Top 10 Companies in the North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market (2026): Market Leaders Driving Surface Protection & Quality

In Business Insights
March 27, 2026

The North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market was valued at USD 248.7 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 321.5 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.3% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This steady growth is fueled by the robust manufacturing output of the steel, automotive, and electronics industries, alongside rising demand for high-quality, contamination-free material handling in sensitive applications like precious metals and precision connectors.

As industries prioritize quality control and sustainability, stainless steel interleaving paper—a critical, yet often overlooked, component for protecting high-value surfaces—is gaining strategic importance. This specialized paper prevents scratching, sticking, and corrosion during storage and transit. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Industry—a group of specialized manufacturers and converters that are setting the standards for performance, innovation, and supply chain reliability.


🔟 10. CDF Corporation

Headquarters: Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Coated and laminated protective interleaves, custom flexible packaging solutions.

CDF Corporation specializes in engineered flexible packaging and protective materials. While not solely focused on interleaving paper, its expertise in coatings and laminations allows it to produce specialized interleaves that offer enhanced protection against moisture and abrasion for sensitive metal surfaces.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Application-specific coating development for stainless steel and alloys.
  • Integration of moisture barrier properties into paper substrates.
  • Strong presence in industrial and food-contact material packaging.

Download FREE Sample Report to Understand Market Segmentation:
North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 9. Dunn Paper (a business of KP Tissue Inc.)

Headquarters: Port Huron, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Lightweight interleaving papers, release papers, and silicone-coated substrates.

Dunn Paper is a well-established manufacturer of specialty papers, including lightweight interleaving grades. Their products are used to separate delicate materials, including certain metal foils and precision parts, preventing adhesion and surface damage during processing and shipment.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Expertise in light-weight, high-tear-strength papers.
  • Silicone-coated release papers for adhesive applications in metal fabrication.
  • Strategic focus on niche industrial paper markets across North America.

8️⃣ 8. American Profol Inc.

Headquarters: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
Key Offering: Cast polypropylene (CPP) film, poly-coated papers, and protective interleaving solutions.

American Profol is a leading producer of CPP films and specialty coated papers. Their poly-coated interleaving papers provide superior protection against scratching and are often used as an alternative or complement to traditional paper for high-gloss stainless steel sheets and polished metal surfaces.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Development of synthetic and hybrid interleaving materials.
  • Solutions for “hard-to-hold” surfaces like highly polished and embossed metals.
  • Custom slitting and converting services for metal service centers.

7️⃣ 7. Stora Enso Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland (with significant North American operations)
Key Offering: Packaging boards, release liners, and kraft interleaving papers.

Stora Enso is a global renewable materials giant with a strong portfolio in packaging and specialty papers. Their North American operations supply high-performance kraft papers that serve as reliable, cost-effective interleaving materials for steel and stainless steel coils and sheets, emphasizing sustainability through renewable forestry.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Supply of heavy-duty kraft interleaving paper from responsibly managed forests.
  • Focus on developing papers with consistent caliper and tensile strength.
  • Global R&D into fiber-based solutions to replace plastic films.

For a detailed analysis of market drivers and share, get your sample:
North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 6. Fox River Associates, LLC (Fox River Fiber)

Headquarters: Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
Key Offering: Recycled-content kraft papers, including interleaving and separator sheets.

Fox River Fiber is a major supplier of 100% recycled kraft paper. They are a key source of brown interleaving paper used extensively in the steel and metals industry for separating layers during storage and transport, offering an eco-friendly option that appeals to companies with strong sustainability mandates.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Leadership in the 100% post-consumer recycled kraft paper segment.
  • Customizable basis weights and roll dimensions for metal service centers.
  • Commitment to circular economy principles in industrial supplies.

5️⃣ 5. International Paper Company

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Industrial packaging papers, kraft papers, and interleaving grades.

As one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies, International Paper produces a broad range of industrial-grade papers. Their extensive product line includes robust kraft papers suitable for interleaving stainless steel, serving large-scale metal producers and distributors across the continent.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Massive, integrated production capacity ensures consistent supply.
  • Development of papers with low chloride and sulfur content to prevent metal staining.
  • Comprehensive logistics network for reliable delivery to industrial hubs.

4️⃣ 4. Kanzaki Specialty Papers Inc.

Headquarters: Ware, Massachusetts, USA (Subsidiary of Kanzaki Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Japan)
Key Offering: High-performance release papers, saturated papers, and specialty interleaves.

Kanzaki Specialty Papers is renowned for its advanced paper engineering. Their saturated and release papers are critical in demanding applications, such as separating electronic connector components and precious metal foils, where contamination and surface transfer are unacceptable.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Pioneering saturated papers that resist oil and chemical migration.
  • High-purity papers for the electronics and precious metals sectors.
  • Custom development for unique metal surface protection challenges.

3️⃣ 3. Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. / Nippon Paper Papylia Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan (with dedicated North American distribution)
Key Offering: Papylia® brand white interleaving paper, release base paper.

The Papylia division of Nippon Paper is a global leader in white interleaving paper, often considered the premium choice for protecting high-value polished and coated stainless steel. Its products are specially designed to be lint-free, acid-free, and non-abrasive, ensuring pristine surface quality.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • The “gold standard” for white interleaving paper in the global metals trade.
  • Extensive quality control for consistent brightness and smoothness.
  • Strong reputation among stainless steel mills, service centers, and OEMs.

Download FREE Sample Report for Company Revenue Share Insights:
North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 2. Glatfelter Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Engineered materials, specialty papers for filtration, release, and interleaving.

Glatfelter is a leading global supplier of specialty papers and engineered materials. Their interleaving papers are formulated for technical performance, offering controlled porosity, specific frictional properties, and compatibility with oils and coatings used in metal processing, making them a preferred partner for advanced applications.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Innovation in composite and multi-layered paper structures for enhanced protection.
  • Focus on technical specifications like gas permeability for specific manufacturing processes.
  • Strategic R&D partnerships with metal producers to solve unique handling challenges.

1️⃣ 1. Pregis LLC

Headquarters: Deerfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Comprehensive protective packaging solutions, including padded and kraft interleaving papers.

Pregis stands out as the market leader by offering a total systems approach to surface protection. Beyond supplying high-quality brown and white interleaving paper, they provide integrated solutions like padded interleaf, edge protectors, and custom-designed systems that dramatically reduce damage rates in the metal supply chain, delivering measurable cost savings.

Market Initiatives & Specialization:

  • Market leader in value-added, damage-prevention systems for metals.
  • Extensive network of converting facilities for fast, localized supply.
  • Strong technical service team that works directly with customers to optimize material usage and handling processes.

Get Full Report Here for Complete Competitive Analysis:
North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


⚙️ Outlook: The Future is Smarter, Greener, and More Integrated

The North America stainless steel interleaving paper market is evolving from a simple commodity to a sophisticated, value-added component of the manufacturing supply chain. While traditional brown kraft paper maintains its dominant share for cost-sensitive applications, the market is shifting towards high-performance, sustainable, and intelligent solutions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Sustainability Push: Rising demand for paper with high recycled content and FSC certification, driven by corporate ESG goals.
  • Performance Integration: Growth of composite materials (paper/film hybrids) and padded interleaves that offer cushioning and surface protection in one layer.
  • Supply Chain Digitization: Use of QR codes or RFID tags embedded in interleaving for asset tracking and inventory management through processing facilities.
  • Application Specificity: Increased development of papers with chemistries tailored to specific metals, coatings, or climatic conditions to prevent unique corrosion patterns.

Get Full Report Here for Strategic Forecasts and Trends:
North America Stainless Steel Interleaving Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are crucial enablers of quality and efficiency. They are not just selling paper; they are providing the essential protection that ensures billions of dollars in manufactured goods—from automotive body panels to micro-processor components—reach their destination in perfect condition.