Exhibit 5.1

 

				Mayer Brown LLP 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020-1001 United States of America   T: +1 212 506 2500 F: +1 212 262 1910   mayerbrown.com

August 15, 2025

Packaging Corporation of America

1 North Field Court

Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

 

Re:	Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Packaging Corporation of America, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-289469) (the “Registration Statement”), including the prospectus constituting a part thereof, dated August 11, 2025, and the final supplement to the prospectus, dated August 11, 2025 (collectively, the “Prospectus”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the issuance and sale by the Company of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “Securities”). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of July 21, 2003, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee, as supplemented by an officers’ certificate (collectively, the “Indenture”).

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such corporate and other records, instruments, certificates and documents as we considered necessary to enable us to express this opinion. We have assumed the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all documents, records and certificates submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents, records and certificates submitted to us as copies and the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of the originals of all documents, records and certificates submitted to us as copies. We have assumed the legal capacity and genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with the opinions set forth below. As to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent we deemed proper, we have relied on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and of public officials.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications expressed below, we are of the opinion that the Securities have been duly executed and when authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and delivered in consideration of the payment of the purchase price therefore, will have been duly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that (a) the

 

Mayer Brown is a global services provider comprising an association of legal practices that are separate entities including

Mayer Brown LLP (Illinois, USA), Mayer Brown International LLP (England & Wales), Mayer Brown Hong Kong LLP (a Hong Kong limited liability partnership) and Tauil & Chequer Advogados (a Brazilian law partnership).

Mayer Brown LLP

Packaging Corporation of America

August 15, 2025

Page 2

 

enforceability thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or remedies generally and (ii) general principles of equity and to the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefor may be brought (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (b) the enforceability of provisions imposing liquidated damages, penalties or an increase in the interest rate upon the occurrence of certain events may be limited in certain circumstances.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, and, in turn, to the Registration Statement and to being named in the Prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters” with respect to the matters stated therein. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

We express no opinion as to matters under or involving any laws other than the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. The opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the present laws of the United States be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise or to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention.

This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose