Clearwater Paper expands portfolio with recycled paperboard range

USA – Clearwater Paper Corporation has expanded its packaging materials portfolio with the launch of Circa, a new range of coated recycled paperboard (CRB) developed for folding cartons and carrier packaging through a strategic collaboration with Greenpaper.

The introduction of Circa marks Clearwater Paper’s entry into the recycled paperboard segment, complementing its existing solid bleached sulphate (SBS) portfolio and providing packaging converters and brand owners with additional fibre-based packaging options.

The new product range comprises Circa Carton, a coated recycled board designed for folding carton applications, and Circa Carrier, a higher-strength paperboard grade engineered for packaging applications requiring greater durability and performance.

Manufactured from 100% recycled fibre, the paperboard is intended for a wide variety of everyday consumer packaging applications, combining strength, printability and performance while supporting the growing demand for recycled-content packaging.

Clearwater Paper President and Chief Executive Officer Arsen Kitch said the launch broadens the company’s ability to serve evolving customer requirements.

“Circa paperboard represents a strategic expansion of our portfolio and reinforces our commitment to delivering solutions that meet a broader range of customer needs,” Kitch said.

“Through our collaboration with Greenpaper, we are bringing a high-quality recycled paperboard offering to the US market that complements our premium solid bleached sulphate portfolio and strengthens our ability to serve customers across more applications.”

The recycled paperboard is manufactured by Greenpaper on a newly modernized paper machine operating under a circular production model that converts post-consumer recovered fibre into new packaging materials.

Greenpaper Chief Executive Officer Bernardo Zambrano described the partnership as an important milestone in expanding the company’s presence in North America.

“We are very excited about this collaboration with a premier paperboard company, as it reflects our vision to diversify our product reach while strengthening our position in the US market,” he said.

“This launch reinforces Greenpaper’s long-term commitment to recycled paperboard solutions and sustainable packaging. We believe Circa will provide US customers with a new alternative for high-quality CRB and recycled carrier grades from a non-integrated, fully independent producer.”

The launch reflects increasing demand for recycled fibre packaging as brand owners seek to incorporate higher levels of recycled content into packaging while meeting sustainability commitments and regulatory requirements.

Folding cartons and carrier boards produced from recovered fibre are becoming increasingly important across the food, beverage, household and consumer goods sectors as companies transition toward more circular packaging systems.

The announcement also highlights the broader shift within the paper and packaging industry toward investments in recycled fibre capacity and strategic partnerships that strengthen supply chains.

As demand for fibre-based packaging continues to grow, manufacturers are expanding recycled paperboard production to support the replacement of virgin materials and help advance circular economy objectives across the global packaging value chain.

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