The United States Cartonboard Market was valued at USD 14.8 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 19.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is primarily driven by the accelerating e-commerce boom, rising consumer preference for sustainable packaging, and stringent regulations phasing out single-use plastics across various states.

As the packaging industry pivots toward circular economy models and eco-friendly solutions, the focus intensifies on the key manufacturers who are innovating in material science, recycling technologies, and supply chain efficiency. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the United States Cartonboard Industry—a blend of integrated paper giants, specialty converters, and sustainability leaders shaping the future of American packaging.

---

🔟 1. International Paper Company

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Coated and Uncoated Cartonboard, Recycled Board, Food-Grade Packaging

International Paper is the largest producer of cartonboard in North America, operating numerous mills across the United States. The company supplies a wide range of cartonboard grades to converters serving the food and beverage, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical industries, leveraging its massive scale and integrated fiber supply.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Achieved a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2010

• Committed to sourcing 100% of wood fiber from certified responsible sources

• Major investments in recycling infrastructure and circular packaging solutions

Download FREE Sample Report: United States Cartonboard Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

9️⃣ 2. WestRock Company

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Folding Carton Board, Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS), Coated Recycled Board (CRB)

WestRock is a leading diversified packaging company with a significant footprint in cartonboard production. Its extensive portfolio includes high-performance board grades for luxury packaging, food service, and healthcare applications, supported by a network of converting facilities nationwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Target of 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2025

• Extensive use of post-consumer recycled content across product lines

---

8️⃣ 3. Graphic Packaging Holding Company

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Coated Unbleached Kraft (CUK), Coated Recycled Board, Paperboard Packaging

Graphic Packaging is a key player focused exclusively on paper-based packaging solutions. The company is renowned for its innovative, fiber-based alternatives to plastic packaging, particularly in the beverage and food service sectors, and operates a fully integrated system from paperboard production to finished cartons.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneer in developing recyclable paper-based packaging for liquids and frozen foods

• Over 80% of fiber sourced from certified sustainable forests or recycled material

---

7️⃣ 4. PCA (Packaging Corporation of America)

Headquarters: Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Containerboard, Kraft Paperboard, Specialty Cartonboard

PCA operates some of the most efficient paperboard mills in the country, producing a variety of cartonboard grades. The company has a strong presence in the industrial and consumer packaging markets, with a reputation for quality and reliability in its kraft paperboard products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Consistently ranked among the top performers in energy efficiency within the industry

• Significant reductions in water usage and waste-to-landfill across manufacturing operations

Download FREE Sample Report: United States Cartonboard Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

6️⃣ 5. Sonoco Products Company

Headquarters: Hartsville, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Recycled Paperboard, Composite Cans, Thermoformed Cartons

Sonoco is a global provider of consumer and industrial packaging with a deep heritage in paperboard. The company produces a wide array of cartonboard products, including specialized grades for thermoformed food packaging and high-graphic consumer goods, emphasizing a circular approach to material use.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Committed to making 100% of its packaging recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025

• Leader in using renewable materials and designing for recyclability

---

5️⃣ 6. Georgia-Pacific

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Bleached Board, Tissue & Towel Backing, Packaging Grades

A subsidiary of Koch Industries, Georgia-Pacific is a major manufacturer of pulp, paper, and cartonboard. The company’s packaging division produces cartonboard for a multitude of end-uses, from consumer product packaging to food containers, supported by its substantial vertical integration.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Extensive forestry stewardship and habitat conservation programs

• Investment in technologies to improve yield and reduce environmental footprint per ton of product

---

4️⃣ 7. Caraustar (A Sonoco Company)

Headquarters: Austell, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: 100% Recycled Paperboard, Custom Cartons, Industrial Packaging

As part of Sonoco, Caraustar is one of the largest manufacturers of 100% recycled paperboard in the United States. The company specializes in producing cartonboard from post-consumer waste, serving diverse markets including packaging for toys, electronics, and shoes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Core business model centered on converting wastepaper into new products

• Diverts millions of tons of paper from landfills annually

---

3️⃣ 8. KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. (Now part of WestRock)

Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Kraft Paper, Virgin Fiber Board, Specialty Grades

Following its acquisition by WestRock, KapStone’s assets continue to be a vital part of the North American cartonboard supply chain. The company was known for its high-quality virgin fiber kraft paperboard, often used in demanding applications requiring strength and durability.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Legacy of efficient manufacturing and resource utilization

• Integrated operations minimized waste and optimized fiber use

---

2️⃣ 9. Domtar Corporation

Headquarters: Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Pulp, Communication Papers, Specialty Paperboard

Domtar is a leading manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper and market pulp, with a growing presence in specialty paperboard segments. The company produces cartonboard grades suitable for packaging applications that require a high-quality printing surface and structural integrity.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Extensive third-party certifications for sustainable forestry (SFI, FSC)

• Focus on bio-based product innovation and lifecycle assessments

---

1️⃣ 10. Inland Paperboard and Packaging (A SoPax Company)

Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Recycled Cartonboard, Folding Cartons, Custom Packaging Solutions

Inland is a prominent independent producer of recycled paperboard and a major converter of folding cartons. The company serves a broad customer base, particularly in the food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods sectors, with a strong focus on customization and responsive service.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Dedicated to maximizing recycled content in all products

• Active participant in local and national paper recycling programs

Get Full Report Here: United States Cartonboard Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

🌍 Outlook: The Future of Cartonboard Is Sustainable and Innovative

The United States cartonboard market is undergoing a significant transformation. While demand for traditional packaging remains strong, the industry is rapidly advancing through material innovations, smarter manufacturing, and a deepened commitment to the circular economy.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated adoption of recycled content and bio-based barrier coatings to replace plastics

• E-commerce driving demand for durable, lightweight, and branded shipping cartons

• Advanced digital printing enabling short runs, customization, and agile supply chains

• Brand owner commitments to 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2025-2030

Get Full Report Here: United States Cartonboard Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential packaging materials—they’re at the forefront of building a more sustainable and efficient packaging ecosystem for the future.