The corrugated box industry is a major sector of the packaging industry, producing over $30 billion in revenue annually in the United States alone.

Corrugated boxes, which are made of corrugated cardboard, are used to package and transport a wide variety of products.

The corrugated material provides cushioning and impact resistance while also being lightweight and cost-effective.

If you are looking for the Best Corrugated Box Manufacturers, you are in the right place.

The corrugated box manufacturing industry has gone through major changes and consolidation over the past few decades.

Technological improvements in box design, printing, and manufacturing have led to more efficient and higher-quality boxes.

At the same time, mergers and acquisitions have resulted in a few large players dominating the market.

In this article, we will take a look at the top corrugated box manufacturers in the industry today.

#1 Suneco Box (Our Pick)

Suneco Box, situated in Qingdao City, China, specializes in producing various paper packaging boxes. Our range includes gift boxes, luxury boxes with custom logos, packaging for blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits & vegetables, corrugated boxes, printed boxes, white and brown cardboard boxes, moving boxes, and transport boxes.

We pride ourselves on offering advanced customization options for our custom logo paper packaging, covering diverse shapes, sizes, and print designs. Our eco-friendly cardboard packaging solutions ensure top-notch quality for our clients at highly competitive rates. When you choose our wholesale packaging boxes and supplies, you’re guaranteed durability and affordability.

International Paper

International Paper is the largest pulp and paper company in the world, with annual revenues of over $20 billion. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, International Paper operates packaging mills and box plants across North America. The company’s corrugated packaging division produces billions of square feet of corrugated materials and containers each year. IP is known for its innovative box designs and state-of-the-art containerboard mills and box plants. It serves a diverse customer base across many end markets, including food and beverage, home and personal goods, shipping and transportation, and industrial/commercial.

WestRock

WestRock was formed in 2015 after the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn, two longtime leaders in paper and packaging. The company generated over $18 billion in revenues in 2021. WestRock operates hundreds of facilities globally, including over 30 corrugated container plants throughout North America. The company offers a comprehensive range of corrugated packaging, from basic shipping containers to sophisticated retail-ready packaging. WestRock is also a leader in sustainable packaging, with extensive recycling capabilities and products made from recycled content. The company serves major consumer product brands in the food, beverage, media, and retail industries.

Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pulp, paper, packaging, building products, and related chemicals. A subsidiary of Koch Industries, Georgia-Pacific brought in over $20 billion in sales in 2020. For corrugated packaging, Georgia-Pacific operates container plants across the Southern and Midwestern United States. The company offers a variety of corrugated products including litho-laminated corrugated packaging and retail merchandising displays. Georgia-Pacific also utilizes state-of-the-art optics technologies to print high-graphic packaging. Major customer industries include food and beverage, agriculture, automotive, and packaging distributors.

Pratt Industries

Headquartered in Atlanta, Pratt Industries is America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company. Founded in Australia, Pratt has been highly successful after entering the U.S. market in the early 1990s. The company now operates over 50 box plants throughout the United States and has grown through a series of acquisitions. Pratt focuses on innovative packaging design, manufacturing efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In addition to basic corrugated boxes, the company produces high-end graphic packaging, sheets, interior partitions, and other custom configurations. Their customer base spans diverse industries like food, pharmaceuticals, home goods, and more.

Packaging Corporation of America

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. Headquartered outside of Chicago, the company generated over $7 billion in sales in 2020. PCA operates 7 paper mills and 71 corrugated products plants across the Southern, Midwestern, and Western United States. The corrugated products division provides a wide variety of corrugated boxes, displays, and specialty packaging. Industries served include food and beverage, consumer electronics, automotive parts, healthcare, and third-party logistics. PCA placed 2nd in IoT and robotics utilization on Manufacturing Leadership’s list of the world’s most innovative manufacturers in 2019.

Menasha Corporation

Menasha Corporation is a leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturer headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin. Menasha’s corrugated division operates plants across the Midwestern U.S. and generates over $1 billion in annual sales. The company produces basic corrugated containers as well as highly graphic retail packaging and merchandising displays. Menasha also provides supply chain, packaging supply, and design services for major CPG companies. The company targets grocery/retail, household products, pharmaceutical, health & beauty, and other consumer product end-markets. Menasha is privately owned by the Menasha family and continues to expand both organically and through acquisitions.

Green Bay Packaging

Green Bay Packaging is a family-owned company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The company operates over a dozen corrugated container plants in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Green Bay Packaging manufactures basic slotted and die-cut boxes as well as complex retail displays. They also provide packaging design and supply chain services. Green Bay’s customers include major brands in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. The company has grown both by expanding its geographic footprint and through investments in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Privately owned since 1933, Green Bay Packaging continues to make major investments in innovative packaging while upholding its values of quality, reliability, and community involvement.

Georgia Pacific remains one of the giants in the industry, even after being acquired by Koch Industries. The company operates container plants across the Southern and Midwestern U.S. and produces corrugated products for major CPG companies in industries like food and beverage, agriculture, automotive, and packaging distribution.

DS Smith Packaging Limited

Although headquartered in the UK, DS Smith Packaging has a strong presence in the United States through its North American division headquartered in Virginia. The company generates over $1 billion annually from its US operations. DS Smith specializes in optimized packaging solutions, retail displays, and sustainability initiatives utilizing circular economy principles. The company services customers across CPG, food & beverage, consumer technology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, e-commerce, and third-party logistics. Through acquisitions and organic growth, DS Smith operates hundreds of facilities in over 30 countries. The company continues investing in automated technologies and differentiated packaging. Recently, DS Smith committed to transition to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2023.

International Paper remains the giant in the industry, with billions in annual revenues and containerboard mills and box plants throughout North America. Known for innovative corrugated packaging and displays, IP serves major brands across many end-markets like food and beverage, consumer goods, shipping and transportation, and more. WestRock is another powerhouse formed by the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn. With over $18 billion in revenues, WestRock operates plants globally and is a leader in sustainable paper and packaging products. Other major players like Georgia Pacific, PCA, Menasha, and Green Bay Packaging each generate over $1 billion in US corrugated packaging revenues operating large networks of box plants nationwide. Relative newcomers like Pratt Industries and DS Smith have also captured significant market share through acquisitions, organic growth, and investments in the latest packaging manufacturing technologies.

Trends Shaping the Corrugated Packaging Industry

Several important trends are impacting manufacturers in the corrugated box industry today:

• E-Commerce Boom – The rapid growth in e-commerce has led to increased demand for corrugated boxes for shipping online purchases. Manufacturers are developing right-sized packaging, protective internal components, and boxes optimized for parcel delivery and variability in supply chains.
• Demand for Recycled Content – Consumer preferences and corporate sustainability goals are driving demand for higher recycled content in packaging. Manufacturers are incorporating higher percentages of recycled liners and mediums.
• Automation – Companies are investing heavily in automated technologies like robotics, machine learning software, and analytics to improve efficiency and quality. The smart factory trend leverages interconnected machines and data analysis.
• Customization – Brands want packaging that stands out on the retail shelf and conveys quality. Manufacturers are producing more customized boxes with premium printing, coatings, and embellishments.
• Supply Chain Services – Customers want more than just a box. Corrugated manufacturers are providing value-added services like logistics management, packaging optimization, and procurement.
• Lightweighting – As brands seek to reduce costs and materials, manufacturers are developing lighter-weight boxes through optimization software and advanced paper science and engineering.
• Demand fluctuations – The pandemic led to huge demand spikes and shortages of food and consumer packaged goods. Manufacturers must build flexibility to adjust capacity to match large swings in customer demand.
• Sustainable Materials – Renewable, plant-based materials like bio-plastics are gaining traction. Manufacturers are investing in technology to incorporate a wider array of sustainable alternatives.

The Future of Corrugated Packaging

Corrugated packaging has key advantages that will support continued growth and innovation:

• Cost-effectiveness – Corrugated materials are inexpensive relative to other packaging options on a per-unit basis. Brands can utilize corrugated packaging to keep consumer prices down.
• Recyclability – Corrugated’s recyclability helps brands meet sustainability objectives. By 2030, the Fibre Box Association wants corrugated to contain 93% recycled content.
• Cushioning Performance – Corrugated materials inherently provide cushioning against impacts during transport. No additional protective elements are needed in many cases.
• High-Speed Printing – Digital, flexo and offset printing allow for high-quality graphics at high speeds to match packaging line throughput.
• Strength-to-weight Ratio – Corrugated boards have very favorable strength relative to their light weight. They provide protection without excessive material use.

The industry’s largest companies continue to invest heavily in new technologies for automation, customization, lightweight, supply chain services, and innovative, sustainable materials. They are also expanding their geographic reach and service capabilities through acquisitions of smaller competitors. Brand owners will demand even more optimized packaging, real-time supply chain transparency, and quantification of sustainability impacts. To stay competitive, manufacturers will need scale, innovation agility, and strategic customer partnerships. The future remains bright for the top corrugated box producers as they respond to these trends shaping the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions on Best Corrugated Box Manufacturers

Who are the top corrugated box manufacturers?

The major players include Suneco Box, International Paper, WestRock, Georgia-Pacific, Pratt Industries, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Menasha Corporation, Green Bay Packaging, and DS Smith Packaging.

What are the key trends impacting the corrugated box industry?

Major trends are the e-commerce boom, demand for recycled content, automation, customization, supply chain services, lightweighting, fluctuations in demand, and sustainable materials.

How has e-commerce impacted the industry?

The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to huge demand increases for corrugated shipping boxes optimized for e-commerce order fulfillment and delivery.

Why is sustainability important in packaging?

Consumer preferences and corporate sustainability initiatives are driving demand for recyclable and renewable materials with higher recycled content.

What technologies are corrugated manufacturers investing in?

Key technologies include automation such as robotics, interconnected machines, machine learning software, advanced analytics, and digital printing technologies.

How is the industry responding to consumer demand for customization?

Manufacturers utilize premium printing, coatings and embellishments to produce customized boxes and displays that stand out on the retail shelf.

What factors will drive future growth and innovation?

Continued e-commerce growth, sustainability priorities, demand for customization, new technologies, and acquisitions will shape the future of the industry.

Why is corrugated a cost-effective packaging choice?

Corrugated materials are inexpensive compared to other packaging options on a per-unit basis, keeping consumer prices down.

How does corrugated provide protection during transport?

The corrugated structure cushions products from impacts. No additional protective elements are needed in many cases.