Pregis has opened a new 477,000-square-foot paper converting facility in Elgin, Illinois, marking the launch of what the company calls a “center of excellence” for paper-based packaging solutions.
The plant is expected to support more than 500 manufacturing jobs and produce over one billion curbside recyclable paper mailers each year. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together Pregis employees from the Chicago area along with community representatives and government officials, who underscored the project’s importance for local economic growth and sustainability.
“This expanded operation represents our commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship while creating significant employment opportunities,” said Ryan Wolcott, President of Mailing Solutions at Pregis.
Sustainability at the core
The facility is designed as a zero-waste operation powered entirely by renewable energy through Renewable Energy Credits. It will divert an estimated 33,000 tons of waste from landfills annually as brands transition away from plastic toward paper-based alternatives.
The Elgin site will serve as Pregis’ primary Midwest hub for recyclable paper mailer production, joining four other U.S. facilities in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Nevada.
Pregis is a U.S.-based manufacturer of protective packaging solutions made from paper, plastic, and hybrid materials. Serving e-commerce, logistics, healthcare, and industrial markets, Pregis operates multiple production facilities across North America and Europe with a strong focus on sustainable innovation, including zero-waste operations and renewable energy use.
