International Paper plans to invest $225m in a new corrugated packaging facility in Brandon, Mississippi, replacing an existing plant nearby as part of an effort to modernize its manufacturing footprint.
The company announced that the 468,000-square-foot facility will be built on an 80-acre site less than 10 miles from its current Richland box plant in Jackson, Mississippi. Construction is expected to begin in June, with operations anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2027 with the new facility reportedly having an annual capacity of 1.8 billion square feet.
International Paper said its board approved the $225m greenfield project following a review of its manufacturing footprint. The company said the new plant is intended to improve cost performance, reliability and product quality while strengthening service capabilities in the Mid-South region.
“This investment supports our strategy to optimize our box plant system and focus capital where it drives the greatest return,” said Keith Townsend, International Paper’s group vice president.
The new facility will replace older infrastructure at the Richland site, where employees are expected to transition to the Brandon plant once construction is complete. The company has not provided additional details on employment levels or whether the move will result in net job gains.
International Paper said updated equipment and plant design are expected to improve operational efficiency and safety. The company did not provide specific information on recycled fiber use, energy consumption or other environmental metrics related to the facility.
“This is another big win for Mississippi,” said Tate Reeves, governor of Mississippi, who described the investment as part of continued economic development activity in the state.
Local economic development officials said the project follows long-term efforts to attract industrial investment to the region. Noel Daniels, chairman of the Rankin First Economic Development Authority, said the site has been positioned to draw large-scale manufacturing projects.
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, International Paper is one of the largest producers of corrugated packaging in North America. The company said the Mississippi project is intended to support long-term growth and maintain operational performance across its packaging network.
Resource Recycling reached out International Paper to confirm if any jobs will be lost when the team transfers. However, we had not received a response by the time we went to press with this story.
