Sustainable packaging solutions\u00a0provider\u00a0International Paper (IP) is set to shut down four of its US facilities by the end of April 2025.<\/p>\n
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The shutdown is a part of the company\u2019s efforts to streamline its operations and focus on sustainable packaging solutions. It will help the company address weaker demand for packaging from e-commerce and consumer goods companies. <\/p>\n
The closures will affect the Red River containerboard mill in Campti, Louisiana, a recycling plant in Phoenix, Arizona, a box plant in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and a sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Missouri.<\/p>\n
The closure of the Red River containerboard mill is expected to reduce IP\u2019s annual containerboard capacity by approximately 800,000 tons.<\/p>\n
The company said a total of 495 hourly and 179 salaried employees will be impacted by these closures, which forms approximately 1% of its global workforce, reported Reuters<\/em><\/a>. IP has over 65,000 employees and operates in more than 30 countries, serving customers worldwide.<\/p>\n IP Paper has committed to minimising the impact on affected employees by offering support such as outplacement assistance, mental health support resources, and, where possible, severance benefits.<\/p>\n It plans to manage the transition by leveraging attrition, retirements, and current vacancies at other IP locations.<\/p>\n IP North American packaging solutions executive vice-president and president Tom Hamic said: \u201cThe decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n \u201cWe greatly appreciate the contributions from our departing team members and will do all we can to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year, the company announced the closure of its pulp and paper mill in Georgetown, South Carolina.<\/p>\n
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