GRAPHIC PACKAGING HOLDING CO (GPK)

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations is intended to assist you in understanding the Company’s past performance, financial condition and prospects. A detailed discussion of the fiscal 2024 year-over-year changes can be found below and a detailed discussion of fiscal 2023 year-over-year changes can be found in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

Graphic Packaging is a leading global provider of consumer goods packaging made from renewable or recycled materials. The Company designs and manufactures sustainable packaging solutions including cartons, multipack cartons, trays, carriers, paperboard canisters, and cups and bowls, made primarily from unbleached paperboard, recycled paperboard, and bleached paperboard. Paperboard used in its packaging solutions comes from wood fiber, a renewable resource, and from secondary (reused) fiber. Graphic Packaging’s consumer packaging is designed to be recycled, and the Company works across the value chain to make it easier for people to recycle. With this focus, the Company plays an active role in support of the move to a more circular economy and a sustainable future for generations to come. Graphic Packaging’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of everyday consumer packaging is fundamental to our strategy, our goals, and to our business purpose.

The Company serves a wide variety of consumer markets, from food and beverage, to foodservice, household products, beauty and heath care. We produce packaging solutions at over 100 locations in over 20 countries around the world, serving customers and brands ranging from local to multinational consumer products companies and retailers. The Company offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of packaging design, manufacture, and execution capabilities available. Graphic Packaging manufactures a significant amount of the paperboard that it uses to produce packaging solutions, mainly where it believes that self-manufacture provides it with a competitive advantage and allows the Company to deliver better, more consistent results for customers. The Company currently manufactures most of the paperboard it consumes in the Americas and purchases from third parties the majority of the paperboard it consumes in its Europe Paperboard Packaging operations.

Graphic Packaging works closely with its customers to understand their needs and goals and to create new and innovative designs customized to their specific needs. The Company’s approach serves to build and strengthen long-term relationships with purchasing, brand management, marketing, and other key customer functions. The Company is organized to bring the full resources of its global and local innovation, design, and manufacturing capabilities to all of its customers, with the goal of delivering packaging solutions that are more circular, more functional, and more convenient.

The Company competes with a wide range of packaging companies whose primary raw materials are paperboard, plastic, multi-layer laminates, shrink film, paper, corrugated board, bio-based materials and other packaging materials. While circularity and sustainability are increasingly important to customers purchase decisions, the Company also competes on the basis of product innovation, price, and execution capabilities. Many of the Company’s multi-year supply contracts include terms which provide for the pass through of certain costs including raw materials, energy, labor and other manufacturing costs, with the intention of reducing exposure to the volatility of these costs, many of which are outside of the Company’s control.

The Company is implementing strategies (i) to develop and market innovative, packaging products and applications that benefit from consumer-led sustainability trends; (ii) to expand market share in its current markets and to identify and penetrate new markets; (iii) to capitalize on the Company’s customer relationships, business competencies, and manufacturing facilities; and (iv) to continue to reduce costs and drive productivity through operational improvements. The Company’s ability to fully implement its strategies and achieve its objectives may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact that rising interest rates, a global or regional recession, or higher inflation may have on our customers or suppliers. Additionally, we are unable to predict the potential effects that any future pandemic or other global health emergency and widespread military and geopolitical conflicts and other social and political unrest or change, including Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and related sanctions or market disruptions, may have on our business.

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Acquisitions and Dispositions

•On May 1, 2024, the Company completed the sale of its Augusta, Georgia bleached paperboard manufacturing facility (the “Augusta Divestiture”) to Clearwater Paper Corporation for a total consideration of $711 million.

•During 2024, the Company decided to close multiple packaging facilities by the end of 2024 and early 2025. These are in addition to the multiple packaging facilities that the Company decided to close by the end of 2023 and early 2024. Production from these facilities will be consolidated into other existing packaging facilities. Current Assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheet include $15 million relating to multiple packaging facilities that met the held for sale criteria as of December 31, 2024.

•In January 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Tama Paperboard, LLC (“Tama”), a recycled paperboard manufacturing facility located in Tama, Iowa, from Greif Packaging LLC for approximately $100 million. Tama is included within the Paperboard Manufacturing reportable segment. Subsequently, in the second quarter of 2023, the Company closed this facility.

•During 2023, the Company decided to close multiple packaging facilities by the end of 2023 and early 2024. Production from these facilities has been consolidated into other existing packaging facilities.

•On September 8, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Bell Incorporated (“Bell”), adding three packaging facilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Groveport, Ohio for $262 million. Bell is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•During the third quarter of 2023, the Company decided to discontinue the project in Texarkana to modify an existing paperboard machine to add swing capacity between bleached and unbleached paperboard in order to focus growth investments in the strategic expansion of recycled paperboard capacity.

•During the third quarter of 2023, the Company announced its decision to permanently decommission the K3 recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan as part of its recycled paperboard network optimization plan that the Company initiated in 2019.

•During 2022, the Company began the process of divesting its interest in its two packaging facilities in Russia (the “Russian Operations”). The assets and liabilities to be disposed of in connection with this transaction met the held for sale criteria as of June 30, 2022 and each subsequent quarter end through the date of sale, resulting in cumulative impairment charges of $106 million in 2022 and 2023, including $12 million of goodwill impairment. On November 30, 2023, the Company completed the sale of its Russian Operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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2024 COMPARED WITH 2023

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:

The Company's Net Sales in 2024 decreased by $621 million or 6.6%, to $8,807 million from $9,428 million for the same period in 2023, due to the Augusta divestiture and reduced open market paperboard volumes and pricing of bleached paperboard, lower packaging volumes, pricing declines, including pass through of lower input costs in Europe, the divestiture of our two packaging facilities in Russia in 2023 ($92 million) and unfavorable foreign currency exchange ($24 million), partially offset by the acquisition of Bell in September 2023 ($118 million). Innovation sales growth was $205 million driven by conversions to our sustainable consumer packaging solutions. Lower packaging sales in food, household, and health and beauty markets were partially offset by higher packaging sales in foodservice and beverage markets.

Income from Operations

Income from Operations for 2024 decreased $55 million or 5%, to $1,119 million from $1,174 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to the Augusta Divestiture and bleached paperboard price and volume declines, weather, power and equipment maintenance issues of $30 million and incremental planned maintenance expense and market downtime, offset by the gain from the Augusta divestiture of $75 million. Excluding those items, the negative impact of lower pricing and lower packaging volumes, non-commodity (primarily labor and benefits) cost inflation and foreign currency exchange, were offset by performance, including cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, and productivity improvements, including benefits from capital projects, innovation sales growth, favorable commodity deflation (primarily external board and energy, partially offset by secondary fiber and byproducts) and the acquisition of Bell in September 2023. Income from Operations was also favorably impacted by a reduction in impairment charges related to the sale of our Russian operations in 2023 (refer to “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information), a reduction in accelerated depreciation related to the closures of several packaging and paperboard manufacturing facilities of $36 million, and a reduction in charges related to the discontinuation of the Texarkana swing capacity project (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information).

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net was $230 million and $239 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest Expense, Net decreased primarily due to an increase in capitalized interest. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 36% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

During 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $229 million and $210 million, on Income before Income Taxes of $886 million and $932 million, respectively.

The effective tax rate for 2024 is different from the statutory rate primarily due to the write off of non-deductible book goodwill associated with the divestiture of Augusta as well as tax benefits of $16 million related to U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax credits, including purchased tax credits.

The effective tax rate for 2023 was different from the statutory rate primarily due to a decrease in the Company’s valuation allowances in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands of $22 million, the establishment of a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets in Nigeria of $3 million, as well as tax benefits of $22 million related to U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax credits.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was less than $1 million in both 2024 and 2023 and is related to the Company’s equity investment in the Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. joint venture.

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Segment Reporting

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging sold primarily to consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) companies serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets and cups, lids and food containers sold primarily to foodservice companies and quick-service restaurants (“QSR”) in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets, including healthcare and beauty, primarily in Europe.

Paperboard Manufacturing includes the six North American paperboard manufacturing facilities that produce recycled, unbleached and bleached paperboard, which is primarily consumed internally to produce paperboard consumer packaging for the Americas and Europe Paperboard Packaging segments. Paperboard not consumed internally is sold externally to a small group of paperboard packaging converters. The Paperboard Manufacturing segment's Net Sales represent the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Manufacturing segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

The Company allocates certain paperboard manufacturing and corporate costs to the reportable segments to appropriately represent the economics of these segments. The Corporate and Other caption, which does not meet the criteria of a reportable segment, includes the Pacific Rim and Australia operating segments and unallocated corporate and one-time costs.

These segments are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker based primarily on Income from Operations, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

(a) Includes revenue from contracts with customers for the Australia and Pacific Rim operating segments.

(b) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2024 and 2023. See “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information.

(c) Includes expenses related to business combinations, exit activities and other special items. See “Note 1 - General Information” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information

(d) Includes impairment charges related to Russia in 2023 and 2022. See “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information.

(e) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2024. See “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information.

(f) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2024, 2023, and 2022. See “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information.

(g) Includes gain from Augusta Divestiture in 2024. See “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further information.

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2024 COMPARED WITH 2023

Americas Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales decreased due to lower pricing and packaging volumes, partially offset by innovation sales growth driven by conversions to our sustainable consumer packaging solutions, and the acquisition of Bell in September 2023. Lower packaging sales in food and household markets were partially offset by higher packaging sales in the foodservice market.

Income from Operations decreased due to lower pricing and packaging volumes, higher levels of planned maintenance and market downtime, weather and power issues and commodity inflation (primarily secondary fiber and byproducts, partially offset by energy, wood and chemicals) and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits). These decreases were partially offset by performance, including cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, and productivity improvements, including benefits from capital projects, innovation sales growth, and the acquisition of Bell in September 2023. Income from Operations was also favorably impacted by reductions in accelerated depreciation and charges related to the closures of several packaging facilities (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information).

Europe Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales decreased due to lower pricing, predominantly due to pass through of lower input costs, the divestiture of our two packaging facilities in Russia in 2023 and unfavorable foreign currency exchange, partially offset by innovation sales growth driven by conversions to our sustainable consumer packaging solutions and higher volumes. Lower packaging sales in food, health and beauty, and household markets were partially offset by higher packaging sales in the beverage market.

Income from Operations decreased due to lower pricing and accelerated depreciation and charges related to the closure of packaging facilities (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information), partially offset by higher packaging volumes, commodity deflation, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs and favorable foreign currency exchange. The commodity deflation was primarily related to external board, which is passed through to our customers, partially offset by other inflation (primarily labor and benefits). Income from Operations was also favorably impacted by a reduction in impairment charges related to the sale of our Russian operations in 2023. Refer to “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information.

Paperboard Manufacturing

Net Sales decreased due to the Augusta divestiture and reduced open market paperboard volumes and pricing of bleached paperboard.

Income from Operations decreased due to bleached paperboard price and volume declines (including due to the Augusta Divestiture), weather and power issues, incremental planned maintenance expense and market downtime and commodity and other inflation (primarily secondary fiber, byproduct and labor and benefits offset by energy and wood). This decrease was offset by the gain from the Augusta divestiture (refer to “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information) and productivity improvements, including benefits from capital projects. Income from Operations was also favorably impacted by reductions in accelerated depreciation related to the closure of Tama (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information), and a reduction in charges related to the discontinuation of the Texarkana swing capacity project.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company broadly defines liquidity as its ability to generate sufficient funds from both internal and external sources to meet its obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 totaled $840 million, compared to $1,144 million in 2023. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in income from operations, an increase in payments for income taxes, and higher levels of working capital. Pension contributions in 2024 and 2023 were $12 million and $15 million, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2024 totaled $342 million, compared to $1,025 million in 2023. The Company had capital spending of $1,203 million ($1,256 million was capitalized of which $1,169 million was for adding capacity and improving process capabilities, $22 million for capital spares and $34 million for manufacturing packaging machinery) and $804 million ($894 million was capitalized) in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in capital spending was driven by the construction of the Company's new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas. For more information on the construction of the new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas, and continued investments made as part of the integration of acquisitions, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” On May 1, 2024, the Company completed the sale of the Augusta Paperboard Manufacturing Facility to Clearwater Paper Corporation for total cash consideration of $711 million. For further discussion of the Company's Divestiture of the Augusta Paperboard Manufacturing Facility, see “Note 19 - Divestitures” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data". Net cash receipts related to the accounts receivable securitization and sale programs were $152 million and $139 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. In the prior year the Company completed the acquisition of Tama on January 31, 2023 from Greif Packaging LLC for approximately $100 million. The Company also completed the acquisition of Bell Incorporated, adding three packaging facilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Groveport, Ohio for approximately $262 million on September 8, 2023. For further discussion of the Company's acquired coated recycled paperboard manufacturing facility and packaging facilities, see “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Net cash used in financing activities in 2024 totaled $489 million compared to $106 million in 2023. Current year financing activities included a debt drawing of the new incremental term facilities which consist of a $50 million Incremental Term A-5 Facility (the “Incremental A-5 Loan”), a $200 million Incremental Term A-6 Facility (the “Incremental Term A-6 Loan”), an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2032. The net proceeds were used by the Company to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility. The Company also drew $400 million from the senior secured domestic revolving credit facilities and used the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to redeem it's 0.821% Senior Notes due in 2024. The Company also on August 14, 2024 drew $300 million from the senior secured domestic revolving credit facilities and used the proceeds to redeem its 4.125% Senior Notes due in 2024. For further discussion of the Company's newly acquired debt and redemptions, see “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Other current year activities include borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of common stock of $200 million and payments on debt of $23 million. The Company also paid dividends of $122 million and withheld $25 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the payout of restricted stock units. In the prior year the Company made borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of common stock of $54 million, and payments on debt of $26 million. The Company also paid dividends and distributions of $123 million and withheld $22 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding payments related to the payout of restricted stock units.

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

As a result of International Paper Company's final exchange in 2021, the Company currently owns 100% of the outstanding interests in GPIP. GPIP continued to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes despite IP’s exit as a minority partner until September 1, 2022, when, due to an internal restructuring, GPIP became a single member limited liability company, terminating the partnership for income tax purposes. Therefore, GPIL is no longer subject to separate SEC filing requirements. As such, the Company has included Supplemental Guarantor disclosures herein that were previously included in the GPIL SEC filings.

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As discussed in “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” the Senior Notes issued by GPIL (the “Issuer”) are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), which consist of all material 100% owned subsidiaries of the issuer other than its foreign subsidiaries, and in certain instances by the Company (a Parent guarantee) (collectively “the Guarantors”). GPIL's remaining subsidiaries (the “Nonguarantor Subsidiaries”) include all of GPIL’s foreign subsidiaries and immaterial domestic subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Guarantors are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees.

The results of operations, assets, and liabilities for GPHC and GPIL are substantially the same. Therefore, the summarized financial information below is presented on a combined basis, consisting of the Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, the “Obligor Group”), and is presented after the elimination of: (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in the Nonguarantor Subsidiaries.

(a) Includes Net Sales to Nonguarantor Subsidiaries of $586 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects its material cash requirements for the next twelve months will be for: capital expenditures, periodic required income tax payments, periodic interest and debt service payments on associated debt (refer to “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information), lease agreements which have fixed lease payment obligations (refer to “Note 6 - Leases” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information), and minimum purchase commitments (refer to “Note 13 - Commitments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information) along with ongoing operating costs, working capital, share repurchases and dividend payments. The Company expects its primary sources of liquidity to be cash flows from sales and operating activities in the normal course of operations and availability from its revolving credit facilities, as needed. The Company expects that these sources will be sufficient to fund our ongoing cash requirements for the foreseeable future, including at least the next twelve months.

Principal and interest payments under the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facilities, together with principal and interest payments on the Company's 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029, 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 and 6.375% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “Notes”), represent liquidity requirements for the Company. Based upon current levels of operations, anticipated cost savings and expectations as to future growth, the Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under its revolving credit facilities and other available financing sources, will be adequate to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations, necessary capital expenditure program requirements and ongoing operating costs and working capital needs, although no assurance can be given in this regard. The Company's future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance its debt and ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in its debt agreements (see “Covenant Restrictions” below) will be subject to future economic conditions, including conditions in the credit markets, and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and will be substantially dependent on the selling prices and demand for the Company's products, raw material and energy costs, and the Company's ability to successfully implement its overall business and profitability strategies.

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Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the creditworthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

The Company has entered into agreements to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to third party financial institutions. Transfers under these agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense, Net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes the activity under these programs for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively:

(a) Included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and represents a beneficial interest in the receivables sold to the financial institutions, which is a Level 3 fair value measure.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consists principally of collection services, were approximately $778 million and $770 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Company also participates in supply chain financing arrangements offered by certain customers that qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company sold receivables of $1,104 million and $1,136 million, respectively, related to these arrangements.

The Company has arranged a supplier finance program (“SFP”) with a financial intermediary, which provides certain suppliers the option to be paid by the financial intermediary earlier than the due date on the applicable invoice. The transactions are at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and financial institution, and the Company is not a party to the agreements and has no economic interest in the supplier’s decision to sell a receivable. The range of payment terms negotiated by the Company with its suppliers is consistent, irrespective of whether a supplier participates in the program. The agreement with the financial intermediary does not require the Company to provide assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees for the supplier finance program. Amounts due to the Company’s suppliers that elected to participate in the SFP program are included in Accounts Payable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and payments made under the SFP program are reflected in Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The activity of the Company's outstanding obligations confirmed as valid under its SFP for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, is as follows:

Non-cash additions to Property, Plant and Equipment, Net included within Accounts Payable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were $198 million, $145 million and $55 million as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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Covenant Restrictions

Covenants contained in the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures may, among other things, limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase shares, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, modify terms of the Indentures under which the Notes are issued, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Such restrictions, as well as disruptions in the credit markets, could limit the Company's ability to respond to changing market conditions, fund its capital spending program, provide for unexpected capital investments or take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the terms of the Current Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant and a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant.

The Current Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintain a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of less than 4.25 to 1.00. At December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 2.81 to 1.00.

The Company must also comply with a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 7.31 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company's credit was rated BB+ by Standard & Poor's and Ba1 by Moody's Investor Services. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services' ratings on the Company included a stable outlook.

Environmental Matters

Some of the Company’s current and former facilities are the subject of environmental investigations and remediations resulting from historical operations and the release of hazardous substances or other constituents. Some current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which investigation and remediation obligations may be imposed in the future or for which indemnification claims may be asserted against the Company. Also, closures or sales of facilities may necessitate further investigation and may result in remediation at those facilities. The Company has established reserves for those facilities or issues where liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. The Company believes that the amounts accrued for its loss contingencies, and the reasonably possible loss beyond the amounts accrued, are not material to the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For further discussion of the Company’s environmental matters, see “Note 14 - Environmental and Legal Matters” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

International Operations

The Company has packaging facilities and one paperboard manufacturing facility in 20 countries outside of the U.S. and sells its products worldwide. For 2024, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 30% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from export sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, at December 31, 2024, approximately 26% of the Company's total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has significant operations in countries that use the Euro, British pound sterling, Swedish krona, Polish zloty, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Mexico peso or the Japanese yen as their functional currencies. The effect of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies produced a net currency translation adjustment loss of $149 million, which was recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2024. The magnitude and direction of this adjustment in the future depends on the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. See “Financial Instruments” below.

Financial Instruments

The Company pursues a currency hedging program which utilizes derivatives to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its consolidated financial results. Under this program, the Company has previously entered into forward exchange contracts in the normal course of business to hedge certain foreign currency denominated transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded. The Company also pursues a hedging program that utilizes derivatives designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases. Under this program, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted natural gas usage for 2025. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the financial results concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. In addition, the Company has used interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks on future interest payments caused by interest rate changes on its variable rate term loan facility. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See “Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had $30 million of standby letters of credit issued under a separate unsecured facility as of December 31, 2024 as disclosed in “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The Company does not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The critical accounting policies used by management in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, and deferred income taxes.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount. Potential impairment of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. As of October 1, 2024, the Company had seven reporting units, five of which had goodwill.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. If the results of the qualitative analysis of any of the reporting units is inconclusive, or if significant changes in the business have occurred since the last quantitative impairment assessment, the Company will perform a quantitative analysis for those reporting units.

As of October 1, 2024, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative analysis involves calculating the fair value of each reporting unit by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s business plans, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).

Estimating the fair value of the reporting unit involves uncertainties as it requires management to consider a number of factors, including but not limited to, future operating results, business plans, economic projections of revenues and operating margins, estimated future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments used to estimate reporting unit fair value and the related analysis of potential goodwill impairment.

The variability of the assumptions that management uses to perform the goodwill impairment test depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and cash flows. Accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates may materially change from period to period due to changing market factors. If the Company had used other assumptions and estimates or if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results and cash flows could be materially impacted, and judgments and conclusions about the recoverability of goodwill could change. The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing process could also be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Item 1A., Risk Factors” and thus could result in future goodwill impairment charges.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2024. The Company concluded that all reporting units with goodwill have a fair value that exceeded their carrying value, and thus goodwill was not impaired. The discount rate used for each reporting unit ranged from 7% to 8%, and we utilized a transaction multiple of 9.0 times to calculate terminal period cash flows. The Europe reporting unit had a fair value that exceeded its respective carrying value by 24%, whereas all other reporting units exceeded by more than 69%. If we had concluded that it was appropriate to increase the discount rate we used by 100 basis points to estimate the fair value of our respective reporting units, the fair value of each reporting unit would have continued to exceed its carrying amount. The Europe reporting unit had goodwill totaling $500 million. The Company does not believe it is likely that there will be material changes in the assumptions or estimates used to calculate the reporting unit fair values.

Recovery of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets by analyzing operating results and considering significant events or changes in the business environment that may have triggered impairment. The Company reviews long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable by undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the fair value of the asset, which is determined by an income, cost or market approach.

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Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments

According to the Income Taxes topic of the FASB Codification, a valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The FASB Codification provides important factors in determining whether a deferred tax asset will be realized, including whether there has been sufficient taxable income in recent years and whether sufficient income can reasonably be expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. The Company has evaluated the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits would be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration was given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, cumulative pretax book earnings, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company has a valuation allowance of $45 million against its net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions and against domestic deferred tax assets related to certain federal tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2023, a total valuation allowance of $37 million was recorded.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company has provided for deferred U.S. income taxes attributable to future withholding tax expense related to the Company's equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. In addition, the Company provided deferred income taxes for future Canadian withholding tax to the extent of excess cash available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement of its Canadian subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International Canada, ULC. The Company continues to assert that it is permanently reinvested in the cumulative earnings of its Canadian subsidiary in excess of the amount of cash that is on hand and available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement. The Company determined that no deferred tax liability should be recorded related to the outside basis difference of its Canadian subsidiary as of December 31, 2024.

The Company has not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on outside basis differences of approximately $80 million in its other international subsidiaries because of the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest its earnings outside the U.S. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability (primarily withholding tax in certain jurisdictions) on the unremitted earnings or any other associated outside basis differences is not practicable because of the complexities associated with the calculation.

The Company has elected to recognize global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period cost as incurred, therefore there are no deferred taxes recognized for basis differences that are expected to impact the amount of the GILTI inclusion upon reversal.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company, see “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the Company’s past performance, financial condition and prospects. The following will be discussed and analyzed:

•Overview of Business

•Overview of 2023 Results

•Results of Operations

•Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

•Critical Accounting Policies

•New Accounting Standards

•Business Outlook

A detailed discussion of the fiscal 2023 year-over-year changes can be found below and a detailed discussion of fiscal 2022 year-over-year changes can be found in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The Company’s objective is to strengthen its position as a leading provider of consumer packaging made from renewable resources. To achieve this objective, the Company designs and delivers sustainable packaging solutions such as cartons, carriers, paperboard canisters, cups and lids preferred by consumers. Packaging offerings include a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from the Company’s recycled, bleached and unbleached paperboard. Innovative designs and combinations of paperboard, films, foils, metallization, holographic and embossing are customized to the individual needs of the customers.

The Company is implementing strategies (i) to expand market share in its current markets and to identify and penetrate new markets; (ii) to capitalize on the Company’s customer relationships, business competencies, and paperboard manufacturing and packaging facilities; (iii) to develop and market innovative, packaging products and applications that benefit from consumer-led sustainability trends; and (iv) to continue to reduce costs by focusing on operational improvements. The Company’s ability to fully implement its strategies and achieve its objectives may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control, such as inflation of raw material and other costs, which the Company cannot always pass through to its customers, and the effect of overcapacity in the worldwide paperboard packaging industry.

Significant Factors That Impact the Company’s Business and Results of Operations

Impact of Inflation/Deflation. The Company’s cost of sales consists primarily of energy (including natural gas, fuel, oil and electricity), pine and hardwood fiber, chemicals, secondary fibers, purchased paperboard, aluminum foil, ink, plastic films and resins, depreciation expense and labor. Costs increased year over year by $175 million in 2023. The higher costs in 2023 were due to higher labor and benefits ($96 million), other costs, net ($73 million) and commodity inflation costs ($6 million). Other costs, net include manufacturing supplies, property taxes, worker's compensation costs and other insurance costs. Commodity inflation was primarily due to external board ($50 million), mill chemicals ($38 million), factoring ($36 million), converting chemicals ($7 million) and other costs ($15 million) offset by reduced costs for secondary fiber ($55 million), energy ($40 million), freight ($27 million), and wood ($18 million). Because the price of natural gas experiences significant volatility, the Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows caused by changes in the price of natural gas. The Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge prices for a portion of its expected usage for 2024. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for its products, the Company is at times limited in its ability to raise prices and pass through to its customers any inflationary or other cost increases that the Company may incur.

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The Company’s operations and financial results could be adversely impacted by global events outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s operations and financial results could be adversely impacted by global events outside of the Company’s control, such as pandemics or other global health emergencies, or geopolitical conflicts and other social and political unrest or change. As a result of such global events, there could be unpredictable disruptions to the Company’s operations that could limit production, reduce its future revenues and negatively impact the Company’s financial condition. Global events may result in supply chain and transportation disruptions to and from facilities and affected employees could impact the Company’s ability to operate its facilities and distribute products to its customers in a timely fashion. In addition, these global events may result in extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets as well as widespread furloughs and layoffs for workers in the broader economy.

Commitment to Cost Reduction. The Company has programs in place that are designed to reduce costs, improve productivity and increase profitability. The Company utilizes a global continuous improvement initiative that uses statistical process control to help design and manage many types of activities, including production and maintenance. This includes a Six Sigma process focused on reducing variable and fixed manufacturing and administrative costs and the use of Lean Sigma principles in manufacturing and supply chain processes.

The Company’s ability to continue to successfully implement its business strategies and to realize anticipated savings and operating efficiencies is subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. If the Company cannot successfully implement its strategic cost reductions or other cost savings plans, it may not be able to continue to compete successfully against other manufacturers. In addition, any failure to generate anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Competition and Market Factors. As some products can be packaged in different types of materials, the Company’s sales are affected by competition from other manufacturers’ recycled, bleached and unbleached paperboard, folding box board, and recycled clay-coated news. Additional substitute products also include plastic, shrink film, corrugated containers and reusables. In addition, while the Company has long-term relationships with many of its customers, the underlying contracts may be re-bid or renegotiated from time to time, and the Company may not be successful in renewing on favorable terms or at all. The Company works to maintain market share through efficiency, product innovation, improved circularity, service and strategic sourcing to its customers; however, pricing and other competitive pressures may occasionally result in the loss of a customer relationship.

In addition, the Company’s sales are driven by consumer buying habits in the markets its customers serve. The Company has historically reported net organic sales growth supported by its introduction of new packaging products to meet the consumers' desire for recyclable, sustainable consumer packaging solutions. Changes in consumer dietary habits and preferences, increases in the costs of living, unemployment rates, access to credit markets, as well as other macroeconomic factors, may negatively affect consumer spending behavior. New product introductions and promotional activity by the Company’s customers can also impact its sales.

Debt Obligations. The Company had an aggregate principal amount of $5,396 million of outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2023. This debt has consequences for the Company, as it requires a portion of cash flow from operations to be used for the payment of principal and interest, exposes the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and may restrict the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing. The Covenants in the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Current Credit Agreement”) and the indentures governing the 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Indentures”) may, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase stock, pay dividends, make other restricted payments and make acquisitions or other investments. The Current Credit Agreement also requires compliance with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Company’s ability to comply in future periods with the financial covenants will depend on its ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to many other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. See “Covenant Restrictions” in “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding the Company’s debt obligations.

The debt and the restrictions under the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures could limit the Company’s flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The outstanding debt obligations and the restrictions may also leave the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business, or unable to carry out capital expenditures that are necessary or important to its growth strategy and productivity improvement programs.

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

This management’s discussion and analysis contains an analysis of Net Sales, Income from Operations and other information relevant to an understanding of the Company's results of operations. On a Consolidated basis:

•Net Sales in 2023 decreased by $12 million or 0.1%, to $9,428 million from $9,440 million in 2022 due to lower organic sales and lower volume of open market sales, partially offset by higher pricing, new product introductions, the acquisition of Bell, and favorable foreign exchange.

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•Income from Operations in 2023 increased by $268 million or 30%, to $1,174 million from $906 million in 2022 due to higher pricing, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, and new product introductions, partially offset by lower open market volume, lower organic sales, a higher level of maintenance and market downtime, and unfavorable commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits). Income from Operations was also reduced by unfavorable foreign exchange, accelerated depreciation related to the closure of three smaller recycled paperboard manufacturing facilities, charges and accelerated depreciation related to the closures of multiple packaging facilities, charges and accelerated depreciation related to the Company's decision to decommission its K3 recycled Paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan and charges related to the discontinuation of the Texarkana swing capacity project. Income from Operations also increased due to a reduction in impairment charges in 2023 compared to 2022 related to the sale of its Russian Operations.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

•In January 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Tama, a recycled paperboard manufacturing facility located in Tama, Iowa, from Greif Packaging LLC for approximately $100 million. It is reported within the Paperboard Manufacturing reportable segment. Subsequently, in the second quarter of 2023, the Company closed this facility.

•During 2023, the Company decided to close multiple packaging facilities by the end of 2023 and early 2024. Production from these facilities will be consolidated into our existing packaging network.

•On September 8, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Bell, adding three packaging facilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Groveport, Ohio for $264 million. Bell is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•During the third quarter of 2023, the Company announced its decision to permanently decommission the K3 recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan as part of its recycled paperboard network optimization plan that the Company initiated in 2019.

•During the third quarter of 2023, the Company decided to discontinue the project in Texarkana to modify an existing paperboard machine to add swing capacity between bleached and unbleached paperboard in order to focus growth investments in the strategic expansion of coated recycled paperboard capacity.

•During 2022, the Company began the process of divesting its interest in its two packaging facilities in Russia (the “Russian Operations”). The assets and liabilities to be disposed of in connection with this transaction met the held for sale criteria as of June 30, 2022 and each subsequent quarter end through the date of sale, resulting in cumulative impairment charges of $106 million in 2022 and 2023, including $12 million of goodwill impairment. On November 30, 2023, the Company completed the sale of its Russian Operations.

•In May 2022, the Company closed the Battle Creek, Michigan recycled paperboard manufacturing facility.

•In September 2022, the Company closed its Norwalk, Ohio packaging facility, which it had announced to close in March 2022.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

•On July 27, 2023, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional share repurchase program to allow the Company to purchase up to $500 million of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and Rule 10b5-1 plans (the “2023 share repurchase program”). The previous $500 million share repurchase program was authorized January 28, 2019 (the “2019 share repurchase program”).

•During 2023, the Company repurchased 2,389,224 shares of its common stock at an average price of $22.80 under the 2019 share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has $565 million available for additional repurchases under the 2023 and 2019 share repurchase programs.

•During 2023, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $123 million.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2023 COMPARED WITH 2022

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:

The Company's Net Sales in 2023 decreased by $12 million or 0.1%, to $9,428 million from $9,440 million for the same period in 2022, due to lower organic sales and lower volumes of open market sales. Such decrease was partially offset by higher pricing, new product introductions, favorable foreign exchange, primarily the Euro, Mexican Peso, and British Pound, partially offset by the Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar and the acquisition of Bell in September 2023. Core packaging volumes were lower in beverage, cereal, dry foods, frozen foods, dairy, convenience, and healthcare, partially offset by higher packaging volumes in foodservice, tissue and beauty.

Income from Operations

The components of the change in Income from Operations are as follows:

(a) Includes the Company's cost reduction initiatives, planned mill maintenance costs and market downtime, expenses related to acquisitions and integration activities, exit activities, and other special charges.

The Company's Income from Operations for 2023 increased $268 million or 30%, to $1,174 million from $906 million for the same period in 2022 due to higher pricing, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs and new product introductions. The increase was partially offset by lower open market volume, lower organic sales, unfavorable commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), higher levels of maintenance and market downtime, unfavorable foreign exchange, accelerated depreciation and charges related to the closure of three smaller recycled paperboard manufacturing facilities (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for additional information), accelerated depreciation, charges related to the Company's decision to decommission its K3 recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the discontinuation of the Texarkana swing capacity project during the third quarter of 2023. Income from Operations also increased due to a reduction in impairment charges in 2023 compared to 2022 related to the sale of the Company's Russian Operations. Refer to “Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for additional information.

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Inflation in 2023 increased due to higher labor and benefits ($96 million), other costs, net ($73 million) and commodity inflation costs ($6 million). Other costs, net include manufacturing supplies, property taxes, worker's compensation costs and other insurance costs. Commodity inflation was primarily due to external board ($50 million), mill chemicals ($38 million), factoring ($36 million), converting chemicals ($7 million) and other costs ($15 million), offset by secondary fiber ($55 million), energy ($40 million), freight ($27 million), and wood ($18 million).

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net was $239 million and $197 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest Expense, Net increased due to higher interest rates and higher debt balances. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 20% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

During 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $210 million and $194 million, on Income before Income Taxes of $932 million and $716 million, respectively.

The effective tax rate for 2023 was different from the statutory rate primarily due to a decrease in the Company’s valuation allowances in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands of $22 million, the establishment of a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets in Nigeria of $3 million, as well as tax benefits of $22 million related to U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax credits.

The effective tax rate for 2022 was different from the statutory rate primarily due to impairment charges from the planned sale of the Company’s Russian business that resulted in no corresponding tax benefit in addition to the mix of earnings between foreign and domestic jurisdictions, including those with and without valuation allowances. The Company also recognized $10 million of tax expense to release the tax expense remaining in Other Comprehensive Income after the settlement of certain swaps during the period, which increased the effective tax rate.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was $1 million in 2023 and less than $1 million in 2022 and is related to the Company’s equity investment in the Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. joint venture.

Segment Reporting

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

Paperboard Manufacturing, previously referred to as the Paperboard Mills reportable segment, includes the seven North American paperboard manufacturing facilities that produce recycled, unbleached and bleached paperboard, which is consumed internally to produce paperboard consumer packaging for the Americas and Europe Packaging segments. Paperboard not consumed internally is sold externally to a wide variety of paperboard packaging converters and brokers. The Paperboard Manufacturing segment's Net Sales represent the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Manufacturing segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging sold primarily to consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) companies and cups, lids and food containers sold primarily to foodservice companies and quick-service restaurants (“QSR”) serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging, primarily cartons, sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets including healthcare and beauty products primarily in Europe.

The Company allocates certain paperboard manufacturing and corporate costs to the reportable segments to appropriately represent the economics of these segments. The Corporate and Other caption includes the Pacific Rim and Australia operating segments and unallocated corporate and one-time costs.

These segments are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker based primarily on Income from Operations, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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(a) Includes revenue from contracts with customers for the Australia and Pacific Rim operating segments.

(b) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2023, 2022, and 2021. See “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for further information.

(c) Includes expenses related to business combinations, exit activities and other special charges. See “Note 1 - General Information” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for further information.

(d) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2023. See “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for further information.

(e) Includes impairment charges related to Russia. See “Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for further information.

2023 COMPARED WITH 2022

Paperboard Manufacturing

Net Sales decreased due to lower open market volume, partially offset by higher pricing.

Income from Operations decreased due to lower open market volume, higher levels of maintenance and market downtime, accelerated depreciation and charges related to the closure of the three recycled paperboard manufacturing facilities (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for additional information), other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), accelerated depreciation and charges related to the Company's decision to decommission its K3 recycled paperboard machine, and charges related to the discontinuation of the Texarkana swing capacity project. The decrease was partially offset by higher pricing, productivity improvements, including benefits from capital projects, and commodity deflation, primarily secondary fiber, energy, wood and freight partially offset by chemicals.

Americas Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to higher pricing and new product introductions driven by conversions to our sustainable consumer packaging solutions and the acquisition of Bell in September 2023, partially offset by lower organic sales. Lower packaging volumes in beverage, cereal, dry foods, frozen foods, and dairy were partially offset by higher packaging volumes in foodservice and tissue. In beverage, packaging volumes decreased in big beer, craft beer, specialty beverages and soft drinks.

Income from Operations increased due to higher pricing and cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, partially offset by commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), higher levels of maintenance and market downtime and charges related to the closures of packaging facilities (refer to “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for additional information). The commodity inflation was primarily due to higher prices for external board, chemicals, and factoring, partially offset by lower costs for secondary fiber, energy, freight and wood.

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Europe Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to higher pricing, mix, new product introductions driven by conversions to our sustainable consumer packaging solutions and favorable foreign currency exchange, partially offset by lower organic sales in beverage, convenience, healthcare and food partially offset by higher volumes in foodservice and beauty.

Income from Operations increased due to higher pricing and cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, partially offset by commodity inflation primarily related to external board, energy and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), unfavorable foreign currency exchange and lower organic sales. Income from Operations also increased due to a reduction in impairment charges related to the sale of its Russian operations. Refer to “Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” for additional information.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company broadly defines liquidity as its ability to generate sufficient funds from both internal and external sources to meet its obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects its material cash requirements for the next twelve months will be for: capital expenditures, periodic required income tax payments, periodic interest and debt service payments on associated debt (as discussed in Note 5), lease agreements which have fixed lease payment obligations (as discussed in Note 6), and minimum purchase commitments (as discussed in Note 13) along with ongoing operating costs, working capital, share repurchases and dividend payments. The Company expects its primary sources of liquidity to be cash flows from sales and operating activities in the normal course of operations and availability from its revolving credit facilities, as needed. The Company expects that these sources will be sufficient to fund our ongoing cash requirements for the foreseeable future, including at least the next twelve months.

Principal and interest payments under the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facilities, together with principal and interest payments on the Company's 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), represent liquidity requirements for the Company. Based upon current levels of operations, anticipated cost savings and expectations as to future growth, the Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under its revolving credit facilities and other available financing sources, will be adequate to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations, necessary capital expenditure program requirements and ongoing operating costs and working capital needs, although no assurance can be given in this regard. The Company's future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance its debt and ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in its debt agreements (see “Covenant Restrictions” below) will be subject to future economic conditions, including conditions in the credit markets, and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and will be substantially dependent on the selling prices and demand for the Company's products, raw material and energy costs, and the Company's ability to successfully implement its overall business and profitability strategies.

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the creditworthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

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The Company has entered into agreements to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to third party financial institutions. Transfers under these agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense (Income), Net line item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table summarizes the activity under these programs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

(a) Included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and represents a beneficial interest in the receivables sold to the financial institutions, which is a Level 3 fair value measure.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consist principally of collection services, were approximately $770 million and $753 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company also participates in supply chain financing arrangements offered by certain customers that qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company sold receivables of $1,136 million and $1,124 million, respectively, related to these arrangements.

The Company has arranged a supplier finance program (“SFP”) with a financial intermediary, which provides certain suppliers the option to be paid by the financial intermediary earlier than the due date on the applicable invoice. The transactions are at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and financial institution, and the Company is not a party to the agreements and has no economic interest in the supplier’s decision to sell a receivable. The range of payment terms negotiated by the Company with its suppliers is consistent, irrespective of whether a supplier participates in the program. The agreement with the financial intermediary does not require the Company to provide assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees for the supplier finance program. Amounts due to the Company’s suppliers that elected to participate in the SFP program are included in Accounts Payable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and payments made under the SFP program are reflected in Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The rollforwards of the Company's outstanding obligations confirmed as valid under its SFP for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, are as follows:

Non-cash additions to Property, Plant and Equipment, Net included within Accounts Payable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were $145 million, $55 million and $169 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Cash Flows

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Net cash provided by operating activities in 2023 totaled $1,144 million, compared to $1,090 million in 2022. The favorable increase was mainly due to an increase in income from operations, offset by higher levels of working capital. Pension contributions in 2023 and 2022 were $15 million and $24 million, respectively. In the first quarter of 2022, the Company made a $6 million contribution to its remaining U.S. defined benefit plan by effectively utilizing the excess balance related to its U.S. defined benefit plan terminated in 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2023 totaled $1,025 million, compared to $435 million in 2022. The Company completed the acquisition of Tama on January 31, 2023 from Greif Packaging LLC for approximately $100 million. The Company also completed the acquisition of Bell for approximately $264 million on September 8, 2023 (including cash acquired of $3 million). For further discussion of the Company's acquired recycled paperboard manufacturing facility and packaging facilities, see “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Capital spending was $804 million and $549 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in capital spending was driven by the construction of the Company's new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas. For more information on the construction of the new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas, refer to the Capital Investment section below. Net cash receipts related to the accounts receivable securitization and sale programs were $139 million and $119 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2023 totaled $106 million compared to $666 million in 2022. Current year financing activities included borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of common stock of $54 million and payments on debt of $26 million. The Company also paid dividends of $123 million and withheld $22 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the payout of restricted stock units. During 2022, the Company also made borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of common stock of $28 million and payments on debt of $14 million. As further discussed in “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” 2022 activities included the redemption of the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022 of $250 million. The Company also paid dividends and distributions of $92 million and withheld $18 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding payments related to the payout of restricted stock units.

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

As a result of International Paper Company's final exchange in 2021, the Company currently owns 100% of the outstanding interests in GPIP. GPIP continued to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes despite IP’s exit as a minority partner until September 1, 2022, when, due to an internal restructuring, GPIP became a single member limited liability company, terminating the partnership for income tax purposes. Therefore, GPIL is no longer subject to separate SEC filing requirements. As such, the Company has included Supplemental Guarantor disclosures herein that were previously included in the GPIL SEC filings.

As discussed in “Note 5 - Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” the Senior Notes issued by GPIL (the “Issuer”) are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), which consist of all material 100% owned subsidiaries of the issuer other than its foreign subsidiaries, and in certain instances by the Company (a Parent guarantee) (collectively “the Guarantors”). GPIL's remaining subsidiaries (the “Nonguarantor Subsidiaries”) include all of GPIL’s foreign subsidiaries and immaterial domestic subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Guarantors are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees.

The results of operations, assets, and liabilities for GPHC and GPIL are substantially the same. Therefore, the summarized financial information below is presented on a combined basis, consisting of the Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, the “Obligor Group”), and is presented after the elimination of: (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in the Nonguarantor Subsidiaries.

(a) Includes Net Sales to Nonguarantor Subsidiaries of $520 million.

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Covenant Restrictions

Covenants contained in the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures may, among other things, limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase shares, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, modify terms of the Indentures under which the Notes are issued, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Such restrictions, as well as disruptions in the credit markets, could limit the Company's ability to respond to changing market conditions, fund its capital spending program, provide for unexpected capital investments or take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the terms of the Current Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant and a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant.

The Current Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintain a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of less than 4.25 to 1.00. At December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 2.58 to 1.00.

The Company must also comply with a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 7.96 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company's credit was rated BB+ by Standard & Poor's and Ba1 by Moody's Investor Services. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services' ratings on the Company included a stable outlook.

Capital Investment

The Company’s capital investments in 2023 were $885 million ($804 million was paid), compared to $430 million ($549 million was paid) in 2022. During 2023, the Company had capital spending of $838 million for adding capacity and improving process capabilities, $24 million for capital spares and $23 million for manufacturing packaging machinery. The increase is primarily driven by the ongoing construction of the Company's new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas. For further discussion of the Company's new recycled paperboard manufacturing facility and continued investments made as part of the integration of acquisitions, see “Note 18 - Exit Activities” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” In 2022, the capital investments were primarily due to planned asset upgrades at the U.S.-based paperboard manufacturing facilities, including the now completed recycled paperboard machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Interest is capitalized on assets under construction for one year or longer with an estimated spending of $1 million or more. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Capitalized interest was $8 million and $5 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Environmental Matters

Some of the Company’s current and former facilities are the subject of environmental investigations and remediations resulting from historical operations and the release of hazardous substances or other constituents. Some current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which investigation and remediation obligations may be imposed in the future or for which indemnification claims may be asserted against the Company. Also, closures or sales of facilities may necessitate further investigation and may result in remediation at those facilities. The Company has established reserves for those facilities or issues where liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. The Company believes that the amounts accrued for its loss contingencies, and the reasonably possible loss beyond the amounts accrued, are not material to the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For further discussion of the Company’s environmental matters, see “Note 14 - Environmental and Legal Matters” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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International Operations

The Company has packaging facilities and one paperboard manufacturing facility in 20 countries outside of the U.S. and sells its products worldwide. For 2023, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 30% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from export sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, at December 31, 2023, approximately 27% of the Company's total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has significant operations in countries that use the Euro, British pound sterling, Swedish krona, Polish zloty, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Mexico peso or the Japanese yen as their functional currencies. The effect of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies produced a net currency translation adjustment loss of $65 million, which was recorded in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended December 31, 2023. The magnitude and direction of this adjustment in the future depends on the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. See “Financial Instruments” below.

Financial Instruments

The Company pursues a currency hedging program which utilizes derivatives to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its consolidated financial results. Under this program, the Company has previously entered into forward exchange contracts in the normal course of business to hedge certain foreign currency denominated transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded. The Company also pursues a hedging program that utilizes derivatives designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases. Under this program, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted natural gas usage for 2024. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the financial results concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. In addition, the Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks on future interest payments caused by interest rate changes on its variable rate term loan facility. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See “Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The critical accounting policies used by management in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to acquisitions, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, and deferred income taxes.

Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company allocated the purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any excess of the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets over the purchase price is recorded as a gain on bargain purchase. The estimates used to determine the fair value of long-lived assets, such as intangible assets, can be complex and require significant judgments. Therefore, we use information available to us to make fair value determinations and often engage independent valuation specialists, when necessary, to assist in the fair value determination of significant, acquired long-lived assets. The determination of fair value requires estimates about discount rates, growth and retention rates, royalty rates, expected future cash flows and other future events that are judgmental in nature. While we use our best estimates and assumptions as a part of the purchase price allocation process, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we are permitted to record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income. The Company is also required to estimate the useful lives of intangible assets to determine the amount of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense to record in future periods. Such useful lives are determined based upon the expected period of future cash flows to be generated by the intangible asset. The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets to determine whether such estimated useful lives continue to be appropriate.

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On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of AR Packaging (the “AR Transaction”), through the acquisition of all of the shares of AR Packaging for cash of $1,412 million, net of cash acquired of $75 million. AR Packaging’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial results since the acquisition date. The Company allocated the fair value of purchase consideration transferred to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. The Company identified that the acquired assets included customer relationships, which were assigned a fair value of $439 million using a discounted cash flow analysis. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company finalized acquisition accounting, which resulted in a decrease of $38 million to customer relationships. Significant assumptions in valuing this asset included the discount rate, annual revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, projected operating expenses, projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) margins, tax rate, depreciation, contributory asset charge, and future earnings projections among others. The Company believes the estimates applied to be based on reasonable assumptions, but which are inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results may differ from the assumptions and judgments used to determine fair value of the assets acquired, which could result in material impairment losses in the future. Additional information regarding our acquisitions is included in “Note 4 - Business Combinations” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount. Potential impairment of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. As of October 1, 2023, the Company had seven reporting units, five of which had goodwill.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. If the results of the qualitative analysis of any of the reporting units is inconclusive, or if significant changes in the business have occurred since the last quantitative impairment assessment, the Company will perform a quantitative analysis for those reporting units.

As of October 1, 2023, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative analysis involves calculating the fair value of each reporting unit by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s business plans, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).

Estimating the fair value of the reporting unit involves uncertainties as it requires management to consider a number of factors, including but not limited to, future operating results, business plans, economic projections of revenues and operating margins, estimated future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments used to estimate reporting unit fair value and the related analysis of potential goodwill impairment.

The variability of the assumptions that management uses to perform the goodwill impairment test depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and cash flows. Accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates may materially change from period to period due to changing market factors. If the Company had used other assumptions and estimates or if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results and cash flows could be materially impacted, and judgments and conclusions about the recoverability of goodwill could change. The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing process could also be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Item 1A., Risk Factors” and thus could result in future goodwill impairment charges.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2023. The Company concluded that all reporting units with goodwill have a fair value that exceeded their carrying value, and thus goodwill was not impaired. The discount rate used for each reporting unit ranged from 8% to 9%, and we utilized a transaction multiple of 8.0 times to calculate terminal period cash flows. The Europe reporting unit had a fair value that exceeded its respective carrying value by 26%, whereas all other reporting units exceeded by more than 90%. If we had concluded that it was appropriate to increase the discount rate we used by 100 basis points to estimate the fair value of our respective reporting units, the fair value of each reporting unit would have continued to exceed its carrying amount. The Europe reporting unit had goodwill totaling $462 million. The Company does not believe it is likely that there will be material changes in the assumptions or estimates used to calculate the reporting unit fair values.

Recovery of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets by analyzing operating results and considering significant events or changes in the business environment that may have triggered impairment. The Company reviews long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable by undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the fair value of the asset, which is determined by an income, cost or market approach.

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Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments

According to the Income Taxes topic of the FASB Codification, a valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The FASB Codification provides important factors in determining whether a deferred tax asset will be realized, including whether there has been sufficient taxable income in recent years and whether sufficient income can reasonably be expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. The Company has evaluated the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits would be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration was given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, cumulative pretax book earnings, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company has a valuation allowance of $37 million against its net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions and against domestic deferred tax assets related to certain federal tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2022, a total valuation allowance of $57 million was recorded.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company has provided for deferred U.S. income taxes attributable to future withholding tax expense related to the Company's equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. In addition, the Company provided deferred income taxes for future Canadian withholding tax to the extent of excess cash available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement of its Canadian subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International Canada, ULC. The Company continues to assert that it is permanently reinvested in the cumulative earnings of its Canadian subsidiary in excess of the amount of cash that is on hand and available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement. The Company determined that no deferred tax liability should be recorded related to the outside basis difference of its Canadian subsidiary as of December 31, 2023.

The Company has not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on outside basis differences of approximately $92 million in its other international subsidiaries because of the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest its earnings outside the U.S. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability (primarily withholding tax in certain jurisdictions) on the unremitted earnings or any other associated outside basis differences is not practicable because of the complexities associated with the calculation.

The Company has elected to recognize global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period cost as incurred, therefore there are no deferred taxes recognized for basis differences that are expected to impact the amount of the GILTI inclusion upon reversal.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company, see “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Total capital investment for 2024 is expected to be approximately $950 million.

The Company also expects the following in 2024:

•Depreciation and amortization expense between $590 million and $610 million.

•Pension plan contributions between $10 million and $20 million.

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the Company’s past performance, financial condition and prospects. The following will be discussed and analyzed:

•Overview of Business

•Overview of 2022 Results

•Results of Operations

•Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

•Critical Accounting Policies

•New Accounting Standards

•Business Outlook

A detailed discussion of the fiscal 2022 year-over-year changes can be found below and a detailed discussion of fiscal 2021 year-over-year changes can be found in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The Company’s objective is to strengthen its position as a leading provider of recyclable, fiber-based consumer packaging solutions. To achieve this objective, the Company offers customers its paperboard, cartons, cups, lids, foodservice containers and packaging machines, either as an integrated solution or separately. Cartons, carriers and containers are designed to protect and hold products. Product offerings include a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from the Company’s coated recycled paperboard ("CRB"), coated unbleached kraft paperboard ("CUK") and solid bleached sulfate paperboard ("SBS"). Innovative designs and combinations of paperboard, films, foils, metallization, holographic and embossing are customized to the individual needs of the customers.

The Company is implementing strategies (i) to expand market share in its current markets and to identify and penetrate new markets; (ii) to capitalize on the Company’s customer relationships, business competencies, and mills and folding carton assets; (iii) to develop and market innovative, packaging products and applications that benefit from consumer-led sustainability trends; and (iv) to continue to reduce costs by focusing on operational improvements. The Company’s ability to fully implement its strategies and achieve its objectives may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control, such as inflation of raw material and other costs, which the Company cannot always pass through to its customers, and the effect of overcapacity in the worldwide paperboard packaging industry.

Significant Factors That Impact the Company’s Business and Results of Operations

Impact of Inflation/Deflation. The Company’s cost of sales consists primarily of energy (including natural gas, fuel oil and electricity), pine and hardwood fiber, chemicals, secondary fibers, purchased paperboard, aluminum foil, ink, plastic films and resins, depreciation expense and labor. Costs increased year over year by $710 million in 2022. The higher costs in 2022 were due to higher commodity inflation costs ($598 million), labor and benefits ($50 million), and other costs, net ($62 million). Commodity inflation was primarily due to external board ($173 million), mill chemicals ($128 million), energy ($110 million), wood ($55 million), freight ($44 million), converting chemicals ($40 million) secondary fiber ($31 million), and other costs ($17 million). Because the price of natural gas experiences significant volatility, the Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows caused by changes in the price of natural gas. The Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge prices for a portion of its expected usage for 2022 and 2023. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for its products, the Company is at times limited in its ability to raise prices and pass through to its customers any inflationary or other cost increases that the Company may incur.

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The Company’s operations and financial results could be adversely impacted by global events outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s operations and financial results could be adversely impacted by global events outside of the Company’s control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As a result of such global events, there could be unpredictable disruptions to the Company’s operations that could limit production, reduce its future revenues and negatively impact the Company’s financial condition. These global events may result in supply chain and transportation disruptions to and from our facilities and affected employees could impact the Company’s ability to operate its facilities and distribute products to its customers in a timely fashion. In addition, these global events may result in extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets as well as widespread furloughs and layoffs for workers in the broader economy. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company began the process of selling its interests in its two folding carton plants in Russia (the "Russian Operations"), which it expects to complete within the next six months. The Company is adhering to all U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions. In 2022, the Company's Russian Operations provided approximately 1% of the Company’s Net Sales and approximately 1% of the Company's EBITDA. Refer to "Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Commitment to Cost Reduction. In light of continuing margin pressure throughout the packaging industry, the Company has programs in place that are designed to reduce costs, improve productivity and increase profitability. The Company utilizes a global continuous improvement initiative that uses statistical process control to help design and manage many types of activities, including production and maintenance. This includes a Six Sigma process focused on reducing variable and fixed manufacturing and administrative costs and the use of Lean Sigma principles in manufacturing and supply chain processes.

The Company’s ability to continue to successfully implement its business strategies and to realize anticipated savings and operating efficiencies is subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. If the Company cannot successfully implement the strategic cost reductions or other cost savings plans it may not be able to continue to compete successfully against other manufacturers. In addition, any failure to generate the anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Competition and Market Factors. As some products can be packaged in different types of materials, the Company’s sales are affected by competition from other manufacturers’ CRB, CUK, SBS, folding box board, and recycled clay-coated news. Additional substitute products also include plastic, shrink film and corrugated containers. In addition, while the Company has long-term relationships with many of its customers, the underlying contracts may be re-bid or renegotiated from time to time, and the Company may not be successful in renewing on favorable terms or at all. The Company works to maintain market share through efficiency, product innovation, service and strategic sourcing to its customers; however, pricing and other competitive pressures may occasionally result in the loss of a customer relationship.

In addition, the Company’s sales are driven by consumer buying habits in the markets its customers serve. Recently, the Company has seen net organic sales growth driven by the consumers' desire for recyclable, fiber-based packaging solutions. Changes in consumer dietary habits and preferences, increases in the costs of living, unemployment rates, access to credit markets, as well as other macroeconomic factors, may negatively affect consumer spending behavior. New product introductions and promotional activity by the Company’s customers and the Company’s introduction of new packaging products also impact its sales.

Debt Obligations. The Company had an aggregate principal amount of $5,283 million of outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2022. This debt has consequences for the Company, as it requires a portion of cash flow from operations to be used for the payment of principal and interest, exposes the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and may restrict the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing. Covenants in the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Current Credit Agreement”) and the indentures governing the 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Indentures”) may, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase stock, pay dividends, make other restricted payments and make acquisitions or other investments. The Current Credit Agreement also requires compliance with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Company’s ability to comply in future periods with the financial covenants will depend on its ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to many other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. See "Covenant Restrictions" in “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding the Company’s debt obligations.

The debt and the restrictions under the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures could limit the Company’s flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The outstanding debt obligations and the restrictions may also leave the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business, or unable to carry out capital expenditures that are necessary or important to its growth strategy and productivity improvement programs.

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OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

This management’s discussion and analysis contains an analysis of Net Sales, Income from Operations and other information relevant to an understanding of the Company's results of operations. On a Consolidated basis:

•Net Sales in 2022 increased by $2,284 million or 32%, to $9,440 million from $7,156 million in 2021 due to the acquisitions of Americraft and AR Packaging in 2021, higher selling prices, increased volume from conversions to fiber-based packaging solutions and higher volume of open market sales, and partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange.

•Income from Operations in 2022 increased by $499 million or 123%, to $906 million from $407 million in 2021 due to higher pricing, higher volumes from organic sales growth and acquisitions, higher volume of open market sales, the positive contribution to volume and performance of the new CRB machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan and product mix, partially offset by unfavorable commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), higher variable incentives, unfavorable foreign exchange, and higher depreciation and amortization.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

•On July 1, 2021, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Americraft, the largest independent folding carton converter in North America. The acquisition included seven converting plants across the United States and is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•On November 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the shares of AR Packaging, Europe's second largest producer of fiber-based consumer packaging. The acquisition included 30 converting plants in 13 countries and is reported within the Europe Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•In May 2022, the Company closed the Battle Creek, MI CRB mill.

•In May 2022, the Company committed to sell its two folding carton plants in Russia and classified the facilities as held for sale, resulting in impairment charges of $96 million, including $12 million of goodwill impairment in 2022.

•In September 2022, the Company closed its Norwalk, Ohio carton facility, which it had announced to close in March 2022.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

•During 2022, the Company repurchased 1,315,839 shares of its common stock at an average price of $20.91 under the 2019 share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has $119 million available for additional repurchases under the 2019 share repurchase program.

•During 2022, the Company declared cash dividends of $99 million and paid cash dividends of $92 million.

•On September 22, 2022 the Company's board of directors voted to increase the quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share of common stock, a 33% increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $0.075. The dividend was paid on January 5, 2023, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2022.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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2022 COMPARED WITH 2021

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:

The Company's Net Sales in 2022 increased by $2,284 million or 32%, to $9,440 million from $7,156 million for the same period in 2021, due to $1,088 million of net sales related to the acquisitions of Americraft in Q3 2021 and AR Packaging in Q4 2021, higher selling prices, increased volume from conversions to fiber-based packaging solutions, new product introductions and higher volume of open market sales, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rates, primarily the Euro, British Pound, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Japanese Yen, and Mexican Peso. Core converting volumes were up driven by cereal, dry foods, and frozen pizza, and partially offset by lower volumes in beverage, frozen foods, and bakery.

Income from Operations

The components of the change in Income from Operations are as follows:

(a) Includes the Company's cost reduction initiatives, planned mill maintenance costs, expenses related to acquisitions and integration activities, exit activities, and shutdown and other special charges.

The Company's Income from Operations for 2022 increased $499 million or 123%, to $906 million from $407 million for the same period in 2021 due to higher pricing, higher volumes from organic sales growth and acquisitions, higher volume of open market sales, the positive contribution to volume and performance of the new CRB machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan and mix, partially offset by unfavorable commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), unfavorable foreign exchange, higher variable incentives, and higher depreciation and amortization.

Inflation in 2022 increased due to higher commodity inflation costs ($598 million), labor and benefits ($50 million), and other costs, net ($62 million). Commodity inflation was primarily due to external board ($173 million), mill chemicals ($128 million), energy ($110 million), wood ($55 million), freight ($44 million), converting chemicals ($40 million) secondary fiber ($31 million), and other costs ($17 million).

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net was $197 million and $123 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest Expense, Net increased due to higher debt balances and interest rates. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 32% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

Income Tax Expense

During 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $194 million and $74 million, on Income before Income Taxes of $716 million and $289 million, respectively.

The effective tax rate for 2022 is different from the statutory rate primarily due to impairment charges from the planned sale of the Company’s Russian business that resulted in no corresponding tax benefit in addition to the mix of earnings between foreign and domestic jurisdictions, including those with and without valuation allowances. The Company also recognized $10 million of tax expense to release the tax expense remaining in Other Comprehensive Income after the settlement of certain swaps during the period, which increased the effective tax rate.

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The effective tax rate for 2021 is different from the statutory rate due to due to the tax effect of income attributable to noncontrolling interests as well as the mix of earnings between foreign and domestic jurisdictions. In addition, during 2021, the Company recorded discrete tax expense to recognize tax rate increases in the United Kingdom as well as discrete tax expense to recognize the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on executive compensation as a result of IP’s exit from the partnership.

The Company utilized its remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards during 2020. However, as a result of deductions associated with the step-up in tax basis of certain assets as a result of IP’s exit from the GPIL partnership, the Company generated a taxable loss of $564 million during 2021 that can be carried forward for U.S. federal income tax purposes indefinitely. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward is approximately $238 million. As such, based on the remaining net operating loss carryforward and tax credit carryforwards, which are available to offset future U.S. federal income tax, the Company expects its U.S. federal cash tax liability in 2023 to be reduced by approximately $100 million.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was less than $1 million in 2022 and $1 million in 2021 and is related to the Company’s equity investment through its GPIL subsidiary, in the Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. joint venture.

Segment Reporting

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

Paperboard Mills includes the seven North American paperboard mills that produce primarily CRB, CUK, and SBS, which is consumed internally to produce paperboard packaging for the Americas and Europe Packaging segments. Paperboard not consumed internally is sold externally to a wide variety of paperboard packaging converters and brokers. The Paperboard Mills segment Net Sales represent the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Mills segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging, primarily folding cartons, sold primarily to consumer packaged goods ("CPG") companies, and cups, lids and food containers sold primarily to foodservice companies and quick-service restaurants ("QSR"), serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging, primarily folding cartons, sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets including healthcare and beauty primarily in Europe.

The Company allocates certain mill and corporate costs to the reportable segments to appropriately represent the economics of these segments. The Corporate and Other caption includes the Pacific Rim and Australia operating segments and unallocated corporate and one-time costs.

These segments are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker based primarily on Income from Operations, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in "Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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(a) Includes revenue from contracts with customers for the Australia and Pacific Rim operating segments.

(b) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2022, 2021, and 2020.

(c) Includes impairment charges of $96 million related to Russia incurred in 2022. See "Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

(d) Includes expenses related to business combinations, shutdown and other special charges, and exit activities.

2022 COMPARED WITH 2021

Paperboard Mills

Net Sales increased from prior year due to higher selling prices, mix and higher open market volume. The Company also internalized more paperboard tons.

Income from Operations increased due to higher pricing, higher open market volume, the positive contribution to volume and performance of the new CRB paper machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, downtime and mitigation costs related to Winter Storm Uri in Q1 2021, partially offset by the winter weather in Q4 2022 and commodity inflation. The commodity inflation was primarily due to higher prices for chemicals, energy, wood, secondary fiber, and freight.

Americas Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to higher pricing, the acquisition of Americraft in Q3 2021, organic sales growth, including conversions to our fiber-based packaging solutions, mix and new product introductions, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Higher volumes in cereal, dry foods, frozen pizza and tissue were partially offset by lower volumes in beverage, bakery, frozen foods and pet food. In beverage, volumes decreased primarily in craft beer and specialty beverages offset by soft drinks.

Income from Operations increased due to higher pricing, higher core converting volume and increased volume from conversions to our fiber based packaging solutions, mix, and cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, partially offset by commodity inflation and other inflation (primarily labor and benefits). The commodity inflation was primarily due to higher prices for external board, chemicals, freight, and energy.

Europe Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to the acquisition of AR Packaging on November 1, 2021 as well as higher pricing, mix, organic sales growth at AR Packaging and new product introductions, partially offset by lower core converting volumes in certain market segments, and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

Income from Operations decreased primarily due to impairment charges of $96 million related to the Company's classification of its Russian operations as held for sale in the second quarter. Refer to "Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business" in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Excluding these impairment charges, Income from Operations increased due to the acquisition of AR Packaging on November 1, 2021, higher pricing, mix, and cost savings through continuous improvement and other programs, partially offset by commodity inflation primarily related to external board and labor and benefits, lower core converting volumes in certain market segments and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company broadly defines liquidity as its ability to generate sufficient funds from both internal and external sources to meet its obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company expects its material cash requirements for the next twelve months will be for: capital expenditures, periodic required estimated income tax payments, periodic interest and debt service payments on associated debt, as discussed in Note 5, lease agreements which have fixed lease payment obligations, as discussed in Note 6, and minimum purchase commitments as discussed in Note 13 along with ongoing operating costs, working capital, share repurchases and dividend payments. The Company expects its primary sources of liquidity to be cash flows from sales and operating activities in the normal course of operations and availability from its revolving credit facilities, as needed. The Company expects that these sources will be sufficient to fund our ongoing cash requirements for the foreseeable future, including at least the next twelve months.

Principal and interest payments under the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facilities, together with principal and interest payments on the Company's 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), represent liquidity requirements for the Company. Based upon current levels of operations, anticipated cost savings and expectations as to future growth, the Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under its revolving credit facilities and other available financing sources, will be adequate to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations, necessary capital expenditure program requirements and ongoing operating costs and working capital needs, although no assurance can be given in this regard. The Company's future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance its debt and ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in its debt agreements (see “Covenant Restrictions” below) will be subject to future economic conditions, including conditions in the credit markets, and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and will be substantially dependent on the selling prices and demand for the Company's products, raw material and energy costs, and the Company's ability to successfully implement its overall business and profitability strategies.

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the creditworthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

The Company has entered into agreements to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to third party financial institutions. Transfers under these agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification"). The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense, Net line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table summarizes the activity under these programs for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively:

(a) Included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and represents a beneficial interest in the receivables sold to the financial institutions, which is a Level 3 fair value measure.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consist principally of collection services, were approximately $753 million and $613 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The Company also participates in supply chain financing arrangements offered by certain customers that qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company sold receivables of $1,124 million and $693 million, respectively, related to these arrangements.

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Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2022 totaled $1,090 million, compared to $609 million in 2021. The favorable increase was mainly due to improved income from operations. Pension contributions in 2022 and 2021 were $24 million and $33 million, respectively. In the first quarter of 2022 and 2021, the Company made a $6 million and $14 million contribution respectively to its remaining U.S. defined benefit plan by effectively utilizing the excess balance related to its U.S. defined benefit plan terminated in 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2022 totaled $435 million, compared to $2,392 million in 2021. Capital spending was $549 million and $802 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. In the prior year, the Company paid $292 million and $1,412 million, net of cash acquired, for the Americraft and AR Packaging acquisitions, respectively. Net cash receipts related to the accounts receivable securitization and sale programs were $119 million in 2022 and 2021.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2022 totaled $666 million, compared to $1,778 million provided by financing activities in 2021. As further discussed in “Note 5 – Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” current year activities included the redemption of the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022 of $250 million. Other current year activities included borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of common stock of $28 million and payments on debt of $14 million. The Company also paid dividends of $92 million and withheld $18 million of shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the payout of restricted stock units. During 2021, the Company issued debt of $2,386 million and €500 million consisting of Senior Notes of $1,200 million and €290 million, incremental term facilities of $1,075 million and €210 million, and an offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt green bonds with net proceeds of $111 million used to reimburse GPIL for a portion of its CRB platform optimization project. Debt proceeds associated with the term loans and Senior Notes were used to redeem the 4.75 % Senior Notes due 2021 of $425 million, and borrowings under GPIL's senior secured credit facility of $1,200 million. The Company also paid $150 million toward the redemption of IP's ownership interest in GPIP, and $109 million Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA) payment related to the IP exit. Additionally, the Company made borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, redemption of IP's ownership interest, and payments on debt of $16 million. The Company also paid dividends and distributions of $92 million and withheld $15 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the payout of restricted stock units.

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

As discussed in “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” as a result of IP’s final exchange in 2021, the Company currently owns 100% of the outstanding interests in GPIP. GPIP continued to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes despite IP’s exit as a minority partner until September 1, 2022, when, due to an internal restructuring, GPIP became a single member limited liability company, terminating the partnership for income tax purposes. Therefore, GPIL is no longer subject to separate SEC filing requirements. As such, the Company has included Supplemental Guarantor disclosures herein that were previously included in the GPIL SEC filings.

As further discussed in “Note 5 – Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” the Senior Notes issued by GPIL (the “Issuer”) are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), which consist of all material 100% owned subsidiaries of GPIL, other than its foreign subsidiary holding companies, domestic subsidiaries and in certain instances by the Company (a Parent guarantee) (collectively "the Guarantors"). GPIL's remaining subsidiaries (the “Nonguarantor Subsidiaries”) include all of GPIL’s foreign subsidiary holding companies, foreign subsidiaries and immaterial domestic subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Guarantors are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees.

Other than tax related items, the results of operations, assets, and liabilities for GPHC and GPIL are substantially the same. Therefore, the summarized financial information below is presented on a combined basis, consisting of GPIL and Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, the “Obligor Group”), and is presented after the elimination of: (i) intercompany transactions and balances among GPIL and Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in the Nonguarantor Subsidiaries.

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(a) Includes Net Sales to Nonguarantor Subsidiaries of $534 million.

Covenant Restrictions

Covenants contained in the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures may, among other things, limit the ability to incur additional indebtedness, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase shares, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, modify terms of the indentures under which the Notes are issued, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Such restrictions, together with disruptions in the credit markets, could limit the Company's ability to respond to changing market conditions, fund its capital spending program, provide for unexpected capital investments or take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the terms of the Current Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant and a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant. The Current Credit Agreement, which contains the definitions of these covenants, was filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2021.

Due to the completion of a material acquisition, the Current Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintain a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of less than 5.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 3.04 to 1.00.

The Company must also comply with a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 8.44 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company's credit was rated BB+ by Standard & Poor's and Ba1 by Moody's Investor Services. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services' ratings on the Company included a stable outlook.

Capital Investment

The Company’s capital investments in 2022 were $430 million ($549 million was paid), compared to $899 million ($802 million was paid) in 2021. During 2022, the Company had capital spending of $386 million for adding capacity and improving process capabilities, $17 million for capital spares and $27 million for manufacturing packaging machinery.

Interest is capitalized on assets under construction for one year or longer with an estimated spending of $1 million or more. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Capitalized interest was $5 million and $14 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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Environmental Matters

Some of the Company’s current and former facilities are the subject of environmental investigations and remediations resulting from historical operations and the release of hazardous substances or other constituents. Some current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which investigation and remediation obligations may be imposed in the future or for which indemnification claims may be asserted against the Company. Also, closures or sales of facilities may necessitate further investigation and may result in remediation at those facilities. The Company has established reserves for those facilities or issues where liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable.

For further discussion of the Company’s environmental matters, see "Note 14 - Environmental and Legal Matters" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

International Operations

The Company has converting plants and one paper mill in 21 countries outside of the U.S. and sells its products worldwide. For 2022, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 29% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from export sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, at December 31, 2022, approximately 29% of the Company's total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has significant operations in countries that use the Euro, British pound sterling, Swedish krona, Polish zloty, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Mexico peso or the Japanese yen as their functional currencies. The effect of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies produced a net currency translation adjustment loss of $148 million, which was recorded in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended December 31, 2022. The magnitude and direction of this adjustment in the future depends on the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. See “Financial Instruments” below.

Financial Instruments

The Company pursues a currency hedging program which utilizes derivatives to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its consolidated financial results. Under this program, the Company has previously entered into forward exchange contracts in the normal course of business to hedge certain foreign currency denominated transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded. The Company also pursues a hedging program that utilizes derivatives designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases. Under this program, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted natural gas usage for 2023. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the financial results concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. In addition, the Company has previously used interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks on future interest payments caused by interest rate changes on its variable rate term loan facility. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See “Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The critical accounting policies used by management in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to acquisitions, pension benefits, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, and deferred income taxes.

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Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company allocated the purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any excess of the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets over the purchase price is recorded as a gain on bargain purchase. The estimates used to determine the fair value of long-lived assets, such as intangible assets, can be complex and require significant judgments. Therefore, we use information available to us to make fair value determinations and often engage independent valuation specialists, when necessary, to assist in the fair value determination of significant, acquired long-lived assets. The determination of fair value requires estimates about discount rates, growth and retention rates, royalty rates, expected future cash flows and other future events that are judgmental in nature. While we use our best estimates and assumptions as a part of the purchase price allocation process, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we are permitted to record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income. The Company is also required to estimate the useful lives of intangible assets to determine the amount of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense to record in future periods. Such useful lives are determined based upon the expected period of future cash flows to be generated by the intangible asset. The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets to determine whether such estimated useful lives continue to be appropriate.

On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of AR Packaging (the “Transaction”), through the acquisition of all of the shares of AR Packaging for cash of $1,412 million, net of cash acquired of $75 million. AR Packaging’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial results since the acquisition date. The Company allocated the fair value of purchase consideration transferred to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. The Company identified that the acquired assets included customer relationships, which were assigned a fair value of $439 million using a discounted cash flow analysis. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company finalized acquisition accounting, which resulted in a decrease of $38 million to customer relationships. Significant assumptions in valuing this asset included the discount rate, annual revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, projected operating expenses, projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") margins, tax rate, depreciation, contributory asset charge, and future earnings projections among others. The Company believes the estimates applied to be based on reasonable assumptions, but which are inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results may differ from the assumptions and judgments used to determine fair value of the assets acquired, which could result in material impairment losses in the future. Additional information regarding our acquisitions is included in "Note 4 - Business Combinations" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount. Potential impairment of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. As of October 1, 2022, the Company had seven reporting units, five of which had goodwill.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. If the results of the qualitative analysis of any of the reporting units is inconclusive, or if significant changes in the business have occurred since the last quantitative impairment assessment, the Company will perform a quantitative analysis for those reporting units.

As of October 1, 2022, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative analysis involves calculating the fair value of each reporting unit by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s business plans, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").

Estimating the fair value of the reporting unit involves uncertainties as it requires management to consider a number of factors, including but not limited to, future operating results, business plans, economic projections of revenues and operating margins, estimated future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments used to estimate reporting unit fair value and the related analysis of potential goodwill impairment.

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The variability of the assumptions that management uses to perform the goodwill impairment test depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and cash flows. Accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates may materially change from period to period due to changing market factors. If the Company had used other assumptions and estimates or if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results and cash flows could be materially impacted, and judgments and conclusions about the recoverability of goodwill could change. The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing process could also be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Item 1A., Risk Factors” and thus could result in future goodwill impairment charges.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2022. The Company concluded that all reporting units with goodwill have a fair value that exceeds their carrying value, and thus goodwill was not impaired. The discount rate used for each reporting unit ranged from 7.5% to 9.0%, and we utilized a transaction multiple of 9.1 times to calculate terminal period cash flows. The Foodservice and Europe reporting units had fair values that exceed their respective carrying values by 83% and 42%, respectively, whereas all other reporting units exceeded by more than 50%. If we had concluded that it was appropriate to increase the discount rate we used by 100 basis points to estimate the fair value of our respective reporting units, the fair value of each reporting unit would have continued to exceed its carrying amount. The Foodservice and Europe reporting units had goodwill totaling $43 million and $481 million, respectively. The Company does not believe it is likely that there will be material changes in the assumptions or estimates used to calculate the reporting unit fair values.

In the second quarter of 2022, the Company began the process of divesting its interests in its two folding carton plants in Russia. The Company reviewed the goodwill assigned to these facilities for impairment and recorded a $12 million non-cash impairment charge, thereby reducing the carrying value of goodwill for these facilities to zero. This charge was recorded within Business Combinations, Shutdown and Other Special Charges, and Exit Activities, Net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within its European Paperboard Packaging reporting unit. Refer to "Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Assets Held for Sale

When assets are identified by management as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating the assets and estimates the sales price, net of expected selling costs, of such assets. The Company generally considers assets (as identified by their disposal groups) to be held for sale when the transaction has received appropriate corporate authority, they are probable of being sold within the next twelve months, and there are no significant contingencies relating to a sale. If, in management’s opinion, the estimated net sales price, net of expected selling costs, of the disposal groups which have been identified as held for sale is less than the carrying value of the assets, a valuation allowance (which is recorded as unrealized losses on the disposition) is established. In the absence of an executed sales agreement with a set sales price, management’s estimate of the net sales price may be based on a number of assumptions, including but not limited to the Company’s estimates of future cash flows, market capitalization rates and discount rates, if applicable. In accordance with the held for sale criteria, the Company classified its two folding carton plants in Russia as held for sale in the second quarter of 2022 and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $84 million in 2022 in addition to the goodwill impairment of $12 million. This charge was recorded within Business Combinations, Shutdown and Other Special Charges, and Exit Activities, Net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations within its European Paperboard Packaging reporting unit. The Company expects to complete the sale of its Russian operations within the next six months and will continue to evaluate the valuation until the sale is completed. Refer to "Note 19 - Impairment and Divestiture of Russian Business" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Recovery of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets by analyzing operating results and considering significant events or changes in the business environment that may have triggered impairment. The Company reviews long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable by undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the fair value of the asset, which is determined by an income, cost or market approach.

Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments

According to the Income Taxes topic of the FASB Codification, a valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The FASB Codification provides important factors in determining whether a deferred tax asset will be realized, including whether there has been sufficient taxable income in recent years and whether sufficient income can reasonably be expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. The Company has evaluated the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits would be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration was given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, cumulative pretax book earnings, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction.

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As of December 31, 2022, the Company has a valuation allowance of $57 million against its net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions and against domestic deferred tax assets related to certain federal tax credit carryforwards, certain state net operating loss carryforwards and certain state tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2021, a total valuation allowance of $38 million was recorded.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company has provided for deferred U.S. income taxes attributable to future withholding tax expense related to the Company's equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. In addition, the Company provided deferred income taxes for future Canadian withholding tax to the extent of excess cash available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement of its Canadian subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International Canada, ULC. The Company continues to assert that it is permanently reinvested in the cumulative earnings of its Canadian subsidiary in excess of the amount of cash that is on hand and available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement. The Company determined that no deferred tax liability should be recorded related to the outside basis difference of its Canadian subsidiary as of December 31, 2022.

The Company has not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on outside basis differences of approximately $44 million in its other international subsidiaries because of the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings outside the U.S. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability (primarily withholding tax in certain jurisdictions) on the unremitted earnings or any other associated outside basis differences is not practicable because of the complexities associated with the calculation.

The Company has elected to recognize global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period cost as incurred, therefore there are no deferred taxes recognized for basis differences that are expected to impact the amount of the GILTI inclusion upon reversal.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company, see "Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Total capital investment for 2023 is expected to be in the range of 7% to 8% of sales.

The Company also expects the following in 2023:

• Depreciation and amortization expense, including pension amortization, of approximately $570 million.

• Pension plan contributions between $15 million and $25 million.

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the Company’s past performance, financial condition and prospects. The following will be discussed and analyzed:

•Overview of Business

•Overview of 2021 Results

•Results of Operations

•Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

•Critical Accounting Policies

•New Accounting Standards

•Business Outlook

A detailed discussion of the fiscal 2021 year-over-year changes can be found below and a detailed discussion of fiscal 2020 year-over-year changes can be found in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The Company’s objective is to strengthen its position as a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based consumer packaging solutions. To achieve this objective, the Company offers customers its paperboard, cartons, cups, lids, foodservice containers and packaging machines, either as an integrated solution or separately. Cartons, carriers and containers are designed to protect and hold products. Product offerings include a variety of laminated, coated and printed packaging structures that are produced from the Company’s coated recycled paperboard ("CRB"), coated unbleached kraft paperboard ("CUK") and solid bleached sulfate paperboard ("SBS"). Innovative designs and combinations of paperboard, films, foils, metallization, holographics and embossing are customized to the individual needs of the customers.

The Company is implementing strategies (i) to expand market share in its current markets and to identify and penetrate new markets; (ii) to capitalize on the Company’s customer relationships, business competencies, and mills and folding carton assets; (iii) to develop and market innovative, sustainable products and applications that benefit from consumer-led sustainability trends; and (iv) to continue to reduce costs by focusing on operational improvements. The Company’s ability to fully implement its strategies and achieve its objectives may be influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control, such as inflation of raw material and other costs, which the Company cannot always pass through to its customers, and the effect of overcapacity in the worldwide paperboard packaging industry.

Significant Factors That Impact the Company’s Business and Results of Operations

Impact of Inflation/Deflation. The Company’s cost of sales consists primarily of energy (including natural gas, fuel oil and electricity), pine and hardwood fiber, chemicals, secondary fibers, purchased paperboard, aluminum foil, ink, plastic films and resins, depreciation expense and labor. Costs increased year over year by $386 million in 2021. The higher costs in 2021 were due to higher commodity inflation costs ($330 million), labor and benefits ($47 million), and other costs, net ($9 million). Commodity inflation was primarily due to chemicals ($91 million), freight ($75 million), secondary fiber ($51 million), energy ($38 million), external board ($34 million), wood ($28 million), and other costs ($13 million).

Because the price of natural gas experiences significant volatility, the Company has entered into contracts designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows caused by changes in the price of natural gas. The Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge prices for a portion of its expected usage for 2022. Since negotiated sales contracts and the market largely determine the pricing for its products, the Company is at times limited in its ability to raise prices and pass through to its customers any inflationary or other cost increases that the Company may incur.

Commitment to Cost Reduction. In light of continuing margin pressure throughout the packaging industry, the Company has programs in place that are designed to reduce costs, improve productivity and increase profitability. The Company utilizes a global continuous improvement initiative that uses statistical process control to help design and manage many types of activities, including production and maintenance. This includes a Six Sigma process focused on reducing variable and fixed manufacturing and administrative costs and the use of Lean Sigma principles in manufacturing and supply chain processes.

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The Company’s ability to continue to successfully implement its business strategies and to realize anticipated savings and operating efficiencies is subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. If the Company cannot successfully implement the strategic cost reductions or other cost savings plans it may not be able to continue to compete successfully against other manufacturers. In addition, any failure to generate the anticipated efficiencies and savings could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

Competition and Market Factors. As some products can be packaged in different types of materials, the Company’s sales are affected by competition from other manufacturers’ CRB, CUK, SBS, folding box board, and recycled clay-coated news. Additional substitute products also include plastic, shrink film and corrugated containers. In addition, while the Company has long-term relationships with many of its customers, the underlying contracts may be re-bid or renegotiated from time to time, and the Company may not be successful in renewing on favorable terms or at all. The Company works to maintain market share through efficiency, product innovation, service and strategic sourcing to its customers; however, pricing and other competitive pressures may occasionally result in the loss of a customer relationship.

In addition, the Company’s sales are driven by consumer buying habits in the markets its customers serve. Recently, the Company has seen net organic sales growth driven by the consumers' desire for sustainable packaging solutions and increased at home consumption. Changes in consumer dietary habits and preferences, increases in the costs of living, unemployment rates, access to credit markets, as well as other macroeconomic factors, may negatively affect consumer spending behavior. New product introductions and promotional activity by the Company’s customers and the Company’s introduction of new packaging products also impact its sales.

Debt Obligations. The Company had an aggregate principal amount of $5,831 million of outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2021. This debt has consequences for the Company, as it requires a portion of cash flow from operations to be used for the payment of principal and interest, exposes the Company to the risk of increased interest rates and may restrict the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing. Covenants in the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Current Credit Agreement”) and the indentures governing the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022, 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Indentures”) may, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase stock, pay dividends, make other restricted payments and make acquisitions or other investments. The Current Credit Agreement also requires compliance with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Company’s ability to comply in future periods with the financial covenants will depend on its ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to many other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. See "Covenant Restrictions" in “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information regarding the Company’s debt obligations.

The debt and the restrictions under the Current Credit Agreement Indentures could limit the Company’s flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The outstanding debt obligations and the restrictions may also leave the Company more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or its business, or unable to carry out capital expenditures that are necessary or important to its growth strategy and productivity improvement programs.

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

This management’s discussion and analysis contains an analysis of Net Sales, Income from Operations and other information relevant to an understanding of the Company's results of operations. On a consolidated basis:

• Net Sales in 2021 increased by $596 million or 9%, to $7,156 million from $6,560 million in 2020 due to organic sales growth, the AR Packaging, Americraft, Greif, and Quad acquisitions, higher selling prices, and favorable foreign exchange, partially offset by lower open market volume of our paperboard.

• Income from Operations in 2021 decreased by $117 million or 22%, to $407 million from $524 million in 2020. Transactions recorded in Business Combinations, Shutdown and Other Special Charges and Exit Activities, Net increased $77 million driven by higher charges related to acquisitions. In addition, Income from Operations was negatively impacted in 2021 as compared to 2020 by inflation (primarily commodity and labor and benefits), $21 million of Winter Storm Uri related downtime and mitigation costs in 2021 net of insurance recoveries, lower volumes of our open market sales, and higher depreciation and amortization. Income from Operations was positively impacted in 2021 as compared to 2020 by higher pricing, higher volumes from organic sales growth and acquisitions, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, product mix, lower levels of planned maintenance and higher levels of market downtime at the uncoated SBS cupstock paper machine in 2020.

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Acquisitions, Closures, and Dispositions

•On August 1, 2019, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Artistic, a diversified producer of folding cartons and CRB. The acquisition included two converting plants located in Auburn, Indiana and Elgin, Illinois (included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment) and one CRB mill located in White Pigeon, Michigan (included in the Paperboard Mills reportable segment).

•On January 31, 2020, the Company acquired a folding carton facility from Quad, a commercial printing company. The converting facility is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•On April 1, 2020, the Company acquired the Consumer Packaging Group business from Greif, a leader in industrial packaging products and services. The acquisition included seven converting plants across the United States, which are included in the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•On July 1, 2021, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Americraft, the largest independent folding carton converter in North America. The acquisition included seven converting plants across the United States and is reported within the Americas Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

•On November 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the shares of AR Packaging, Europe's second largest producer of fiber-based consumer packaging. The acquisition included 30 converting plants in 13 countries and is reported within the Europe Paperboard Packaging reportable segment.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

•During 2021, GPHC did not repurchase any shares of its outstanding common stock. GPHC had approximately $147 million available for additional repurchases under the 2019 share repurchase program.

•During 2021, GPHC declared cash dividends of $90 million and paid cash dividends of $87 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2021 COMPARED WITH 2020

Net Sales

The components of the change in Net Sales are as follows:

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The Company's Net Sales in 2021 increased by $596 million or 9%, to $7,156 million from $6,560 million for the same period in 2020, due to Net Sales of $344 million from the AR Packaging, Americraft, Greif, and Quad acquisitions, higher pricing, organic sales growth including new product introductions and conversions to our paperboard packaging solutions, and favorable foreign exchange partially offset by lower open market volume of our paperboard. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates were primarily due to the British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Euro, and Australian Dollar. Core converting volumes were up, primarily in global beverage and foodservice packaging, including cups, offset by declines in dry foods and cereal.

Income from Operations

The components of the change in Income from Operations are as follows:

(a) Includes the Company's cost reduction initiatives, planned mill maintenance costs, mill market downtime costs, expenses related to acquisitions and integration activities, exit activities, and shutdown and other special charges.

The Company's Income from Operations for 2021 decreased $117 million or 22%, to $407 million from $524 million for the same period in 2020. Transactions recorded in Business Combinations, Shutdown and Other Special Charges and Exit Activities, Net increased $77 million driven by higher charges for acquisitions partially offset by higher charges for exit activities in 2020, including those related to our announced closures of White Pigeon, Michigan, CRB mill and West Monroe, Louisiana, PM1 containerboard machine. In addition, Income from Operations was negatively impacted in 2021 as compared to 2020 by inflation (primarily commodity and labor and benefits), $21 million of Winter Storm Uri related downtime and mitigation costs in 2021 net of insurance recoveries, lower volumes of our open market sales, and higher depreciation and amortization. Income from Operations was positively impacted in 2021 as compared to 2020 by higher pricing, higher volumes from organic sales growth and acquisitions, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, product mix, lower levels of planned maintenance and higher levels of market downtime at the uncoated SBS cupstock paper machine in 2020.

Inflation in 2021 increased due to higher commodity inflation costs ($330 million), labor and benefits ($47 million), and other costs, net ($9 million). Commodity inflation was primarily due to chemicals ($91 million), freight ($75 million), secondary fiber ($51 million), energy ($38 million), external board ($34 million), wood ($28 million), and other costs ($13 million).

Nonoperating Pension and Postretirement Benefit

Nonoperating Pension and Postretirement Benefit was income of $5 million in 2021 versus an expense of $151 million in 2020. The decrease in expense was due to a settlement charge of $153 million incurred during the first quarter of 2020 associated with the Company's purchase of a group annuity contract that transferred the remaining pension benefit obligation under the largest U.S. Plan of approximately $713 million to an insurance company.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest Expense, Net decreased by $6 million to $123 million in 2021 from $129 million in 2020. Interest Expense, Net decreased due to lower interest rates, partially offset by higher debt balances as compared to prior year. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 31% of the Company’s total debt was subject to floating interest rates.

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Income Tax Expense

During 2021, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $74 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $289 million. During 2020, the Company recognized Income Tax Expense of $42 million on Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity of $244 million.

The effective tax rate for 2021 is different from the statutory rate due to the tax effect of income attributable to noncontrolling interests as well as the mix of earnings between foreign and domestic jurisdictions. In addition, during 2021, the Company recorded discrete tax expense to recognize tax rate increases in the United Kingdom and to recognize the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on executive compensation as a result of IP’s exit from the partnership. The effective tax rate in 2021 is higher than the effective tax rate in 2020 primarily due to these discrete tax items as compared to 2020.

The Company utilized its remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards during 2020. However, as a result of deductions associated with the step up in tax basis of certain assets as a result of International Paper’s exit from the partnership, the Company generated a taxable loss of $574 million during 2021 that can be carried forward for U.S. federal income tax purposes indefinitely. As such, based on the net operating loss generated in 2021 as well as future tax benefits associated with planned capital projects and tax credit carryforwards which are available to offset future U.S. federal income tax, the Company does not expect to be a meaningful U.S. federal cash taxpayer until 2024.

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity

Equity Income of Unconsolidated Entity was $1 million in 2021 and $1 million in 2020 and is related to the Company’s equity investment through its GPIL subsidiary, in the Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. joint venture.

Segment Reporting

The Company has three reportable segments as follows:

Paperboard Mills includes the eight North American paperboard mills that produce primarily CRB, CUK, and SBS, which is consumed internally to produce paperboard packaging for the Americas and Europe Packaging segments. The remaining paperboard is sold externally to a wide variety of paperboard packaging converters and brokers. The Paperboard Mills segment Net Sales represents the sale of paperboard only to external customers. The effect of intercompany transfers to the paperboard packaging segments has been eliminated from the Paperboard Mills segment to reflect the economics of the integration of these segments.

Americas Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging, primarily folding cartons, sold primarily to Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG") companies, and cups, lids and food containers sold primarily to foodservice companies and Quick-Service Restaurants ("QSR") serving the food, beverage, and consumer product markets in the Americas.

Europe Paperboard Packaging includes paperboard packaging, primarily folding cartons, sold primarily to CPG companies serving the food, beverage and consumer product markets including healthcare and beauty primarily in Europe.

The Company allocates certain mill and corporate costs to the reportable segments to appropriately represent the economics of these segments. The Corporate and Other caption includes the Pacific Rim and Australia operating segments and unallocated corporate and one-time costs.

These segments are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker based primarily on Income from Operations, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in "Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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(a) Includes revenue from contracts with customers for the Australia and Pacific Rim operating segments.

(b) Includes accelerated depreciation related to exit activities in 2021, 2020, and 2019.

(c) Includes expenses related to business combinations, shutdown and other special charges, and exit activities.

2021 COMPARED WITH 2020

Paperboard Mills

Net Sales increased from prior year due to higher selling prices and mix partially offset by lower open market volume. Lower open market volume was primarily due to the closure of the White Pigeon, Michigan CRB mill and shut down of the PM1 containerboard machine in West Monroe, Louisiana, both in 2020, and one fewer production and selling day due to leap year. The Company also internalized more paperboard tons.

Loss from Operations decreased due to the impacts of productivity improvements, including benefits from capital projects, and higher prices offset by commodity and other inflation, increased downtime and mitigation costs related to Winter Storm Uri, and lower open market volume. The commodity inflation was primarily due to higher prices for secondary fiber, chemicals, energy, and freight.

Americas Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to acquisitions including Americraft in Q3 2021 and Greif in Q2 2020, higher pricing, organic sales growth including conversions to our paperboard packaging solutions, new product introductions, and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Higher volumes primarily in foodservice packaging including cups, beverage markets, dairy products and bakery were offset by lower volumes in dry foods, cereal, tissue, and frozen pizza. In beverage, volumes increased in all categories including craft and specialty, big beer, and soft drinks.

Income from Operations decreased due to commodity inflation, other inflation (primarily labor and benefits), downtime and mitigation costs related to Winter Storm Uri, and one fewer selling day due to leap year offset by higher selling prices, cost savings from continuous improvement and other programs, the timing of annual outages, and higher volumes including from organic sales growth and acquisitions. The commodity inflation was primarily due to higher prices for freight, chemicals, secondary fiber, and external board.

Europe Paperboard Packaging

Net Sales increased due to the acquisition of AR Packaging on November 1, 2021 as well as higher prices, increased volumes led by beverage and convenience, and favorable foreign currency exchange rates offset by unfavorable mix.

Income from Operations increased due to cost savings through continuous improvement and other programs, increased volumes, and pricing offset by commodity inflation, higher labor and benefits costs, and due to the acquisition of AR Packaging on November 1, 2021 including the amortization of purchased intangibles.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company broadly defines liquidity as its ability to generate sufficient funds from both internal and external sources to meet its obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate debt and equity financing and to convert into cash those assets that are no longer required to meet existing strategic and financial objectives. Therefore, liquidity cannot be considered separately from capital resources that consist of current or potentially available funds for use in achieving long-range business objectives and meeting debt service commitments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's liquidity needs arise primarily from the funding of its capital expenditures, debt service on its indebtedness, ongoing operating costs, working capital, share repurchases and dividend payments. Principal and interest payments under the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facilities, together with principal and interest payments on the Company's 4.875% Senior Notes due 2022, 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.125% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029, 2.625% Senior Notes due 2029 and 3.75% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), represent liquidity requirements for the Company. Based upon current levels of operations, anticipated cost savings and expectations as to future growth, the Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under its revolving credit facilities and other available financing sources, will be adequate to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations, necessary capital expenditure program requirements and ongoing operating costs and working capital needs, although no assurance can be given in this regard. The Company's future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance its debt and ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in its debt agreements (see “Covenant Restrictions” below) will be subject to future economic conditions, including conditions in the credit markets, and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and will be substantially dependent on the selling prices and demand for the Company's products, raw material and energy costs, and the Company's ability to successfully implement its overall business and profitability strategies.

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, and cash discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, current economic conditions and the creditworthiness of customers. Receivables are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

The Company has entered into agreements to sell, on a revolving basis, certain trade accounts receivable to third party financial institutions. Transfers under these agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification"). The loss on sale is not material and is included in Other Expense, Net line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table summarizes the activity under these programs for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively:

(a) Included in Other Current Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and represents a beneficial interest in the receivables sold to the financial institutions, which is a Level 3 fair value measure.

The Company participates in supply chain financing arrangements offered by certain customers and has entered into various factoring arrangements that also qualify for sale accounting in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB Codification. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold receivables of approximately $693 million and $368 million, respectively, related to these factoring arrangements.

Receivables sold under all programs subject to continuing involvement, which consist principally of collection services, were approximately $613 million and $621 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2021 totaled $609 million, compared to $825 million in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to higher inventory balances due to inflation and lower other accrued liabilities balances. Pension contributions in 2021 and 2020 were $33 million and $19 million, respectively. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company made a $14 million contribution to its remaining U.S. defined benefit plan by effectively utilizing a portion of the excess balance related to the terminated U.S. defined benefit plan.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2021 totaled $2,392 million, compared to $648 million in 2020. Capital spending was $802 million and $646 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. In 2021, the Company paid $292 million and $1,412 million, net of cash acquired, for the Americraft and AR Packaging acquisitions, respectively. In the prior year, the Company paid $121 million, net of cash acquired, for the 2020 Acquisitions. Net cash receipts related to the accounts receivable securitization and sale programs were $119 million and $127 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2021 totaled $1,778 million, compared to $152 million used in financing activities in 2020. Current year activities include a debt drawing of $425 million Incremental Term A-2 Facility and the use of the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to redeem the 4.75% Senior Notes due in 2021, and a debt drawing of $250 million Incremental Term A-3 Facility. Other current year activities include an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 0.821% Senior Notes due 2024, an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 1.512% Senior Notes due 2026. The net proceeds of $800 million were used by the Company to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under GPIL's term loan credit facilities, which are under its senior secured credit facility. Additionally, the Company had an offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt green bonds, with the net proceeds of $111 million used to reimburse GPIL for a portion of its CRB platform optimization project. Other current year activities include a debt drawing of $400 million Incremental Term A-4 Facility and a debt drawing of €210 million Incremental Euro Term Loan Facility under the Senior Secured Credit Facility due 2026. Additionally, the Company completed the offering of $400 million Senior Notes due in 2030 and used the proceeds to repay the Incremental Term A-4 Facility and €290 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.625% senior unsecured notes due 2029 and used the proceeds to repay revolver borrowings outstanding under its senior secured credit facility. The Company also paid $150 million toward the redemption of IP's ownership interest in GPIP, and $109 million Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA) payment related to IP exit. Additionally, the Company made borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, redemption of IP's ownership interest and payments on debt of $16 million. The Company also paid dividends and distributions of $92 million and withheld $15 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the payout of restricted stock units. In the prior year, the Company had a debt offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes due 2028, and a debt offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% Senior Notes due 2029. The Company also paid $500 million toward the redemption of IP's ownership interest in GPIP. The Company also made borrowings under revolving credit facilities primarily for capital spending, repurchase of stock of $316 million and payments on debt of $37 million. The Company also paid dividends and distributions of $103 million and withheld $9 million of restricted stock units to satisfy tax withholding payments related to the payout of restricted stock units.

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

As discussed in “Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” on May 21, 2021, IP exchanged its remaining 22.8 million partnership units for an equivalent number of shares of GPHC common stock. As required by the parties' agreement, these shares were immediately sold by IP. As a result, IP has no ownership interest remaining in GPIP as of May 21, 2021, and GPIL is no longer subject to separate SEC filing requirements. As such, the Company has included Supplemental Guarantor disclosures that were previously included in the GPIL SEC filings effective June 30, 2021.

As further discussed in “Note 5 – Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” the Senior Notes issued by GPIL (the “Issuer”) are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), which consist of all material 100% owned subsidiaries of GPIL, other than its foreign subsidiary holding companies, domestic subsidiaries and in certain instances by the Company (a Parent guarantee) (collectively "the Guarantors"). GPIL's remaining subsidiaries (the “Nonguarantor Subsidiaries”) include all of GPIL’s foreign subsidiary holding companies, foreign subsidiaries and immaterial domestic subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Guarantors are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees.

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Other than tax related items, the results of operations, assets, and liabilities for GPHC and GPIL are substantially the same. Therefore, the summarized financial information below is presented on a combined basis, consisting of GPIL and Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, the “Obligor Group”), and is presented after the elimination of: (i) intercompany transactions and balances among GPIL and Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in the Nonguarantor Subsidiaries.

(a) Includes Net Sales to Nonguarantor Subsidiaries of $509 million.

Covenant Restrictions

Covenants contained in the Current Credit Agreement and the Indentures may, among other things, limit the ability to incur additional indebtedness, restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, incur guarantee obligations, prepay other indebtedness, repurchase shares, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, create liens, make equity or debt investments, make acquisitions, modify terms of the indentures under which the Notes are issued, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries, and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Such restrictions, together with disruptions in the credit markets, could limit the Company's ability to respond to changing market conditions, fund its capital spending program, provide for unexpected capital investments or take advantage of business opportunities.

Under the terms of the Current Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio covenant and a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio covenant. The Current Credit Agreement, which contains the definitions of these covenants, was filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2021.

Due to the completion of a material acquisition, the Current Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintain a maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of less than 5.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 4.39 to 1.00.

The Company must also comply with a minimum Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with such covenant and the ratio was 10.85 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company's credit was rated BB+ by Standard & Poor's and Ba1 by Moody's Investor Services. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services' ratings on the Company included a stable outlook.

Capital Investment

The Company’s capital investments in 2021 were $899 million ($802 million was paid), compared to $651 million ($646 million was paid) in 2020. During 2021, the Company had capital spending of $855 million for improving process capabilities, $17 million for capital spares and $27 million for manufacturing packaging machinery.

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Environmental Matters

Some of the Company’s current and former facilities are the subject of environmental investigations and remediations resulting from historical operations and the release of hazardous substances or other constituents. Some current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which investigation and remediation obligations may be imposed in the future or for which indemnification claims may be asserted against the Company. Also, closures or sales of facilities may necessitate further investigation and may result in remediation at those facilities. The Company has established reserves for those facilities or issues where liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable.

For further discussion of the Company’s environmental matters, see "Note 14 - Environmental and Legal Matters" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

A summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

(a) Purchase obligations primarily consist of commitments for the purchase of fiber and chip processing along with commitments associated with building the new CRB paper machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

(b) Certain amounts included in this table are based on management’s estimates and assumptions about these obligations. Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, the obligations the Company will actually pay in the future periods may vary from those reflected in the table.

International Operations

For 2021, before intercompany eliminations, net sales from operations outside of the U.S. represented approximately 23% of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s revenues from export sales fluctuate with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2021, approximately 30% of the Company’s total assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has significant operations in countries that use the euro, British pound sterling, Swedish krona, Polish zloty, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso or the Japanese yen as their functional currencies. The effect of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies produced a net currency translation adjustment loss of $28 million, which was recorded in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the year ended December 31, 2021. The magnitude and direction of this adjustment in the future depends on the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies. The Company pursues a currency hedging program in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on financial results. See “Financial Instruments” below.

Financial Instruments

The Company pursues a currency hedging program which utilizes derivatives to reduce the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its consolidated financial results. Under this program, the Company has entered into forward exchange contracts in the normal course of business to hedge certain foreign currency denominated transactions. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in the measurement of the basis of the related foreign currency transaction when recorded. The Company also pursues a hedging program that utilizes derivatives designed to manage risks associated with future variability in cash flows and price risk related to future energy cost increases. Under this program, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted natural gas usage for 2022. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the financial results concurrently with the recognition of the commodity consumed. In addition, the Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks on future interest payments caused by interest rate changes on its variable rate term loan facility. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. See “Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The critical accounting policies used by management in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are those that are important both to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgments by management with regard to estimates used. The critical judgments by management relate to pension benefits, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, and deferred income taxes.

Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company allocated the purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any excess of the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets over the purchase price is recorded as a gain on bargain purchase. The estimates used to determine the fair value of long-lived assets, such as intangible assets, can be complex and require significant judgments. Therefore, we use information available to us to make fair value determinations and often engage independent valuation specialists, when necessary, to assist in the fair value determination of significant, acquired long-lived assets. The determination of fair value requires estimates about discount rates, growth and retention rates, royalty rates, expected future cash flows and other future events that are judgmental in nature. While we use our best estimates and assumptions as a part of the purchase price allocation process, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we are permitted to record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income. The Company is also required to estimate the useful lives of intangible assets to determine the amount of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense to record in future periods. Such useful lives are determined based upon the expected period of future cash flows to be generated by the intangible asset. The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets to determine whether such estimated useful lives continue to be appropriate.

On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of AR Packaging (the “Transaction”), through the acquisition of all of the shares of AR Packaging for cash of $1,412 million, net of cash acquired of $75 million. AR Packaging’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial results since the acquisition date. The Company allocated the fair value of purchase consideration transferred to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. The Company identified that the acquired assets included customer relationships, which were assigned a fair value of $439 million using a discounted cash flow analysis. Significant assumptions in valuing this asset included the discount rate, annual revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, projected operating expenses, projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") margins, tax rate, depreciation, contributory asset charge, and future earnings projections among others.The Company believes the estimates applied to be based on reasonable assumptions, but which are inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results may differ from the assumptions and judgments used to determine fair value of the assets acquired, which could result in material impairment losses in the future. Additional information regarding our acquisitions is included in "Note 4 - Business Combinations"in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Pension Benefits

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans (the “Plans”) for eligible employees in North America and certain international locations. The funding policy for the U.S. qualified defined benefit plans is to, at a minimum, contribute assets as required by the Internal Revenue Code Section 412. Non qualified defined benefit U.S. plans providing benefits in excess of limitations imposed by the U.S. income tax code are not funded.

The Company’s pension expense for defined benefit pension plans was $11 million in 2021 compared to $167 million in 2020. The 2020 expense includes a $154 million charge associated with the termination and settlement of the Company's largest U.S. plan. Pension expense is calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions applied to each of the defined benefit plans.

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets used to calculate pension expense was 3.59% and 4.12% in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on pension assets was determined based on several factors, including historical rates of return, input from our pension investment consultants and projected long-term returns of broad equity and bond indices. The Company evaluates its long-term rate of return assumptions annually and adjusts them as necessary.

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The Company determined pension expense using both the fair value of assets and a calculated value that averages gains and losses over a period of years. Investment gains or losses represent the difference between the expected and actual return on assets. As of December 31, 2021, the net actuarial loss was $71 million. These net losses may increase future pension expense if not offset by (i) actual investment returns that exceed the assumed investment returns, or (ii) other factors, including reduced pension liabilities arising from higher discount rates used to calculate pension obligations, or (iii) other actuarial gains, including whether such accumulated actuarial losses at each measurement date exceed the “corridor” determined under the Compensation — Retirement Benefits topic of the FASB Codification. The actuarial loss is amortized over the average remaining life expectancy period of employees expected to receive benefits.

The discount rate used to determine the present value of future pension obligations at December 31, 2021 was based on a yield curve constructed from a portfolio of high-quality corporate debt securities with maturities ranging from 1 year to 30 years. Each year’s expected future benefit payments were discounted to their present value at the spot yield curve rate thereby generating the overall discount rate for the Company’s pension obligations. The weighted average discount rate used to determine the pension obligations was 2.46% and 2.11% in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company’s pension expense is estimated to be approximately $9 million in 2022. The estimate is based on a weighted average expected long-term rate of return of 3.86%, a weighted average discount rate of 2.46% and other assumptions. Pension expense beyond 2021 will depend on future investment performance, the Company’s contribution to the plans, changes in discount rates and other factors related to covered employees in the plans.

If the discount rate assumptions for the Company’s U.S. plans were reduced by 0.25%, pension expense would increase by approximately $1 million and the December 31, 2021 projected benefit obligation would increase approximately $10 million.

The fair value of assets in the Company’s plans was $557 million at December 31, 2021 and $516 million at December 31, 2020. The projected benefit obligations exceed the fair value of plan assets by $70 million and $77 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $64 million and $72 million at the end of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for potential impairment annually as of October 1, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the fair value of a reporting unit may no longer exceed its carrying amount. Potential impairment of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. As of October 1, 2021, the Company had seven reporting units, five of which had goodwill.

Periodically, the Company may perform a qualitative impairment analysis of goodwill associated with each of its reporting units to determine if it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value. If the results of the qualitative analysis of any of the reporting units is inconclusive, or if significant changes in the business have occurred since the last quantitative impairment assessment, the Company will perform a quantitative analysis for those reporting units.

As of October 1, 2021, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative analysis involves calculating the fair value of each reporting unit by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s business plans, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital and market indicators of terminal year cash flows based upon a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").

Estimating the fair value of the reporting unit involves uncertainties as it requires management to consider a number of factors, including but not limited to, future operating results, business plans, economic projections of revenues and operating margins, estimated future cash flows, and market data and analysis, including market capitalization. Fair value determinations are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgments used to estimate reporting unit fair value and the related analysis of potential goodwill impairment.

The variability of the assumptions that management uses to perform the goodwill impairment test depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and cash flows. Accordingly, the Company’s accounting estimates may materially change from period to period due to changing market factors. If the Company had used other assumptions and estimates or if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results and cash flows could be materially impacted, and judgments and conclusions about the recoverability of goodwill could change. The assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing process could also be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Item 1A., Risk Factors” and thus could result in future goodwill impairment charges.

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The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2021. The Company concluded that all reporting units with goodwill have a fair value that exceeds their carrying value, and thus goodwill was not impaired. The discount rate used for each reporting unit ranged from 7.5% to 8.0%, and we utilized an EBITDA multiple of 9 times to calculate terminal period cash flows. The Foodservice and Australia reporting units had fair values that exceed their respective carrying values by 25% and 21%, respectively, whereas all other reporting units exceeded by more than 30%. If we had concluded that it was appropriate to increase the discount rate we used by 100 basis points to estimate the fair value of our respective reporting units, the fair value of each reporting unit would have continued to exceed its carrying amount. The Foodservice and Australia reporting units had goodwill totaling $43 million and $11 million, respectively. The Company does not believe it is likely that there will be material changes in the assumptions or estimates used to calculate the reporting unit fair values.

Recovery of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets by analyzing operating results and considering significant events or changes in the business environment that may have triggered impairment. The Company reviews long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable by undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the impairment loss, if any, is based on the fair value of the asset, which is determined by an income, cost or market approach.

Deferred Income Taxes and Potential Assessments

According to the Income Taxes topic of the FASB Codification, a valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The FASB Codification provides important factors in determining whether a deferred tax asset will be realized, including whether there has been sufficient taxable income in recent years and whether sufficient income can reasonably be expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. The Company has evaluated the need to maintain a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based on its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits would be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration was given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, many factors are considered, including the specific taxing jurisdiction, the carryforward period, reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, cumulative pretax book earnings, income tax strategies and forecasted earnings for the entities in each jurisdiction.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has a valuation allowance of $38 million against its net deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions and against domestic deferred tax assets related to certain federal tax credit carryforwards, certain state net operating loss carryforwards and certain state tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2020, a total valuation allowance of $34 million was recorded.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has provided for deferred U.S. income taxes attributable to future withholding tax expense related to the Company's equity investment in the joint venture, Rengo Riverwood Packaging, Ltd. In addition, the Company provided deferred income taxes for future Canadian withholding tax to the extent of excess cash available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement of its Canadian subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International Canada, ULC. The Company continues to assert that it is permanently reinvested in the cumulative earnings of its Canadian subsidiary in excess of the amount of cash that is on hand and available for distribution after consideration of working capital needs and other debt settlement. Due to the deemed taxation of all post-1986 earnings and profits required by the Act, the Company has determined that no deferred tax liability should be recorded related to the outside basis difference of its Canadian subsidiary of approximately $51 million as of December 31, 2021.

The Company has not provided for deferred U.S. income taxes on outside basis differences of approximately $33 million in its other international subsidiaries because of the Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings outside the U.S. The Company’s assertion with respect to these subsidiaries remains unchanged, despite the deemed taxation of all post-1986 earnings and profits required by the Act. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability (primarily withholding tax in certain jurisdictions and some state tax) on the unremitted earnings or any other associated outside basis differences is not practicable because of the complexities associated with the calculation.

The Company has elected to recognize global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as period cost as incurred, therefore there are no deferred taxes recognized for basis differences that are expected to impact the amount of the GILTI inclusion upon reversal.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements impacting the Company, see "Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein under “Item 8., Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Total capital investment for 2022 is expected to be in the range of $440 million to $460 million.

The Company also expects the following in 2022:

• Depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $580 million, including pension amortization and excluding $5 million of accelerated depreciation related to exit activities.

• Pension plan contributions between $10 million and $20 million excluding $6 million reflected as a contribution to the remaining U.S defined benefit plan that effectively utilizes the excess balance related to the terminated U.S. defined benefit plan.

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