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DS SMITH ANNOUNCES 29 PACKAGING SITE CLOSURES International Paper’s EMEA packaging business expects to retain most of its output by shifting more than 1 billion m² of production between plants. The programme involves around 250 units of equipment, including redeployed machines and new installations. Our analysis explains how the transfers are being managed, where the €480m annualised savings target fits and what employees still need to know about transfers and compensation. https://corruga.expert/news/ds-smith-plans-29-packaging-site-closures-and-aims-to-keep-most-production/

SMURFIT WESTROCK: $700M COST PRESSURE HITS PACKAGING MARGINS Smurfit Westrock reported $8.161 billion in Q3 sales, up 2%, but adjusted EBITDA fell 7.5% to $1.205 billion. With about $700 million in additional 2026 freight and energy costs, the company has cut its full-year adjusted EBITDA outlook to around $4.7 billion. Its containerboard mills remain sold out even as North American corrugated volumes declined 3.4% on a working-day-adjusted basis. Our analysis compares regional margins, PCA, Mondi and International Paper, and explains what the figures mean for boxmakers heading into 2027. https://corruga.expert/news/smurfit-westrock-cuts-2026-outlook-as-700m-costs-squeeze-packaging-margins/

JAMIL PACKAGING REPORTS UP TO 50% EFFICIENCY GAINS 📦 Jamil Packaging says its long-term BOBST converting strategy has delivered efficiency gains of up to 50% in some operations, reduced backlog and freed capacity for more complex corrugated packaging. The Indiana fleet includes FFG, DRO, VISIONCUT, EXPERTFOLD and EXPERTDRO equipment. Our analysis checks the claim against Jamil's independently documented 2016 production history, explains the machines' different roles and gives box-plant managers a practical way to identify the bottleneck before investing. https://corruga.expert/news/jamil-packaging-reports-up-to-50-efficiency-gains-as-bobst-fleet-cuts-backlog/

PRICE BY LUNCH: HOW AMTECH IS RETHINKING THE QUOTE 5,000 boxes. Price by lunch. In the opening scenario of our report, a delayed quote loses the order to a competitor 7% cheaper. For box plants, speed and margins are increasingly connected. At Amtech’s Nashville conference, more than 240 packaging professionals discussed AI and pricing pressure. We look at how the new Email Intake Agent detects missing specifications, keeps an estimator in control, and could save time — with an illustrative 367 staff-hours per year. Read the full article: https://corruga.expert/news/price-by-lunch/ #AmtechSoftware #CorrugatedPackaging #AI

FOUR NUMBERS THAT MATTER MORE THAN CORRUGATOR SPEED Waste by job. Availability and changeovers. Good boxes shipped per staffed hour. Paper-price recovery and working-capital days. These four measures deserve fresh attention as SICBMA reports a sharp kraft-paper cost increase in South India. Mitul Shah has been appointed president of ICCMA as India’s corrugated packaging market is forecast at $14.33bn for 2026. Our analysis connects his manufacturing background and Supack’s investments with the financial choices facing box plants. https://corruga.expert/news/mitul-shah-takes-iccma-helm-amid-india-s-corrugated-margin-squeeze/

CALIFORNIA CORRUGATED PLANT CLOSURE BRINGS DIGITAL PRINTING AND CONVERTING EQUIPMENT TO AUCTION A corrugated packaging and display plant in Cerritos, California, is closing. Capital Recovery Group (CRG) is offering digital printing, flexo converting, die-cutting and material-handling equipment through an online auction. A KEY LOT: THE 2018 BARBERÁN JETMASTER The sale includes a six-colour Barberán digital press, Langston and Latitude converting lines, Ward rotary die-cutting equipment, and systems from Signode, Mosca and Alliance. Bidding opens October 22, with lots beginning to close October 29, 2026. Read the full article on corruga.expert for original equipment photographs, machinery videos, technical specifications and auction registration details. https://corruga.expert/news/california-corrugated-plant-closure-brings-digital-printing-and-converting-equipment-to-auction/ #CorrugatedPackaging #DigitalPrinting #PackagingMachinery

INTERNATIONAL PAPER’S $6 BILLION QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENS TO EUROPE? Less than two years after acquiring DS Smith, International Paper is weighing a sale of its EMEA packaging business. Lone Star and Atlas Holdings are reportedly interested, with an indicative valuation below $6 billion. No sale has been agreed. The figures tell a deeper story: EMEA made $784 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2025 yet reported a $236 million segment operating loss. What would a sale — or a spin-off — mean for paper supply, future investment and the people running Europe’s box plants? Our full analysis follows the money into the factories. Read the full analysis: https://corruga.expert/news/international-paper-s-6-billion-question-why-buy-ds-smith-then-put-europe-in-play/

PCA’S $275M NEWARK PLANT IS RUNNING — MIDDLETOWN TO CLOSE, 91 JOBS AFFECTED Packaging Corporation of America has started production at its new 550,000-square-foot corrugated plant in Newark, Ohio, while preparing to close its Middletown facility by the end of 2026. The decision raises a major question: when is building a new box plant more profitable than modernizing an existing one? Our analysis compares PCA’s $275 million investment with International Paper’s $225 million project and Smurfit Westrock’s $136 million facility. We examine the differences in investment costs, automation, production efficiency and the financial decisions shaping the future of corrugated manufacturing. Read the full analysis: https://corruga.expert/news/pca-to-close-middletown-after-275m-newark-plant-startup/ #CorrugatedPackaging #PackagingCorporationOfAmerica #Manufacturing

KOENIG & BAUER — INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN ERBE Kevin Erbe, National Sales Manager – Corrugated at Koenig & Bauer (US/CA), highlights the company’s expanding corrugated portfolio, including Prima Series / PrimaCUT, CutPRO and Omega Magnus 165–230. FROM PRINTING TO DIE CUTTING AND FOLDING/GLUING Watch the short Corrugated Week interview to hear how Koenig & Bauer is broadening its offering for corrugated converters. YouTube link: https://youtu.be/bA3yht2tqI4?si=6_LL7yDeo8U3Gti1 #KoenigAndBauer #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

ROBOTICS TO FULL-PLANT AUTOMATION — WSA USA AT CORRUGATED WEEK 2026 Jim McLaughlin explains how WSA USA connects robotic palletizing, conveyors, load handling and plant-wide controls. KEEPING MATERIAL FLOW IN STEP WITH THE LINE Watch the video to explore how integrated material handling can support converting-line productivity and help prevent downstream bottlenecks. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/HNghKeYxEyY #WSAUSA #PlantAutomation #CorrugaExpert

219,423 BOXES IN 8 HOURS — WHAT SUN AUTOMATION IS SHOWING AT CORRUGATED WEEK 2026 Ryan Clark highlights 219,423 boxes produced in eight hours on an LMC Mini Line at Welch Packaging — Chicago. EQUIPMENT, SUPPORT AND MACHINE INTELLIGENCE Watch his SUN Automation booth tour to explore equipment, upgrades, service and Helios IIoT as parts of the same production strategy. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/JOZT7ftGXWg #SUNAutomation #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

JJC INDUSTRIES: THE ORION REVERSE BLADE INK SYSTEM FOR LESS DOWNTIME Xavier Conde explains JJC Industries’ Orion single reverse blade ink system, designed to simplify ink control on existing OEM presses. MODERNIZING LEGACY FLEXO PRESSES Watch the video to learn about the company’s approach to easier maintenance, cleaner operation and less ink-system downtime. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_Ky1yS50Vyc #JJCIndustries #FlexoPrinting #CorrugaExpert

VALMET — MOISTURE CONTROL WITH DAVID MADDUX David Maddux discusses Valmet IQ measurements and automatic controls, including the IQ Moisturizer. MOISTURE BALANCE AND BOARD QUALITY Watch the conversation about flatter board, better bonding and less cracking during converting. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/kVazMAIDv6c #Valmet #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

JKSP SERVICES — AIRBOND WITH SIMON HOLMES Simon Holmes explains JKSP’s AIRBOND system for even pressure and consistent heat transfer across corrugated board. BETTER HEAT TRANSFER AT THE DOUBLE BACKER Watch the interview to learn how the company says AIRBOND can support bonding, moisture removal and corrugator performance. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/dzvZw0j-iTk #JKSP #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

FRIESE — INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ Christian Rodriguez introduces a new product from FRIESE, the German specialist in corrugating rolls and ROCKWELLE® coating technology. WHAT’S NEW AT FRIESE? Watch the interview for insights into longer roll life, consistent board quality and efficient paper use. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Oqixzp_BN44 #FRIESE #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

BAYSEK SOLUTIONS — INTERVIEW WITH BEN LISKEY Ben Liskey discusses Baysek’s HF101, automatic C190 and upcoming larger-format C250, known as “The Stretch.” FROM BABY BAYSEK TO THE STRETCH Watch the conversation to hear how Baysek’s die-cutting range is expanding. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2mMRwoDJxW4 #Baysek #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

ALLIANCE MACHINE SYSTEMS — INTERVIEW WITH DAVE AHRENDT Dave Ahrendt introduces Alliance’s peripheral equipment and integrated automation solutions for corrugated manufacturing. FROM PREFEEDERS TO ROBOTIC PALLETIZERS Watch the conversation from Corrugated Week in Fort Worth for a closer look at the company. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/wqa2RaFXrW0 #AllianceMachineSystems #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

PAMARCO & ABSOLUTE — INTERVIEW WITH WILL WHITESIDE AND CHUCK DOYLE Will Whiteside and Chuck Doyle discuss Pamarco and Absolute Engineering, bringing together anilox technology and chambered doctor blade systems. TWO CONNECTED PARTS OF FLEXO PRINTING Watch Igor Tkalenko’s short interview from Corrugated Week in Fort Worth. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/U5mkX3BmMd4 #Pamarco #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

GLOBAL BOXMACHINE — INTERVIEW WITH JIMMY SCHIFFMAN Jimmy Schiffman discusses Global Boxmachine’s new and used converting equipment and lines being installed around the world. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR CORRUGATED CONVERTERS Watch the interview with one of Corruga Empire’s earliest supporters and sponsors. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/6N1e92J3sw8 #GlobalBoxmachine #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert

AMTECH — QUICK QUOTE WITH TIM WATKINS Tim Watkins demonstrates Amtech Quick Quote, which uses AI to read customer requests and attachments and prepare draft quote details. LESS MANUAL DATA ENTRY Watch Igor Tkalenko’s conversation from Corrugated Week in Fort Worth to see the workflow in action. Watch on corruga.expert’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ihc67PIPm64 #Amtech #CorrugatedWeek2026 #CorrugaExpert