Graphic Packaging Launches First Uncoated Recycled Paperboard Product
Graphic Packaging International (GPI) has entered the uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) market with the launch of PaceSetter Ridgeline, the company’s first product in the category. The new offering is designed to expand GPI’s recycled paperboard portfolio and support a wider range of industrial packaging applications.
PaceSetter Ridgeline contains at least 45% post-consumer recycled content and will be produced at GPI’s Waco, Texas, mill, which has been commercially operational since October 2025. The facility is capable of switching production between coated recycled paperboard (CRB) and the new URB grade, allowing the company to respond to changing customer demand.
The new paperboard grade is intended for applications such as folding cartons, laminations, edge protectors, tubes, cores, and other specialty packaging products. According to the company, the launch enables GPI to serve a broader customer base across both consumer and industrial packaging markets.
Robbert Rietbroek, President and CEO of Graphic Packaging International, said the introduction of PaceSetter Ridgeline strengthens the company’s recycled paperboard portfolio while expanding its reach into new market segments.
Industry analysts suggest the move also reflects evolving market dynamics, including softer demand for coated recycled paperboard and the need for greater production flexibility. By adding URB capabilities at its Waco mill, GPI can better balance manufacturing capacity while addressing demand across multiple paperboard grades.
The launch represents another step in Graphic Packaging’s strategy to diversify its paperboard offerings and strengthen its position in the North American packaging market through sustainable, recycled fiber-based solutions.
