International Paper to Close Four US Facilities by Q3 2026
International Paper announced on June 26, 2026, the closure of four North American facilities by Q3 2026: a sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; preprint operations in Richwood, Kentucky; and converting plants in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey. The closures affect 330 employees, who will receive severance and outplacement support. The company aims to streamline operations and focus on high-value investments, while also building a new $225 million packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi.
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International Paper Announces Shutdowns and Layoffs at Four US Facilities
International Paper announced on June 29, 2026, the closure of four US facilities by the end of the third quarter, affecting 330 employees. The closures include a sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; converting plants in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey; and a preprint operation in Richwood, Kentucky. The company cited strategic actions to optimize its network and focus on high-value opportunities. Since CEO Andy Silvernail took over two years ago, IP has implemented a turnaround strategy involving global closures, affecting over 5,800 employees since October 2024. Despite the downsizing, IP is investing in new facilities, including a $225 million box plant in Mississippi expected to open in late 2027, and recently acquired North Pacific Paper Co. for $360 million.
Yahoo FinanceInternational Paper to Shut Four North American Facilities by Third Quarter of 2026
International Paper (NYSE: IP) announced on June 26, 2026, plans to close four North American facilities by the end of the third quarter of 2026 as part of a strategy to optimize its manufacturing network and improve long-term competitiveness. The closures include the discontinuation of preprint operations at its Richwood, Kentucky facility; closure of its sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; and cessation of operations at converting plants in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey. Tom Hamic, Executive Vice President and President of Packaging Solutions North America, stated that the decisions are difficult but necessary for strengthening the network and focusing investments. Affected employees will receive severance packages, continued benefits, and outplacement support. The company plans to transfer customer production to other facilities in its regional network to minimize disruption and maintain supply continuity. The news was reported by Yahoo Finance on June 29, 2026.
Yahoo FinanceInternational Paper to Shut Four North American Facilities by Third Quarter of 2026
International Paper (NYSE: IP) announced on June 26, 2026, that it will close four facilities across North America by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The closures include preprint operations in Richwood, Kentucky; a sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; and converting plants in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey. The company stated these moves are part of an effort to optimize its manufacturing network and improve long-term competitiveness. Tom Hamic, Executive Vice President and President of Packaging Solutions North America, described the decisions as difficult but necessary. Affected employees will receive severance packages, continued benefits, and outplacement support. Customer production will be moved to other regional facilities to minimize disruption. The announcement was reported by Yahoo Finance on June 29, 2026.
Yahoo FinanceInternational Paper to Shut More US Facilities as Part of Network Streamlining
International Paper, a sustainable packaging solutions provider, announced it will close additional US facilities by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The closures include a sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; preprint operations in Richwood, Kentucky; and converting facilities in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey. Affected employees will receive outplacement support, severance, and benefits, while impacted customers will be transitioned to alternative regional facilities. This follows earlier closures in 2026 at plants in Compton, California, and Louisville, Kentucky, and a series of 2025 shutdowns including a containerboard mill, recycling plant, box plant, and sheet feeder facility. The company stated the downsizing is intended to streamline operations and direct investments toward highest-value areas. Meanwhile, International Paper recently began construction of a new $225 million packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Yahoo FinanceInternational Paper to Shut More US Facilities
International Paper announced it will close several US facilities by the end of Q3 2026, including a sheet plant in Aurora, Illinois; preprint activity at Richwood, Kentucky; and converting facilities in Elk Grove, California and Barrington, New Jersey. Affected employees will receive outplacement support, severance and benefits. The company is transitioning impacted customers to alternative regional facilities to maintain supply. Earlier in 2026, it closed plants in Compton, California and Louisville, Kentucky, affecting 218 employees. In 2025, it shut a containerboard mill, a recycling plant, a box plant and a sheet feeder facility. The downsizing is intended to streamline operations and focus investments on highest-value areas. Meanwhile, last month, the company began construction of a new $225M packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi.
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