Packaging Corporation of America

What Packaging Corporation of America does

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a vertically integrated producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products, operating as the third-largest containerboard manufacturer in North America. The company runs 9 containerboard mills and 90+ converting box plants across the United States, producing kraft linerboard and corrugating semi-chemical medium at its mills for both internal converting operations and external sales. PCA serves enterprise and mid-market customers across four primary verticals — Food & Beverage, Produce/Agriculture, E-Commerce/Retail, and Manufacturing/Industrial — offering custom corrugated containers, protective packaging (Hexacomb, HexAir), rigid graphics boards (Falconboard), bulk bins (BulkMaster, ExportPack, Grid-Lok), and specialty coatings (GreenGuard).

The company's core technology centers on integrated mill-to-box manufacturing, supplemented by proprietary differentiated products (Hexacomb honeycomb, Falconboard rigid media, patented BulkMaster self-locking bins) and software tools (PCA Utility Suite for structural optimization, SKU Terminator for SKU consolidation, and the YourCorr procurement portal). PCA holds GFSI food safety certification across all full-line plants, SFI/PEFC/FSC chain-of-custody certifications, ISO 9001, and ISTA testing credentials, which collectively support premium positioning in regulated end-markets including food, hazmat, and Amazon SIOC e-commerce.

PCA's go-to-market is enterprise field sales with dedicated account managers and structural designers at each box plant, complemented by packaging and supply centers for stock products and the YourCorr online portal for mid-market and procurement integration. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time sales of custom and stock corrugated packaging plus external mill-level containerboard sales. Recent strategic activity has centered on the $1.8 billion 2025 acquisition of Greif's containerboard business, containerboard price increases announced for 2026, and footprint rationalization (Richmond closure, Wallula restructuring) — together pointing to a strategy of consolidation-led scale expansion with margin discipline in a tightening North American containerboard market.

Name

Packaging Corporation of America

Legal name

Packaging Corporation of America

Website

https://packagingcorp.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is a vertically integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging manufacturer operating 9 mills and 90+ box plants, serving enterprise customers in food & beverage, produce, e-commerce, and industrial end-markets across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corrugated Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Paperboard Mills (32213)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Paperboard Mills (2631)

akta.pro primary industry

Virgin Containerboard (Kraft Linerboard) Manufacturing (IMAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solid Fiber & Chipboard Packaging (Set-Up/Rigid Paperboard Boxes) (IMALACAC), Recycled Containerboard (Testliner) Manufacturing (IMAMAFAB)

Keywords

• Corrugated packaging products
• Containerboard manufacturing
• Protective packaging solutions
• Rigid graphics media board
• Industrial bulk containers

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Corrugated Packaging Products: PCA converts containerboard into corrugated packaging products at its 90+ box plants. Revenue generated from custom corrugated containers, display solutions, protective packaging, and bulk bins for industrial and consumer goods sectors.
2. Containerboard Sales: PCA sells containerboard (kraft linerboard and corrugating semi-chemical medium) produced at its mills to domestic and international customers. The company operates as an integrated supplier ensuring uninterrupted supply for internal converting operations.
3. Packaging Supplies: Sale of packaging supplies including tape, void fill, polybags, stretch film, corner boards, bubble wrap, and stock agricultural packaging through packaging and supply centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an integrated producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging, manufacturing kraft linerboard and corrugating semi-chemical medium at its own mills and converting them into custom corrugated containers, display packaging, protective packaging (Hexacomb honeycomb, HexAir, Cushion-Comb), rigid graphics boards (Falconboard), heavy-duty bulk bins (BulkMaster, ExportPack, Grid-Lok), and specialty coatings (GreenGuard) at 90+ box plants across the United States. The company also sells containerboard to domestic and international customers through packaging and supply centers and provides proprietary design and engineering software (PCA Utility Suite, SKU Terminator) and a customer ordering portal (YourCorr).

Product overview

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an integrated corrugated packaging company operating seven containerboard mills and over 90 box plants across the United States. The company's core product is custom corrugated packaging, which is manufactured from containerboard produced in-house at its own mills. The portfolio includes protective packaging solutions (Hexacomb honeycomb and HexAir airbag systems), rigid graphics boards (Falconboard for retail displays and signage), and heavy-duty bulk bins (BulkMaster, ExportPack, Grid-Lok). Supporting software tools include the proprietary PCA Utility Suite and SKU Terminator for package optimization, along with the YourCorr customer ordering portal. PCA serves diverse industries including food & beverage, produce, e-commerce, manufacturing, and automotive, offering design, testing, and project management services alongside its physical products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Boise Paper: Imaging papers for office and home, acquired with Boise Inc. in 2013.
• Hexacomb
• Falconboard
• ProjectUP

Products and services

• Corrugated Packaging Custom corrugated packaging solutions manufactured from containerboard produced in-house, serving containment, protection, and promotion needs across industries including food & beverage, produce, e-commerce, and manufacturing.
• Hexacomb Leading paper-based honeycomb protective packaging solution offering cushioning, rigidity, and superior protection for appliances, furniture, electronics, and automotive parts, including edge/corner protectors, customized pads, and specialty die-cut pieces.
• HexAir Pre-assembled bulkhead panel and airbag system for load securement in trailers, boxcars, and containers; designed to be lightweight, easy to install, and more economical than wood alternatives.
• Cushion-Comb Paper-based cushioning replacement for traditional foam that provides consistent product protection throughout the shipping cycle.
• Clear-View System Packaging system combining honeycomb packaging with stretch wrap to minimize materials and weight for shipping applications.
• Falconboard Fully recyclable rigid graphics media board made from renewable forest products, available in variants including Print, Mount, Build, Luminous, All White, and Black Series for retail displays, signage, exhibits, and POP applications.
• BulkMaster Triplewall bulk bin featuring a patented self-locking bottom that stabilizes loads during shipment and storage, with flanges that fasten to pallets; available in depths from 18 inches to 50 inches.
• ExportPack Preassembled, stackable triplewall container designed to maximize space utilization of standard high cube sea containers for international shipping environments.
• Grid-Lok Doublewall bulk container allowing quick, easy one-person setup and knockdown; designed for manufacturers who wish to return collapsed containers for reuse.
• Containerboard Kraft linerboard and corrugating semi-chemical medium produced at seven mills for internal converting facilities and domestic/international customers; all mills are SFI certified.
• GreenGuard Coatings Specialty coatings including GreenGuard Rain, 100, and 200 series providing superior moisture and water resistance for bakery, flash-frozen food, produce, proteins, and agricultural applications; recyclable and repulpable.
• Packaging and Supply Center Products Sale of packaging supplies including tape, void fill, polybags, stretch film, corner boards, bubble wrap, and stock agricultural packaging through packaging and supply centers.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ardagh GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026DGeo's Dangerous Goods Solutions Division expanded its packaging portfolio with UN-certified kits featuring Ardagh Glass Packaging bottles paired with Hexacomb inner packaging from PCA and Menshen bottle caps. The combination provides certified dangerous goods packaging solutions.
• Arbor Day FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership through ProjectUP initiative where PCA partners with Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in identified areas of need. Between 2025-2026, ProjectUP supported 14 reforestation projects, planted 368+ thousand trees, and restored 800+ acres of forestland. Projects include reforestation in areas affected by wildfires in California and Oregon, degraded ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S., and restoration across the Midwest region.
• University of MaineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024PCA donated $1.6 million to the University of Maine in Orono to benefit the Process Development Center (PDC). The PDC is a research facility offering technical services in traditional pulp and paper and emerging process technologies. Funds support infrastructure improvements and new equipment to expand capabilities in renewable packaging. PCA is a long-time supporter through the UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation.
• North Carolina State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PCA's containerboard mill in Counce, Tennessee donates annually to the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board at NC State's College of Natural Resources. Donations fund programming, renovations to study spaces and laboratories, and scholarships for tuition and books. The mill works with six local high schools to promote scholarship opportunities.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pactiv Evergreen: North American food and beverage packaging producer with paper-based and molded-fiber products. Comparable to PCA in food-service and food manufacturer customer base and paper-based container substrate.
• Cascades: Canadian-based manufacturer of containerboard, tissue, and specialty packaging products. Comparable to PCA in containerboard production and converting, though smaller and primarily focused on the North American market.
• Graphic Packaging: US-focused paperboard packaging producer serving food, beverage, and consumer goods customers with folding cartons and food-service packaging. Comparable to PCA's paper-based packaging portfolio and overlapping food and beverage customer base.
• Pratt Industries: Privately held US corrugated packaging company that operates containerboard mills and converting plants, often cited as a co-defendant in the antitrust litigation. Directly comparable to PCA in corrugated products, integrated mill operations, and US geographic footprint.
• Smurfit Westrock: Formed by the 2024 combination of WestRock and Smurfit Kappa, the merged company is the largest global containerboard and corrugated packaging producer. Directly competes with PCA across all major US end markets and product lines.
• Greif: Global industrial packaging company that sold its containerboard business (CorrChoice and Box-Board Products) to PCA for $1.8B in 2025. Remaining steel, plastic, and fiber industrial packaging operations make Greif a direct peer in industrial packaging end markets.
• International Paper: Largest integrated pulp and paper company in the world and the largest containerboard producer in North America. Directly comparable to PCA as a mill-to-box integrated competitor with overlapping customers in food, industrial, and e-commerce packaging.
• Sonoco Products: Global diversified packaging company with paperboard, rigid plastics, and protective packaging segments. Comparable to PCA in serving consumer staples and industrial customers with paper-based protective and transport packaging solutions.

Broad incumbents

• Mondi: European-headquartered global packaging and paper group with significant containerboard and corrugated operations. Comparable to PCA as a vertically integrated containerboard producer but with primary footprint in Europe rather than North America.

Emerging players

• Sealed Air: Protective and food packaging company best known for Bubble Wrap and Cryovac food packaging. Comparable to PCA's Hexacomb and HexAir protective packaging lines, though it competes primarily with plastic- and foam-based rather than fiber-based solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@packagingcorporationofamerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pca
• Instagraminstagram.com/packagingcorp
• Xx.com/packagingcorp

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A12 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Packaging Corporation of America