Graphic Packaging launches PaceSetter Ridgeline URB

Graphic Packaging Holding Company has officially entered the uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) market with the introduction of PaceSetter Ridgeline. Announced on July 13, 2026, the new grade is designed for a variety of applications including folding cartons, edge protectors, and industrial tubes. This strategic expansion allows the company to provide a broader range of sustainable materials to consumer and industrial packaging customers while supporting circular economy objectives.

Graphic Packaging’s PaceSetter Ridgeline is produced using 100 percent recycled fiber, which includes a minimum of 45 percent post-consumer recycled content. The product is manufactured at the company’s Waco, Texas facility and is available in 14- to 30-point calipers. The Waco mill features advanced manufacturing technology that supports critical performance factors such as sheet squareness, color consistency, and quality assurance, ensuring the material meets the rigorous demands of high-volume converting processes.

The launch represents a significant diversification of Graphic Packaging’s portfolio, moving beyond its established coated recycled paperboard offerings. By entering the URB market, the company can now serve additional specialty segments, including laminations and cores, while offering increased manufacturing flexibility. The Waco facility’s ability to switch between coated and uncoated production enables the company to respond dynamically to shifting customer needs and market trends in real-time.

This development comes as food, beverage, and consumer goods companies increasingly seek recycled fiber packaging to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance supply chain reliability. For manufacturers supplying supermarkets and FMCG brands, the availability of a wider recycled paperboard portfolio facilitates packaging redesign projects focused on circularity. Within the broader U.S. packaging sector, this investment underscores a continued commitment to recycled materials as brands prioritize sustainability goals and operational efficiency.