Board Converting News, September 1, 2025

BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years September 1, 2025 VOL. 41, NO. 35

Secrets Of Visionary Leaders: Possibility Before Productivity BY SUSAN ROBERTSON Productivity looks good on paper. It’s measurable. It’s visible. And in many organizations, it’s worshipped. But here’s the problem: produc- tivity isn’t the same as progress. Many cultures confuse motion with momentum. Leaders celebrate packed calendars, rapid responses, and efficiency hacks, but often fail to ask whether all that movement is taking them somewhere that mat-

IP Invests In Containerboard Facility, Sells GCF Business According to multiple media reports, Inter- national Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has announced a series of strategic changes to achieve an advan- taged cost position, deliver a superior cus- tomer experience and maintain a high relative supply position as part of its ongoing transfor- mation journey. Agreement to Sell Global Cellulose Fibers Business: International Paper has reached a definitive agreement with American Industrial Partners (AIP) to sell its Global Cellulose Fi- bers (GCF) business for $1.5 billion, subject to closing adjustments, including the issuance of preferred stock with an aggregate initial liqui- dation preference of $190 million. The com- pany previously announced the decision to review strategic alternatives for its GCF busi- ness last fall, as part of the company's strat- egy to focus on sustainable packaging solu- tions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals. "GCF is a strong business, and I'm pleased to see it transitioning to AIP, which is focused on investing in and growing industrial busi-

ters. That’s why visionary leaders think differently. They think in terms of possibility, not just productivity. Visionary leaders understand that creative thinking doesn’t thrive in a culture obsessed with output. It requires white space. It requires permission. And most of all, it requires a culture that rewards curiosity as much as completion. Let’s be clear: this isn’t an anti-productivity argument. High-function- ing organizations absolutely need discipline, systems, and execution. But when those become the only things that are recognized, some- thing vital gets lost: the capacity to imagine what could be. When you reward only productivity, you get compliance. When you reward possibility, you get transformation. And possibility doesn’t hap- pen by accident; it’s cultivated. It requires leaders to step back and ask not just what their teams are doing, but what they're allowed—and en- couraged—to think about. In cultures built around possibility, it’s normal CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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WHAT’S INSIDE

6 x x 8 x x 12 x x 26 x x Patricia Carman Of StandFast Packaging Passes Away Containerboard Price-Fixing Lawsuit Moves Forward 14 High School Students Discover Corrugated's Creative Potential 20 Domtar Breaks Ground On Rothschild Dam Project

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improving its manufacturing footprint, including: • Investment of $250 million to convert the #16 machine at the Riverdale mill in Selma, Alabama, to produce containerboard • The closure of the Savannah, Georgia, containerboard mill and packaging facility, Riceboro containerboard mill and Riceboro Timber and Lumber These changes will impact approximately 1,100 hourly and salaried positions. International Paper is committed to supporting affected employees through this transition through severance packages and outplacement assis- tance for eligible employees. "We understand how deeply these decisions affect our employees, their loved ones, and the surrounding com- munities," said Tom Hamic, Executive Vice President and President of International Paper's North America Packag- ing Solutions business. "While difficult, these decisions are essential to positioning International Paper for long- term success, enabling us to focus on the geographies, customers, and products where we can create the most value," Hamic added. The Riverdale conversion is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. The Riceboro and Savannah mills will shut down in phases by the end of September 2025, and the Savannah packaging facility will also cease operations by the end of September. These changes will result in a net reduction of the company's annual contain- erboard capacity by approximately one million tons.

AVERAGE CONTAINERBOARD PRICES The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout the United States the week previous to issue. Prices in some areas of the country may be higher or lower than the tabulated average. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. REGION 42# Kraft liner 26# Semi-Chem. Medium $ 900.00-925. 00 $ 825. 00 -$850.00 U.S. Average CANADIAN LINERBOARD & MEDIUM The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout Canada. Prices may be higher or lower in various areas of the country. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. Prices are Canadian $ and per metric ton. 42# Kraft Liner 26# Semi-Chem Medium East $970.00 $960.00 West $1,015.00 $995.00 REGION

IP Invests (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

nesses," said IP Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail. "Over the past few months, GCF has done the hard work of aligning resources with its most strategic customers, im- plementing an 80/20 mindset, and creating a simplified and focused portfolio. These actions, combined with its talented and committed team made it an attractive invest- ment for AIP to enter the pulp market and have positioned GCF for long-term success under new ownership." Strategic Changes to Packaging Solutions Business in North America: International Paper's packaging busi- ness in North America has initiated a number of actions to enhance its ability to serve and grow with customers while

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Say goodbye to sloppy cuts! ness as the Accounting Manager and resident Cobol pro- grammer. She worked alongside her husband and eventu- ally four of her sons, led by Jay Carman, along with sons John Jr., Keith, and Scott Carman. Both sets of Pat’s grandparents were immigrants from Germany and Sweden, and she viewed her uniquely per- sistent and stubborn nature to her family background. She Patricia Carman, Co-Founder of StandFast Packaging, Passes Away Patricia Lea “Pat” Carman, beloved wife of John Carman and co-founder of StandFast Packaging, passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by family at the Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice Resi- dence in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. She graduated from Amundsen High School, was ad- mitted to the University of Illinois and attended for one year (receiving straight A’s, she would remind you) before marrying John Carman (her husband of 64 years). When John wanted to start his own business to support their growing family, she sup- ported his dream, along with his partner John Morris, to create StandFast Packaging. She helped to build the busi-

was also wickedly smart, jumping two grades in grammar school, loved art and music, played the piano and later spent summers in Wisconsin on her uncle’s farm. Pat was charming, quick-witted, funny, opinionated and often blunt. Her life was also filled with athletics and ad- ventures, all of which were initially unfamiliar to her, but for which she was totally game to try. These included skiing, golfing, biking, nervously watching her children participate in more sporting events than could ever be counted, and racing horses. Pat also travelled extensively throughout her life across the US and the world by car, boat, train, and plane. But only once by camper van, and never, ever again. Her abiding interests were music, including musical theater and opera, art of all kinds, the beauty of the natural world and the Midwest, and her own form of libertarianism. She made numerous friends throughout her life. She was continuously open to meeting new people, always up for a party and trying new things, and creating meaningful relationships throughout her life. Pat was deeply devoted and loyal to her friends and strongly rooted to the neigh- borhood and friends as they raised their children and then grew older and wiser together. Pat is survived by her six children, and seventeen grand and great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held October 10, 2025, in Chicago. Donations may be made to the Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice Resi- dence in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

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Containerboard Price-Fixing Lawsuit Moves Forward

In antitrust cases, the defendants have the option to file individual motions to dismiss. But the more common route is for one party to take the lead on the motion to dismiss and the others join that effort, according to Emmanuel Hur- tado, an associate at Stubbs Alderton & Markiles. Meanwhile, eyes are on containerboard producers to see if they try to raise prices again despite the lawsuit. The major producers already nearly simultaneously implement- ed one hike earlier this year, following two last year. “While some investors have currently expressed con- cerns around the ability of producers to implement price in- creases amid an ongoing lawsuit, we believe that any such announcements will be predicated on market conditions,” said Michael Roxland, of Truist Securities. Conditions include costs, inventories and supply and demand. The six percent reduction in North American con- tainerboard production capacity so far this year should be supportive of pricing, Roxland said, but “we believe further closures, an uptick in demand, and resolution to tariff-relat- ed uncertainty in the market may be necessary for another price increase in 2025.” To be successful, a price increase likely would need to be announced within the next month and occur by October to get ahead of the typical seasonal demand slowdown, Roxland explained. The Artuso case is in its very early stages and will likely take a while to advance, Hurtado suggested. A standard next step would be for the court to review the proposed class in the complaint and whether changes are needed.

Industry sources report that the class-action antitrust law- suit brought against eight of the largest containerboard producers in the United States is progressing. Observers are monitoring whether the companies will attempt addi- tional price increases this year despite the lawsuit. In July, Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. filed a complaint in a federal court in Illinois accusing containerboard man- ufacturers of colluding in a price-fixing scheme during a series of seven price increases from November 2020 to the present. The defendants include Cascades, Geor- gia-Pacific, Graphic Packaging International, Greif, Inter- national Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, Pratt Industries and Smurfit Westrock. Court documents show that summonses were issued to all the defendants last week. Additional documents show that this month Pratt and Packaging Corporation of America formally retained counsel, with the latest related activity occurring August 19. The case immediately drew industry attention, al- though some observers questioned whether this might be the type of frivolous complaint that corporations fre- quently face. That doesn’t appear to be the case, in the view of an attorney with antitrust defense expertise who reviewed the complaint but is not involved in the case.

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P+PB President Cites Corporate, Market Changes Behind Shutdown Following the recent announcement that the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) will shut down its more than de- cade-old marketing campaign, P+PB President Mary Anne Hansan pointed to broader corporate and market chang- es and the difficulty of aligning shifting priorities between paper and packaging stakeholders as key factors behind the decision. “Every referendum, it’s been increasingly more difficult to keep people on board,” Hansan said. “And many times, just like this time, it really has to do [with] what’s going on in the economy. The paper market has been contracting for years,” she said. P+PB launched in 2014 as a U.S. Department of Ag-

riculture research and promotion program, or so-called “checkoff” program, with an aim of expanding and devel- oping paper-based packaging markets. A group of major manufacturers and importers funded the program through

mandatory fees. In July, just 26 percent of companies vot- ed in favor of continuing the program, meaning it did not receive the necessary majority support. On the corrugated side, companies are concerned about extended producer re- sponsibility, Hansan said. Ad-

Mary Anne Hansan

ditionally, there’s been a lot of leadership turnover from the executives who were in charge when P+PB was de- veloped and launched. “We’ve had an awful lot of CEO change,” Hansan said.

Domtar, whose president of paper and packaging operations most recently served as P+PB’s chair, said in an emailed statement it’s proud of the collaboration. “While the program is unfortunately dis- continued, Domtar will proudly continue the board’s powerful legacy as true pap- ertarians.” These types of USDA programs require one referendum at least once every seven years. P+PB’s first one was about six and a half years into the program, in 2020, Han- san said. The next one was just a few years later, still during the COVID-19 pandemic, “and people were really nervous about the economy and what was going to happen,” Hansan said. Participants agreed to revisit things in three years. In 2023, the vote was close, Hansan said, but she wasn’t privy to the actual breakdown, as that’s managed by USDA, she said. Contributing participants can seek a petition if they want another refer- endum sooner than the rules call for. Han- san said that earlier this year, USDA noti- fied her that it got a request for another referendum. Pulp and paper company Suzano echoed some recent challenges in an emailed statement. “In the post-Covid era, it has become more challenging to get companies to fund additional marketing expenditure – a real- ity the P&PB became exposed to. But the greatest strength was that it encouraged collaboration between senior leaders of paper and packaging companies work- ing towards a common goal of consumer

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September 1, 2025

MACHINERY SHOWROOM TRAINING CENTER AND

P+PB President (CONT’D FROM PAGE 10) education and industry positioning,” Suzano said in the statement. “Running a successful large-scale media initia- tive would only have been possible as part of a collective industry group.” Sustainability became the focal point of P+PB’s mes- saging in 2021. “There are people who feel sustainability is something that the whole industry can talk about and it’s part of our DNA,” Hansan said. “But there are companies who feel like they can differentiate themselves on that with customers.” P+PB had a $20 million budget in 2025. Some com- panies paying into the program “felt like our budget just wasn’t enough to really do the job they wanted to see,” she said. “They felt like they needed to invest their mon- ey in other activities. And some people said, ‘Okay, this worked great, we want to move on to something else.’” “I have had people say to me, ‘maybe some of these sectors would be better if they did their own thing,’” Han- san said. But part of the purpose of combining paper and packaging in a mandatory program was that it was neces- sary to have a good funding base, she said. Suzano said there can still be value in communal mar- keting. But what shape that could take is not clear. “The USDA provided a regulated, established frame- work for the P&PB that allowed the board to represent the industry without violating any anti-trust or anti-competition

regulation,” the company said. “Future communal market- ing among competitors would need the same third-party support and structure.” Ads through P+PB’s “Papertarian” campaign will run on streaming TV through the end of September. And web- sites, including marketing and sales tool kits and other as- sets, will go dark at the end of October. Hansan said P+PB has floated some of its programs with other entities to potentially continue them. For exam- ple, Hansan noted the possibility of continuing the Box to Nature program, a consumer-focused residential recycling program that involves a special label on boxes, a prospect she said she discussed with the Fibre Box Association (FBA). FBA had no comment. Hansan said it could likely be a few years before the industry really notices potential impacts from the loss of P+PB’s consumer-facing marketing campaign. “It would probably be three, four, five years before you really felt the lack of presence of a campaign,” Hansan said. “But that’s really what our program was always meant to do, is to really reach that consumer who ultimately is driving what packaging customers who use paper packaging do.” She cautioned that some companies might be so fo- cused on messaging to their customers, that it comes at the expense of communicating with consumers. Mean- while, other packaging substrates are active in this area, she believes. “The plastics industry is very much talking to consumers,” she said.

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September 1, 2025

AICC Announces New Plant Tour For 2025 Meeting Attendees AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, has an- nounced an additional plant tour for attendees of the 2025 Annual Meeting. Alongside the Monday visits to StandFast Group, Blackhawk Corrugated, and The Royal Group, members will now have the opportunity to tour Digital Print Partners (DPP) on Tuesday, October 7, from 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm. The cost is $100 per person and includes transporta- tion, light refreshments, and all taxes and gratuities. Digital Print Partners is a Chicago-area large-format digital printing facility built for the trade, delivering high-im- pact packaging, signage, and point-of-purchase displays at scale. Now celebrating their one-year anniversary, DPP continues to grow as a trusted partner in the industry, of- fering cutting-edge technology, experienced leadership, and a proven track record of service and reliability. The tour offers a firsthand look at DPP's high-speed Barberan Jetmaster 2.0 digital press, capable of produc- ing vibrant, detailed graphics on various materials and sizes. You'll also see our precision finishing equipment, in- cluding automated cutting systems designed for maximum speed and accuracy. If you registered previously and would like to add on the Tuesday Plant Tour please contact Chelsea May at cmay@aiccbox.org.

High School Students Discover Corrugated's Creative Potential For more than a decade, students at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York, have been learning a surprising lesson: corrugated is far more than the box their online orders arrive in. Under the guidance of technology teacher Nick Longo and corrugated industry veteran Richard Goldberg, the students have engineered sleds, boats, bridges, chairs, and even candy dispensers from the versatile material. This year’s Introduction to Engineering class continued that tradition, and once again proved that a flat sheet of corrugated can unlock big ideas. Goldberg, formerly of President Container Group (PCG) and now President of Engico North America, has been a fixture in Longo’s classroom since the program began. “These projects open doors,” he said. “Most of these students have never heard of corrugated manufac- turing, but they walk away knowing it’s an industry filled with opportunity.”

A Hands-On Lesson In Creativity Each semester, Longo challenges his students to move from concept to creation. They sketch ideas, test designs, and refine their builds, learning along the way that success comes from iteration, teamwork, and per- sistence. Corrugated, they quickly discover, is more than packaging: it bends, folds, and holds in sometimes unex- pected ways. “For me, it’s all about giving students a chance to imagine and build,” said Longo. “They learn engineering vocabulary, CAD skills, and the basics of design, but the real value comes from discovering how fun and reward- ing it can be to work together on something completely new.” Past projects have included sleds that raced down lo- cal hills, bridges that supported hundreds of pounds, and safes with working combination locks. While this year’s session was more compact, the energy in the class- Students test the strength of a corrugated bridge with the help of technology teacher Nick Longo (right).

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September 1, 2025

High School Students (CONT’D FROM PAGE 14) room—and pool area—was no different. Students dove into their projects, working side by side to transform stacks of corrugated sheets into creative, functional builds. The Student Perspective The consensus among students was clear: the projects were fun, challenging, and unlike anything they had done before. Many admitted they had never thought about where corrugated boxes came from or realized that an entire industry was behind them. Some discovered a new- found interest in engineering or design, while others said the experience changed the way they thought about man- ufacturing itself. “It was eye-opening,” one student shared. “I didn’t ex- pect to enjoy it as much as I did. It was creative, it was teamwork, and it was fun.” Connecting Classroom And Industry Goldberg brings real-world industry experience to the classroom, fostering learning and engagement through answering questions, offering advice, and sharing industry knowledge, bringing authenticity to the projects. Students

also learn about ca- reer paths in corru- gated, from machine operations to struc- tural design, custom- er service, and be- yond. “What’s most re- warding is seeing stu- dents light up when they realize they’ve created something that actually works,” Goldberg said. “That excitement is exact- ly what our industry needs.” The partnership between Valley Cen-

Students test how much weight their corrugated creation could hold.

tral and Goldberg has endured because it meets a need on both sides. For students, it’s a chance to learn prob- lem-solving skills and gain exposure to an industry they may never have encountered otherwise. For the corrugat- ed industry, it’s a way to spark interest in the next gener- ation of employees at a time when workforce challenges are top of mind. As Goldberg often reminds both students and industry colleagues, “If you want to attract young people into our industry, you have to get to them in the high schools. They need to see it, touch it, and experience it for themselves.” More Than Packaging This year’s projects have once again proved corru- gated as a versatile medium for learning, discovery, and creativity. Students walked away with new skills, new con fidence, and a new appreciation for corrugated.

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September 1, 2025

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AICC Canada Announces Fall Meeting For October 2025 In Toronto AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, has an- nounced its 2025 Canada Fall Meeting, inviting members of the independent corrugated industry to gather for an afternoon and evening of learning, networking, and fun at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, ON, on Thursday, Octo- ber 16. The program begins with the Speakers Series, head- lined by keynote speaker Chris Vacher, an organizational consultant and executive coach with over 20 years of ex- perience helping leaders and teams cut through complex- ity, align priorities, and move forward with clarity. Vacher is known for his practical, people-first approach to leader- ship and workplace culture. Attendees can expect insights into leading across generations and building organization- al momentum in an era of rapid change. The series continues with a thought-provoking panel discussion, “Machines, Money, and Mindsets: Is AI and Au- tomation Really for Us?”—an exploration of how indepen- dents can approach new technologies with strategy and realism. The evening wraps up with laughter from comedian DK, followed by cocktails, dinner, and horse racing, an ideal setting for members to connect and celebrate the strength of Canada’s independent corrugated community.

Platinum Converting Acquires Chicago Laminating

Bartlett, Illinois based Platinum Converting, a provider of print and packaging converting services, has announced its acquisition of Chicago Laminating, a name for Lamina- tion & Specialty Coating services. The acquisition is part of Platinum Converting’s continued effort to better serve the printing, packaging and converting industries. This acquisition reflects Platinum Converting’s long- term commitment to building deeper relationships with their customer base. By integrating the expertise and re- sources of Chicago Laminating, Platinum is positioned to deliver more comprehensive, high-quality solutions to an increasingly diverse customer base, while accelerating in- novation and service quality. With this strategic acquisition, Platinum Converting will integrate Chicago Laminating’s lamination & specialty coating technologies and experienced team into its oper- ations. “We’re excited to welcome Chicago Laminating into the Platinum Converting family,” said Jeff Huber, President of Platinum Converting. “This acquisition allows us to provide even more value to our customers by expanding our tech- nical capabilities and service offerings, all under one roof.” Chicago Laminating will continue operations under the Platinum Converting brand.

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Domtar Breaks Ground On Rothschild Dam Project

Rothschild. Both mills have been in operation for more than 100 years and have played vital roles in each com- munity, supporting more than 3,500 local jobs, including approximately 750 direct employees, and generating an estimated $1 billion in annual economic impact across Wis- consin.

Fort Mill, South Carolina based Domtar Paper Company LLC was joined by local elected leaders, including Wis- consin Governor Tony Evers, for the ground-breaking of a project that will modernize a section of the 113-year-old Rothschild Dam on Lake Wausau in Wisconsin. Last month, Gov. Evers signed the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which included $42 million in state funding to sup- port the repair and modernization of the Rothschild Dam. By securing these cost-sharing partnerships, Domtar will invest $100 million in North Central Wisconsin via its Roth- schild and Nekoosa manufacturing operations over the next three years. “Investing in critical infrastructure is essential to the long-term health and resilience of our communities,” said Gov. Evers. “The Rothschild Dam has served this region for more than a century, and modernizing it is essential to public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality in North Central Wisconsin.” Wisconsin ranks first in the nation in paper production and exports over $850 million in paper products annually. Overall, Wisconsin’s forestry products industry contributes $42 billion to the state’s economy and 126,000 jobs. Dom- tar, one of the longstanding forest products companies in Wisconsin, operates pulp and paper mills in Nekoosa and

“None of this happens without partnerships, and today is about celebrating the mutual success of Wisconsin’s workforce and this wonderful region,” said Domtar Pres- ident of Paper and Packaging Steve Henry. “By modern- izing the Rothschild Dam, we support public safety, help preserve Lake Wausau’s recreation economy, and offer CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (third from left) joins Steve Henry, President of Domtar Paper and Packaging (fourth from left) as they break ground on the Rothschild Dam project.

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Green Bay Packaging's Great Lake Division Completes New Facility Green Bay, Wisconsin based Green Bay Packaging’s Great Lakes Division has completed its new 270,000-square- foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Germantown, WI. The space is equipped with the latest technology, en- abling enhanced services and improved efficiency for cus- tomers. With the addition

Domtar Breaks Ground (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)

reliable flood control infrastructure for decades.” Commissioned in 1912, the Rothschild Dam is owned and operated by Domtar and was initially used to pow- er the Rothschild Mill. After years of maintenance invest- ments by Domtar, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commis- sion determined that maintenance repairs are no longer sufficient for the Timber Crib Spillway section of the dam. The dam and its related hydro generation are no longer core to the Rothschild Mill’s operations, but the company recognizes the importance of the dam for the area and Lake Wausau. The upgrade to the 276-foot Timber Crib Spillway section will help the dam continue to serve surrounding communities by supporting public safety and flood con- trol, economic development, tax revenue from private residences and businesses, reservoir management, and recreational opportunities. According to Domtar, construction crews have already begun working, and the installation of two temporary cof- ferdams—which will allow safe, dry access for demolition of the Timber Crib Spillway—is expected to begin soon. In addition to efforts to support the modernization of the Rothschild Dam, the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers provides $1.1 billion in new funding for key transportation and infrastructure investments, as well as funds to bolster the viability of the state’s forestry industry.

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Visionary Leaders (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)

Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY

to wonder out loud. It’s normal to challenge what’s always worked. It’s normal to say, “Let’s try something completely different,” without needing a spreadsheet to justify it. Here’s how visionary leaders shape cultures that ele- vate possibility without sacrificing performance: Track Curiosity, Not Just Completion Most cultures track deliverables and deadlines but never measure how often someone asks a provocative question, reframes a challenge, or proposes a complete- ly unexpected solution. Visionary leaders design metrics that reflect their priorities. They create space to ask, “Are we thinking differently, or just doing more of the same?” They evaluate not just the speed of delivery, but the orig- inality of approach.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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