The North American paper industry has faced a challenging year, to say the least, as sluggish packaging demand has led to production declines and site closures, while billions of dollars have been spent in merger and acquisition activity.
Paper and packaging companies have been making an effort to use more recovered fiber over the past several years, particularly after the e-commerce boom in 2020 and 2021 spelled major increases in packaging demand. From 2017 to 2024, 25 expansions or new builds were announced, according to data from the Brattleboro, Vermont-based Northeast Recycling Council (NERC).