LEESBURG, VA -- North American composite panel shipments in July were 453 MMSF compared to 451 MMSF (3/4” basis), up 1% for the same month one year ago, according to the Composite Panel Association.

However, CPA noted that overall year-to-date shipments through July are down 3% compared to 2010.

Particleboard shipments were 264 MMSF (3/4” basis), up 2.2% from last July, but year-to-date particleboard shipments are down 3.6% compared to last year. MDF shipments were 153 MMSF (3/4” basis) up 0.9% from last July and down 3.5% year-to-date.Hardboard shipments took the biggest hit in July with shipments of 218 MMSF (1/8” basis), down 11.8% from the same month one year ago and down 1% year-to-date.