Little Rapids Unites Divisions, Forming a Sustainable Packaging Powerhouse

GREEN BAY, WI – March 02, 2026 – In a strategic move designed to meet the escalating global demand for sustainable packaging, family-owned Little Rapids Corporation announced today the unification of two of its key divisions, Shawano Specialty Papers and Nexxa. The two will now operate under a single, integrated brand: Rapids Paper + Packaging.

This consolidation creates a formidable new entity in the packaging sector, combining over a century of specialty papermaking expertise with advanced capabilities in flexible packaging, high-definition printing, and functional coating technologies. The new brand will operate as a division of Little Rapids Corporation, aiming to provide a streamlined, single-source platform for brands seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, particularly their reliance on plastics.

“This alignment allows us to unlock new possibilities in performance and sustainability,” said Angie Sheehan, CEO of Little Rapids Corporation, in a statement accompanying the announcement. “As brands face increasing pressure to reduce plastic use and meet evolving environmental expectations, bringing our expertise together creates a stronger foundation to help them move faster, solve complex challenges, and deliver responsible packaging.”

A Strategic Response to a Shifting Market

The formation of Rapids Paper + Packaging is not merely a rebranding exercise but a calculated response to powerful market forces. The global sustainable packaging market is experiencing explosive growth, with some projections estimating its value will exceed $380 billion by 2030. This surge is fueled by a combination of heightened consumer awareness of plastic pollution and a tightening web of government regulations.

Initiatives like the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are setting aggressive targets for recyclability and the reduction of packaging waste, compelling companies to fundamentally rethink their product strategies. By integrating its paper substrate development with its coating, printing, and converting services, Rapids Paper + Packaging aims to offer a holistic solution that simplifies the complex transition to more sustainable materials for its clients, which range from emerging startups to established global brands.

The company's strategy directly confronts the core challenges that have often slowed the adoption of eco-friendly packaging: performance and cost. Historically, brands have struggled to find paper-based alternatives that offer the same durability, barrier properties (like moisture and grease resistance), and shelf appeal as traditional plastic packaging. The new unified structure is designed to accelerate innovation in this area, creating solutions that bridge this performance gap.

A Century of Evolution and Investment

Little Rapids Corporation's latest move is the culmination of a long history of strategic investment and adaptation. The company, founded in 1947, has deep roots in Wisconsin's paper industry. Its acquisition of the Shawano Paper Mill—a facility with its own history dating back to 1894 as the Wolf River Paper & Fiber Company—formed the bedrock of its specialty paper operations.

Demonstrating a long-term commitment to its assets, Little Rapids Corporation completed a $40 million upgrade to the Shawano mill in 2017, installing a state-of-the-art machine that boosted its tissue output by 40% and expanded its product capabilities. This foundation in high-quality paper manufacturing is now being formally combined with the advanced converting capabilities that were brought into the fold over a decade ago.

The expertise represented by the former Nexxa division can be traced back to Little Rapids' 2010 acquisition of Larsen Converting Industries Inc., a specialist in flexographic printing, coating, and laminating. This acquisition was a clear signal of the company's intent to move beyond raw material production and into value-added, finished packaging solutions. The unification into Rapids Paper + Packaging represents the final, logical step in this long-term strategy, fully integrating these complementary strengths to present a unified front to the market.

Pioneering Plastic Reduction with the Ecova™ Platform

At the heart of the new brand's offering is the Ecova™ sustainable packaging platform. Positioned as a premier paper-based solution, Ecova™ is engineered to allow brands to significantly reduce plastic in their packaging without compromise. This promise directly addresses the primary concern of many brand managers who are hesitant to sacrifice product integrity or consumer experience in the name of sustainability.

The market is rich with innovation in this space, from novel water-based barrier coatings that make paper resistant to oil and moisture to bio-based materials designed to replace plastic films. The Ecova™ platform enters this competitive arena by leveraging the company’s integrated model, combining proprietary coating technologies with its specialty paper substrates to create customized, high-performance packaging.

The company has committed to continuing its advancement in sustainable fiber sourcing, water stewardship, and waste reduction across its operations. This focus on the entire lifecycle—from raw material to finished product—is critical for brands looking for a partner that can provide verifiable environmental credentials and help them navigate the complex landscape of recyclability standards and regulatory compliance.

By aligning its entire innovation pipeline under the Rapids Paper + Packaging banner, the company is poised to accelerate the development of next-generation materials. This streamlined approach enables a more agile response to customer needs, allowing for faster prototyping and commercialization of new packaging formats. For consumer brands, this means quicker access to market-ready sustainable solutions, a crucial advantage in a fast-evolving retail environment. The operational teams in Green Bay and Shawano will continue their work, ensuring that the technical excellence and customer service that clients have relied on for decades remain the foundation of the new, unified brand.