International Paper is assessing unsolicited approaches for its EMEA Packaging Business and has entered discussions with potential bidders, while continuing preparations for the planned spin-off of the business.
The company said the sale process remained at an early stage. There was no certainty that a transaction would be agreed or completed, and neither the timing nor the final structure of the business separation had been settled.
The proposed spin-off is expected to involve a London Stock Exchange listing, alongside a Level II American Depositary Receipt programme listed on the New York Stock Exchange. International Paper is pursuing this route and evaluating a possible sale in parallel.
The statement followed movements in International Paper’s share price and media speculation about a potential disposal. It adds a possible sale route to the separation plan previously outlined by the company.
As part of the spin-off preparations, International Paper plans to hold a “DS Smith – Capital Markets Day” on 3 November 2026.
International Paper supplies corrugated packaging to customers across a range of industries. The company cautioned that the separation options remain subject to uncertainty, including whether either a sale or spin-off can be completed and whether the anticipated benefits can be achieved.
