International Paper agreed to acquire North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) for $360 million to expand its packaging operations on the U.S. West Coast. The Longview, Washington mill produces approximately one million tons of containerboard annually. The acquisition is expected to enhance system flexibility, lower costs, and support growing demand for recycled packaging. IP stock was up 0.41% at $36.66 on Thursday.

The global lightweight industrial corrugated packaging market is expected to grow from $40 billion in 2025 to $75.09 billion by 2035, driven by e-commerce expansion, sustainability demands, and manufacturing innovations. Asia Pacific leads the market, with China and North America experiencing significant growth. Key trends include micro-flute adoption, digital printing, and the shift toward recyclable alternatives to plastic.

The global rigid paper containers market is projected to grow from USD 83.9 billion in 2025 to USD 119.5 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 3.6%. Major industry players are making significant investments through mergers and acquisitions, while key trends include sustainable packaging, smart packaging integration, and growth in food delivery segments. North America leads the market, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the fastest-growing region.

The global specialty cartons market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.76% from USD 66.87 billion in 2025 to USD 106.46 billion by 2035. Growth is driven by sustainability demands, e-commerce expansion, and premiumization trends. Asia Pacific leads the market, with North America expected to experience the fastest growth. Major industry players are investing heavily in capacity expansion and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The global advanced recycled materials (ARM) in packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2026 to 2035, driven by stringent environmental regulations, corporate sustainability goals, and increased demand for rigid packaging. Europe currently leads the market with Germany as a key player, while Asia-Pacific, particularly China, represents the fastest-growing region. Recycled paper and cardboard dominate by material type, while corrugated and paperboard packaging lead by packaging type, with food and beverage as the largest end-use industry.

International Paper reported a Q4 loss of $0.08 per share, missing analyst expectations of $0.24 EPS, though sales of $6.01B exceeded estimates. The company announced plans to split into two independent publicly traded companies: one focused on North American operations and another for EMEA Packaging business, expected to complete within 12-15 months. IP shares declined 3.43% following the announcement.

The U.S. packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.01% from $215.32 billion in 2025 to $319.04 billion by 2035. Growth is driven by e-commerce expansion, sustainability trends, and regulatory shifts including Extended Producer Responsibility laws and PFAS restrictions. Primary packaging and paper/paperboard segments lead the market, while flexible packaging and biodegradable materials show the fastest growth rates.

The global folding carton packaging market is projected to grow from 43.63 million tonnes in 2025 to 56.32 million tonnes by 2031 at a 4.35% CAGR. Growth is driven by EU regulations promoting recyclable packaging, e-commerce expansion, and sustainability trends shifting brands from plastic to fiber-based alternatives. Healthcare/pharmaceuticals and food/beverage segments lead demand, with Asia Pacific commanding 38.42% market share.

The global curbside-recyclable paper packaging market, valued at USD 2 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 3.42 billion by 2035 with a CAGR of 5.5%. Growth is driven by rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions, stricter plastic waste regulations, and technological innovations in barrier coatings and recycled fiber enhancement. Key trends include 'paperization' replacing plastics, mono-material simplification for recyclability, and regulatory-driven sustainability mandates.

International Paper declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share on common stock and $1.00 per share on preferred stock, both payable on March 17, 2026. The declaration reflects the company's continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

The global cohesive packaging market is projected to grow from USD 43.37 billion in 2025 to USD 82.96 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 6.7%. Growth is driven by e-commerce expansion, sustainability demands, and technological innovations. North America currently dominates, while Asia Pacific shows the fastest growth. Plastic-based materials lead today, but paper-based solutions are the fastest-growing segment.

The global fiberboard packaging market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.5% from $372.60 billion in 2025 to $525.59 billion by 2035, driven by rising demand for sustainable, lightweight, and cost-effective packaging solutions across food, e-commerce, and consumer goods industries. Asia Pacific dominates the market while North America shows the fastest growth, with key players including Smurfit Westrock, International Paper, and Mondi Group making significant strategic acquisitions and innovations.