Two of the paper and packaging industry’s largest global producers, Atlanta, Georgia based Georgia-Pacific (GP) and Memphis, Tennessee based International Paper, have announced additional U.S. plant closures, reflecting a broader trend of consolidation and footprint realignment seen throughout the past year.
GP has announced its plans to permanently close its corrugated plant in Mt. Olive, Illinois, by December 31, 2025. The plant will continue to operate for the next 60 days followed by a safe and orderly shutdown.
Approximately 134 jobs will be impacted by this closure. GP is working to support those employees with potential opportunities within Georgia-Pacific and other Koch companies or connecting with job fairs and opportunities for employment outside the company.
GP’s focus over the next two months is to continue to safely operate the plant while supporting their employees during the transition.
International Paper has also announced the closure of its packaging facilities in Compton, California and Louisville, Kentucky. The facilities will cease operations by January 2026. All customers will be serviced from other nearby locations.
The Compton facility closure will impact 125 employees, while the Louisville facility closure will impact 93 employees. The company will work to minimize the impact on employees by using attrition, retirements and current vacancies at other International Paper locations.
Team members at these locations will receive outplacement assistance, access to mental health support resources and severance benefits.
These closures are aimed at accelerating strategic initiatives to improve quality, reliability and service delivery.
