One of the 17 original founding mills of International Paper c. 1908, built in 1888 as the Otis Falls Pulp & Paper Company in Chisholm, Maine. (Photo: Public Domain)
Leaving California: International Paper Closing Plant in Elk Grove
The company started construction of a new packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi, with the project entailing an investment of $225m
By Katy Grimes, July 3, 2026 7:30 am
International Paper just announced that it will permanently close its converting and container plant in Elk Grove, California, as part of a broader North America packaging network streamlining.
IP, a Memphis, Tennessee company, said the closure of plants in California, Illinois, New Jersey and some operations in Kentucky, are part of a strategy to streamline costs and operations. Earlier this year, International Paper’s packaging plants in Compton, California, and Louisville, Kentucky, ceased their operations, Packaging-Gateway reported.
According to Packaging Dive:
International Paper will close converting plants in Elk Grove, California, and Barrington, New Jersey. It will also cease preprint operations at a facility in Richwood, Kentucky.
International Paper said that a total of 330 employees are affected with 136 in California.
International Paper North America said the closures are intended to streamline network and direct spending towards “highest-value” areas – notably, not in California.
Notably again, last month, the company started construction of a new packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi, with the project entailing an investment of $225 million.
The development involves a 468,000ft corrugated packaging facility on an 80-acre site at the East Metro Centre in Brandon.
Another company is leaving California.
A California native and Navy mom, Katy lives in Sacramento, CA.
RELATED ARTICLES
-
March 21, 2026 -
July 25, 2020 -
