International Paper has announced plans to build a new 468,000ft² packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi, US, following board approval of a $225 million greenfield investment in the region.
The facility will be constructed on an 80-acre site in Brandon, located פחות than ten miles from the company’s existing plant in Richland. It is intended to replace older infrastructure, while enhancing service capabilities and improving product quality for customers across the Mid-South region. The project is also expected to strengthen the company’s overall cost efficiency.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the investment, highlighting it as a sign of the state’s continued economic growth and attractiveness to major businesses. He noted that the project would generate new opportunities and contribute to Mississippi’s ongoing development momentum.
Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with operations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027. Employees from the current Richland facility will transition to the new plant once it becomes operational.
Keith Townsend, group vice-president at International Paper, stated that the investment aligns with the company’s strategy to optimise its box plant network and allocate capital to high-return areas. He added that modernising its Mississippi operations will enhance service delivery and support the production of high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions.
The announcement follows International Paper’s earlier decision to split its business into two independent entities. While its North American operations will continue under the International Paper name, its packaging businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa will be spun off into a separate company. The North American division will also integrate assets from DS Smith, which the company acquired last year.
