# Packaging Corp of America (PKG) 10-Q SEC filing - Q2 FY2026

- Filed: Aug 7, 2026, 9:59 AM EDT
- Fiscal quarter: Q2 FY2026
- Calendar quarter: Q2 2026
- Accession: 0001193125-26-339405
- OpenCapital page: https://www.opencapital.sh/filings/0001193125-26-339405
- Markdown URL: https://www.opencapital.sh/filings/0001193125-26-339405.md
- Official SEC filing index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/0001193125-26-339405-index.htm

## Filing documents

- [10-Q (pkg-20260630.htm)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-20260630.htm)
- [EX-31.1 (pkg-ex31_1.htm)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex31_1.htm)
- [EX-31.2 (pkg-ex31_2.htm)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex31_2.htm)
- [EX-32 (pkg-ex32.htm)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex32.htm)

---

## 10-Q

SEC source: [pkg-20260630.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-20260630.htm)

### UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

### For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026

### or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from          to  

### Commission file number 1-15399

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Delaware | 36-4277050 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction ofIncorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 1 North Field Court, Lake Forest, Illinois | 60045 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

(847) 482-3000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Emerging growth company ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of July 31, 2026, the Registrant had outstanding 89,098,299 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share PKG New York Stock Exchange

Table of Contents

| Line item | PART I |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Item 1. | Financial Statements | 1 |
| Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 20 |
| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 31 |
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 31 |
|  | PART II |  |
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 32 |
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 32 |
| Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 32 |
| Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 32 |
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 32 |
| Item 5. | Other Information | 32 |
| Item 6. | Exhibits | 33 |

All reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available free of charge via the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) System on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. We also provide copies of our SEC filings at no charge upon request and make electronic copies of our reports available through our website at www.packagingcorp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material with the SEC.

i

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

## Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

### Packaging Corporation of America

### Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

_(unaudited, dollars in millions, except per-share data)_

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Statements of Income: |  |  |  |  |
| Net sales | $2,489.9 | $2,171.3 | $4,857.6 | $4,312.3 |
| Cost of sales | (1,977.4) | (1,688.3) | (3,892.3) | (3,374.5) |
| Gross profit | 512.5 | 483.0 | 965.3 | 937.8 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (179.3) | (153.2) | (359.6) | (314.6) |
| Other (expense) income, net | (42.0) | 3.9 | (63.2) | (9.2) |
| Income from operations | 291.2 | 333.7 | 542.5 | 614.0 |
| Non-operating pension income | 1.1 | — | 2.2 | — |
| Interest expense, net | (33.3) | (13.1) | (66.0) | (26.0) |
| Income before taxes | 259.0 | 320.6 | 478.7 | 588.0 |
| Provision for income taxes | (66.9) | (79.1) | (115.7) | (142.7) |
| Net income | $192.1 | $241.5 | $363.0 | $445.3 |
| Net income per common share: |  |  |  |  |
| Basic | $2.16 | $2.68 | $4.07 | $4.95 |
| Diluted | $2.15 | $2.67 | $4.05 | $4.93 |
| Dividends declared per common share | $1.50 | $1.25 | $2.75 | $2.50 |
| Statements of Comprehensive Income: |  |  |  |  |
| Net income | $192.1 | $241.5 | $363.0 | $445.3 |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |  |  |  |  |
| Changes in unrealized (losses) gains on marketable debt securities, net of tax of $0.1 million, $0.0 million, $0.2 million, and $0.0 million, respectively | (0.1) | — | (0.5) | 0.1 |
| Amortization of pension and postretirement plans actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of tax of ($0.3) million, ($0.3) million, ($0.6) million, and ($0.6) million, respectively | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Other comprehensive income | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.0 |
| Comprehensive income | $192.9 | $242.4 | $364.4 | $447.3 |

See accompanying condensed notes to unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements.

1

Packaging Corporation of America

### Consolidated Balance Sheets

_(unaudited, dollars and shares in millions, except per-share data)_

| Line item | June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ASSETS |  |  |
| Current Assets: |  |  |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $442.8 | $529.0 |
| Short-term marketable debt securities and other ($101.0 million and $71.8 million measured at fair value as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively) | 151.0 | 71.8 |
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and customer deductions of $19.1 million and $17.0 million as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | 1,432.8 | 1,255.8 |
| Inventories | 1,262.4 | 1,243.2 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 104.3 | 85.8 |
| Federal and state income taxes receivable | 30.3 | 28.1 |
| Total current assets | 3,423.6 | 3,213.7 |
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | 5,010.5 | 4,985.1 |
| Goodwill | 1,416.3 | 1,372.3 |
| Other intangible assets, net | 565.6 | 602.3 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 414.4 | 376.0 |
| Long-term marketable debt securities | 73.0 | 67.0 |
| Other long-term assets | 112.1 | 109.1 |
| Total assets | $11,015.5 | $10,725.5 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |  |  |
| Current liabilities: |  |  |
| Operating lease obligations | $104.4 | $99.8 |
| Finance lease obligations | 2.4 | 2.3 |
| Accounts payable | 616.9 | 471.4 |
| Dividends payable | 136.9 | 116.1 |
| Accrued liabilities | 271.8 | 302.1 |
| Accrued interest | 31.5 | 23.4 |
| Total current liabilities | 1,163.9 | 1,015.1 |
| Long-term liabilities: |  |  |
| Long-term debt | 3,968.9 | 3,967.3 |
| Operating lease obligations | 324.8 | 290.6 |
| Finance lease obligations | 3.8 | 4.9 |
| Deferred income taxes | 681.3 | 660.1 |
| Compensation and benefits | 115.1 | 106.2 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 95.8 | 83.3 |
| Total long-term liabilities | 5,189.7 | 5,112.4 |
| Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 19) |  |  |
| Stockholders' equity: |  |  |
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 300.0 million shares authorized, 89.1 million and 89.2 million shares issued as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| Additional paid in capital | 738.5 | 707.7 |
| Retained earnings | 3,962.7 | 3,931.0 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (40.2) | (41.6) |
| Total stockholders' equity | 4,661.9 | 4,598.0 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $11,015.5 | $10,725.5 |

See accompanying condensed notes to unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements.

2

Packaging Corporation of America

### Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

_(unaudited, dollars in millions)_

| Line item | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |  |  |
| Net income | $363.0 | $445.3 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of intangibles | 401.5 | 278.6 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 1.6 | 1.0 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 32.3 | 28.1 |
| Deferred income tax provision | 21.1 | 2.8 |
| Net loss (gain) on asset disposals | 13.1 | (19.7) |
| Pension and post-retirement benefits expense, net of contributions | 0.7 | 4.2 |
| Other, net | 6.9 | 3.5 |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: |  |  |
| (Increase) decrease in assets — |  |  |
| Accounts receivable | (170.9) | (51.1) |
| Inventories | (18.9) | (19.7) |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (18.5) | 61.4 |
| Increase (decrease) in liabilities — |  |  |
| Accounts payable | 96.4 | 29.4 |
| Accrued liabilities | (20.9) | (124.5) |
| Federal and state income taxes payable/receivable | (2.1) | (0.6) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 705.3 | 638.7 |
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |  |  |
| Additions to property, plant, and equipment | (370.6) | (317.8) |
| Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | (21.2) | — |
| Additions to other long-term assets | (2.0) | (1.9) |
| Proceeds from asset disposals | 1.3 | 33.0 |
| Purchase of short-term investment in time deposit | (50.0) | — |
| Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities | (86.3) | (72.0) |
| Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities | 10.7 | 12.6 |
| Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities | 39.8 | 59.1 |
| Other, net | 0.8 | — |
| Net cash used for investing activities | (477.5) | (287.0) |
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |  |  |
| Repayments of debt and finance lease obligations | (1.0) | (1.0) |
| Common stock dividends paid | (223.2) | (224.7) |
| Repurchases of common stock | (58.8) | — |
| Shares withheld to cover employee restricted stock taxes | (29.8) | (23.1) |
| Other, net | (1.2) | — |
| Net cash used for financing activities | (314.0) | (248.8) |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (86.2) | 102.9 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 529.0 | 685.0 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $442.8 | $787.9 |

See accompanying condensed notes to unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements.

3

Packaging Corporation of America

### Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

_(unaudited, dollars in millions and shares in thousands)_

| Line item | Common Stock / Shares | Common Stock / Amount | Additional Paid in / Capital | Retained / Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive / Loss | Total Stockholders' / Equity |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balance at April 1, 2026 | 89,100 | $0.9 | $721.5 | $3,906.4 | $(41.0) | $4,587.8 |
| Common stock withheld and retired to cover taxes on vested stock awards | (4) | — | — | (0.8) | — | (0.8) |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | (135.0) | — | (135.0) |
| Share-based compensation and other | 3 | — | 17.0 | — | — | 17.0 |
| Comprehensive income | — | — | — | 192.1 | 0.8 | 192.9 |
| Balance at June 30, 2026 | 89,099 | $0.9 | $738.5 | $3,962.7 | $(40.2) | $4,661.9 |
|  | Common Stock |  | AdditionalPaid in | Retained | AccumulatedOtherComprehensive | TotalStockholders' |
|  | Shares | Amount | Capital | Earnings | Loss | Equity |
| Balance at April 1, 2025 | 89,928 | $0.9 | $687.8 | $3,852.8 | $(42.3) | $4,499.2 |
| Common stock withheld and retired to cover taxes on vested stock awards | (42) | — | (0.4) | (7.2) | — | (7.6) |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | (113.6) | — | (113.6) |
| Share-based compensation and other | 94 | — | 11.7 | — | — | 11.7 |
| Comprehensive income | — | — | — | 241.5 | 0.9 | 242.4 |
| Balance at June 30, 2025 | 89,980 | $0.9 | $699.1 | $3,973.5 | $(41.4) | $4,632.1 |

| Line item | Common Stock / Shares | Common Stock / Amount | Additional Paid in / Capital | Retained / Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive / Loss | Total Stockholders' / Equity |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balance at January 1, 2026 | 89,214 | $0.9 | $707.7 | $3,931.0 | $(41.6) | $4,598.0 |
| Common stock repurchases and retirements | (266) | — | (2.7) | (56.1) | — | (58.8) |
| Common stock withheld and retired to cover taxes on vested stock awards | (136) | — | (1.4) | (28.4) | — | (29.8) |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | (246.8) | — | (246.8) |
| Share-based compensation and other | 287 | — | 34.9 | — | — | 34.9 |
| Comprehensive income | — | — | — | 363.0 | 1.4 | 364.4 |
| Balance at June 30, 2026 | 89,099 | $0.9 | $738.5 | $3,962.7 | $(40.2) | $4,661.9 |
|  | Common Stock |  | AdditionalPaid in | Retained | AccumulatedOtherComprehensive | TotalStockholders' |
|  | Shares | Amount | Capital | Earnings | Loss | Equity |
| Balance at January 1, 2025 | 89,802 | $0.9 | $669.8 | $3,776.7 | $(43.4) | $4,404.0 |
| Common stock withheld and retired to cover taxes on vested stock awards | (116) | — | (1.2) | (21.9) | — | (23.1) |
| Common stock dividends declared | — | — | — | (226.6) | — | (226.6) |
| Share-based compensation and other | 294 | — | 30.5 | — | — | 30.5 |
| Comprehensive income | — | — | — | 445.3 | 2.0 | 447.3 |
| Balance at June 30, 2025 | 89,980 | $0.9 | $699.1 | $3,973.5 | $(41.4) | $4,632.1 |

See accompanying condensed notes to unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements.

4

Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements

### 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Packaging Corporation of America (“we,” “us,” “our,” “PCA,” or the “Company”) was incorporated on January 25, 1999. In April 1999, PCA acquired the containerboard and corrugated packaging products business of Pactiv Corporation (“Pactiv”), formerly known as Tenneco Packaging, Inc. We are a large diverse manufacturer of both packaging and paper products. We are headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois and operate in the United States.

We report our business in three reportable segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. Our Packaging segment produces a wide variety of containerboard and corrugated packaging products. The Paper segment manufactures and sells a range of communication-based papers. Corporate and Other includes support staff services and related assets and liabilities, transportation assets, and activity related to other ancillary support operations. For more information about our segments, see Note 18, Segment Information.

On September 2, 2025, we completed the acquisition of the containerboard business of Greif, Inc. (“Greif”) for $1.8 billion in cash (the “Greif Acquisition”). The Greif containerboard business includes two containerboard mills with approximately 800,000 tons of production capacity and eight sheet feeder and corrugated plants located across the United States. The operating results of the Greif Acquisition are included in PCA’s results after the date of acquisition.

On December 3, 2025, the Company approved and announced the permanent shut down of the No. 2 paper machine and kraft pulping facilities at its Wallula, Washington containerboard mill. The Company continues to operate the No. 3 paper machine and recycled pulping facilities at the mill. These actions, completed in the first quarter of 2026, resulted in approximately $187.7 million of pre-tax restructuring charges. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we recorded $59.7 million of expenses associated with this shut down, which included non-cash accelerated depreciation and impairment charges, contract termination charges, and other costs. These expenses were recorded in “Cost of sales” and “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

In these consolidated financial statements, certain amounts in prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

The consolidated financial statements of PCA as of June 30, 2026 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements involves the use of estimates and accruals. Actual results may vary from those estimates. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete audited financial statements. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PCA and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.

### 2. New Accounting Standards

In May 2026, the FASB issued ASU 2026-02 Environmental Credits and Environmental Credit Obligations (Topic 818). This ASU is intended to provide recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for environmental credits and related environmental credit obligations for all entities that generate, purchase or receive environmental credits or have a regulatory compliance obligation that may be settled with environmental credits. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, including interim periods within those fiscal years on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the disclosure requirements on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU is intended to enhance transparency into the nature and function of expenses. The amendments require that on an annual and interim basis, entities disclose disaggregated operating expense information about specific categories, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, amortization, and depletion. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, as clarified by ASU 2025-01 Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date, on a prospective basis or with the option for retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the disclosure requirements on its consolidated financial statements.

There were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

5

### 3. Revenue

#### Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Sales, value added, and other taxes collected concurrently with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by product line (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Packaging | $2,311.3 | $2,005.9 | $4,499.8 | $3,976.3 |
| Paper | 157.3 | 145.8 | 317.2 | 300.0 |
| Corporate and Other | 21.3 | 19.6 | 40.6 | 36.0 |
| Total revenue | $2,489.9 | $2,171.3 | $4,857.6 | $4,312.3 |

#### Packaging Revenue

Our containerboard mills produce linerboard and corrugating medium which are papers primarily used in the production of corrugated products. The majority of our containerboard production is used internally by our corrugated products manufacturing facilities. The remaining containerboard is sold to outside domestic and export customers. Our corrugated products manufacturing plants produce a wide variety of corrugated packaging products and retail merchandise displays. We sell corrugated products to national, regional and local accounts, which are broadly diversified across industries and geographic locations.

The Company recognizes revenue for its packaging products when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of our products at a specific point in time. Based on our express terms and conditions of the sale of products to our customers, as well as terms included in contractual arrangements with our customers, we do not have an enforceable right of payment that includes a reasonable profit throughout the duration of the contract for products that do not have an alternative use. Revenue is recognized when the product is shipped from the mill or from our manufacturing facility to our customer. Certain customers may receive volume-based incentives, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduce revenue recognized.

Certain customers receive a portion of their packaging products as consigned inventory with billing triggered once the customer uses or consumes the designated product. Prior to invoicing, these amounts are handled as unbilled receivables. Total unbilled receivables, which are immaterial in amount, are included in the accounts receivable financial statement caption.

#### Paper Revenue

We manufacture and sell a range of communication-based papers. Communication papers consist of cut-size office papers, and printing and converting papers.

The Company recognizes revenue for its paper products when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of our products at a specific point in time. Revenue is recognized when the product is shipped from the mill or from our manufacturing facility or distribution center to our customer. Certain customers may receive volume-based incentives, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduce revenue recognized.

#### Corporate and Other Revenue

Revenue in this segment primarily relates to Louisiana Timber Procurement Company, L.L.C. (“LTP”), a variable-interest entity that is 50% owned by PCA and 50% owned by Boise Cascade Company (“Boise Cascade”). PCA is the primary beneficiary of LTP and has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of LTP. Therefore, we consolidate 100% of LTP in our financial statements. See Note 17, Transactions With Related Parties, for more information related to LTP.

The Company recognizes revenue within this segment when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of our products at a specific point in time.

#### Practical Expedients and Exemption

Shipping and handling fees billed to a customer are recorded on a gross basis in “Net sales” with the corresponding shipping and handling costs included in “Cost of sales” in the concurrent period as the revenue is recorded. We expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less. Sales commissions are recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses”.

We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less.

6

### 4. Acquisitions

#### Greif Acquisition

On September 2, 2025, we completed the Greif Acquisition for $1.8 billion in cash. For tax purposes, the acquisition of Greif’s containerboard business was primarily structured as an asset acquisition. The Greif containerboard business includes two containerboard mills with approximately 800,000 tons of production capacity and eight sheet feeder and corrugated plants located across the United States. Greif’s financial results are included in the Packaging segment from the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase consideration for the Greif Acquisition (in millions):

| Line item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Cash paid for Greif Acquisition | $1,804.7 |
| Net working capital adjustment | (3.5) |
| Settlement of pre-existing relationships | (0.3) |
| Total purchase consideration | $1,800.9 |

The Company accounted for the Greif Acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, based on our current estimates of the fair value at the date of acquisition (dollars in millions):

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 12/31/25 Allocation | Adjustments | Revised Allocation |
| Current Assets: |  |  |  |
| Cash | $$0.1 | — | 0.1 |
| Accounts receivable | 97.6 | — | 97.6 |
| Inventories | 122.8 | — | 122.8 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1.4 | — | 1.4 |
| Total current assets | 221.9 | — | 221.9 |
| Property, plant, and equipment (a) | 761.6 | (30.2) | 731.4 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 72.1 | — | 72.1 |
| Intangible assets (b): |  |  |  |
| Customer relationships | 420.0 | — | 420.0 |
| Trademarks | 40.0 | — | 40.0 |
| Goodwill (c) | 449.9 | 29.9 | 479.8 |
| Assets acquired | 1,965.5 | (0.3) | 1,965.2 |
| Accounts payable | 67.1 | (0.7) | 66.4 |
| Accrued liabilities | 22.0 | — | 22.0 |
| Current operating lease obligations | 11.9 | — | 11.9 |
| Long-term operating lease obligations | 60.2 | — | 60.2 |
| Long-term finance lease obligations | 0.6 | — | 0.6 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 3.2 | — | 3.2 |
| Liabilities assumed | 165.0 | (0.7) | 164.3 |
| Net assets acquired | $$1,800.5 | $0.4 | 1,800.9 |

(a)

Property, plant and equipment are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over their preliminary estimated useful lives ranging from one to 40 years.

(b)

We are amortizing intangible assets on a straight-line basis for customer relationships and trademarks over our preliminary estimates of their useful lives of 15 years and five years, respectively, in the Packaging segment.

(c)

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the acquisition is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. Goodwill recognized in the transaction is deductible for tax purposes.

The purchase price allocation remains preliminary and is subject to the finalization of various valuations and assessments. These may affect the consideration paid and may materially impact the valuations and subsequent assessments. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments, including $30.2 million related to the valuation of certain fixed assets acquired. We expect to finalize the valuation within the 12-month period following the acquisition date.

7

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company incurred $3.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of charges for acquisition and integration costs related to recent acquisitions, which were recorded in “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company incurred $1.6 million of charges for acquisition and integration costs related to the Greif Acquisition, which were recorded in “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

### 5. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share for the periods presented (dollars and shares in millions, except per share data):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Numerator: |  |  |  |  |
| Net income | $192.1 | $241.5 | $363.0 | $445.3 |
| Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities | (1.1) | (1.6) | (2.2) | (3.0) |
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $191.0 | $239.9 | $360.8 | $442.3 |
| Denominator: |  |  |  |  |
| Weighted average basic common shares outstanding | 88.5 | 89.3 | 88.6 | 89.3 |
| Effect of dilutive securities | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | 89.0 | 89.7 | 89.1 | 89.7 |
| Basic income per common share | $2.16 | $2.68 | $4.07 | $4.95 |
| Diluted income per common share | $2.15 | $2.67 | $4.05 | $4.93 |

### 6. Other Income (Expense), Net

The components of other expense, net, were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Asset disposals and write-offs | $(11.0) | $(10.5) | $(17.0) | $(18.8) |
| Facilities closure and other (costs) income (a) | (8.8) | 25.3 | (11.7) | 23.0 |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs (b) | (3.3) | (1.6) | (6.7) | (1.6) |
| Wallula mill restructuring (c) | (6.3) | — | (9.0) | — |
| Other | (12.6) | (9.3) | (18.8) | (11.8) |
| Total | $(42.0) | $3.9 | $(63.2) | $(9.2) |

(a)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes charges consisting of closure costs related to corrugated products facilities and the write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects. The write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects was recorded following the Company’s decision to defer a specific carbon capture initiative at this time. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes income related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by closure costs related to corrugated products facilities.

(b)

For the three and six months ended June, 30, 2026, includes charges for acquisition and integration costs related to recent acquisitions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes charges for acquisition and integration costs related to the Greif Acquisition.

(c)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes charges related to the announced discontinuation of the No. 2 machine and kraft pulping facilities at the Wallula, Washington containerboard mill.

8

### 7. Income Taxes

For the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we recorded $66.9 million and $79.1 million of income tax expense and had an effective tax rate of 25.8% and 24.7%, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was primarily due to lower excess tax benefits associated with employee restricted stock and performance unit vests and higher non-deductible employee remuneration paid to covered employees partially offset by favorable state law changes.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we recorded $115.7 million and $142.7 million of income tax expense and had an effective tax rate of 24.2% and 24.3%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was primarily due to higher excess tax benefits associated with employee restricted stock and performance unit vests and favorable state law changes partially offset by higher non-deductible employee remuneration paid to covered employees.

Our current effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory income tax rate of 21.0% due primarily to the effect of state and local income taxes. During the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received, was $96.7 million and $140.5 million, respectively. The decrease in cash tax payments between the periods is a result of lower forecasted taxable income and the timing of disbursements for estimated tax installments.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, there were no significant changes to our uncertain tax positions. For more information, see Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

### 8. Inventories

We value our raw materials, work in process, and finished goods inventories using lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. Supplies and materials are valued at the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost method.

The components of inventories were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Raw materials | $385.1 | $416.6 |
| Work in process | 20.7 | 17.5 |
| Finished goods | 257.9 | 241.6 |
| Supplies and materials | 598.7 | 567.5 |
| Inventories | $1,262.4 | $1,243.2 |

### 9. Property, Plant, and Equipment

The components of property, plant, and equipment were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Land and land improvements | $246.7 | $258.0 |
| Buildings | 1,381.7 | 1,343.8 |
| Machinery and equipment | 8,238.5 | 8,271.7 |
| Construction in progress | 722.5 | 552.8 |
| Other | 221.8 | 217.0 |
| Property, plant and equipment, at cost | 10,811.2 | 10,643.3 |
| Less accumulated depreciation | (5,800.7) | (5,658.2) |
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | $5,010.5 | $4,985.1 |

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was $157.0 million and $130.8 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, depreciation expense was $363.1 million and $258.9 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we recognized $56.1 million of incremental depreciation expense related to the announced discontinuation of the No. 2 paper machine and kraft pulping facilities at the Wallula, Washington containerboard mill and closure costs related to corrugated products facilities. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, we recognized $3.6 million of incremental depreciation expense as a result of closure costs related to corrugated products facilities.

9

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party contractor to design, construct, and operate a new woodyard and chip processing facility at the Valdosta, Georgia mill. Pursuant to the agreement and in accordance with the build-to-suit guidance in ASC 842, Leases, the Company recorded $12.5 million as construction in progress within “Property, plant, and equipment, net” and a corresponding financing obligation within “Other long-term liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2026. See Note 19, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings, for additional information.

At June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, purchases of property, plant, and equipment included in accounts payable were $100.3 million and $50.4 million, respectively.

### 10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

#### Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. At June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had $1,416.3 million and $1,372.3 million of goodwill recorded in our Packaging segment, which represents the entire goodwill balance reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill are as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Goodwill |
| --- | --- |
| Balance at January 1, 2026 | $1,372.3 |
| Acquisitions (a) | 44.0 |
| Balance at June 30, 2026 | $1,416.3 |

(a)

During the six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company recorded a measurement period adjustment of $29.9 million to goodwill related to the Greif Acquisition. Additionally, the Company recorded $14.1 million of goodwill associated with recent acquisitions completed in the Packaging segment during the first six months of 2026.

#### Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and trademarks and trade names. The weighted average remaining useful life, gross carrying amount, and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | June 30, 2026 / Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life(in Years) | June 30, 2026 / Gross Carrying Amount | June 30, 2026 / Accumulated Amortization | December 31, 2025 / Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life(in Years) | December 31, 2025 / Gross Carrying Amount | December 31, 2025 / Accumulated Amortization |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Customer relationships (b) | 12.1 | $966.0 | $438.8 | 12.4 | $966.0 | $407.2 |
| Trademarks and trade names (b) | 4.4 | 81.3 | 42.9 | 4.8 | 81.3 | 37.8 |
| Other | 0.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Total intangible assets (excluding goodwill) | 11.5 | $1,051.7 | $486.1 | 11.8 | $1,051.7 | $449.4 |

(b)

In connection with the September 2025 Greif Acquisition, the preliminary valuation of intangible assets is $420.0 million for customer relationships and $40.0 million for trademarks. See Note 4, Acquisitions for additional information.

During the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, amortization expense was $36.7 million and $18.8 million, respectively.

10

### 11. Accrued Liabilities

The components of accrued liabilities were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compensation and benefits | $158.7 | $163.5 |
| Franchise, property, sales and use taxes | 31.6 | 19.8 |
| Medical insurance and workers’ compensation | 31.4 | 36.1 |
| Customer rebates and other credits | 26.1 | 33.9 |
| Severance, retention, and relocation | 5.6 | 9.4 |
| Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations | 4.4 | 2.7 |
| Other | 14.0 | 36.7 |
| Total | $271.8 | $302.1 |

### 12. Debt

For the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, cash payments for interest were $77.1 million and $46.7 million, respectively.

Included in interest expense, net is the amortization of financing costs, which includes the amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of bond discounts. For the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, amortization of debt issuance costs was $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, amortization of debt issuance costs was $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the amortization of bond discounts was insignificant.

At June 30, 2026, we had $2,992.8 million of fixed-rate senior notes and $1,000.0 million of variable-rate notes outstanding. The fair value of our fixed-rate debt was estimated to be $2,648.6 million. The difference between the book value and fair value is due to the difference between the period-end market interest rate and the stated rate of our fixed-rate debt. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate debt using quoted market prices (Level 2 inputs) within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For more information on our long-term debt and interest rates on that debt, see Note 11, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

11

### 13. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Debt Securities and Other

The following table shows the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, time deposit investments, and available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities by major asset category at June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in millions):

_June 30, 2026_

| Line item | Adjusted Cost Basis | Unrealized Gain | Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Cash and Cash Equivalents | Short-Term Marketable Debt Securities and Other | Long-Term Marketable Debt Securities |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $438.5 | — | — | $438.5 | $438.5 | — | — |
| Time Deposits (a): | 50.0 | — | — | 50.0 | — | 50.0 | — |
| Level 1 (b): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| U.S. Treasury securities | 55.6 | — | (0.2) | 55.4 | — | 32.0 | 23.4 |
| Money market funds | 0.4 | — | — | 0.4 | 0.4 | — | — |
| Subtotal | 56.0 | — | (0.2) | 55.8 | 0.4 | 32.0 | 23.4 |
| Level 2 (c): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Corporate debt securities | 99.2 | — | (0.1) | 99.1 | — | 52.7 | 46.4 |
| Commercial paper | 13.4 | — | — | 13.4 | 3.9 | 9.5 | — |
| Certificates of deposit | 6.8 | — | — | 6.8 | — | 6.8 | — |
| U.S. government agency securities | 3.2 | — | — | 3.2 | — | — | 3.2 |
| Subtotal | 122.6 | — | (0.1) | 122.5 | 3.9 | 69.0 | 49.6 |
| Total | $667.1 | — | $(0.3) | $666.8 | $442.8 | $151.0 | $73.0 |
|  | December 31, 2025 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | AdjustedCost Basis | UnrealizedGain | UnrealizedLoss | FairValue | Cash andCash Equivalents | Short-TermMarketable Debt Securities | Long-TermMarketableDebt Securities |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $492.3 | — | — | $492.3 | $492.3 | — | — |
| Level 1 (b): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Money market funds | 36.7 | — | — | 36.7 | 36.7 | — | — |
| U.S. Treasury securities | 32.7 | 0.1 | — | 32.8 | — | 14.7 | 18.1 |
| Subtotal | 69.4 | 0.1 | — | 69.5 | 36.7 | 14.7 | 18.1 |
| Level 2 (c): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Corporate debt securities | 100.0 | 0.4 | — | 100.4 | — | 55.6 | 44.8 |
| U.S. government agency securities | 4.1 | — | — | 4.1 | — | — | 4.1 |
| Certificates of deposit | 1.5 | — | — | 1.5 | — | 1.5 | — |
| Subtotal | 105.6 | 0.4 | — | 106.0 | — | 57.1 | 48.9 |
| Total | $667.3 | $0.5 | — | $667.8 | $529.0 | $71.8 | $67.0 |

(a)

We had a single $50.0 million investment in a time deposit as of June 30, 2026. This investment matures within one year and is recorded in “Short-term marketable debt securities and other” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record time deposit investments at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. We did not have any investments in time deposits as of December 31, 2025.

(b)

Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

(c)

Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, net realized gains and losses on the sales and maturities of certain marketable debt securities were insignificant.  

The Company invests in highly rated securities, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. The Company’s investment policy requires securities to be investment grade and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The maturities of the Company’s long-term marketable debt securities generally range from one to two years.

Fair values were determined for each individual marketable debt security in the investment portfolio. When evaluating a marketable debt security for impairment, PCA reviews factors such as the duration and extent to which the fair value of the marketable debt security is less than its cost, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, the general market condition in which the issuer operates, and PCA’s intent to sell, or whether it will be more likely than not required to sell, the marketable debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

12

As of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we do not consider any of the impairments related to our marketable debt securities to be the result of credit losses. Therefore, we have not recorded an allowance for credit losses related to our marketable debt securities. All unrealized gains and losses were recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI).

The following tables provide information about the Company’s marketable debt securities that have been in a continuous loss position as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in millions, except number of marketable debt securities in a loss position):

_June 30, 2026_

| Line item | Fair Value of Marketable Debt Securities in a Loss Position < 12 Months | Number of Marketable Debt Securitiesin a Loss Position< 12 Months | Unrealized Losses < 12 Months |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Corporate debt securities | $58.8 | 57 | $0.2 |
| U.S. Treasury securities | 42.6 | 25 | 0.2 |
| Commercial paper | 9.7 | 7 | — |
| Certificates of deposit | 5.3 | 3 | — |
| U.S. government agency securities | 3.2 | 4 | — |
|  | $119.6 | 96 | $0.4 |
|  | December 31, 2025 |  |  |
|  | Fair Value ofMarketableDebt Securities in a Loss Position < 12 Months | Number of MarketableDebt Securitiesin a Loss Position< 12 Months | Unrealized Losses < 12 Months (d) |
| Corporate debt securities | $6.2 | 8 | — |
| U.S. government agency securities | 1.7 | 2 | — |
|  | $7.9 | 10 | — |

(d)

Unrealized losses were insignificant for the debt securities in a continuous loss position less than 12 months for the period ended December 31, 2025.

For both periods ended June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, there were no marketable debt securities in a continuous loss position greater than or equal to 12 months.

### 14. Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension plans were as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Pension Plans / Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Pension Plans / Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 | Pension Plans / Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Pension Plans / Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Service cost | $2.1 | $2.6 | $4.1 | $5.2 |
| Interest cost | 13.2 | 14.3 | 26.5 | 28.6 |
| Expected return on plan assets | (15.8) | (15.6) | (31.6) | (31.2) |
| Net amortization of unrecognized amounts |  |  |  |  |
| Prior service cost | 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Actuarial loss | — | — | — | — |
| Net periodic benefit cost | $0.9 | $2.7 | $1.8 | $5.4 |

PCA makes pension plan contributions that are sufficient to fund its actuarially determined costs, generally equal to the minimum amounts required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). From time to time, PCA may make additional discretionary contributions based on the funded status of the plans, tax deductibility, income from operations, and other factors. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, payments to our nonqualified pension plans were insignificant. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we did not make any contributions to our qualified pension plans. We do not have a required minimum contribution amount established for 2026.

For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement plans was insignificant.

13

### 15. Share-Based Compensation

The Company has a long-term equity incentive plan, which allows for grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, stock appreciation rights, and stock options to directors, officers, and employees, as well as others who engage in services for PCA. On February 28, 2024, our board of directors approved, and, on May 8, 2024, our stockholders approved, the amendment and restatement of the plan. The amendment extended the plan’s term to May 8, 2034 and increased the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan by 2.4 million shares. The total number of shares authorized for past and future awards is 14.3 million shares.

On February 25, 2026, our Compensation Subcommittee approved new forms of equity award agreements under the long-term equity incentive plan for Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance units, Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) performance units, and restricted stock units (RSUs). These agreements apply to performance units and RSUs granted on or after February 25, 2026, with no changes to prior year award forms. The new agreements are largely consistent with prior versions, with targeted amendments addressing vesting treatment upon certain termination events. The other material terms of the equity award agreement forms remain substantially unchanged.

As of June 30, 2026, assuming performance units are paid out at the target level of performance, 2.2 million shares were available for future grants under the current plan. Forfeitures are added back to the pool of shares of common stock available to be granted at a future date.

The following table presents restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance unit award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2026:

| Line item | Restricted Stock / Shares | Restricted Stock / Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Restricted Stock Units / Shares | Restricted Stock Units / Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | Performance Units / Shares | Performance Units / Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Outstanding at January 1, 2026 | 600,796 | $166.88 | — | — | 348,876 | $171.68 |
| Granted | 108,296 | 230.44 | 42,573 | 230.92 | 140,149 | 228.73 |
| Vested (a) | (165,385) | 150.45 | — | — | (167,909) | 169.82 |
| Forfeitures | (2,530) | 202.38 | — | — | — | — |
| Outstanding at June 30, 2026 | 541,177 | $184.45 | 42,573 | $230.92 | 321,116 | $197.55 |

(a)

Upon payout of the performance unit awards that vested during the period, PCA issued 181,375 shares, which included 13,466 shares for dividends accrued during the performance period.

#### Compensation Expense

Our share-based compensation expense is primarily recorded in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses.” Compensation expense for share-based awards recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income, net of forfeitures, was as follows (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Restricted stock | $6.7 | $6.1 | $14.0 | $20.0 |
| Restricted stock units | 2.4 | — | 3.2 | — |
| Performance units | 7.9 | 4.2 | 15.1 | 8.1 |
| Total share-based compensation expense | 17.0 | 10.3 | 32.3 | 28.1 |
| Income tax benefit | (4.2) | (2.6) | (8.0) | (7.0) |
| Share-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit | $12.8 | $7.7 | $24.3 | $21.1 |

Our restricted stock awards and RSU awards cliff vest four years after the grant date. The fair values of restricted stock and RSUs are determined based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recorded over the requisite service period. As PCA’s Board of Directors has the ability to accelerate the vesting of restricted stock awards upon an employee’s retirement, the Company accelerates the recognition of compensation expense for certain employees approaching normal retirement age.

Performance unit awards granted to certain key employees are earned based on the achievement of defined performance rankings of ROIC or TSR compared to the ROIC and TSR for peer companies. TSR and ROIC awards cliff vest three and four years, respectively, and for performance unit awards made in 2026 and 2025, in terms of grant date value, 50% used TSR as the performance measure and 50% used ROIC as the performance measure. The ROIC component of performance unit awards is valued based on the closing price of the stock on the grant date. As the ROIC component contains a performance condition, compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recorded over the requisite service period based on the most probable number of awards expected to vest. The TSR component of performance unit awards is valued using a Monte Carlo simulation as the TSR component contains a market condition. The Monte Carlo simulation estimates the fair value of the TSR component based on the expected term of the award, a risk-free interest rate, expected dividends, and expected volatility of the Company’s common stock and the common stock of the peer companies. Compensation expense is recorded ratably over the expected term of the award regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied.

14

For RSU and performance unit awards that meet retirement-eligibility provisions, the Company recognizes compensation expense over the period from the grant date through the date an employee attains retirement eligibility while retaining the award (derived service period), subject to a minimum period of 12 months.

The unrecognized compensation expense for all share-based awards at June 30, 2026 was as follows (dollars in millions):

_June 30, 2026_

| Line item | Unrecognized Compensation Expense | Remaining Weighted Average Recognition Period (in years) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Restricted stock | $42.8 | 2.7 |
| Restricted stock units | 6.6 | 0.7 |
| Performance units | 31.0 | 2.4 |
| Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense | $80.4 | 2.4 |

### 16. Stockholders' Equity

#### Dividends

During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we paid $223.2 million of dividends to shareholders. During the second quarter of 2026, PCA announced an increase of its quarterly cash dividend on its common stock from an annual rate of $5.00 per share to $6.00 per share. PCA’s Board of Directors declared the first regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.50 per share of common stock on May 12, 2026, which was paid on July 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of June 15, 2026. The dividend payment was $133.6 million.

#### Repurchases of Common Stock

On January 26, 2022, PCA announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable securities regulations. The timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion based on factors such as PCA’s stock price and market and business conditions.

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock under this authority during the three months ended June 30, 2026. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company paid $58.8 million, including fees, to repurchase 0.3 million shares of common stock. All shares repurchased have been retired. At June 30, 2026, $224.3 million of the authorized amount remained available for repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

#### Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) by component were as follows (dollars in millions). Amounts in parentheses indicate losses:

| Line item | Unrealized Loss On Foreign Exchange Contracts | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Debt Securities | Unfunded Employee Benefit Obligations | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balance at January 1, 2026 | $(0.1) | $0.3 | $(41.8) | $(41.6) |
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax | — | (0.5) | — | (0.5) |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax | — | — | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Balance at June 30, 2026 | $(0.1) | $(0.2) | $(39.9) | $(40.2) |

Reclassifications out of AOCI were as follows (dollars in millions). Amounts in parentheses indicate expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

| Details about AOCI Components | Amounts Reclassified from AOCI / Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Amounts Reclassified from AOCI / Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 | Amounts Reclassified from AOCI / Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unfunded employee benefit obligations (a) |  |  |  |  |
| Amortization of prior service costs | $(1.2) | $(1.3) | $(2.5) | See (a) below |
| Amortization of actuarial gains / (losses) | — | 0.1 | — | See (a) below |
|  | (1.2) | (1.2) | (2.5) | Total before tax |
|  | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | Tax benefit |
|  | $(0.9) | $(0.9) | $(1.9) | Net of tax |

15

(a)

These AOCI components are included in the computation of net pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 14, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.

### 17. Transactions With Related Parties

Louisiana Timber Procurement Company, L.L.C. (“LTP”) is a variable-interest entity that is 50% owned by PCA and 50% owned by Boise Cascade Company (“Boise Cascade”). LTP procures sawtimber, pulpwood, residual chips, and other residual wood fiber to meet the wood and fiber requirements of PCA and Boise Cascade in Louisiana. PCA is the primary beneficiary of LTP and has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of LTP. Therefore, we consolidate 100% of LTP in our financial statements in our Corporate and Other segment. The carrying amounts of LTP's assets and liabilities (which relate primarily to non-inventory working capital items) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets were $5.3 million at June 30, 2026 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2025. During the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we recorded $21.4 million and $17.9 million, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we recorded $39.4 million and $32.8 million, respectively, of LTP sales to Boise Cascade in “Net Sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and approximately the same amount of expenses in “Cost of Sales”.

During the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, fiber purchases from related parties were $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, fiber purchases from related parties were $5.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Most of these purchases related to chip and log purchases by LTP from Boise Cascade's wood products business. These purchases are recorded in “Cost of Sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

### 18. Segment Information

We report our business in three reportable segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. These segments represent distinct businesses that are managed separately because of differing products and services. Each of these businesses requires distinct operating and marketing strategies.

Each segment’s profits and losses are measured on operating profits before non-operating pension income, interest expense, net, and income taxes. For many of these allocated expenses, the related assets and liabilities remain in the Corporate and Other segment.

On September 2, 2025, we completed the Greif Acquisition for $1.8 billion in cash. The Greif containerboard business includes two containerboard mills with approximately 800,000 tons of production capacity and eight sheet feeder and corrugated plants located across the United States. Greif’s financial results are included in the Packaging segment from the date of acquisition.

16

#### Chief Operating Decision Maker

ASC 280-10-50-5 (Topic 280) defines the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) as an individual or group of individuals responsible for assessing the performance of the operating segments of a public entity and determining the overall resource allocation to those operating segments. Based on these criteria, we deem our Chief Executive Officer as the CODM, as the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for evaluating our operating results and concluding on the overall resource allocation.

#### Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segments

An analysis of operations by reportable segments is as follows (dollars in millions):

| Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Packaging | Paper | Corporate and Other | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trade sales | $2,309.3 | $157.3 | $23.3 | $2,489.9 |
| Intersegment sales | 2.0 | — | 39.6 | 41.6 |
|  | 2,311.3 | 157.3 | 62.9 | 2,531.5 |
| Elimination of intersegment sales |  |  |  | (41.6) |
| Net sales |  |  |  | 2,489.9 |
| Less (a): |  |  |  |  |
| Variable costs (b) | (1,110.6) | (83.2) | — | — |
| Fixed costs (c) | (522.7) | (21.0) | — | — |
| Freight | (268.7) | (18.9) | — | — |
| Other segment items (d) | (96.1) | 0.1 | (119.2) | — |
| Income (loss) from operations | 313.2 | 34.3 | (56.3) | 291.2 |
| Non-operating pension income |  |  |  | 1.1 |
| Interest expense, net |  |  |  | (33.3) |
| Income before taxes |  |  |  | $259.0 |
| Other segment disclosures: |  |  |  |  |
| Segment sales to external customers | $2,309.3 | $157.3 | $23.3 | $2,489.9 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 166.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 176.3 |
| Capital expenditures (g) | 198.7 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 205.9 |
| Assets | 9,676.6 | 399.8 | 939.1 | 11,015.5 |

| Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 | Packaging | Paper | Corporate and Other | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trade sales | $2,005.9 | $145.8 | $19.6 | $2,171.3 |
| Intersegment sales | — | — | 38.8 | 38.8 |
|  | 2,005.9 | 145.8 | 58.4 | 2,210.1 |
| Elimination of intersegment sales |  |  |  | (38.8) |
| Net sales |  |  |  | 2,171.3 |
| Less (a): |  |  |  |  |
| Variable costs (b) | (960.1) | (82.8) | — | — |
| Fixed costs (c) | (445.2) | (21.8) | — | — |
| Freight | (198.4) | (15.2) | — | — |
| Other segment items (d) | (55.9) | (0.2) | (96.8) | — |
| Income (loss) from operations | 346.3 | 25.8 | (38.4) | 333.7 |
| Non-operating pension expense |  |  |  | — |
| Interest expense, net |  |  |  | (13.1) |
| Income before taxes |  |  |  | $320.6 |
| Other segment disclosures: |  |  |  |  |
| Segment sales to external customers | $2,005.9 | $145.8 | $19.6 | $2,171.3 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 131.8 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 140.7 |
| Capital expenditures (g) | 165.0 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 169.7 |
| Assets | 7,418.6 | 405.3 | 1,217.3 | 9,041.2 |

17

| Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Packaging | Paper | Corporate and Other | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trade sales | $4,497.0 | $317.2 | $43.4 | $4,857.6 |
| Intersegment sales | 2.8 | — | 77.5 | 80.3 |
|  | 4,499.8 | 317.2 | 120.9 | 4,937.9 |
| Elimination of intersegment sales |  |  |  | (80.3) |
| Net sales |  |  |  | 4,857.6 |
| Less (a): |  |  |  |  |
| Variable costs (b) | (2,139.0) | (171.9) | — | — |
| Fixed costs (c) | (1,093.9) | (40.0) | — | — |
| Freight | (508.6) | (37.7) | — | — |
| Other segment items (d) | (184.8) | (0.4) | (219.1) | — |
| Income (loss) from operations | 573.5 | 67.2 | (98.2) | 542.5 |
| Non-operating pension income |  |  |  | 2.2 |
| Interest expense, net |  |  |  | (66.0) |
| Income before taxes |  |  |  | $478.7 |
| Other segment disclosures: |  |  |  |  |
| Segment sales to external customers | $4,497.0 | $317.2 | $43.4 | $4,857.6 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 382.2 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 401.5 |
| Capital expenditures (g) | 361.4 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 370.6 |
| Assets | 9,676.6 | 399.8 | 939.1 | 11,015.5 |

| Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 | Packaging | Paper | Corporate and Other | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trade sales | $3,976.3 | $300.0 | $36.0 | $4,312.3 |
| Intersegment sales | — | — | 78.8 | 78.8 |
|  | 3,976.3 | 300.0 | 114.8 | 4,391.1 |
| Elimination of intersegment sales |  |  |  | (78.8) |
| Net sales |  |  |  | 4,312.3 |
| Less (a): |  |  |  |  |
| Variable costs (b) | (1,921.2) | (165.7) | — | — |
| Fixed costs (c) | (892.7) | (40.6) | — | — |
| Freight | (395.1) | (32.0) | — | — |
| Other segment items (d) | (142.9) | (0.3) | (186.6) | — |
| Income (loss) from operations | 624.4 | 61.4 | (71.8) | 614.0 |
| Non-operating pension expense |  |  |  | — |
| Interest expense, net |  |  |  | (26.0) |
| Income before taxes |  |  |  | $588.0 |
| Other segment disclosures: |  |  |  |  |
| Segment sales to external customers | $3,976.3 | $300.0 | $36.0 | $4,312.3 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 260.1 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 278.6 |
| Capital expenditures (g) | 296.1 | 1.8 | 19.9 | 317.8 |
| Assets | 7,418.6 | 405.3 | 1,217.3 | 9,041.2 |

(a)

The significant expense categories align with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM.

(b)

For the Packaging segment, primarily includes expense items for liner consumption, purchased sheets usage, medium consumption, hourly-employee related expenses and benefits, and raw materials. For the Paper segment, primarily includes expense items for chemicals, raw materials, finishing materials, hourly-employee related expenses, and repair service and materials.

(c)

For both the Packaging and Paper segments, primarily includes expense items for depreciation, salaried employee-related expenses, and professional services.

(d)

Other segment items for each reportable segment primarily include:

1.

Packaging: farmout purchases, certain divisional allocations, and other expense/income items.

2.

Paper: other expense/income items.

18

3.

Corporate and Other: unallocated corporate costs, transportation business activity, and activity related to LTP.

(e)

The significant expense categories reported for the Packaging and Paper segments are not used for Corporate and Other in the segment-level information that is regularly reviewed by the CODM. The CODM makes resource allocation decisions for Corporate and Other based on divisional income (loss) from operations.

(f)

The Corporate and Other segment sales to external customers is presented net of total company intersegment eliminations.

(g)

Includes “Additions to property, plant, and equipment” and excludes cash used for “Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired” as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

### 19. Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings

We have financial commitments and obligations that arise in the ordinary course of our business. These include lease obligations, long-term debt, capital additions, purchase commitments for goods and services, and legal proceedings, all of which are discussed in Note 3, Leases; Note 11, Debt; and Note 20, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company entered into an agreement with a third-party contractor to design, construct, and operate a new woodyard and chip processing facility at the Valdosta, Georgia mill. Upon completion of construction and commencement of operations in 2028, the Company will lease the woodyard and chip processing facility from the third-party contractor and is obligated to deliver a minimum of 1.8 million tons of roundwood logs per year to be processed by the contractor for a contract term of 25 years. If the minimum annual volume is not delivered, the Company will be required to pay the shortfall at an annual fixed price per ton. For more information on the minimum annual obligations, see Note 20, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

#### Guarantees and Indemnifications

We provide guarantees, indemnifications, and other assurances to third parties in the normal course of our business. These include tort indemnifications, environmental assurances, and representations and warranties in commercial agreements.

In connection with the agreement described above, the Company provided a guarantee of certain construction-phase financing obligations of the third-party contractor. The guarantee relates to a delayed-draw term loan facility used to finance construction of the facility and, if triggered, would require us to satisfy the contractor’s obligations under the financing agreement, subject to its terms. As of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had a $6.5 million guarantee liability recorded in accordance with ASC 460, Guarantees, in “Other long-term liabilities” with an offsetting amount recorded in “Other long-term assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The recorded liability represents the fair value of the guarantee obligation at inception and does not reflect any assessment that a payment under the guarantee is probable. In addition, under the build-to-suit guidance in ASC 842, Leases, the Company recorded $12.5 million as construction in progress within “Property, plant, and equipment, net” and a corresponding financing obligation within “Other long-term liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2026.

We evaluate our guarantees and indemnifications on an ongoing basis and accrue additional amounts when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. At June 30, 2026, other than the recorded liabilities described above, we were not aware of any material liabilities arising from any guarantees, indemnifications, or other assurances we have provided.

#### DeRidder Mill Incident

Details on the legal proceedings associated with the incident at the Company’s DeRidder, Louisiana mill can be found in Note 19, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The settlement amount was paid in 2025, and no amounts remain outstanding.

#### Legal Proceedings

On July 29, 2025, PCA and seven other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit, Artuso Pastry Foods Corp v. Packaging Corporation of America, et al, No. 1:25-cv-08856, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act. The complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to raise prices of containerboard and restrict containerboard capacity, and that the purpose and effect of the alleged conspiracy was to artificially increase prices of containerboard products during the period of November 1, 2020, to the present. The complaint was filed as a purported class action suit on behalf of all purchasers of containerboard products during such period. The complaint seeks treble damages and costs, including attorney’s fees. PCA believes the allegations are without merit and will defend this lawsuit vigorously.  

We are also a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. These legal actions include commercial liability claims, premises liability claims, and employment-related claims, among others. As of the date of this filing, we believe it is not reasonably possible that any of the legal actions against us will, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

19

## Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This management’s discussion and analysis includes statements regarding our expectations with respect to our future performance, expected business conditions, liquidity, and capital resources. Such statements, along with any other statements that are not historical in nature, are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as those factors listed in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q. Please see “Forward Looking Statements” elsewhere in this Item 2.

### Overview

PCA is the third largest producer of containerboard products and a leading producer of UFS paper in North America. We operate ten mills and 90 corrugated products manufacturing plants. Our containerboard mills produce linerboard and corrugating medium, which are papers primarily used in the production of corrugated products. Our corrugated products manufacturing plants produce a wide variety of corrugated packaging products, including conventional shipping containers used to protect and transport manufactured goods, multi-color boxes and displays with strong visual appeal that help to merchandise the packaged product in retail locations, and honeycomb protective packaging. In addition, we are a large producer of packaging for meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products. We also manufacture and sell UFS papers, including both commodity and specialty papers, which may have custom or specialized features such as colors, coatings, high brightness, and recycled content. We are headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois and operate in the United States.

On September 2, 2025, we completed the acquisition of the containerboard business of Greif, Inc. (“Greif”) for $1.8 billion in cash (the “Greif Acquisition”). The Greif containerboard business includes two containerboard mills with approximately 800,000 tons of production capacity and eight sheet feeder and corrugated plants located across the United States. The operating results of the Greif Acquisition are included in PCA’s results in the Packaging segment after the date of acquisition.

Included in this Item 2 are various non-GAAP financial measures, including earnings per diluted share excluding special items, net income excluding special items, earnings before non-operating pension income, interest, income taxes, and depreciation, amortization, and depletion (“EBITDA”), segment EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items, and segment EBITDA excluding special items. We provide important disclosures regarding our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of presented non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable measures presented in accordance with GAAP later in this section under the caption “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

This Item 2 is intended to supplement, and should be read in conjunction with, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

### Executive Summary

Second quarter net sales were $2.49 billion in 2026 and $2.17 billion in 2025. We reported $192 million of net income, or $2.15 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2026, compared to $242 million, or $2.67 per diluted share, during the same period in 2025. Net income included $18 million of expense for special items in the second quarter of 2026, primarily related to facility closure costs, Wallula mill restructuring activities, and acquisition and integration-related costs, compared to $17 million of income for special items in 2025. Please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” elsewhere in this Item 2 for a description of special items. Excluding special items, net income was $210 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2026, compared to $224 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2025.1 The decrease was driven by lower earnings in the legacy business of ($0.27) per share, partially offset by $0.14 per share of earnings from the acquired Greif containerboard business. The decrease in the earnings of the legacy PCA business was driven primarily by higher freight costs, higher corporate and other expenses due to higher deferred compensation benefit costs and stock compensation expenses, unfavorable price and mix in the Packaging segment, higher labor and operating costs, higher depreciation and amortization expense, higher fiber costs, higher tax rate, and higher interest expense, excluding Greif acquisition indebtedness. These items were partially offset by higher production and sales volume in the Packaging segment, lower maintenance outage expense, and higher production and sales volume and prices and mix in the Paper segment. For additional detail on special items included in reported GAAP results and other non-GAAP measures, see “Item 2. Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

20

Packaging segment operating income was $313 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to $346 million in the second quarter of 2025. Packaging segment EBITDA excluding special items was $489 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $453 million in the second quarter of 2025.1 The increase in EBITDA excluding special items was driven by contribution from the acquired business and higher sales and production volume in the legacy business, partially offset by higher freight and logistics expenses, lower price and mix, higher fixed and other expenses, higher maintenance outage expense, and higher operating and converting costs. Prices and mix began to improve in the second quarter and are expected to further improve in the third and fourth quarters due to two containerboard and corrugated products price increases that we notified to customers during the first half of the year and the increase in reported containerboard prices described below under “Industry and Business Conditions.” PCA’s agreements with corrugated products customers generally include price change provisions based upon the change in reported containerboard prices at negotiated amounts and times. PCA expects to realize the majority of the price and mix improvement from the first price increase during the third quarter and expects that the price and mix improvement from the second price increase will be divided between the third and fourth quarters. Freight rates increased significantly during the second quarter primarily as a result of higher diesel fuel prices and recycled fiber prices have increased throughout the first half of the year.

Corrugated product shipments were up 24.3% per day and in total compared to the second quarter of 2025. Shipments from the legacy PCA business were up 4.1% per day and in total compared to the second quarter of 2025. Containerboard production in the second quarter of 2026 was approximately 1,415,000 tons, and containerboard inventory was down (5.3%) compared to the first quarter, and up 9.9% compared to the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to the acquisition.

Paper segment operating income was $34 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to $26 million in the second quarter of 2025. Paper segment EBITDA excluding special items was $39 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to $30 million in the second quarter of 2025.1 The increase in EBITDA excluding special items was primarily due to lower maintenance outage expense in 2026 due to the timing of annual maintenance outages, higher sales and production volume, and higher prices and mix, partially offset by higher freight and operating costs, with freight rates rising significantly during the quarter.

Packaging segment operating income was $574 million in the first six months of 2026, compared to $624 million in the same period in 2025. Packaging segment EBITDA excluding special items was $970 million in the first six months of 2026 compared to $862 million in the first six months of 2025.1 The increase in EBITDA excluding special items was driven by contribution from the acquired business and higher sales and production volume in the legacy business, lower fiber costs, higher prices and mix, and lower maintenance outage expense, partially offset by higher freight and logistics expense, higher fixed and other costs, and higher operating and converting costs with the addition of the acquired business.

Paper segment operating income was $67 million in the first six months of 2026, compared to $61 million in the first six months of 2025. Paper segment EBITDA excluding special items was $77 million in the first six months of 2026, compared to $71 million in the first six months of 2025.1 The increase in EBITDA excluding special items was due to lower maintenance outage expense, higher sales and production volume, and higher prices and mix, partially offset by higher operating costs and higher freight and logistics expense.

### Industry and Business Conditions

Trade publications reported North American industry-wide corrugated products shipments were up 0.9% in total and per workday during the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same quarter of 2025. Reported industry containerboard production decreased (2.3%) compared to the second quarter of 2025. Reported industry containerboard inventories at the end of the second quarter of 2026 were approximately 2.40 million tons, down (12.5%) compared to the same period in 2025. Reported containerboard export shipments were down (27.3%) compared to the second quarter of 2025. Reported containerboard prices increased a net $20 per ton for linerboard and for corrugating medium during the first quarter of 2026, an additional $30 per ton in April 2026 and an additional $50 per ton in June 2026.

The market for communication papers competes heavily with electronic data transmission and document storage alternatives. Increasing shifts to these alternatives have reduced usage of traditional print media and communication papers. Trade publications reported North American UFS paper shipments were down (9.1%) in the first six months of 2026, compared to the same period of 2025. Average prices reported by a trade publication for cut size office papers were higher by $87 per ton, or 5.8%, in the second quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2026, and higher by $107 per ton, or 7.2%, compared to the second quarter of 2025. Reported index prices increased $60 per ton in March 2026, $40 per ton in April 2026 and $20 per ton in June 2026 for cut size office papers and for offset printing papers.

---

1 Net income excluding special items, earnings per diluted share excluding special items, and segment EBITDA excluding special items are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this Item 2.

21

### Outlook

We expect continued strong demand in the Packaging segment and corrugated products volume to increase with one more shipping day in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter. We expect continued Packaging segment price and mix improvement in the third quarter as we complete the implementation of the first price increase and begin to implement the second price increase to corrugated products customers. Packaging mill production will be higher with one more operating day and lower impact to production from maintenance outages with fewer mills having annual outages as well as expected improved operating performance in our containerboard mill system. Mill maintenance outage expenses will be lower in total and in the Packaging segment and higher in the Paper segment with our single Paper segment mill having its maintenance outage in the third quarter. We expect lower volume and higher prices in the Paper segment as a result of the maintenance outage and the continued implementation of our previously announced paper price increases. We expect costs for freight to remain at or around the elevated levels we experienced later in the second quarter and higher on average for the third quarter. We expect prices for recycled fiber to continue to increase and higher mill production will drive increased usage and higher costs. Costs for chemicals and purchased electricity will be higher and will remain relatively flat for wood fiber and natural gas. We expect improvement in benefits costs due to second quarter unfavorability that is not expected to repeat in the third quarter. Considering these items, we expect third quarter earnings to be higher than the second quarter of 2026, excluding special items.

### Results of Operations

### Three Months Ended June 30, 2026, compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2025

The historical results of operations of PCA for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are set forth below (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Packaging | $2,311.3 | $2,005.9 | $305.4 |
| Paper | 157.3 | 145.8 | 11.5 |
| Corporate and Other | 62.9 | 58.4 | 4.5 |
| Intersegment eliminations | (41.6) | (38.8) | (2.8) |
| Net sales | $2,489.9 | $2,171.3 | $318.6 |
| Packaging | $313.2 | $346.3 | $(33.1) |
| Paper | 34.3 | 25.8 | 8.5 |
| Corporate and Other | (56.3) | (38.4) | (17.9) |
| Income from operations | $291.2 | $333.7 | $(42.5) |
| Non-operating pension income | 1.1 | — | 1.1 |
| Interest expense, net | (33.3) | (13.1) | (20.2) |
| Income before taxes | 259.0 | 320.6 | (61.6) |
| Income tax provision | (66.9) | (79.1) | 12.2 |
| Net income | $192.1 | $241.5 | $(49.4) |
| Non-GAAP Measures (a) |  |  |  |
| Net income excluding special items | $210.1 | $224.2 | $(14.1) |
| Consolidated EBITDA | 467.5 | 474.4 | (6.9) |
| Consolidated EBITDA excluding special items | 485.7 | 450.8 | 34.9 |
| Packaging EBITDA | 479.5 | 478.1 | 1.4 |
| Packaging EBITDA excluding special items | 488.6 | 452.9 | 35.7 |
| Paper EBITDA | 39.1 | 30.3 | 8.8 |
| Paper EBITDA excluding special items | 39.1 | 30.3 | 8.8 |

(a)

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included in this Item 2 for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure.

### Net Sales

Net sales increased $319 million, or 14.7%, to $2,490 million during the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $2,171 million during the same period in 2025.

Packaging. Net sales increased $305 million, or 15.2%, to $2,311 million, compared to $2,006 million in the second quarter of 2025 due to higher volume related to the acquired business ($258 million) and higher legacy volume ($58 million), partially offset by lower containerboard and corrugated products prices and mix ($11 million). In the second quarter of 2026, export and domestic containerboard outside shipments decreased (19.0%) compared to the second quarter of 2025, with more containerboard being integrated into PCA’s corrugated products system. Our total corrugated products shipments were up 24.3% per day and in total, compared to the same period in 2025. Shipments from the legacy PCA business were up 4.1% per day and in total. In the second quarter of 2026, our domestic containerboard prices were 3.2% higher, while export prices were 1.8% higher compared to the same period in 2025.

22

Paper. Net sales increased $11 million, or 7.9%, to $157 million, compared to $146 million in the second quarter of 2025, due to higher volumes ($9 million) and higher prices and mix ($2 million).  

### Gross Profit

Gross profit increased $30 million during the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was driven primarily by higher volumes in the Packaging and Paper segments, lower maintenance outage expense, and higher prices and mix in the Paper segment, partially offset by higher freight expense, lower prices and mix in the Packaging segment, higher operating costs, and higher fixed and other costs. In the three months ended June 30, 2026, gross profit included $5 million of special items expense related to corrugated products facility closures, compared to $1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2025 related to corrugated products facility closures.

### Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased $26 million during the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily due to higher employee-related expenses, higher depreciation related to the acquired business, and higher information technology and outside service expenses.

### Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are set forth below (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Asset disposals and write-offs | $(11.0) | $(10.5) |
| Facilities closure and other (costs) income | (8.8) | 25.3 |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs | (3.3) | (1.6) |
| Wallula mill restructuring | (6.3) | — |
| Other | (12.6) | (9.3) |
| Total | $(42.0) | $3.9 |

We discuss these items in more detail in Note 6, Other Income (Expense), Net, of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q.

### Income from Operations

Income from operations decreased $43 million, or (12.7%), during the three months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The second quarter of 2026 included $24 million of special items expense related to corrugated facility closures, Wallula mill restructuring, and recent acquisitions, compared to $23 million of special items income related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by corrugated products facility closure costs and costs related to the Greif acquisition in the second quarter of 2025.  

Packaging. Packaging segment operating income decreased $33 million to $313 million, compared to $346 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease related primarily to $15 million of special items expense related to the Wallula mill restructuring and corrugated facility closures, compared to $25 million of special items income primarily related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by corrugated products facility closure costs in the second quarter of 2025. Excluding special items, operating income increased $6 million compared to the same period last year. The increase was driven primarily by the impact of newly acquired Greif operations ($36 million) and higher sales and production volume ($31 million), partially offset by higher freight expenses ($28 million), lower containerboard and corrugated products prices and mix ($14 million), higher fixed and other expenses ($8 million), higher maintenance outage expenses ($5 million), higher depreciation expense ($2 million), higher fiber costs ($2 million), and higher labor and operating costs ($1 million).

Paper. Paper segment operating income increased $8 million to $34 million, compared to $26 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025. The increase primarily related to lower maintenance outage expenses ($9 million), higher sales and production volume ($3 million), and higher prices and mix ($2 million), partially offset by higher freight expenses ($3 million), and higher operating costs ($2 million). There were no significant special items in the second quarter of 2026 or 2025.

### Non-Operating Pension Income, Interest Expense, Net and Income Taxes

Non-operating pension income increased $1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in non-operating pension income was related to favorable 2025 asset performance and favorable assumption changes.

Interest expense, net for the three months ended June 30, 2026 increased $20 million when compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in interest expense, net was primarily due to higher interest expense in 2026 as a result of the Company’s financing for the Greif Acquisition and lower interest income as a result of lower interest rates on lower cash balances.

23

During the three months ended June 30, 2026, we recorded $67 million of income tax expense, compared to $79 million of expense during the three months ended June 30, 2025. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was 25.8% and 24.7%, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was primarily due to lower excess tax benefits associated with employee restricted stock and performance unit vests and higher non-deductible employee remuneration paid to covered employees partially offset by favorable state law changes.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2026, compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2025

The historical results of operations of PCA for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are set forth below (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Packaging | $4,499.8 | $3,976.3 | $523.5 |
| Paper | 317.2 | 300.0 | 17.2 |
| Corporate and Other | 120.9 | 114.8 | 6.1 |
| Intersegment eliminations | (80.3) | (78.8) | (1.5) |
| Net sales | $4,857.6 | $4,312.3 | $545.3 |
| Packaging | $573.5 | $624.4 | $(50.9) |
| Paper | 67.2 | 61.4 | 5.8 |
| Corporate and Other | (98.2) | (71.8) | (26.4) |
| Income from operations | $542.5 | $614.0 | $(71.5) |
| Non-operating pension income | 2.2 | — | 2.2 |
| Interest expense, net | (66.0) | (26.0) | (40.0) |
| Income before taxes | 478.7 | 588.0 | (109.3) |
| Income tax provision | (115.7) | (142.7) | 27.0 |
| Net income | $363.0 | $445.3 | $(82.3) |
| Non-GAAP Measures (a) |  |  |  |
| Net income excluding special items | $425.3 | $432.4 | $(7.1) |
| Consolidated EBITDA | 944.0 | 892.6 | 51.4 |
| Consolidated EBITDA excluding special items | 971.2 | 871.8 | 99.4 |
| Packaging EBITDA | 955.7 | 884.5 | 71.2 |
| Packaging EBITDA excluding special items | 970.4 | 862.1 | 108.3 |
| Paper EBITDA | 76.8 | 70.5 | 6.3 |
| Paper EBITDA excluding special items | 76.8 | 70.5 | 6.3 |

(a)

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included in this Item 2 for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure.

### Net Sales

Net sales increased $546 million, or 12.7%, to $4,858 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $4,312 million during the same period in 2025.

Packaging. Net sales increased $524 million, or 13.2%, to $4,500 million, compared to $3,976 million in the six months ended June 30, 2025, due to higher volume related to the acquired business ($483 million), higher legacy volumes ($34 million), and higher containerboard and corrugated products prices and mix ($7 million). In the first six months of 2026, export and domestic containerboard outside shipments decreased (17.3%) compared to the first six months of 2025, with more containerboard being integrated into PCA’s corrugated products system. Our total corrugated products shipments were up 23.1% per day and 22.1% in total, compared to the same period in 2025. Shipments from the legacy PCA business were up 3.5% per day and up 2.7% in total. In the first six months of 2026, our domestic containerboard prices were 3.0% higher, while export prices were 0.5% higher compared to the same period in 2025.

Paper. Net sales during the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased $17 million, or 5.7%, to $317 million, compared to $300 million in the six months ended June 30, 2025, due to higher volume ($13 million) and higher prices and mix ($4 million).  

### Gross Profit

Gross profit increased $28 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was driven primarily by higher volumes and higher prices and mix in the Packaging and Paper segments, lower maintenance outage expense and lower fiber costs, partially offset by higher freight expense, higher operating costs, and higher fixed and other costs. In the six months ended June 30, 2026, gross

24

profit included $56 million of special items expense related to Wallula mill restructuring and corrugated products facility closures. In the six months ended June 30, 2025, gross profit included $4 million of special items expense related to corrugated products facility closures.

### Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased $45 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily due to higher depreciation related to the acquired business and higher employee-related expenses.

### Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net, for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 are set forth below (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Asset disposals and write-offs | $(17.0) | $(18.8) |
| Facilities closure and other (costs) income | (11.7) | 23.0 |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs | (6.7) | (1.6) |
| Wallula mill restructuring | (9.0) | — |
| Other | (18.8) | (11.8) |
| Total | $(63.2) | $(9.2) |

We discuss these items in more detail in Note 6, Other Income (Expense), Net, of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q.

### Income from Operations

Income from operations decreased $72 million, or (11.6%), during the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The first six months of 2026 included $83 million of special items expense related to Wallula mill restructuring, corrugated products facility closures, and recent acquisitions, compared to $17 million of special items income primarily related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by corrugated products facility closure costs and costs related to the Greif acquisition in the same period in 2025.  

Packaging. Packaging segment operating income decreased $51 million to $574 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The decrease related primarily to $71 million of special items expense related to the Wallula mill restructuring and corrugated products facility closures, compared to $19 million of special items income primarily related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by corrugated products facility closure costs in the same period in 2025. Excluding special items, operating income increased $39 million compared to the same period last year. The increase was driven primarily by the impact of newly acquired Greif operations ($48 million), higher containerboard and corrugated products prices and mix ($18 million), lower fiber costs ($11 million), lower labor and operating costs ($8 million), higher sales and production volume ($7 million), and lower maintenance outage expenses ($5 million), partially offset by higher freight expenses ($42 million), higher depreciation expense ($8 million) and higher fixed and other expenses ($7 million).

Paper. Paper segment operating income increased $6 million to $67 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase primarily related to lower maintenance outage expenses ($9 million), higher prices and mix ($4 million) and higher sales and production volume ($4 million), partially offset by higher operating costs ($6 million) and higher freight expenses ($4 million). There were no significant special items in the first six months of 2026 or 2025.

### Non-Operating Pension Income, Interest Expense, and Income Taxes

Non-operating pension income increased $2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in non-operating pension income was related to favorable 2025 asset performance and favorable assumption changes.

Interest expense, net for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased $40 million when compared to the same period in 2025. The increase in interest expense, net was primarily due to higher interest expense in 2026 as a result of the Company’s financing for the Greif Acquisition and lower interest income as a result of lower interest rates on lower cash balances.

During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we recorded $116 million of income tax expense, compared to $143 million of expense during the six months ended June 30, 2025. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was 24.2% and 24.3%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was primarily due to higher excess tax benefits associated with employee restricted stock and performance unit vests and favorable state law changes partially offset by higher non-deductible employee remuneration paid to covered employees.

25

### Liquidity and Capital Resources

### Sources and Uses of Cash

Our primary sources of liquidity are net cash provided by operating activities and available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility. At June 30, 2026, we had $443 million of cash and cash equivalents, $224 million of marketable debt securities and other, and $573 million of unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility, net of letters of credit.

Currently, our primary uses of cash are for operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service, common stock dividends, and repurchases of common stock. We believe that net cash generated from operating activities, cash on hand, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and available capital through access to capital markets will be adequate to meet our liquidity and capital requirements, including payments of any declared common stock dividends, for the foreseeable future. As our debt or credit facilities become due, we will need to repay, extend, or replace such facilities. Our ability to do so will be subject to future economic conditions and financial, business, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Below is a summary table of our cash flows, followed by a discussion of our sources and uses of cash through operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Change |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Net cash provided by (used for): |  |  |  |
| Operating activities | $705.3 | $638.7 | $66.6 |
| Investing activities | (477.5) | (287.0) | (190.5) |
| Financing activities | (314.0) | (248.8) | (65.2) |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $(86.2) | $102.9 | $(189.1) |

### Operating Activities

Our operating cash flow is primarily driven by our earnings and changes in operating assets and liabilities, such as accounts receivable, inventories, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, as well as factors described below. Cash requirements for operating activities are subject to PCA’s operating needs and the timing of collection of receivables and payments of payables and expenses.  

During the six months ended June 30, 2026, net cash provided by operating activities was $705 million, compared to $639 million in the same period in 2025, an increase of $66 million. Cash from operations excluding changes in cash used for operating assets and liabilities increased $96 million due to higher net income adjusted for depreciation, depletion and amortization of intangibles and losses on asset disposals in 2026, and higher deferred income tax liabilities in 2026. Cash from operations decreased by $30 million when comparing the first six months of 2026 to the same period in 2025 due to changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily due to the following:

a)

a net unfavorable change in accounts receivable due to a larger increase in accounts receivable levels during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 primarily due to higher sales volumes in 2026 when compared to 2025, and an increase in days sales outstanding arising out of the ordinary course of business; and

b)

a net unfavorable change in prepaid expenses and other current assets during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 primarily related to the reduction of receivables against insurance carriers during 2025 related to the settlement of litigation.

These unfavorable changes were partially offset by the following:

c)

a net favorable change in accrued liabilities during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 primarily due to the settlement of litigation and a decrease in accrued liabilities related to Wallula mill restructuring activities during the first six months of 2026; and

d)

a net favorable change in accounts payable primarily related to an increase in accounts payables levels during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, partially offset by an unfavorable change related to the timing of payments.

### Investing Activities

We used $478 million for investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $287 million during the same period in 2025. We spent $371 million for internal capital investments during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $318 million during the same period in 2025. We completed acquisitions in the Packaging segment during the first six months ended June 30, 2026 for $21 million, including working capital adjustments. In March 2026, we used $50 million of cash on hand to invest in a time deposit.

We expect capital investments in 2026 to be within a range of $840 million to $870 million. These expenditures could increase or decrease as a result of a number of factors, including our financial results, strategic opportunities, future economic conditions, and our regulatory compliance requirements. We currently estimate capital expenditures to comply with environmental regulations will be about $21 million in 2026. Our estimated environmental expenditures could vary significantly depending upon the enactment of new environmental laws and regulations. For additional information, see “Environmental Matters” in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

26

### Financing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2026, net cash used for financing activities was $314 million, compared to $249 million during the same period in 2025. We paid $223 million of dividends during the first six months of 2026, compared to $225 million of dividends paid during the comparable period in 2025. In addition, we withheld shares to cover $30 million of employee restricted stock taxes during the first six months of 2026 compared to $23 million of employee restricted stock taxes withheld during the same period in 2025. We repurchased and retired 0.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock for $59 million during the first six months of 2026. We did not have any repurchases and retirements of the Company’s common stock during the same period in 2025.

In addition to the items discussed in Note 12, Debt, of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q, see Note 11, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

### Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes to the contractual obligations disclosed in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

### Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Earnings per diluted share excluding special items, net income excluding special items, EBITDA, segment EBITDA, EBITDA excluding special items, and segment EBITDA excluding special items are non-GAAP financial measures. Management excludes special items, as it believes that these items are not necessarily reflective of the ongoing operations of our business. These measures are presented because they provide a means to evaluate the performance of our segments and our Company on an ongoing basis using the same measures that are used by our management, because these measures assist in providing a meaningful comparison between periods and because these measures are frequently used by investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies and the performance of their segments. Any analysis of non-GAAP financial measures should be done in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures are not intended to be substitutes for GAAP financial measures and should not be used as such. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable measure reported in accordance with GAAP are detailed below.

The following table reconciles earnings per diluted share to earnings per diluted share excluding special items for the periods indicated:

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Earnings per diluted share, as reported in accordance with GAAP | $2.15 | $2.67 | $4.05 | $4.93 |
| Special items: |  |  |  |  |
| Facilities closure and other costs (income) (a) | 0.12 | (0.20) | 0.14 | (0.15) |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs (b) | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.01 |
| Wallula mill restructuring (c) | 0.05 | — | 0.50 | — |
| Total special items | 0.20 | (0.19) | 0.70 | (0.14) |
| Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items | $2.35 | $2.48 | $4.75 | $4.79 |

(a)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes $14.1 million and $17.0 million, respectively, of charges consisting of closure costs related to corrugated products facilities and the write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects. The write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects was recorded following the Company’s decision to defer a specific carbon capture initiative at this time. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes $24.6 million and $18.8 million, respectively, of income related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by closure costs related to corrugated products facilities.

(b)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes $3.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of charges for acquisition and integration costs related to recent acquisitions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes $1.6 million of charges related to the Greif Acquisition.

(c)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes $6.3 million and $59.7 million, respectively, of charges related to the announced discontinuation of the No. 2 machine and kraft pulping facilities at the Wallula, Washington mill.

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The following table reconciles net income to net income excluding special items for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Incomebefore Taxes | Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Income Taxes | Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Net Income | Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Incomebefore Taxes | Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Income Taxes | Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Net Income |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| As reported in accordance with GAAP | $259.0 | $(66.9) | $192.1 | $320.6 | $(79.1) | $241.5 |
| Special items: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Facilities closure and other costs (income) (d) | 14.1 | (3.4) | 10.7 | (24.6) | 6.1 | (18.5) |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs (e) | 3.3 | (0.8) | 2.5 | 1.6 | (0.4) | 1.2 |
| Wallula mill restructuring (f) | 6.3 | (1.5) | 4.8 | — | — | — |
| Total special items | 23.7 | (5.7) | 18.0 | (23.0) | 5.7 | (17.3) |
| Excluding special items | $282.7 | $(72.6) | $210.1 | $297.6 | $(73.4) | $224.2 |

| Line item | Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Incomebefore Taxes | Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Income Taxes | Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 / Net Income | Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Incomebefore Taxes | Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Income Taxes | Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 / Net Income |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| As reported in accordance with GAAP | $478.7 | $(115.7) | $363.0 | $588.0 | $(142.7) | $445.3 |
| Special items: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Facilities closure and other costs (income) (d) | 17.0 | (4.3) | 12.7 | (18.8) | 4.7 | (14.1) |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs (e) | 6.7 | (1.7) | 5.0 | 1.6 | (0.4) | 1.2 |
| Wallula mill restructuring (f) | 59.7 | (15.1) | 44.6 | — | — | — |
| Total special items | 83.4 | (21.1) | 62.3 | (17.2) | 4.3 | (12.9) |
| Excluding special items | $562.1 | $(136.8) | $425.3 | $570.8 | $(138.4) | $432.4 |

(d)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes charges consisting of closure costs related to corrugated products facilities and the write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects. The write-off of expenditures related to sustainability and renewable energy projects was recorded following the Company’s decision to defer a specific carbon capture initiative at this time. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes income related to gains on sales of corrugated products facilities, partially offset by closure costs related to corrugated products facilities.

(e)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes acquisition and integration costs related to recent acquisitions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, includes charges related to the Greif Acquisition.

(f)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, includes charges related to the announced discontinuation of the No. 2 machine and kraft pulping facilities at the Wallula, Washington mill.

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and EBITDA excluding special items for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Net income | $192.1 | $241.5 | $363.0 | $445.3 |
| Non-operating pension income | (1.1) | — | (2.2) | — |
| Interest expense, net | 33.3 | 13.1 | 66.0 | 26.0 |
| Income tax provision | 66.9 | 79.1 | 115.7 | 142.7 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 176.3 | 140.7 | 401.5 | 278.6 |
| EBITDA | $467.5 | $474.4 | $944.0 | $892.6 |
| Special items: |  |  |  |  |
| Facilities closure and other costs (income) | 8.6 | (25.2) | 11.5 | (22.4) |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs | 3.3 | 1.6 | 6.7 | 1.6 |
| Wallula mill restructuring | 6.3 | — | 9.0 | — |
| Total special items | 18.2 | (23.6) | 27.2 | (20.8) |
| EBITDA excluding special items | $485.7 | $450.8 | $971.2 | $871.8 |

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The following table reconciles segment operating income (loss) to segment EBITDA and segment EBITDA excluding special items for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

| Line item | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended / June 30, 2025 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended / June 30, 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Packaging |  |  |  |  |
| Segment operating income | $313.2 | $346.3 | $573.5 | $624.4 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 166.3 | 131.8 | 382.2 | 260.1 |
| EBITDA | 479.5 | 478.1 | 955.7 | 884.5 |
| Facilities closure and other costs (income) | 2.8 | (25.2) | 5.7 | (22.4) |
| Wallula mill restructuring | 6.3 | — | 9.0 | — |
| EBITDA excluding special items | $488.6 | $452.9 | $970.4 | $862.1 |
| Paper |  |  |  |  |
| Segment operating income | $34.3 | $25.8 | $67.2 | $61.4 |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 4.8 | 4.5 | 9.6 | 9.1 |
| EBITDA | 39.1 | 30.3 | 76.8 | 70.5 |
| EBITDA excluding special items | $39.1 | $30.3 | $76.8 | $70.5 |
| Corporate and Other |  |  |  |  |
| Segment operating loss | $(56.3) | $(38.4) | $(98.2) | $(71.8) |
| Depreciation, amortization, and depletion | 5.2 | 4.4 | 9.7 | 9.4 |
| EBITDA | (51.1) | (34.0) | (88.5) | (62.4) |
| Facilities closure and other costs | 5.8 | — | 5.8 | — |
| Acquisition and integration-related costs | 3.3 | 1.6 | 6.7 | 1.6 |
| EBITDA excluding special items | $(42.0) | $(32.4) | $(76.0) | $(60.8) |

### Market Risk and Risk Management Policies

PCA is exposed to the impact of commodity price changes, interest rate changes, and changes in the market value of its financial instruments. To manage these risks, we may from time to time enter into transactions, including certain physical commodity transactions, that are determined to be derivatives. As of June 30, 2026, we are party to certain physical commodity transactions related to natural gas supply contracts. These contracts qualify for the normal purchase normal sale (“NPNS”) exception, and we have elected that exception. For a discussion of derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Account Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The interest rates on approximately 75% of PCA’s debt are fixed. A one percent increase in interest rates related to variable-rate debt would have resulted in an increase in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in income before taxes of approximately $10 million annually.

### Off-Balance-Sheet Activities

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2026.

### Environmental Matters

There have been no material changes to the disclosure set forth in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Environmental Matters” filed with our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

### Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, PCA evaluates its estimates, including those related to business combinations, pensions and other postretirement benefits, goodwill and intangible assets, long-lived asset impairment, environmental liabilities, and income taxes, among others. PCA bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

PCA has included in its 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K a discussion of its critical accounting policies and estimates which require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. PCA has not had any changes to these critical accounting estimates during the first six months of 2026.

29

### New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

For a listing of our new and recently adopted accounting standards, see Note 2, New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q.

### Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in particular, statements found in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations regarding our future liquidity, earnings, expenditures, and financial condition. These statements are often identified by the words “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “hope,” or similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following:

- the impact of general economic conditions;
- the impact of acquired businesses and risks and uncertainties regarding operation, expected benefits and integration of such businesses;
- containerboard, corrugated products, and white paper general industry conditions, including competition, product demand, product pricing, and input costs;
- fluctuations in wood fiber and recycled fiber costs;
- fluctuations in purchased energy costs;
- the possibility of unplanned outages or interruptions at our principal facilities; and
- governmental, legislative or regulatory actions or requirements, particularly concerning environmental or tax matters or trade policy.

Our actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, and accordingly, we can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do occur, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect the occurrence of events after the date hereof. For a discussion of other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

30

## Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For a discussion of market risks related to PCA, see Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

## Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

PCA maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in PCA’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to PCA’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Prior to filing this report, PCA completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of PCA’s management, including PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2026. The evaluation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures included a review of the controls’ objectives and design, PCA’s implementation of the controls, and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this report. Based on this evaluation, PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2026.

### Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

On September 2, 2025, we completed the acquisition of the containerboard business of Greif, Inc. We are currently in the process of assessing and integrating Greif’s internal control over financial reporting with our existing internal control over financial reporting.

Except as described above, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2026.  

31

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

## Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The disclosure set forth under the caption “Legal Proceedings” in Note 19, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, of the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

## Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

## Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table presents information related to our repurchases of common stock made under repurchase plans authorized by PCA's Board of Directors, and shares withheld to cover taxes on vesting of equity awards, during the three months ended June 30, 2026:

**Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities**

| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (a) | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Numberof Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(in millions) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| April 1-30, 2026 | 250 | $209.63 | — | $224.3 |
| May 1-31, 2026 | 2,306 | 210.77 | — | 224.3 |
| June 1-30, 2026 | 1,206 | 220.97 | — | 224.3 |
| Total | 3,762 | $213.97 | — | $224.3 |

(a)

All shares were withheld from employees to cover income and payroll taxes on equity awards that vested during the period.

## Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

## Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

## Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended June 30, 2026, none of the Company's directors or officers adopted or terminated any contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

32

## Item 6. EXHIBITS

| Exhibit Number | Description |
| --- | --- |
| 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. † |
| 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. † |
| 32 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. † |
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. † |
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. † |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). † |

† Filed herewith.

33

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Packaging Corporation of America

/s/ FABIAN C. STRAUSS

FABIAN C. STRAUSS<br>Senior Vice President, Finance, Controller and Treasurer

Date: August 7, 2026

34

---

## EX-31.1

SEC source: [pkg-ex31_1.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex31_1.htm)

Exhibit 31.1

CEO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Mark W. Kowlzan, certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Packaging Corporation of America (PCA);

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of PCA as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) PCA’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for PCA and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to PCA, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in PCA’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during PCA’s most recent fiscal quarter (PCA’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, PCA’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) PCA’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to PCA’s auditors and the Audit Committee of PCA’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect PCA’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in PCA’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Mark W. Kowlzan

Mark W. Kowlzan<br>Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 7, 2026

---

## EX-31.2

SEC source: [pkg-ex31_2.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex31_2.htm)

Exhibit 31.2

CFO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Kent A. Pflederer, certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Packaging Corporation of America (PCA);

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of PCA as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) PCA’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for PCA and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to PCA, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in PCA’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during PCA’s most recent fiscal quarter (PCA’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, PCA’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) PCA’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to PCA’s auditors and the Audit Committee of PCA’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect PCA’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in PCA’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Kent A. Pflederer

Kent A. Pflederer<br>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 7, 2026

---

## EX-32

SEC source: [pkg-ex32.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/75677/000119312526339405/pkg-ex32.htm)

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chief Executive Officer of Packaging Corporation of America (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2026 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Mark W. Kowlzan

Mark W. Kowlzan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 7, 2026

I, Kent A. Pflederer, Chief Financial Officer of Packaging Corporation of America (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2026 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Kent A. Pflederer

Kent A. Pflederer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 7, 2026