Company Description
International Paper Company (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is described as the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. The company is associated with the paper and packaging industry and is classified in the Manufacturing sector. While historically known for paper and cellulose fiber products, recent disclosures and news emphasize its focus on packaging solutions and related businesses.
International Paper is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, with EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK. According to company statements, it employs more than 65,000 team members and operates in more than 30 countries, serving customers around the world. The company’s stated purpose is to work with customers to make the world safer and more productive through sustainable packaging solutions.
Business Focus and Strategic Direction
Company communications describe International Paper as being on a transformational journey to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions company. Under what it calls an 80/20 strategic approach, International Paper intends to guide investments and align resources toward its most strategic customers, while reducing complexity and cost across the company. This includes actions such as mill closures, portfolio reshaping, and reinvestment in selected assets.
In 2025, International Paper announced that it acquired DS Smith. Company news releases state that this acquisition created an industry leader focused on the North American and EMEA regions. Following this transaction, International Paper reports that it manages its continuing operations through two main segments: Packaging Solutions North America (PS NA) and Packaging Solutions EMEA (PS EMEA). The PS EMEA segment includes the company’s legacy EMEA industrial packaging business together with the EMEA DS Smith business, while the PS NA segment includes the company’s legacy North America industrial packaging business and the North America DS Smith business.
Operations, Footprint, and Portfolio Actions
International Paper reports that it serves customers globally with operations in more than 30 countries. Within North America and EMEA, the company has taken a series of portfolio and footprint actions as part of its transformation. These include:
- Mill closures at Riceboro, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia impacting its containerboard business, with associated reductions in containerboard capacity and workforce, as disclosed in an 8-K filing.
- Closure of packaging facilities in Compton, California and Louisville, Kentucky, with customers to be serviced from other locations.
- Classification of its Global Cellulose Fibers business as a discontinued operation and entry into a securities purchase agreement to sell that business, as reported in an 8-K.
- Sale of its bag converting operations to ProAmpac, as described in a joint news release.
These actions are described by the company as part of its effort to streamline its footprint, focus investments on facilities that best serve customers, and support its 80/20 strategic approach.
Financial Reporting and Segments
International Paper regularly reports financial results and non-GAAP measures such as adjusted operating earnings and adjusted EBITDA. In its third quarter 2025 results press release, the company highlighted adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and discussed the performance of its Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA segments. It also explained that its Global Cellulose Fibers business is treated as a discontinued operation following the announced sale.
The company’s SEC filings and press releases describe non-GAAP metrics including adjusted operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, along with reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Management states that these measures are used to focus on ongoing operations and to provide additional insight into segment and consolidated performance.
Corporate Transactions and Strategic Agreements
In addition to the DS Smith acquisition and the planned sale of the Global Cellulose Fibers business, International Paper has entered into other notable arrangements:
- A strategic continuity of services agreement with Kraton Corporation, under which International Paper will continue providing essential site services at Kraton’s Savannah, Georgia facility, supporting uninterrupted production of pine chemical products.
- A securities purchase agreement with entities affiliated with Absorbent Fiber Topco, Inc. for the sale of all of the company’s Global Cellulose Fibers business, with the transaction subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, as disclosed in an 8-K.
These transactions are presented by the company as part of its broader portfolio reshaping and focus on sustainable packaging solutions.
Capital Markets Presence and Investor Communications
International Paper’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IP and on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol IPC, according to company news releases. The company regularly announces quarterly earnings release dates, hosts webcasts to discuss financial results and market conditions, and participates in investor conferences such as the Citi Basic Materials Conference and the Baird Global Industrial Conference.
The company also communicates capital allocation decisions, including the declaration of quarterly dividends on its common stock and preferred stock. Investor-facing materials frequently reference the company’s transformation plan, cost management efforts, and focus on what it describes as commercial excellence and an advantaged cost position.
Sustainability and Positioning
Across multiple news releases, International Paper refers to itself as the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and emphasizes sustainability in its description. The company states that, together with its customers, it aims to make the world safer and more productive through sustainable packaging. It also describes its role as a participant in pine chemicals markets and as a partner in agreements that support supply reliability and operational continuity for counterparties.
FAQs about International Paper (IP)
- What does International Paper do?
According to company news releases, International Paper is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. It focuses on packaging-related businesses and, following the classification of its Global Cellulose Fibers business as discontinued operations, it reports continuing operations primarily in Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA. - Where is International Paper headquartered?
International Paper states that its company headquarters are in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, with EMEA headquarters in London, UK. - On which exchanges does International Paper trade?
Company communications identify International Paper’s common stock as trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IP and on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol IPC. - How is International Paper organized operationally?
Following the acquisition of DS Smith, International Paper reports that its continuing operations are managed through two main segments: Packaging Solutions North America (PS NA) and Packaging Solutions EMEA (PS EMEA). PS EMEA includes the company’s legacy EMEA industrial packaging business and the EMEA DS Smith business, while PS NA includes the legacy North America industrial packaging business and the North America DS Smith business. - What is International Paper’s 80/20 strategic approach?
In an 8-K filing, International Paper describes its 80/20 strategic approach as a plan to deliver profitable market share growth by striving to be the lowest-cost producer and a reliable sustainable packaging solutions provider across North America and EMEA. As part of this approach, the company intends to guide investments and align resources toward its most strategic customers while reducing complexity and cost. - What recent portfolio changes has International Paper announced?
Recent disclosures include plans to permanently close containerboard mills and related facilities in Riceboro, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia; closure of packaging facilities in Compton, California and Louisville, Kentucky; a securities purchase agreement to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers business; and the sale of its bag converting operations to ProAmpac. - How does International Paper describe its global footprint?
Company news releases state that International Paper employs more than 65,000 team members and serves customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. - What types of financial metrics does International Paper highlight?
In its earnings releases and SEC filings, International Paper discusses GAAP measures such as earnings from continuing operations, as well as non-GAAP measures including adjusted operating earnings, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, and free cash flow, with reconciliations provided to the corresponding GAAP metrics. - What is the status of International Paper’s Global Cellulose Fibers business?
According to an 8-K filing, International Paper entered into a securities purchase agreement to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers business. The company expects to record a non-cash impairment charge related to the sale and to classify the business as held for sale, with current and historical operating results presented as discontinued operations. - How does International Paper describe its role in sustainability?
In multiple news releases, International Paper describes itself as the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and states that it works with customers to make the world safer and more productive through sustainable packaging.