Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells industrial and consumer packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging. The Consumer Packaging segment round and shaped rigid paper containers; metal and peelable membrane ends and closures; thermoformed plastic trays and containers; printed flexible packaging; and global brand artwork management. The Industrial Paper Packaging segment provides fiber-based tubes, cones, and cores; fiber-based construction tubes; fiber-based protective packaging and components; wooden, metal, and composite wire and cable, as well as reels and spools; and recycled paperboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper, and material recycling services. Sonoco Products Company offers thermoformed rigid plastic trays and devices; custom-engineered molded foam protective packaging and components; temperature-assured packaging; injection molded and extruded containers, spools, and parts; retail security packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters, and heat-sealing equipment; and paper amenities. The company sells its products in various markets, which include paper, textile, film, food, chemical, packaging, construction, and wire and cable. Sonoco Products Company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina.
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Here are 1-2 brief analogies to describe Sonoco Products:
The 3M of packaging, providing a vast array of essential products and services across numerous industries.
The Sysco for product packaging, supplying manufacturers across various sectors with a wide range of essential containers and packaging solutions.
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- Consumer Packaging: Provides composite cans, flexible packaging, and plastic containers for food, beverage, and other consumer goods.
- Industrial Packaging: Manufactures recycled paperboard, tubes, cores, and protective packaging for diverse industrial applications.
- Display and Packaging Services: Offers supply chain management, retail merchandising, and contract packaging services to optimize product presentation and delivery.
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Sonoco Products (symbol: SON) primarily sells to other companies (B2B).
Sonoco's customer base is highly diversified across numerous industries and geographies. According to their annual reports (10-K), no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the company's consolidated net sales in recent years. Due to this diversification and the absence of any customer concentration requiring disclosure, specific names of individual "major customer companies" are not publicly identified.
Instead, Sonoco serves a broad range of industries. Their customers typically fall into the following categories:
* **Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Companies:** Manufacturers of food, beverage, personal care, household, and other consumer products that utilize Sonoco's rigid paper containers, flexible packaging, and closures.
* **Industrial Manufacturers:** Companies in sectors such as paper, textile, film, construction, chemical, and electrical industries that rely on Sonoco's recycled paperboard, tubes, cores, and protective packaging solutions.
* **Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Companies:** Businesses requiring specialized, protective, and often temperature-assured packaging for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
* **Automotive and General Manufacturing Companies:** Enterprises needing protective packaging components, molded foam solutions, and other packaging services for their products.
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Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer
Howard Coker joined Sonoco in 1985 and has held various sales, manufacturing, and management positions across different businesses. He assumed the role of President and CEO in 2020. Prior to his current position, he served as Senior Vice President of Paper and Industrial Converted Products, and Senior Vice President of Global Rigid Papers and Closures and Paper and Industrial Converted Products.
Paul Joachimczyk, Chief Financial Officer
Paul Joachimczyk was named Chief Financial Officer, effective June 30, 2025. He brings nearly 25 years of progressive experience in financial leadership with multinational publicly traded corporations. Before joining Sonoco, he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary of American Woodmark Corporation. His previous experience also includes serving as Vice President of Finance for TopBuild Corporation and holding finance leadership positions at Stanley Black & Decker and General Electric's Healthcare and Capital Markets divisions. He began his career as a financial auditor with Ernst and Young LLP.
Rodger Fuller, Chief Operating Officer
Rodger Fuller serves as Chief Operating Officer for Sonoco. He recently stepped back from a temporary role as Interim CEO of Metal Packaging EMEA in November 2025.
Ernest Haynes, President, Consumer Packaging Americas
Ernest Haynes is the President of Consumer Packaging Americas at Sonoco, overseeing rigid paper containers and metal packaging operations in North and South America. He became President of Sonoco Metal Packaging NA in 2022 following the acquisition of Ball Metalpack, and under his leadership, Sonoco also acquired Eviosys. Haynes joined Sonoco in 1997 and has held numerous leadership roles across the Company’s consumer and industrial segments.
Seán Cairns, President, Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC
Seán Cairns was named President, Consumer Packaging, EMEA/APAC, responsible for all Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers operations for EMEA and APAC regions. He joined Sonoco in 2008 and previously served as President of Global Rigid Paper Containers since April 2022. Prior to Sonoco, he worked for Crown's Metal Packaging EMEA business for 13 years, holding various roles from Factory Manager to Business Unit Director.
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The accelerating global shift towards genuinely sustainable, circular, and reusable packaging solutions. This trend, driven by increasing regulatory pressure, corporate sustainability mandates, and evolving consumer preferences, directly challenges Sonoco's existing product lines, particularly multi-material composite containers and certain conventional plastic packaging that face significant recyclability challenges. New entrants and specialized competitors focusing on mono-material designs, advanced molded fiber, and reusable packaging models pose a clear disruptive threat to Sonoco's traditional market share.
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Sonoco Products Company (symbol: SON) operates in diversified packaging markets. The addressable markets for its main products and services are detailed below:
* **Rigid Packaging**
The global rigid packaging market was valued at USD 431.97 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 704.24 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.67% from 2024 to 2032. Asia Pacific held the largest share of this market in 2023 at 44.04%, while the U.S. rigid packaging market is projected to reach USD 141.74 billion by 2032.
* **Rigid Paper Containers**
The global rigid paper containers market was valued at USD 80.76 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 128.54 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.3%. North America accounts for the largest revenue share, with 35.1% in 2024. The Asia-Pacific rigid paper containers market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8.5% from 2025 to 2032. Another report estimates the global rigid paper container market size at USD 80.96 billion in 2024, growing to USD 116 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 3.70% from 2025 to 2034.
* **Metal Packaging**
Sonoco's metal packaging business has grown, particularly in Europe, following the acquisition of Eviosys in December 2024. In the U.S., food can volumes increased by 5%, while aerosol volumes slightly decreased year-over-year. While specific global market size for "metal packaging" was not found as a distinct segment for Sonoco's current offerings, the rigid packaging market overview covers this.
* **Rigid Plastics**
This falls under the broader rigid packaging market.
* **Flexible Packaging**
The global flexible packaging market was valued at USD 258.74 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 406.14 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.96%. Asia Pacific dominated this market with a 41.44% share in 2024. Another estimate places the global flexible packaging market size at USD 336.87 billion in 2025, expecting it to reach USD 415.95 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.31%. Asia Pacific held 45.24% of the flexible packaging industry share in 2024.
* **Industrial Paper Packaging**
This segment includes paperboard tubes, cores, and uncoated recycled paperboard.
* **Paperboard Packaging**
The global paper and paperboard packaging market is projected to reach USD 493.3 billion by 2034, from USD 323.8 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2025 to 2034. Asia Pacific holds the largest market share (40.1%), valued at USD 129.5 billion. Another report indicates the global paper and paperboard packaging market size was USD 376.424 million in 2024, expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.50% from 2024 to 2029. The global paperboard market was valued at USD 146.1 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow to USD 188.97 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period (2025-2032). North America is also a primary market for paperboard packaging materials.
* **Protective Packaging**
* **Molded Foam Components**: Sonoco sold its Protective Solutions unit in early 2024. This business manufactured molded expanded polypropylene and expanded polystyrene foam components. The global molded foam market was valued at USD 16.9 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 4.2% from 2025 to 2034. North America dominated the molded foam market with a revenue of USD 6.2 billion in 2024, with the U.S. contributing USD 4.3 billion. Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest region for molded foam, holding a 42% share by 2035.
* **Temperature-Assured Packaging**: The global temperature controlled packaging solutions market size was valued at USD 16.68 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase to approximately USD 36.35 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 9.04% from 2025 to 2034. North America dominated the global market with the largest market share of 36.49% in 2024. The Asia Pacific temperature controlled packaging solutions market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.65% from 2025 to 2034.
* **Display and Packaging Services**
Sonoco sold its U.S. display and packaging business in 2021.
In summary, for its current core businesses, Sonoco Products participates in the following addressable markets:
* **Global Rigid Packaging Market:** Valued at USD 431.97 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 704.24 billion by 2032.
* **Global Flexible Packaging Market:** Valued at USD 258.74 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 406.14 billion by 2032.
* **Global Paper and Paperboard Packaging Market:** Expected to be worth around USD 323.8 billion in 2024, growing to USD 493.3 billion by 2034.
* **Global Temperature Controlled Packaging Solutions Market (part of Protective Packaging):** Evaluated at USD 16.68 billion in 2025, predicted to increase to approximately USD 36.35 billion by 2034.
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Expected Drivers of Future Revenue Growth for Sonoco Products (SON)
Over the next 2-3 years, Sonoco Products (SON) is expected to drive revenue growth through several key initiatives and market trends:
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Strategic Acquisitions and Integration: The acquisition and ongoing integration of Eviosys (Metal Packaging EMEA) is a significant driver of revenue growth, contributing substantially to net sales in 2025. The company anticipates realizing annual run-rate synergies from this acquisition by the end of 2026.
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Strategic Pricing Initiatives: Sonoco has implemented and continues to utilize price increases to offset the effects of inflation and tariffs, which has been a contributing factor to its revenue growth, particularly within its Consumer Packaging segment.
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Volume Growth in Key Consumer Packaging Segments: Despite some broader market volume softness, specific areas within Sonoco's consumer packaging portfolio are projected for growth. For instance, the company anticipates continued volume growth in metal aerosol cans and food cans.
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Expansion of Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Sonoco is positioned as a global leader in high-value, sustainable packaging, aligning with increasing consumer demand and regulatory mandates. This strategic focus on sustainable packaging is expected to be a significant driver in a market projected to grow at a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
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Operational Efficiencies and Productivity Improvements: Ongoing productivity gains, procurement savings, and fixed cost reductions are enhancing profitability and supporting the company's ability to reinvest in growth initiatives and maintain competitive pricing strategies. These efficiencies contribute to financial stability and capacity for growth.
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Share Repurchases
- Sonoco authorized a $350 million share repurchase program on April 20, 2021.
- The company repurchased $150 million of shares through an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) transaction in May 2021.
- As of December 31, 2024, $138 million remained available under the April 2021 share repurchase authorization.
Outbound Investments
- Sonoco acquired Ball Metalpack for $1.35 billion in cash in January 2022.
- In December 2024, the company completed the acquisition of Eviosys, a leading European metal packaging manufacturer, for approximately $3.8 billion to $3.9 billion.
- Sonoco announced the divestiture of its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging (TFP) business for approximately $1.8 billion (expected to close in the first half of 2025) and agreed to sell its ThermoSafe business unit for up to $725 million (expected to close before year-end 2025), with proceeds intended for debt reduction.
Capital Expenditures
- Capital expenditures averaged approximately $279.9 million annually from 2020 to 2024, peaking at $379.6 million in 2024.
- Expected capital expenditures for 2025 are approximately $360 million, with a focus on driving growth and margin expansion, including new facilities in Thailand, Mexico, and the U.S.
- Recent significant investments have been directed towards productivity projects, expansion of manufacturing capabilities within the Consumer Packaging segment, and the conversion of a corrugated medium machine to an uncoated recycled paperboard machine (Project Horizon), which was largely completed in 2022.
