INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ 8-K

What Happened
International Paper Company announced on January 23, 2026 that it completed the previously disclosed sale of its Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) business to funds affiliated with American Industrial Partners. The transaction closed pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 20, 2025 (as amended). The buyer acquired all issued and outstanding equity interests in the entities comprising the GCF business.

Key Details

• Buyer: Funds affiliated with American Industrial Partners.
• Closing date: January 23, 2026.
• Purchase price: $1.5 billion in total consideration.
• Partial consideration: Issuance to International Paper of preferred stock of Absorbent Fiber Topco, Inc. with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $190 million.
• Filing: Closing announced in an 8-K (Item 2.01) with a press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

Why It Matters
This transaction represents a divestiture of International Paper’s GCF business and converts that segment into $1.5 billion of consideration, including preferred equity in the buyer’s parent. For investors, the deal removes GCF from IP’s business mix and changes the company’s asset and cash/credit profile—proceeds may be used for debt reduction, capital allocation, or other corporate purposes (the filing does not specify use of proceeds). The preferred stock component means part of the consideration is non-cash and tied to the buyer’s ownership structure, which could affect timing and liquidity of realized value. The 8-K and attached press release provide the company’s official disclosure of the closing.