International Paper has committed US$225 million to build what will be the most modern box plant facility in the American South — a new 468,000-square-foot (43,480 square metre) greenfield packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi. Slated to break ground in June, it will replace its ageing Richland box plant with a purpose-built sustainable operation on an 80-acre site in Brandon, less than 10 miles from the existing plant, with full operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.
Wood Central understands that employees at the existing Richland facility will transition to the new plant upon completion, with the project designed to cut structural costs, improve reliability and product quality, and sharpen International Paper’s service capability across the Mid-South region.
“This investment supports our strategy to optimise our box plant system and focus capital where it drives the greatest return,” said Keith Townsend, group vice president and general manager for IP North America Packaging Solutions East. “By modernising our footprint in Mississippi, we are strengthening our service model and ability to provide customers with the highest quality sustainable packaging solutions. The modern design and updated equipment should provide the latest innovations in safety and efficiency for employees.”
The commitment carries added weight given International Paper’s current position — the Memphis-based group’s stock has declined 32 per cent over the past year and is trading near its 52-week low, making the Board’s decision to greenlight a quarter-billion-dollar build a deliberate statement of operational confidence rather than a routine capital allocation.
It comes less than two months after International Paper announced in January 2026 that it would split into two separately listed companies — International Paper and EMEA Packaging — a restructuring the group said would allow it to be more focused on its North American transformation strategy.
“This is another big win for Mississippi. International Paper’s US$225 million investment in Rankin County is more proof that Mississippi’s momentum is real and growing stronger every day,” said Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. “We’re seeing historic levels of capital investment because companies know Mississippi is a state where businesses can succeed.”
And whilst the political reception was warm, local economic development leaders framed the decision as the payoff for years of deliberate industrial precinct-building. “For years, Rankin First and our partners have strategically developed the East Metro Center to attract world-class companies,” said Noel Daniels, chairman of the Rankin First Economic Development Authority, adding the project solidifies Rankin County’s position as the premier industrial hub in the Southeast.
