The American paper and board capacity increased only 0.6% in 1999 and 1.3% in 2000, compared with an annual average of 2.1% during the 1991 to 2000 period. Linerboard capacity declined 4.1% in 1999, reflecting the closure of several mills during late 1998 with capacities totaling 1.9 million tons. Mill consumption of recovered paper increased 2.6% in 1999 and another 2.2% in 2000. Recovered paper consumption growth is expected to average 2.2% in the next three years.