IP reports loss in Q2 2026. The paper and board producer lost $12 million this spring but says its mill performance in North America is improving. Published August 05, 2026 Memphis, Tennessee-based International Paper Inc. (IP) has reported a $12 million loss in the second quarter of this year, representing a downward swing from the $60 million in net income it earned in the prior quarter. In presentation slides accompanying its second quarter earnings report, IP portrays new capacity coming online in North America while comments about operations in its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region refer to the closing of some facilities and a workforce reduction of about 3,000. In that region, IP is merging operations it now has through its acquisition of United Kingdom-based DS Smith last year. "Our teams delivered strong second quarter results as execution continued to improve across the company," says IP board chair and CEO Andy Silvernail. "In North America, we improved mill performance and successfully completed the Riverdale [Alabama] machine conversion, while continuing to grow box volumes and remain on track to outperform the market." Continues the CEO, "In EMEA, we accelerated cost-out actions, advanced transformational investments and continued preparing for the separation as previously communicated." In Alabama, IP indicates a conversion project from graphic papers to packaging board production at the Riverdale mill is complete, with "ramp up progressing as expected." IP says it also is making progress toward opening a corrugated box plant mill in Waterloo, Iowa, saying in its presentation slides that operations there are scheduled to begin by the end of this year. The company also refers to its acquisition of Washington-based packaging board producer Norpac as having been completed in June, calling it a "strong strategic fit to serve growing demand for lightweight, high-performance grades on the West Coast." In the quarter just completed, IP says the Riverdale mill conversion project in Alabama added costs that affected its bottom line, as did "higher recovered fiber and freight costs." Considering the second half of 2026 now underway, Silvernail remarks, "Our priorities remain clear: execute with discipline, improve reliability and performance across our network, mitigate rising input costs in a dynamic environment and deliver commercial and cost-out initiatives," Sponsored Content Optimal productivity, heavy construction, safety features and operator comfort come together in the SENNEBOGEN 360 G-series telescopic wheel loader, designed for work across the waste and recycling industry. Telescopic wheel loaders manufactured by SENNEBOGEN have a growing presence at transfer stations, material recovery facilities (MRFs), construction and demolition (C&D) recycling plants and metal recycling facilities across North America. Adds the CEO, "While there is still work to do, we are building momentum across the businesses. The progress we are making gives us confidence in our ability to deliver strong performance through the remainder of 2026 and create sustainable value for our stakeholders." Get curated news on YOUR industry. Enter your email to receive its newsletters.

Packaging Machinery industry update - August 4, 2026: patent innovations surge, August trade show season in full swing, AI smart packaging gains momentum. August 4, 2026 - The global packaging machinery industry continues to release positive signals across patent innovation, trade shows, and smart manufacturing. Multiple companies received packaging machinery-related patent grants on the same day. According to Tianyancha APP data: * 新华医疗 (Shinva Medical, 600587) received a utility model patent for a "strip bag packaging machine filling and exhaust device". The device uses first and second extrusion units to effectively remove air from strip bags, preventing liquid carryover and seal surface cracking caused by bag slapping during exhaust. * 中盐化工 (CNSIC, 600328) received a utility model patent for an "automatic bag supply device for packaging machines". The device enables automatic bag feeding through coordinated operation of photoelectric switches, bag magazines, and transmission mechanisms, reducing labor intensity and improving packaging speed. * 新巨丰 (Xinjufeng, 301296) received a utility model patent for a "packaging box printed matter defect treatment platform". The platform enables precise cutting and splicing of defective printed material through pressing plate positioning and cutting components. * 博实股份 (Boshi Automation, 002698) received a utility model patent for a "simple roll changer". The device enables roll changing and film splicing for heavy-duty film bags with a simple structure, small footprint, and high reliability. August trade show season is in full swing. August 6-8, PPKG 2026 China (Shanghai) International Value-Added Food Processing Machinery and Packaging Exhibition will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. August 21-23, FPackAsia 2026 Guangzhou International Paper Packaging & Pulp Molding Technology and Equipment Exhibition will take place at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. August 26-28, ProPak India 2026 will be held in Mumbai. Additionally, WEPSEA 2026 (World Expo of Packaging Industry Southeast Asia) will take place August 27-29 at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Indonesia. The event will feature 20+ conferences, workshops and networking activities, with AI and smart manufacturing at the core of its program. AI smart packaging continues to gain momentum. Chengdu Yujunsheng Technology is capturing the smart packaging sector with self-developed AI technology, with orders already booked months in advance. The company's proprietary AI system is powered by a dedicated computing cluster with 400 high-end GPUs, achieving a picking speed of 150 times per minute. Internationally, the Marchesini Group will debut an integrated, robot-driven high-speed polypropylene blister packaging line at PACK EXPO International 2026 in October, featuring an AI-powered Line Clearance System (developed by SEA Vision) that gradually replaces PVC with recyclable mono-materials. Polytag has partnered with Videojet Technologies to enable smart QR code printing on production lines, meeting GS1 Sunrise 2027 standards. International Paper has completed its $250 million Riverdale mill conversion project. For Wilpac Packaging Machinery, surging patent innovations, a packed August trade show calendar, and the continued rise of AI smart packaging - the market opportunities for the second half of 2026 are rapidly unfolding. Wilpac Packaging remain committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments and delivering intelligent, sustainable packaging solutions to its customers.