International Paper to Close Richwood, Aurora, Elk Grove and Barrington Plants by Q3 2026
IP•International Paper will close four North American plants—Richwood KY, Aurora IL, Elk Grove CA and Barrington NJ—by end of third quarter 2026 to optimize its manufacturing network. The company will provide severance, benefits and outplacement assistance to impacted workers while transferring customer production to regional facilities to ensure uninterrupted supply.
1. Facility Closure Details
International Paper will discontinue operations at its Richwood, Kentucky preprint site; its Aurora, Illinois sheet plant; and converting facilities in Elk Grove, California and Barrington, New Jersey by end of third quarter 2026 as part of network optimization.
2. Employee Transition Assistance
Impacted employees will receive severance packages, continued benefits and outplacement support to facilitate their career transitions and mitigate the effects of the plant shutdowns.
3. Production Realignment
Customer production from the closing facilities will be shifted to other sites within the regional manufacturing network to maintain uninterrupted supply and minimize service disruptions.
4. Network Optimization Strategy
These closures follow earlier shutdowns of six facilities since 2025 and coincide with a $225 million investment in a new 468,000 ft2 packaging plant in Rankin County, Mississippi to concentrate spending on higher-value operations.
