Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has set an ambitious target: by 2040, the company aims to capture and permanently store 1.75 million metric tons of biogenic CO₂ each year. To reach that milestone, PCA is building on a successful pilot project with a new study designed to move carbon capture technology from trial to large-scale operations.
What Carbon Capture Means
Carbon capture is an emerging technology that prevents carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from entering the atmosphere by collecting them directly at the source. The CO₂ can then be stored permanently underground in formations such as saline aquifers or used in industrial processes.
The innovation lies in its ability to go beyond traditional efficiency gains. Instead of simply reducing emissions, carbon capture may have the potential to make manufacturing carbon negative removing more CO₂ than is released. For industries tied to packaging and foodservice, this is a major development, as it signals a future where suppliers could materially reduce the carbon intensity of their products.
Early Progress on Carbon Capture
According to PCA’s sustainability report, a pilot trial at a southern U.S. mill delivered strong results between late 2024 and mid-2025. Encouraged by the findings, the company is now commissioning a study to determine investment needs and construction timelines for a full-scale facility. The first operational carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant could be ready as early as 2028, with plans to expand the technology to multiple sites by 2040.
PCA identified four mills near saline aquifers natural underground formations suited for storing CO₂ where CCS could be deployed:
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Counce, Tennessee
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DeRidder, Louisiana
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Jackson, Alabama
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Valdosta, Georgia
Together, these mills emitted around 4.5 million metric tons of biogenic CO₂ in 2021, highlighting the potential impact if capture and storage are scaled.
Why This Matters for Foodservice
For U.S. foodservice executives, PCA’s move into carbon capture highlights key points:
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Suppliers are pushing toward deeper decarbonization. Carbon capture represents a new frontier in sustainability strategies.
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Packaging footprints will face greater scrutiny. Operators will be expected to understand and respond to customer and regulatory concerns about emissions.
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Partnerships create advantage. Aligning with suppliers that invest early in carbon capture positions businesses to meet compliance standards and consumer expectations ahead of schedule.
The Takeaway
Carbon capture is emerging as the next frontier in sustainability, with PCA’s pilot suggesting it could one day help suppliers move closer to carbon-neutral outcomes.
For foodservice leaders, this matters in three key ways:
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Strategic Supplier Selection: Choosing partners investing in advanced carbon capture provides a pathway to lower upstream emissions and comply with evolving sustainability mandates.
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Brand Differentiation: Early alignment with suppliers chasing carbon-neutral outcomes strengthens brand trust and supports consumer demand for responsible sourcing.
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Future Readiness: Monitoring packaging innovations like CCS (carbon capture and storage) positions brands to respond faster to future regulations and consumer expectations.
