International Paper breaks ground on US$225M corrugated packaging plant in Brandon, Mississippi

USA – International Paper has broken ground on a US$225 million corrugated packaging plant in Brandon, Mississippi, a 468,000 square foot facility on an 80-acre site, with operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.

The plant is located less than ten miles from International Paper’s current Richland box plant, with staff expected to move to the new facility when construction is complete.

Company executives were joined at the event by state and local officials, as well as customers, project participants, and community representatives. Building work is scheduled to start in June 2026. 

The plant is expected to use updated systems in manufacturing safety, automation, and operating efficiency.

A Greenfield Investment in the Mid-South

The new facility will replace International Paper’s aging Richland box plant with a purpose-built operation designed for modern corrugated converting. 

At 468,000 square feet, the plant will house advanced corrugators, flexo folder gluers, and die-cutters capable of producing a wide range of box styles and sizes. 

The location within the East Metro Center provides access to major transport routes, reducing delivery times to customers across the Mid-South region. 

The US$225 million investment is substantial for a corrugated plant; typical greenfield box plants cost between US$100 million and US$150 million, suggesting that IP is equipping the facility with high-speed automation and energy-efficient systems.

Modern Capabilities for Safety and Reliability

IP group vice-president Keith Townsend explained that this ground-breaking represents an important step forward for International Paper, its customers, and the communities served across the Mid-South. 

He noted that the Brandon facility will strengthen IP’s manufacturing network with modern capabilities designed to improve safety, reliability, and operational performance while positioning the company to support long-term growth and deliver even greater value to customers. 

The new plant’s automated material handling systems will reduce manual lifting and forklift traffic, lowering injury risk. Real-time production monitoring will allow operators to adjust corrugator parameters instantly, reducing waste from off-spec board.

Mississippi’s “Insane Execution Speed”

Mississippi governor Tate Reeves commented that exactly two months ago, the state announced International Paper’s US$225 million investment, and today, they are breaking ground on the new facility. 

He described it as another example of Mississippi’s “insane execution speed” and how much momentum the state has, adding that when great companies want to move fast and build big, they come to Mississippi. 

The two-month window between announcement and ground-breaking is unusually fast for a project of this scale, reflecting the state’s streamlined permitting processes and IP’s pre-engineered design.

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