Hexacomb Corporation

What Hexacomb Corporation does

Hexacomb Corporation is a product brand and operating designation of Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG), a Fortune 500 U.S. containerboard and corrugated packaging manufacturer headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. Hexacomb designs and manufactures paper-based honeycomb protective packaging products, including edge and corner protectors, custom die-cut pieces, cushion pads, void-fill panels, custom pallets, and the HexAir airbag dunnage system. The underlying technology is a proprietary paper honeycomb architecture that combines cushioning with structural rigidity, positioning Hexacomb as a recyclable, lighter-weight substitute for foam and wood protective packaging. All Hexacomb products carry Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified Sourcing approval and are designed for applications including appliances, furniture, electronics, and automotive parts.

The company sells through direct enterprise field sales with dedicated account managers at each of PCA's 90+ U.S. box plants, supported by a national network of packaging engineers and a Research and Innovation Center in Vernon Hills, Illinois, plus a design center in Hong Kong. Go-to-market is custom-engineered: structural engineers collaborate with customers on design, ISTA testing, and project management, with application specialists visiting customer facilities to observe loading procedures. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Custom design services are bundled with hardware sales across multiple revenue streams including corrugated products, Hexacomb protective packaging, packaging supplies through packaging and supply centers, and design/engineering professional services.

The business serves diverse industrial verticals — food and beverage, produce/agriculture, e-commerce/consumer products, manufacturing/industrial, and beverage — and continues to expand via acquisitions. Recent inorganic moves include the 2025 acquisition of Greif's containerboard business (CorrChoice and Box-Board Products, adding 2 mills and 8 converting facilities), the 2013 acquisition of Boise Inc., and the 2016 acquisition of TimBar Corporation. PCA's chairman and CEO Mark Kowlzan received RISI's 2018 Global Containerboard CEO of the Year award, and PCA holds ISO, SFI, and American Association of Railroads certifications across its operations.

Name

Hexacomb Corporation

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

Hexacomb Corporation is a product brand of Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) that designs and manufactures proprietary paper-based honeycomb protective packaging — including edge protectors, die-cut pieces, pads, pallets, and airbag dunnage — sold through direct enterprise sales to manufacturers in appliances, furniture, electronics, automotive, and consumer goods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Packaging

NAICS

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Paper Mills (2621)

akta.pro primary industry

Paper-Based Protective Packaging (Kraft Paper, Honeycomb, Molded Pulp) (IMALAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap) (IMALACAH), Corrugated Protective Inserts & Partitions (Die-Cut Inserts, Dividers) (IMALAFAD), Material Handling Protective Accessories (Slip Sheets, Corner Boards, Pallet Collars) (IMALAFAN)

Keywords

• Paper-based honeycomb packaging
• Protective packaging products
• Corrugated packaging materials
• Custom industrial packaging
• Shipping protection solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Corrugated Packaging Products: PCA generates revenue primarily from manufacturing and selling corrugated packaging products including shipping containers, bulk bins, and protective packaging. The company operates as an integrated supplier producing containerboard at its mills and converting it into packaging products at its box plants.
2. Hexacomb Protective Packaging: Revenue from paper-based honeycomb protective packaging solutions including edge protectors, corner protectors, custom die-cut pieces, pads, and pallets. Products are sold directly to manufacturers and industrial customers.
3. Custom Design Services: Packaging design and engineering services accompanying product sales, including structural design, graphic design, testing, and project management services.
4. Packaging Supplies: Sale of packaging supplies including tape, void fill, polybags, stretch film, corner boards, and bubble wrap through packaging and supply centers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hexacomb Corporation designs and manufactures paper-based honeycomb protective packaging products that cushion and protect goods during shipping and handling. The portfolio includes edge and corner protectors, custom die-cut pieces, pads and trays, paper-based pallets, foam-replacement cushioning, and airbag load-securement systems sold directly to industrial manufacturers in the appliance, furniture, electronics, and automotive parts sectors.

Product overview

Hexacomb Corporation offers a comprehensive line of paper-based honeycomb packaging solutions designed to protect products during shipping and handling. The core product, Hexacomb®, is the leading paper-based honeycomb packaging solution providing cushioning and rigidity. The product portfolio includes HexAir® airbag systems, Cushion-Comb® foam replacement, custom edge/corner protectors, pads, trays, and specialty die-cut pieces. Additionally, Hexacomb offers paper-based pallets and dunnage products for load securement. All Hexacomb products are approved for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified Sourcing label and are fully recyclable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hexacomb: Leading paper-based honeycomb packaging solution offering cushioning, rigidity, and superior protection for products such as appliances, furniture, electronics, and automotive parts.
• Falconboard
• HexAir

Products and services

• Hexacomb Paper-based honeycomb protective packaging solution providing superior cushioning and rigidity to protect appliances, furniture, electronics, and automotive parts during shipping and handling. Sold to industrial manufacturers.
• HexAir Single-piece panel and airbag system that secures products in place during transportation. Designed to meet American Association of Railroads specifications for rail shipping environments.
• Cushion-Comb Paper-based cushioning product that replaces traditional foam and provides consistent product protection throughout shipping.
• Hexacomb Edge and Corner Protectors Protective edge and corner products strong enough for use with strapping to safeguard product edges and corners during transit and storage.
• Hexacomb Custom Pads and Trays Customized top and bottom pads and trays designed for office furniture and appliance protection during shipping.
• Clear-View System Self-shipping system that combines honeycomb packaging with stretch wrap to minimize materials and weight for certain applications.
• Hexacomb Pallets Custom-sized, paper-based pallets that are up to 60% lighter than wood alternatives, contain no nails or splinters, and are easily recyclable with other paper products.
• Hexacomb Buffer Pads Dunnage buffer pads that hold products tight and absorb shock to prevent impact damage during transportation.
• Hexacomb Void Fill and Separator Panels Void fill and separator panels designed to fill empty space and hold products in place within shipping containers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products up to 60% lighter than wood alternatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arbor Day FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PCA partners with the Arbor Day Foundation for ProjectUP, a reforestation initiative. The partnership focuses on reforestation projects in high-need areas impacted by wildfires, habitat loss, or long-term ecosystem decline. Between 2025-2026, ProjectUP supported 14 reforestation projects, 368+ thousand trees planted, and 800+ acres of forestland restored. Recent projects include wildfire-affected areas in California and Oregon, degraded ecosystems in Southeastern U.S., and restoration areas across the Midwest.
• University of MaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA donated $1.6 million to the University of Maine's Process Development Center (PDC) in Orono, Maine. The PDC is an open-access research facility offering technical services in traditional pulp and paper and emerging process technologies. Funds provide infrastructure improvements and new equipment to expand capabilities in renewable packaging. PCA is a long-time supporter of UMaine through the UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation.
• North Carolina State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA'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. The mill works with six local high schools to promote scholarship opportunities and share information about careers in the paper industry.
• Sustainable Packaging CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, supporting industry-wide efforts for sustainable packaging practices and circular economy initiatives.
• American Forest & Paper AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA is a member of the AF&PA, the national trade association of the paper and wood products industries. PCA's CEO Mark Kowlzan serves on the AF&PA board of directors.
• Fibre Box AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA has a seat on the Fibre Box Association's Sustainability Committee, contributing to industry sustainability standards and practices.
• Corrugated Packaging AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA is a member of the Corrugated Packaging Alliance, supporting industry promotion and education efforts for corrugated packaging.
• National Council for Air and Stream ImprovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA is a member of NCASI, supporting environmental improvement initiatives in the forest products industry.
• Sustainable Forestry InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll PCA mills are SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified. Hexacomb products and Falconboard are approved for the SFI Certified Sourcing label. SFI certification ensures responsible forestry practices in the supply chain.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pregis LLC: Pregis is a leading provider of protective packaging including paper-based cushioning, air pillows, and foam systems that compete directly with Hexacomb across fulfillment, e-commerce, and industrial protective packaging applications. Both companies serve similar OEMs and shippers requiring damage-prevention solutions.
• Ranpak Holdings: Ranpak is the most direct competitor to Hexacomb, offering paper-based protective packaging including honeycomb, paper cushioning (PadPak), and automated void fill solutions for industrial and e-commerce customers. Both companies compete head-to-head in paper-based protective packaging for appliances, furniture, and electronics manufacturers.

Broad incumbents

• Smurfit Westrock: Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in containerboard and corrugated packaging, with paper-based protective packaging offerings (e.g., Hexacomb-style products) that compete with PCA/Hexacomb for industrial and e-commerce customers. Their combined scale post-2024 merger creates a global paper-packaging incumbent serving overlapping end markets.
• Mondi plc: Mondi is a global paper and packaging group with significant corrugated and protective packaging operations across Europe and emerging markets. Its paper-based protective packaging products and integrated containerboard supply compete with Hexacomb for multinational OEM customers, particularly in Europe.
• International Paper Company: International Paper is one of the largest containerboard and corrugated packaging producers in the U.S. and competes with PCA for box plant customers. While less focused on honeycomb protective packaging specifically, IP's broad packaging portfolio and scale overlap with PCA's integrated supply chain model.
• DS Smith plc: DS Smith is a major European-based corrugated and protective packaging supplier with a strong focus on sustainable, recyclable packaging solutions. It competes with Hexacomb for paper-based protective packaging contracts from multinational manufacturers and retailers.
• Sonoco Products Company: Sonoco is a diversified global packaging manufacturer offering protective and industrial packaging solutions that compete with Hexacomb across automotive parts, appliance, and industrial customers. Sonoco's industrial paper and protective products portfolio overlaps with Hexacomb's edge protectors, pads, and dunnage offerings.
• Sealed Air Corporation: Sealed Air is a broad incumbent in protective packaging with iconic brands like Bubble Wrap and Instapak foam-in-place, competing with Hexacomb for protective packaging spend across industrial and e-commerce accounts. While Sealed Air's portfolio includes paper and sustainable solutions, its foam and plastic heritage overlaps with Hexacomb's cushioning products.

Emerging players

• Greif Inc. Greif is a global industrial packaging producer whose containerboard business (CorrChoice and Box-Board Products) was recently acquired by PCA. While Greif retains its industrial container and rigid industrial packaging segments, the divestiture positions Hexacomb to gain share in formerly Greif-served accounts.
• Nefab Group: Nefab is a global engineered packaging company specializing in heavy-duty protective packaging, including paper-based cushioning and custom solutions for industrial OEMs. It competes with Hexacomb in automotive and industrial export packaging, particularly for customers seeking engineered alternatives to wood crates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Hexacomb Corporation