The Corrugated Industry Deserves Better Intelligence

Our Mission

The corrugated cardboard industry is a $325 billion global market that touches virtually every product consumers buy. Yet quality market intelligence has historically been locked behind expensive paywalls or scattered across trade association bulletins, corporate press releases, and government databases that few have time to parse.

CorrugatedNews exists to change that. We aggregate, analyze, and contextualize public data sources to give corrugated professionals — from procurement managers and plant operators to independent converters and packaging buyers — the information they need to make better decisions.

What We Cover

Our coverage spans the full breadth of the corrugated packaging industry:

• Pricing and Market Data: We track Producer Price Index (PPI) data for containerboard, linerboard, and corrugated medium through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data). We also monitor OCC (old corrugated containers) recycled fiber pricing and key import/export trends.
• Industry News: Mill closures and startups, capacity additions, M&A activity, and corporate earnings from the major integrated producers and independent converters.
• Technical Resources: Flute specifications, box styles (RSC, FOL, die-cut), strength testing methods (ECT, BCT, Mullen), and board grade selection guides for packaging engineers and buyers.
• Sustainability and Regulations: Recycling rates and recovery infrastructure, EU PPWR compliance, FDA food-contact requirements, ISTA testing standards, and the evolving sustainability landscape.
• Business Strategy: Cost optimization, supplier evaluation, right-sizing analysis, and competitive intelligence for companies that buy or produce corrugated packaging.

Our Data Methodology

Transparency is a core value. Every data point we publish comes from clearly cited, verifiable public sources. Our primary pricing data flows from:

• FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data): We pull Producer Price Index series for containerboard (PCU322211322211), corrugated and solid fiber boxes (PCU322130322130), and related paper and board products. FRED data is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is considered the benchmark for U.S. producer pricing.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Raw PPI data, employment statistics, and industrial production indices for the paper and packaging sector.
• U.S. Census Bureau: Trade data for containerboard and corrugated sheet imports and exports, and industry shipment statistics from the Annual Survey of Manufactures.
• AF&PA (American Forest & Paper Association): Industry operating rates, inventory levels, and containerboard production data published in monthly statistical summaries.
• Company Filings: SEC filings, earnings transcripts, and investor presentations from publicly traded producers including Smurfit WestRock, International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, and Graphic Packaging.

We do not fabricate data, make unsourced price predictions, or publish anonymous “market rumors.” When we offer analysis or commentary, we label it as such and explain our reasoning.

Independence

CorrugatedNews is not owned by, affiliated with, or funded by any corrugated manufacturer, converter, or trade association. Our editorial decisions are made independently, and our coverage is not influenced by advertising relationships.

This independence matters. The corrugated industry is concentrated — a handful of integrated producers control the majority of containerboard capacity in North America. Buyers, converters, and smaller producers need unbiased information to negotiate effectively and plan strategically. That is the role we aim to fill.

Who Reads CorrugatedNews

Our audience includes packaging procurement professionals, corrugated plant managers, sales teams at sheet plants and converters, supply chain analysts, packaging engineers, sustainability officers, and industry investors. Whether you buy a million boxes a year or run a single corrugator line, the data and analysis here is designed to be useful.