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GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING CO

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 21, 2024.

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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Feb 21, 2024

GPK$10.84-3.1%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (“GPHC” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company, a leading sustainable consumer packaging provider, operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of cartons and containers for the packaging of consumer goods and paperboard-based foodservice packaging solutions in the United States (“U.S.”) and Europe, and holds leading market positions in paperboard used to produce consumer packaging solutions, including recycled, unbleached and bleached paperboard.

The Company’s customers include many of the world’s most widely recognized companies and brands with prominent market positions in beverage, food, foodservice and other consumer products. The Company strives to provide innovative paperboard packaging solutions preferred by consumers. The Company delivers marketing and performance benefits to its customers through its global packaging network, its proprietary carton and packaging designs, and its commitment to quality, service, and environmental stewardship.

Acquisitions, Closures, and Dispositions

The Company has successfully completed several acquisitions in the past three years and expects to pursue acquisition opportunities in the future as part of its overall growth strategy.

In January 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Tama Paperboard, LLC (“Tama”), a recycled paperboard manufacturing facility located in Tama, Iowa, from Greif Packaging LLC for approximately $100 million. It is reported within the Paperboard Manufacturing reportable segment. Subsequently, in the second quarter of 2023, the Company closed this facility. For more information, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

During 2023, the Company decided to close multiple packaging facilities by the end of 2023 and early 2024. Production from these facilities has been consolidated into our existing packaging facilities. For more information, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

On September 8, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Bell Incorporated (“Bell”) for $264 million, adding three packaging facilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Groveport, Ohio. Bell is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment. For more information, see “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company decided to discontinue its project in Texarkana to modify an existing paperboard machine to add swing capacity between bleached and unbleached paperboard in order to focus its growth investments in the strategic expansion of coated recycled paperboard capacity. For more information, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company announced its decision to permanently decommission the K3 recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan as part of its recycled paperboard network optimization plan that the Company initiated in 2019. For more information, see “Note 1 - Business Combinations, Exit Activities and Other Special Charges, Net” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company began the process of divesting its interest in its two packaging facilities in Russia (the “Russian Operations”). The assets and liabilities to be disposed of in connection with this transaction met the held for sale criteria as of June 30, 2022 and each subsequent quarter end through the date of sale. On November 30, 2023, the Company completed the sale of its Russian Operations. For more information, see “Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In May 2022, the Company closed the Battle Creek, Michigan recycled paperboard manufacturing facility. For more information, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In September 2022, the Company closed its Norwalk, Ohio carton facility, which closure had been announced in March 2022. For more information, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

On July 1, 2021, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Americraft Carton, Inc. (“Americraft”), the largest independent operator of packaging facilities in North America. The acquisition included seven packaging facilities across the United States and is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment. For more information, see “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

On November 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the shares of AR Packaging Group AB (“AR Packaging”), Europe's second largest producer of paperboard consumer packaging. The acquisition included 30 packaging facilities in 13 countries and is reported within the Europe Paperboard Packaging reportable segment. For more information, see “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

On July 27, 2023, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional share repurchase program to allow the Company to purchase up to $500 million of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and Rule 10b5-1 plans (the “2023 share repurchase program”). The previous $500 million share repurchase program was authorized January 28, 2019 (the “2019 share repurchase program”).

Share repurchases are reflected as a reduction of common stock for the par value of the shares, with any excess of share repurchase price over par value allocated between capital in excess of par value and retained earnings.

Amount repurchased in millions, except share and per share amountsAmount RepurchasedNumber of Shares RepurchasedAverage Price per Share
2023$542,389,224$22.80
2022$281,315,839$20.91
2021$——$—

At December 31, 2023, the Company had $565 million available for additional repurchases under the 2023 and 2019 share repurchase programs.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, GPHC paid cash dividends of $123 million, $92 million and $87 million, respectively. Though the decision to distribute cash dividends rests solely with the Board of Directors, the Company presently intends to maintain a quarterly cash dividend, subject to earnings and liquidity considerations.

Products

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

Paperboard Manufacturing, previously referred to as the Paperboard Mills reportable segment, includes the seven North American paperboard manufacturing facilities that produce unbleached, bleached and recycled paperboard, which is consumed internally to produce paperboard consumer packaging for the Americas and Europe Packaging segments. Paperboard not consumed internally is sold externally to a wide variety of paperboard packaging converters and brokers. The Paperboard Manufacturing segment's Net Sales represent the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Manufacturing segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging sold primarily to consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) companies and cups, lids and food containers sold primarily to foodservice companies and quick-service restaurants (“QSR”) serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets, including healthcare and beauty, primarily in Europe.

The Company operates in three geographic areas: the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

For reportable segment and geographic area information for each of the last three fiscal years, see “Note 15 - Business Segment and Geographic Area Information” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Paperboard Packaging

The Company’s paperboard packaging products deliver brand, marketing, sustainability, and performance benefits at a competitive cost. The Company supplies paperboard cartons, carriers and containers designed to protect and hold products while providing:

Convenience through ease of carrying, storage, delivery, dispensing of product, and food preparation for consumers;

A smooth surface printed with high-resolution, multi-color graphic images that help improve brand awareness and visibility of products on store shelves; and

Durability, stiffness and wet and dry tear strength; leak, abrasion and heat resistance; barrier protection from moisture, oxygen, oils and greases, as well as enhanced microwave heating performance.

The Company provides a wide range of innovative, paperboard packaging solutions for the following end-use markets:

Beverage, including beer, seltzer, soft drinks, energy drinks, teas, water and juices;

Food, including cereal, desserts, frozen, refrigerated, microwavable foods and pet food;

Prepared food and drinks, including snacks, quick-serve food and drinks for restaurants and food service providers;

Household products, including dishwasher and laundry detergent, tissues and papers;

Air filter frames; and

Healthcare and beauty aids.

The Company’s packaging applications meet the needs of its customers for:

Strength Packaging. The Company's products provide sturdiness to meet a variety of packaging, handling, and delivery needs, including wet and dry tear strength, puncture resistance, durability and compression strength (providing the ability to ship products in their own branded carton and stacking strength to meet store display packaging requirements).

Promotional Packaging. The Company offers a broad range of promotional packaging options that help differentiate its customers’ products in the marketplace. These promotional enhancements improve brand awareness and visibility on store shelves.

Convenience and Cooking Packaging. These packaging solutions improve package usage and food preparation:

Beverage multiple-packaging — multi-packs for beer, soft drinks, energy drinks, teas, water and juices;

Active microwave technologies — packages that improve the heating and browning of foods in the microwave; and

Easy opening and closing features — dispensing features, pour spouts and sealable liners.

Barrier Packaging. The Company provides packages that protect against moisture, temperature (hot and cold), grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects and other potential product-damaging factors.

Paperboard Manufacturing and Packaging Operations Facilities

The Company produces paperboard at its manufacturing facilities; prints, cuts, folds, and glues (“converts”) the paperboard into cartons, containers and other packaging at its packaging facilities; and designs and manufactures specialized, proprietary packaging machines that package bottles and cans and, to a lesser extent, non-beverage consumer products. The Company also installs its packaging machines at customer plants and provides support, service and advanced performance monitoring of the machines.

The Company offers a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from its recycled, unbleached and bleached paperboard grades, as well as other grades of paperboard that are purchased from third-party suppliers.

Below is the production at each of the Company’s paperboard manufacturing facilities during 2023:

LocationPaperboard Product# of Machines2023 Net Tons Produced
West Monroe, LAUnbleached2863,482
Macon, GAUnbleached2693,847
Texarkana, TXBleached2570,720
Augusta, GABleached2521,391
Kalamazoo, MI(a)Recycled2956,276
Middletown, OHRecycled1156,407
East Angus, QuébecRecycled190,088
Tama, IA(b)Recycled115,407

(a)During the third quarter of 2023, the Company announced its decision to permanently decommission the K3 recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan as part of its recycled paperboard network optimization plan that the Company initiated in 2019.

(b)Closed in the second quarter of 2023.

The Company consumes most of its paperboard output in its packaging operations, which is an integral part of the customer value proposition. In 2023, approximately 78% of combined paperboard production of unbleached, bleached and recycled paperboard was consumed internally.

Unbleached Paperboard Production. The Company is the largest of four worldwide producers of unbleached paperboard. Unbleached paperboard is manufactured primarily from pine-based wood fiber and is a specialized high-quality grade of coated paperboard with excellent wet and dry tear strength characteristics and printability for high resolution graphics that make it particularly well-suited for a variety of packaging applications. Both wood and recycled fibers are pulped, formed on paperboard machines, and clay-coated to provide an excellent printing surface for superior quality graphics and appearance characteristics.

Bleached Paperboard Production. The Company is one of the largest North American producers of bleached paperboard. Bleached paperboard is manufactured primarily from bleached pine and hardwood-based wood fiber and is the highest quality paperboard substrate, with excellent wet and dry strength characteristics and superior printability for high-end packaging. Both wood and recycled fibers are pulped, formed on paperboard machines, and clay-coated to provide an excellent printing surface for superior quality graphics and appearance characteristics. Bleached paperboard is also coated with resin for wet strength liquid and food packaging end uses.

Recycled Paperboard Production. The Company is the largest North American producer of recycled paperboard. Recycled paperboard is manufactured entirely from recycled fibers, primarily old corrugated containers (“OCC”), doubled-lined kraft cuttings from corrugated box plants (“DLK”), old newspapers (“ONP”), box cuttings from manufacturing facilities, and office and mixed paper bales. The recycled fibers are re-pulped, formed on paperboard machines, and clay-coated to provide an excellent printing surface for superior quality graphics and appearance characteristics.

The Company converts recycled, unbleached and bleached paperboard, as well as other grades of paperboard, into cartons, containers and other packaging for consumer goods products at packaging facilities the Company operates in various locations globally, including a packaging facility associated with the Company's joint venture in Japan, and at licensees outside the U.S. The packaging facilities print, cut, fold and glue paperboard into cartons and containers designed to meet customer specifications.

Joint Venture

The Company is a party to a Japanese joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd., in which it holds a 50% ownership interest. The joint venture agreement covers unbleached paperboard supply, use of proprietary carton designs and marketing and distribution of packaging systems.

Sales and Marketing

The Company markets its products principally to multinational beverage, food, quick-service restaurants, health/beauty and other well-recognized consumer products companies. The beverage companies include Anheuser-Busch, Inc., MillerCoors LLC, PepsiCo, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company, among others. Consumer product customers include Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills, Inc., Nestlé USA, Inc., WK Kellogg Co, Kellanova and Kimberly-Clark Corporation, among others. Quick-service restaurant customers include Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Wendy's, Panda Express, Dairy Queen, Chipotle, Panera and KFC. Health/beauty customers include GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Novartis, L’Oréal S.A., Proctor & Gamble, and Colgate. The Company also sells paperboard in the open market to independent and integrated paperboard packaging producers.

Sales of the Company’s principal products are primarily accomplished through sales offices in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and, to a lesser degree, through broker arrangements with third parties.

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any one customer that represented 10% or more of its net sales.

Competition

Although a relatively small number of large competitors hold a significant portion of the paperboard packaging market, the Company’s business is subject to strong competition. The Company and WestRock Company are the two major unbleached paperboard producers in the U.S. Internationally, The Klabin Company in Brazil and Stora Enso in Sweden produce similar grades of paperboard.

In non-beverage consumer packaging and foodservice, the Company’s paperboard competes with packaging utilizing unbleached paperboard, as well as recycled and bleached paperboard from numerous competitors, and, internationally, folding boxboard and white-lined chip. There are a large number of producers in the paperboard markets. Suppliers of paperboard packaging compete with paperboard and plastic packagers as well as other primary and secondary packaging on the basis of price, strength and printability of packaging materials, quality and customer service.

In beverage packaging, cartons made from unbleached paperboard compete with substitutes such as plastics and corrugated packaging for packaging glass or plastic bottles, cans and other primary containers. Although plastics and corrugated packaging may be priced lower than unbleached paperboard, the Company believes that packaging made from unbleached paperboard offers advantages over these materials in areas such as recyclability (versus plastic alternatives), design flexibility, distribution, brand awareness, carton designs, package performance and package line speed.

Raw Materials

The Company's main raw materials are pine and hardwood trees and recycled fibers. Pine pulpwood, hardwood pulp, paper and recycled fibers (including DLK, OCC and ONP) and energy used in the manufacture of paperboard, as well as poly sheeting, plastic resins and various chemicals used in the coating of paperboard, represent the largest components of the Company’s variable costs of paperboard production (other than labor).

For the West Monroe, LA, Macon, Georgia, Texarkana, Texas, and Augusta, Georgia paperboard manufacturing facilities, the Company relies on private landowners and the open market for all of its pine and hardwood pulp and recycled fiber requirements, supplemented by clippings that are obtained from its packaging operations. The Company follows a due diligence process to ensure virgin fiber inputs are sourced from sustainaby managed forests and do not contribute to deforestation or habitat loss for ecosystems with high conservation value. The Company believes that adequate supplies from both private landowners and open market fiber sellers currently are available in close proximity to its paperboard manufacturing facilities to meet its raw material needs.

The paperboard grades produced at the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Middletown, Ohio, Tama, Iowa, and East Angus, Quebec paperboard manufacturing facilities are made from 100% recycled fiber. The Company procures its recycled fiber from external suppliers and internal packaging operations. The market price of each of the various recycled fiber grades fluctuates with supply and demand. The Company’s internal recycled fiber procurement function enables the Company to pay lower prices for its recycled fiber needs given the Company’s highly fragmented supplier base. The Company believes there are adequate supplies of recycled fiber to serve its paperboard manufacturing facilities.

In North America, the Company also utilizes a variety of other paperboard grades in its packaging operations, in addition to paperboard that is supplied to its packaging operations from its own paperboard manufacturing facilities. The Company purchases such paperboard requirements, including additional recycled and bleached paperboard, from outside vendors. The majority of external paperboard purchases are acquired through long-term arrangements with other major industry suppliers. The Company's European packaging operations consume unbleached paperboard supplied from the Company's paperboard manufacturing facilities and utilize other paperboard grades such as white-lined chip and folding box board purchased from external suppliers in its packaging facilities.

Energy

Energy, including natural gas, fuel, oil and electricity, represents a significant portion of the Company’s manufacturing and distribution costs. The Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases for a portion of its natural gas requirements at its U.S. paperboard manufacturing facilities. The Company’s hedging program for natural gas is discussed in “Note 10 - Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Hedging Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Seasonality

The Company’s net sales, income from operations and cash flows from operations are subject to moderate seasonality, with demand usually increasing in the late spring through early fall due to increases in demand for beverage and food products.

Research and Development

The Company’s research and development team works directly with its sales, marketing and consumer insights personnel to understand long-term consumer and retailer trends and create relevant new packaging. These innovative solutions provide customers with differentiated packaging to meet consumer preferences. The Company’s development efforts include, but are not limited to, developing sustainable consumer packaging made from renewable resources, packaging alternatives to replace plastic packaging; extending the shelf life of customers’ products; reducing production and waste costs; enhancing the heat-managing characteristics of food packaging; improving the sturdiness and compression strength of packaging to allow goods to ship in their own branded container and to meet store display needs; and refining packaging appearance through new printing techniques and materials.

Consumer concerns regarding the growing plastic packaging waste problem represents one of the strongest trends in the packaging industry, and the Company focuses on developing innovative, sustainable consumer packaging solutions that are recyclable and help customers achieve their packaging sustainability goals. The Company’s strategy is to combine functionality and innovative packaging design with a focus on packaging end of life to create circular packaging solutions for customers and consumers.

For more information on research and development expenses see “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Patents and Trademarks

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a large patent portfolio, presently owning, controlling or holding rights to more than 2,900 U.S. and foreign patents, with more than 850 U.S. and foreign patent applications currently pending. The Company’s patent portfolio consists primarily of patents relating to packaging machinery, manufacturing methods, structural carton designs, active microwave packaging technology and barrier protection packaging. These patents and processes are significant to the Company’s operations and are supported by trademarks such as Boardio™, Fridge Vendor™, IntegraPak™, KeelClip™, MicroFlex-Q™, MicroRite™, Quilt Wave™, Qwik Crisp™, Tite-Pak™, and Z-Flute™. The Company takes significant steps to protect its intellectual property and proprietary rights.

Human Capital

We believe that the Company’s greatest asset is our workforce. Solving day-to-day operational and business challenges in order to drive positive results for stakeholders requires attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals with different skills, ideas, and experiences. Our Vision 2030 outlines how we will be leaders in innovation, build a world-class culture, protect our planet, and deliver results for all of our stakeholders.

Culture is one of the pillars of our Vision 2030 and the safety and wellbeing of our employees is our top priority. Employee engagement is key to a safe and stable workforce. We are putting programs and initiatives in place to drive engagement to the 75% percentile (using the Gallup Q12® framework). In 2023 we conducted an employee engagement survey and we have executed a robust communication plan to ensure each employee hears results and a commitment for action from their leader. Action plans have been developed at the local level in locations around the globe as we strive to further engage our employees. Additionally, our talent acquisition, development, succession and diversity and inclusion strategies are all critical components of our multi-year plan to focus on our people and our culture.

We are enhancing the capabilities of our workforce as our business and strategy evolve. We have invested in innovation, research and development, and digital capabilities to position us to capture organic sales growth supported by consumer preferences for low impact, recyclable packaging. As our business continues to evolve, we will continue to invest in capability development areas that serve as a competitive advantage for the Company and we will adapt our workforce and invest in our employees to ensure that we have the necessary human capital capabilities in place to support our growth strategy.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 23,500 employees based in 122 locations in 26 different countries around the world. Approximately 68% of our employees are in the Americas and 32% are in Europe and the rest of the world. Approximately 58% of our employees were represented by labor unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements or covered by works councils in Europe. As of December 31, 2023, 550 of the Company’s employees were working under expired contracts, which are currently being negotiated, and 1,015 were covered under collective bargaining agreements that expire within one year. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

Employee Health and Safety

Maintaining a safe work environment is vital to the Company, and we are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees. Our Total Recordable Incident Rate, which is the annual rate of workplace injuries per 100 full-time employees, is 1.0, reflecting better performance than the industry average. We strive to achieve an injury-free workplace through various safety initiatives and programs, and our Vision 2030 goal is zero life injuries.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that a diverse and inclusive working environment encourages creativity, innovation, and collaboration and that a diverse and inclusive culture propels our ability to serve our global customers and communities. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in the definitions of our core values, which dictate our behavioral norms. In Vision 2030, we have set a goal of 40% ethnic diversity in our U.S. workforce, roughly equal to the diversity in the U.S. population as a whole. We are also committed to increasing women in leadership roles across the organization. At present, approximately one quarter of our senior leaders are women, and our target in Vision 2030 is to reach at least 35%.

The Compensation and Management Development Committee of our Board of Directors annually reviews the processes and practices related to workforce diversity and inclusion programs to ensure continued equitable treatment of all employees and a culture of inclusion. Our goal moving forward is to not only mirror the diversity of the communities where we operate, but also to excel in unlocking the potential that a diverse workforce can generate.

Community Engagement

Building connections between our employees, their families, and our communities creates a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable workplace. Our employees around the world dedicate their time and talents to improve the communities in which we live and work. Driven by our core values, making a difference for our customers, our consumers, and our community is at the root of our community engagement strategy. The Company focuses on three pillars that guide the strategy for our community service activities and philanthropic commitments: (1) putting food on the table, (2) preserving the environment, and (3) investing in education.

Environmental and Regulatory Matters

The Company is subject to a broad range of foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety, and other governmental regulations and employs a team of professionals in order to maintain compliance at each of its facilities. In 2023, the Company spent $18 million of capital on projects to maintain compliance with environmental laws, regulations and the Company’s permits granted thereunder. In 2024 and 2025, the Company estimates it will spend $134 million and $33 million respectively, for such projects as a new wastewater treatment system and upgrades to waste water treatment systems at certain of our paperboard manufacturing facilities. For additional information on such regulation and compliance, see “Environmental Matters” in “Item 7., Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Note 14 - Environmental and Legal Matter” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Climate change presents both challenges and opportunities for the Company and its communities. Climate change challenges for the Company are likely to be driven by changes in the physical climate where our facilities are located, as well as changes in laws and regulations, including restrictions on greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, cap and trade systems, and taxes on GHG emissions, fuel, and energy. Climate change also presents opportunities for the Company as it drives growth in demand for lower-carbon footprint products and manufacturing technologies. We believe the Company is well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities that may arise from increased consumer demand for and/or legislation mandating or incentivizing the use of products and technologies necessary to achieve a lower-carbon, lower-waste economy. Our costs of complying with complex environmental laws and regulations, as well as voluntary certification and disclosure programs, are significant and will continue to be significant for the foreseeable future. These laws and regulations and stakeholder driven voluntary certification and disclosure programs could become more stringent over time, which could result in significant additional compliance costs. Additionally, significant national or state differences in the imposition and enforcement of such laws and regulations could present competitive challenges in a global marketplace. By tracking and taking action to reduce our GHG emissions and energy use through efficiency programs and focused GHG management efforts, we can decrease the potential future impact of these regulatory matters.

The Company’s Core Values underpin our commitment to our stakeholders and our strategy to deliver sustainable, recyclable packaging solutions. Our Vision 2030 plan outlines our targets for protecting the environment and include: achieving our approved 2032 Science Based Targets for Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions reductions; achieving 90% renewable fuel use in wood fiber paperboard manufacturing facilities; raising our purchased renewable electricity percentage to 50%; and ensuring that 100% of our purchased forest products come from sustainably managed sources.

Available Information

The Company’s website is located athttp://www.graphicpkg.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its website, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company also makes certain investor presentations and access to analyst conference calls, as well as certain environmental, social, and governance information available through its website. The information contained or incorporated into the Company’s website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers like the Company that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.SEC.gov.

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