Packaging Corporation of America CEO Mark Kowlzan detailed the impact of investments over the last decade, where energy projects are set to occur, and his optimism for nearshoring. Packaging Corporation of America’s $5.2 billion worth of investments in its mills and box plants over the last decade — at a time when it says many competitors didn’t commit to such investments — is paying off now, said CEO Mark Kowlzan on Feb. 26 during the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference. “The industry hasn’t recapitalized at the rates that we have,” he said. Kowlzan said he predicted in 2018 that “if you were not prepared to take care of your own technical and engineering needs, your own capital spending needs, you would be out of business probably in 20 years,” he said. “That was, say, eight years ago. And look what’s happening to the industry.”

Sappi North America has earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating, becoming the only paper and packaging manufacturer whose North American operations have reached this top-tier distinction six times. The recognition places Sappi among the top 1% of companies assessed by the global business sustainability ratings provider. The 2026 result is notable because EcoVadis tightened its criteria this cycle, raising the threshold for Platinum across the board. EcoVadis evaluates companies across four themes: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Sappi North America's results are backed by tangible work in each area. About 78% of SNA's energy comes from renewable and clean sources, contributing to Sappi's Science Based Targets initiative-approved goal of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions 41.5% per ton of product by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. On Sustainable Procurement, 82% of SNA's eligible spend is now covered by suppliers who have signed compliance with Sappi's Supplier Code of Conduct.

Despite better-than-expected revenue, CEO Marvin Ellison said “consumers are reluctant to make significant investments in their homes” right now. Poor consumer outlook, elevated mortgage rates and low housing turnover continue…