By Emily Leonczyk, MBA, CAE, President, PPC
2026 is already moving quickly, with no shortage of activity or change across the folding carton and rigid box industry.
Every year brings new pressures and new opportunities. PPC exists to help our members navigate both by convening the right conversations, sharing credible insight, and creating space for collaboration that strengthens our industry.
No single company can address today’s challenges alone. PPC brings our industry together through training, benchmarking, peer learning, and leadership development, all powered by our members’ collective experience. Together, we deliver insight and impact that would not be possible individually.
You see this in resources like the RISI Trends Report, which helps members understand market dynamics, demand signals, and economic indicators shaping our sector. You see it in PPC’s industry benchmarking program, where shared, confidential data allows members to measure performance, identify opportunities, and make more informed decisions. These tools are only as strong as the participation behind them, and their value grows when members lean in.
As we look ahead, our focus is clear. We’ll continue to strengthen PPC’s role as the voice of the folding carton industry, while making it easier for members to understand how to engage and where their time and expertise can have the greatest impact. Our priority is ensuring members have access to the network, data, and perspective they need to succeed in a changing marketplace.
The need for collaboration is especially clear in industry-wide challenges like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Recent EPR data from California shows paperboard recycling rates well below where they need to be. Progress will require shared data, aligned voices, and coordinated action. PPC is where that work happens. If you want to engage in industry affairs or learn more, I encourage you to reach out to our Industry Affairs Manager, Tom Hendrickson, and join the conversation.
Participation in PPC looks different for every member. As you read this newsletter, I encourage you to consider how PPC can support your team this year, and where you may want to contribute. If you are looking to get more involved, please reach out to the PPC team or to me directly. We are committed to making participation clearer and more meaningful for both your company and the industry.
The passion and engagement of our members are what sustains this nearly 100-year-old association. I look forward to working with you to ensure PPC remains an essential resource and a place where our industry comes together to learn, grow, and move forward.