Graphic Packaging International

Graphic Packaging International. It is a leading provider of paperboard packaging solutions for a wide range of consumer goods, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly traded Graphic Packaging Holding Company. The company designs and produces packaging for the food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products industries, with a significant focus on sustainable packaging innovation. Its extensive manufacturing footprint spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

History

The company's origins trace back to the 1992 formation of Riverwood International, which was created through a management buyout of the packaging operations of Manville Corporation. In 1998, Riverwood International merged with the packaging assets of Jefferson Smurfit Group, forming Graphic Packaging Corporation. A pivotal expansion occurred in 2003 with the acquisition of the Beverage Packaging business from Tetra Pak, significantly strengthening its position in the carton market. Further consolidation in the industry led to its 2008 merger with Altivity Packaging, a company formed from the assets of Field Container Company and Caraustar Industries. The modern entity solidified its global scale through the 2021 acquisition of AR Packaging, a major folding carton producer based in Sweden.

Operations

The company operates an integrated network of facilities, including paper mills, converting plants, and recycling centers, across multiple continents. Key manufacturing operations in North America are supported by major mills such as the West Monroe Paper Mill in Louisiana and the Kalamazoo Mill in Michigan. In Europe, its footprint was greatly expanded through the integration of former AR Packaging sites and includes facilities in countries like Sweden, Germany, and Poland. The business is organized around core product lines like Beverage Packaging and Consumer Packaging, and it maintains close collaborative partnerships with major global brands like The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Kellogg's.

Products

Its primary product lines are manufactured from coated unbleached kraft and coated recycled paperboard. Key offerings include folding cartons for dry foods, frozen foods, and healthcare products, as well as the proprietary Peel & Reveal technology. The company is a world leader in beverage carriers, producing multipack solutions for beer and soft drink brands using both paperboard and plastic-based systems. It also manufactures a wide array of foodservice packaging, such as plates, trays, and cups, and produces microwave-safe paperboard for applications like frozen dinner packaging.

Sustainability initiatives

The company has a stated commitment to advancing the circular economy and has set formal goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A central pillar of its strategy is the increased use of recycled fiber and sustainably sourced virgin fiber, with many of its products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It actively promotes curbside recycling of its paper-based packaging and has invested in advanced recycling infrastructure, including the Macon Recycling Center in Georgia. Innovations like the EverGrow portfolio are designed to be fully recyclable, aiming to reduce reliance on plastic packaging and lower the overall carbon footprint of its products.

Corporate affairs

The company is a key operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GPK. Its global headquarters are located in Atlanta, with regional headquarters managing operations in Europe and other international markets. The parent company reports its financial performance through segments including Americas Paperboard Packaging and Europe Paperboard Packaging. It engages with various industry associations such as the Paperboard Packaging Council and the American Forest & Paper Association to advocate for the packaging industry.

Category:Packaging companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Atlanta Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1992