of plastics film to plastics film is classified in the NAICS Subsector 326, Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing, because establishments that do this often first make the film. The same situation holds with respect to bags. The manufacturing of bags from plastics only, whether or not laminated, is classified in Subsector 326, Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing, but all other bag manufacturing is classified in this subsector.
Excluded from this subsector are photosensitive papers. These papers are chemically treated and are classified in Industry 32599, All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing.
3221 Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing pulp, paper, or
paperboard.
32211 Pulp Mills
See industry description for 322110 below.
322110 Pulp Mills
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing pulp without
manufacturing paper or paperboard. The pulp is made by separating the cellulose fibers from the
other impurities in wood or other materials, such as used or recycled rags, linters, scrap
paper, and straw.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing both pulp and paper - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills; and
- Manufacturing both pulp and paperboard - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills.
32212 Paper Mills
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing paper from pulp.
These establishments may manufacture or purchase pulp. In addition, the establishments may
convert the paper they make. The activity of making paper classifies an establishment into this
industry regardless of the output.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing pulp without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 32211, Pulp Mills;
- Manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 32213, Paperboard Mills;
- Converting paper without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry Group 3222, Converted Paper Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing photographic sensitized paper - classified in Industry 32599, All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing.
322121 Paper (except Newsprint) Mills
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing paper (except
newsprint and uncoated groundwood paper) from pulp. These establishments may manufacture or
purchase pulp. In addition, the establishments may also convert the paper they make.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing newsprint and uncoated groundwood paper - classified in U.S. Industry 322122, Newsprint Mills;
- Converting paper without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry Group 3222, Converted Paper Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills;
- Manufacturing pulp without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 322110, Pulp Mills; and
- Manufacturing photographic sensitized paper from purchased paper - classified in U.S. Industry 325992, Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing.
322122 Newsprint Mills
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing newsprint and
uncoated groundwood paper from pulp. These establishments may manufacture or purchase pulp. In
addition, the establishments may also convert the paper they make.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing paper (except newsprint and uncoated groundwood) - classified in U.S. Industry 322121, Paper (except Newsprint) Mills;
- Converting paper without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry Group 3222, Converted Paper Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills; and
- Manufacturing pulp without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 322110, Pulp Mills.
32213 Paperboard Mills
See industry description for 322130 below.
322130 Paperboard Mills
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing paperboard from pulp.
These establishments may manufacture or purchase pulp. In addition, the establishments may also
convert the paperboard they make.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing pulp without manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 322110, Pulp Mills;
- Converting paperboard without manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry Group 3222, Converted Paper Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing insulation board and other reconstituted wood fiberboard - classified in U.S. Industry 321219, Reconstituted Wood Product Manufacturing.
3222 Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paper or
paperboard without manufacturing paper or paperboard.
32221 Paperboard Container Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paperboard into
containers without manufacturing paperboard. These establishments use corrugating, cutting, and
shaping machinery to form paperboard into containers. Products made by these establishments
include boxes; corrugated sheets, pads, and pallets; paper dishes; and fiber drums and reels.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing similar items of plastics materials - classified in Industry Group 3261, Plastics Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing paperboard and converting paperboard into containers - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills;
- Manufacturing egg cartons, food trays, and other food containers from molded pulp - classified in Industry 32229, Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing paper and converting paper into containers - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills; and
- Manufacturing paper bags without manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 32222, Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing.
322211 Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in laminating purchased paper or
paperboard into corrugated or solid fiber boxes and related products, such as pads, partitions,
pallets, and corrugated paper without manufacturing paperboard. These boxes are generally used
for shipping.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing setup paperboard boxes (except corrugated or laminated solid fiber boxes) - classified in U.S. Industry 322213, Setup Paperboard Box Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing folding paperboard boxes (except corrugated or laminated solid fiber boxes) - classified in U.S. Industry 322212, Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing paperboard and converting paperboard into boxes - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills.
322212 Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paperboard (except
corrugated) into folding paperboard boxes without manufacturing paper and paperboard.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing setup paperboard boxes (except corrugated) - classified in U.S. Industry 322213, Setup Paperboard Box Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing corrugated and solid fiber boxes - classified in U.S. Industry 322211, Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing paperboard and converting paperboard into containers - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills;
- Manufacturing paper and converting paper into containers - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills;
- Manufacturing milk cartons - classified in U.S. Industry 322215, Nonfolding Sanitary Food Container Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing paper bags - classified in Industry 32222, Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing.
322213 Setup Paperboard Box Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paperboard into
setup paperboard boxes (i.e., rigid-sided boxes not shipped flat) without manufacturing
paperboard.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing folding paperboard boxes (except corrugated) - classified in U.S. Industry 322212, Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing corrugated and solid fiber boxes - classified in U.S. Industry 322211, Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing paperboard and converting paperboard into containers - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills.
322214 Fiber Can, Tube, Drum, and Similar Products
Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paperboard into
fiber cans, tubes, drums, and similar products without manufacturing paperboard.
Cross-References. Establishments engaged in
- Manufacturing paperboard and converting paperboard into containers are classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills.
322215 Nonfolding Sanitary Food Container Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting sanitary foodboard
into food containers (except folding).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing sanitary food containers of solely plastics materials - classified in Industry Group 3261, Plastics Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing egg cartons, food trays, and other food containers from molded pulp - classified in U.S. Industry 322299, All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing folding sanitary cartons - classified in U.S. Industry 322212, Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing.
32222 Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
cutting and coating paper and paperboard; (2) cutting and laminating paper and paperboard and
other flexible materials (except plastics film to plastics film); (3) manufacturing bags or
multiwall bags or sacks of paper, metal foil, coated paper, or laminates or coated combinations
of paper and foil with plastics film; (4) manufacturing laminated aluminum and other converted
metal foils from purchased foils; and (5) surface coating paper or paperboard.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing paper from pulp - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills;
- Manufacturing photographic sensitized paper - classified in Industry 32599, All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing textile bags - classified in Industry 31491, Textile Bag and Canvas Mills;
- Manufacturing single and multiwall plastics bags or plastics laminated bags - classified in Industry 32611, Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing;
- Making aluminum and aluminum foil - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing; and
- Cutting purchased aluminum foil into smaller lengths and widths - classified in Industry 33299, All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing.
322221 Coated and Laminated Packaging Paper and Plastics Film
Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in performing one or more of the
following activities associated with the manufacturing of packaging materials: (1) cutting and
coating paper; and (2) cutting and laminating paper with other flexible materials (except
plastics to plastics or foil to paper laminates). The products made in this industry are made
from purchased sheet materials and may be printed in the same establishment.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing coated or laminated paper for nonpackaging purposes - classified in U.S. Industry 322222, Coated and Laminated Paper Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing plastics to plastics packaging laminations - classified in U.S. Industry 326112, Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing;
- Printing on purchased packaging materials - classified in Industry Group 3231, Printing and Related Support Activities, based on printing process used;
- Manufacturing foil to paper packaging laminations or laminating aluminum foil for flexible packaging uses - classified in U.S. Industry 322225, Laminated Aluminum Foil Manufacturing for Flexible Packaging Uses;
- Manufacturing unsupported plastics film - classified in U.S. Industry 326113, Unlaminated Plastics Film and Sheet (except Packaging) Manufacturing;
- Making aluminum and aluminum foil - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing;
- Cutting purchased aluminum foil into smaller lengths and widths - classified in U.S. Industry 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing paper from pulp - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills.
322222 Coated and Laminated Paper Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in performing one or more of the
following activities associated with making products designed for purposes other than
packaging: (1) cutting and coating paper; (2) cutting and laminating paper and other flexible
materials (except plastics film to plastics film); and (3) laminating aluminum and other metal
foils for nonpackaging uses from purchased foils. The products made in this industry are made
from purchased sheet materials and may be printed in the same establishment.
Illustrative Examples:
Book paper made by coating purchased paper; Tapes, pressure sensitive (e.g., cellophane,
masking), made from purchased paper or other structures; Gift wrap, laminated, made from
purchased paper; Wallpaper made from purchased paper or other materials; Gummed paper products
(e.g., labels sheets, tapes) made from purchased paper.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing coated and laminated paper for packaging uses - classified in U.S. Industry 322221, Coated and Laminated Packaging Paper and Plastics Film Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing photographic sensitized paper - classified in U.S. Industry 325992, Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing;
- Making aluminum and aluminum foil - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing;
- Cutting purchased aluminum foil into smaller lengths and widths - classified in U.S. Industry 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing laminated aluminum foil for flexible packaging uses - classified in U.S. Industry 322225, Laminated Aluminum Foil Manufacturing for Flexible Packaging Uses.
322223 Coated Paper Bag and Pouch Manufacturing
This U.S. Industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing: (1) bags or
pouches of coated paper; (2) bags or pouches of metal foil; and/or (3) bags or pouches of paper
laminated with plastics and/or foil. The products manufactured by establishments in this
industry are made from purchased roll stock and may be printed in the same establishment.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing uncoated paper bags and multiwall bags and sacks - classified in U.S. Industry 322224, Uncoated Paper and Multiwall Bag Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing textile bags - classified in U.S. Industry 314911, Textile Bag Mills;
- Manufacturing single and multiwall plastics bags - classified in U.S. Industry 326111, Plastics Bag Manufacturing; and
- Printing on purchased packaging materials - classified in Industry Group 3231, Printing and Related Support Activities, based on printing process used.
322224 Uncoated Paper and Multiwall Bag Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing uncoated paper
bags or multiwall bags and sacks.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing single wall and multiwall bags from plastics unsupported film - classified in U.S. Industry 326111, Plastics Bag Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing bags of coated paper, of metal foil, or of laminated or coated combinations of plastics, foil, and paper bags - classified in U.S. Industry 322223, Coated Paper Bag and Pouch Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing textile bags - classified in U.S. Industry 314911, Textile Bag Mills.
322225 Laminated Aluminum Foil Manufacturing for Flexible Packaging
Uses
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in laminating aluminum and other
metal foil into products with flexible packaging uses or gift wrap and other packaging wrap
applications.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing plain aluminum foil - classified in U.S. Industry 331315, Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing laminated aluminum bags and liners - classified in U.S. Industry 322223, Coated Paper Bag and Pouch Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing converted aluminum and other metal foils for nonpackaging uses from purchased foils - classified in U.S. Industry 322222, Coated and Laminated Paper Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing cookware, dinnerware, and other semirigid metal containers - classified in U.S. Industry 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing.
322226 Surface-Coated Paperboard Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in laminating, lining, or surface
coating purchased paperboard to make other paperboard products.
32223 Stationery Product Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paper or paperboard into
products used for writing, filing, art work, and similar applications.
Illustrative Examples:
Die-cut paper products for office use made from purchased paper or paperboard; Tablets (e.g.,
memo, note, writing) made from purchased paper; Envelopes (i.e., mailing, stationery) made from
any material; Tapes (e.g., adding machines, calculator, cash register) made from purchased
paper; Stationery made from purchased paper.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing die-cut paper and paperboard products other than office supplies are classified in U.S. Industry 322299, All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing.
322231 Die-Cut Paper and Paperboard Office Supplies
Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paper rollstock or
paperboard into die-cut paper or paperboard office supplies. For the purpose of this industry,
office supplies are defined as office products, such as filing folders, index cards, rolls for
adding machines, file separators and dividers, tabulating cards, and other paper and paperboard
office supplies.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing die-cut paper and paperboard products (except office supplies) - classified in U.S. Industry 322299, All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing paper and paperboard products used for writing and similar applications (e.g., looseleaf fillers, notebooks, pads, stationery, tablets) - classified in U.S. Industry 322233, Stationery, Tablet, and Related Product Manufacturing.
322232 Envelope Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing envelopes for
mailing or stationery of any material including combinations.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing stationery - classified in U.S. Industry 322233, Stationery, Tablet, and Related Product Manufacturing.
322233 Stationery, Tablet, and Related Product Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paper and
paperboard into products used for writing and similar applications (e.g., looseleaf fillers,
notebooks, pads, stationery, tablets).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing envelopes - classified in U.S. Industry 322232, Envelope Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing die-cut paper and paperboard office supplies - classified in U.S. Industry 322231, Die-Cut Paper and Paperboard Office Supplies Manufacturing.
32229 Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) converting paper and paperboard
into products (except containers, bags, coated and treated paper and paperboard, and stationery
products), or (2) converting pulp into pulp products, such as disposable diapers, or molded
pulp egg cartons, food trays, and dishes. Processes used include laminating or lining purchased
paper or paperboard.
Illustrative Examples:
Crepe paper made from purchased paper; Paper novelties made from purchased paper; Die-cut paper
products (except for office use) made from purchased paper or paperboard; Sanitary products
made from purchased sanitary paper stock; Molded pulp products (e.g., egg cartons, food
containers, food trays) manufacturing.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing pulp from wood or from other materials - classified in Industry 322110, Pulp Mills;
- Manufacturing paper from pulp or making pulp and manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills;
- Manufacturing paperboard from pulp or making pulp and manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills;
- Manufacturing paperboard containers - classified in Industry 32221, Paperboard Container Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing bags of coated, laminated, or uncoated paper, of metal foil, or combinations thereof - classified in Industry 32222, Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing stationery and other related office supplies - classified in Industry 32223, Stationery Product Manufacturing.
322291 Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting purchased sanitary
paper stock or wadding into sanitary paper products, such as facial tissues and handkerchiefs,
table napkins, toilet paper, towels, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and tampons.
322299 All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in converting paper or paperboard
into products (except containers, bags, coated and treated paper, stationery products, and
sanitary paper products) or converting pulp into pulp products, such as egg cartons, food
trays, and other food containers from molded pulp.
Illustrative Examples:
Crepe paper made from purchased paper; Molded pulp products (e.g., egg cartons, food
containers, food trays) manufacturing; Die-cut paper products (except for office use) made from
purchased paper or paperboard; Paper novelties made from purchased paper.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing pulp from wood or from other materials - classified in Industry 322110, Pulp Mills;
- Manufacturing paper from pulp or making pulp and manufacturing paper - classified in Industry 32212, Paper Mills;
- Manufacturing paperboard from pulp or making pulp and manufacturing paperboard - classified in Industry 322130, Paperboard Mills;
- Manufacturing paperboard containers - classified in Industry 32221, Paperboard Container Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing bags of coated, laminated, or uncoated paper, of metal foil, or combinations thereof - classified in Industry 32222, Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing stationery and other related office supplies - classified in Industry 32223, Stationery Product Manufacturing.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
