Sonoco hikes EMEA recycled paperboard prices by US$70/T amid rising energy, fuel costs

EMEA – Sonoco has announced a €60 (US$70) per tonne price increase for uncoated recycled paperboard grades in the EMEA region, citing ongoing cost inflation, with the revised pricing taking effect for shipments on or after 15 September 2026.

The price adjustment, announced on 26 August 2026, follows broader inflationary pressures across the packaging sector, with energy and fuel costs expected to further pressure operating and transportation expenses. 

The company operates 19 tube and core facilities and five paperboard mills across Europe.

Sonoco, established in 1899, reported net sales from continuing operations of US$7.5 billion last year, with 22,000 employees across 263 operations in 37 countries. 

Cost Pressures and Geopolitical Constraints

Karsten Kemmerling, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sonoco EMEA Industrial Paper Packaging, stated that geopolitical constraints and the continued inflationary business environment are driving cost increases across operations and the supply chain. 

He noted that expected increases in energy and fuel costs are likely to further pressure operating and transportation costs, and as the company is unable to absorb these additional costs, it is forced to pass them on to the market. 

The increase follows a previous price adjustment in April, when Sonoco raised uncoated recycled paperboard prices by €80 per tonne and increased tube and core product prices by 8 percent across the region. 

The company’s latest price increase follows a similar US$60 per tonne price hike for uncoated recycled paperboard in the US and Canada that took effect last month.

Market Context and Competitive Positioning

The EMEA price adjustment reflects the broader trend of rising input costs affecting the packaging industry, with manufacturers increasingly passing through cost increases to customers to protect margins amid ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. 

The recycled paperboard market has experienced significant volatility in recent months, driven by rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions affecting raw material availability. 

The price increase is expected to impact packaging converters and brand owners across the region, who will need to adjust their procurement strategies and potentially pass on costs to end consumers. 

Sonoco’s decision to raise prices underscores the challenges facing the packaging industry as it navigates a complex operating environment while maintaining competitiveness in the global market.

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