Boise Inc. today reported net income of $28.4 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for third quarter 2011, compared with net income of $35.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for third quarter 2010. EBITDA was $98.5 million for third quarter 2011, compared with $109.8 million for third quarter 2010.
Total sales for third quarter 2011 were $631.7 million, up $77.6 million, or 14%, from $554.1 million for third quarter 2010, due primarily to the acquisition of Tharco Packaging, which was completed in March 2011, as well as higher net selling prices for linerboard, newsprint, and corrugated products. Total sales for third quarter were up $28.6 million, or 5%, from second quarter 2011 sales of $603.1 million, driven by higher prices for uncoated freesheet and increased sales volumes of corrugated products.
Uncoated freesheet net selling prices were flat for third quarter 2011, compared with third quarter 2010, and increased 3%, compared with second quarter 2011, driven by improved pricing across our cut-size office papers. Total uncoated freesheet sales volumes were 312,000 short tons for third quarter 2011, a decrease of 2% versus the prior-year period and flat versus second quarter 2011.
Corrugated container and sheet sales volumes improved 31% during third quarter 2011, compared with third quarter 2010, due primarily to the acquisition of Tharco. Corrugated sales volumes increased 3%, compared with second quarter 2011, driven by seasonally stronger demand in agricultural markets. Corrugated container and sheet prices increased 18% during third quarter 2011, compared with third quarter 2010, driven primarily by product mix changes due to the Tharco acquisition, and increased 1% sequentially from second quarter 2011.