Sonoco to Modernize and Expand URB Production at Richmond, VA Mill
The planned expansion would add approximately 9,000 tons of annual paperboard capacity while maintaining current output during construction.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) plans to invest $40 million over the next two years to modernize and expand its Richmond, Virginia paperboard mill. The company expects the project to increase annual capacity for uncoated recycled paperboard by approximately 9,000 tons and improve product quality and operating efficiency.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027. The first phase will upgrade papermaking capabilities; a second phase, targeted for completion by the end of 2028, will address pulping, water systems, automation and employee experience. Sonoco expects minimal production disruption and plans to maintain the mill’s current annual output of approximately 120,000 tons throughout construction.
Positive
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Richmond modernization is expected to add approximately 9,000 tons of annual production capacity.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Mill upgrades are expected to improve product quality and operating efficiency.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Construction is expected to preserve approximately 120,000 tons of annual output with minimal disruption.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Construction is expected to start in early 2027, with second-phase completion targeted by the end of 2028.
Negative
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Richmond modernization requires a planned $40 million investment over the next two years.
Key Figures
- Planned investment
- $40 million over the next two years
- Richmond mill modernization and expansion
- Annual capacity increase
- Approximately 9,000 tons
- Richmond mill
- Annual output during construction
- Approximately 120,000 tons
- Mill expected to maintain current output throughout construction
- Second-phase completion target
- By the end of 2028
- Pulping, water systems, automation and employee experience improvements
Historical Context
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Industrial segment sales rose 5.2% while operating profit declined, establishing mixed recent segment performance.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
uncoated recycled paperboard technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
HARTSVILLE, S.C., Nov. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), the largest producer of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in North America, today announced plans to invest
The investment will enhance the mill’s manufacturing capabilities, improve product quality and operating efficiency and increase annual production capacity by approximately 9,000 tons. The Richmond mill is a strategic asset within Sonoco’s integrated URB system, supplying paperboard used in the Company’s iconic paper can packaging and producing lightweight Tan Bending Chip (TBC) grades for a diverse customer base.
“Richmond has long played an important role in supporting our Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses with quality paperboard that delivers value to our customers,” said Howard Coker, Sonoco’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening Sonoco’s paperboard system through targeted, high-return projects that enhance efficiency, improve product performance and positions us to meet growing customer demand. By adding state-of-the-art capabilities, we will further improve the quality and consistency of our products while increasing capacity that supports long-term growth.”
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027. The first phase of the project will focus on enhancing sheet formation, profile control, density and cleanliness while expanding the mill’s production capabilities. A second phase, targeted for completion by the end of 2028, will include investment in pulping operations, water systems, automation and employee experience improvements.
The project will be executed with minimal production disruption, allowing the mill to maintain its current annual output of approximately 120,000 tons throughout construction.
Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment is North America’s largest producer of URB, operating 10 mills and 16 paper machines across the United States and Canada. Together, these facilities produce approximately 1.2 million tons of high-quality heavyweight and lightweight TBC paperboard annually, supporting a broad range of packaging applications and end markets.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging. Sonoco had net sales of
Contact: Roger Schrum
843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df1c0436-39da-4b42-a1cd-1d6c130cd03f
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
How much will Sonoco invest in the Richmond mill expansion, and how much capacity will it add?
Sonoco plans to invest $40 million over the next two years, with an expected annual capacity increase of approximately 9,000 tons. The project will modernize production of uncoated recycled paperboard at the Richmond, Virginia mill.
When will Sonoco begin and complete the Richmond mill upgrades?
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, and the second phase is targeted for completion by the end of 2028. Sonoco expects minimal production disruption while maintaining the mill’s current annual output of approximately 120,000 tons throughout construction.