Inside Pratt’s $5B Push to Transform US Recycling

Pratt Industries invests $5B to boost US recycled packaging, cut imports, and lead the charge in sustainable manufacturing

5 May 2025

Pratt Industries is placing a massive wager on the future of American recycling. The company has announced a $5 billion expansion to grow its recycled paper and packaging operations across the United States, a move that signals rising confidence in sustainable manufacturing.

The plan, unveiled during the White House’s Invest in America summit, will unfold over the next decade. Pratt expects the investment to create about 5,000 jobs while strengthening domestic supply chains at a time when companies are scrambling for environmentally responsible materials.

Pratt already runs more than 70 facilities across the country, but the expansion will deepen that footprint. Two projects stand at the center of the push: a 700,000 square foot paper mill and box plant in Henderson, Kentucky, and a $120 million facility in Warner Robins, Georgia. Together, the sites will increase capacity and help the company deliver packaging made from recycled materials that can be tracked and verified.

The timing is hardly accidental. Consumer brands face mounting pressure to shrink their carbon footprints, while policymakers in Washington are urging industries to build cleaner and more resilient infrastructure. By producing recycled materials closer to home, Pratt aims to reduce dependence on overseas supply chains and cut the emissions tied to global shipping.

Anthony Pratt, the company’s executive chairman, framed the investment as a broader economic and environmental commitment. He said the new plants and processes are designed to strengthen American manufacturing while accelerating the transition to a cleaner industrial system.

Industry analysts say the initiative could ripple through the packaging sector. As companies compete on sustainability and supply reliability, Pratt’s integrated recycling network may offer advantages in cost control, delivery speed, and transparency.

Challenges remain. Construction costs are high, and recycling policies still vary widely across states. Even so, many experts see the investment as a signal that large scale manufacturing and environmental ambition can move in the same direction.