International Paper Inside the Fiber Boom: How Europe’s Plastic Ban Is Fueling Growth!

International Paper’s third quarter 2025 earnings call focused on the company’s transformation journey and its impact on financial performance. The leadership emphasized significant progress in transforming the company into a sustainable packaging solutions provider. This transformation is underpinned by the 80/20 strategy, which includes simplifying the business structure, optimizing operations, and resource reallocation. The company is executing various initiatives, including closing underperforming mills and exiting non-core markets, to improve profitability and operational efficiency. Positively, International Paper reported a sequential 28% growth in EBITDA for its Packaging Solutions businesses. Year-to-date, the company achieved a 40% increase in adjusted EBITDA from North American operations compared to the previous year, with a notable 370 basis point margin expansion. These results suggest positive traction in the company’s strategic initiatives. Sequentially higher revenues, driven by favorable pricing and stable volumes, reflect decent execution despite challenging market conditions.