International Paper announced it plans to close five sites in Germany as part of its integration with DS Smith, the London-based packaging company it acquired in January. The manufacturing sites included are a conventional box plant, a display and offset site, and three sheet plants; another display site also will partially close. IP expects roughly 500 roles to be affected by the closures, which it anticipates will occur by the end of 2026. IP is engaging with labor representatives, and until that activity progresses it will not comment further. …IP launched the streamlining stateside last year prior to the DS Smith acquisition and in Europe this year following the deal finalization. [Editors note: the planned closures are outlined in a UK regulatory notice linked to IP’s DS Smith integration. German labour law requires formal consultation with employee representatives, and outcomes can change during that process.]