Greif Inc
Greif, Inc. makes industrial packaging and related materials used to store, transport, and protect bulk goods across global supply chains. Its portfolio spans steel drums, plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers, fiber drums, corrugated and paperboard products, and closure systems, with a growing emphasis on material-solution segments after recent divestitures.
Fiscal year 2024 · change from previous year
Development 2019–2024
Business
Share of revenuePlastic drums, rigid intermediate bulk containers, and small plastics sold to industrial and specialty end markets.
Steel drums and related metal packaging products used for hazardous and general industrial materials.
Fiber drums, containerboard, corrugated products, and timber/land assets tied to fiber-based packaging.
Closure systems, paints, linings, filling services, recycled fiber, and adhesives for packaging applications.
Customers
Greif sells primarily to industrial customers that need packaging for chemicals, petroleum, food and beverage, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mineral products, paints and coatings, and building-related uses. Demand is driven by production volumes, packaging specifications, and the need for safe handling, compliance, and supply reliability across global supply chains.
Buy steel and plastic drums, IBCs, and closures for safe bulk storage and transport.
Buy polymer and fiber packaging that supports hygiene, traceability, and handling requirements.
Buy durable metal packaging and related linings for liquids and specialty chemicals.
Buy packaging for inputs and outputs that require rugged, standardized bulk containers.
Buy corrugated, containerboard, recycled fiber, and adhesives for packaging production.
Strategy
Greif is reshaping its portfolio around material-solution packaging businesses and away from non-core assets. Recent moves include the sale of its containerboard business and planned sale of Soterra timberland, while management is also realigning reporting to emphasize closure systems and integrated packaging value chains.
Portfolio simplification should improve focus on core packaging businesses and reduce earnings volatility.
The new segment structure aligns operations with end markets and should improve resource allocation.
Margin performance depends on pricing, product mix, and cost control in a cyclical industrial market.
Geography
Greif sells its polymer and metal packaging on a global basis, while its fiber packaging is concentrated in North America. The company also has timber and special-use property exposure in the southeastern United States, though it is exiting that business through a planned divestiture. Geography matters because the business is exposed to regional industrial demand, freight costs, foreign exchange, and local raw-material availability.
Risks
Greif is exposed to cyclical industrial demand, raw-material inflation, and foreign exchange swings because its products are tied to manufacturing and commodity-linked end markets. The company also faces execution risk from divestitures, restructuring, and goodwill/asset valuation judgments as it reshapes its portfolio.
Lower customer production reduces packaging volumes and can pressure utilization and pricing.
Exposure: Global industrial end markets
Steel, resin, and old corrugated container prices directly affect input costs and margins.
Exposure: Packaging manufacturing
Portfolio changes can create integration/disposal costs and operational disruption.
Exposure: Containerboard and land management exits
A global sales base creates earnings and revenue sensitivity to exchange-rate movements.
Exposure: International operations
Large goodwill balances and changing segment economics increase impairment sensitivity.
Exposure: Reporting units across all segments
Accounting
Judgemental itemsThe containerboard business is presented separately, changing revenue and profit comparability.
Impact: Affects trend analysis and segment margins
Goodwill is substantial across reporting units and depends on fair value estimates.
Impact: Could create non-cash charges if assumptions weaken
Sales of businesses and land assets can create gains/losses and cash flow effects.
Impact: Can materially affect reported net income in the period of sale
Portfolio changes and system execution create recurring non-recurring charges.
Impact: Affects operating profit and adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
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Last updated: 28/04/2026