The Latest

  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters at the White House on March 3, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing economy stalls amid tariff confusion: PMI

    Purchasing managers’ index data showed a contraction in March. The industry is bracing for the impact of the Trump administration's upcoming "Liberation Day," on April 2, set to bring a slew of tariffs.

  • closeup of tops of glass bottles lined up in a crate
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    Ratchapon Supprasert via Getty Images
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    Verallia, Saverglass part of anticompetition investigation in France

    The country’s Competition Authority carried out unannounced visits on Thursday and Friday as part of its probe into companies’ practices for manufacturing and marketing glass packaging.

  • A person shops in a grocery store aisle
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Hitting a plateau: Circular packaging designers face flexibles hurdle

    Many companies have targets to make 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Now, as they face the hardest categories to transform, some are weighing whether it’s feasible.

  • A person draws on a white board with a marker.
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    Courtesy of Amcor
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    Amcor extends open call for novel barrier coatings

    The company aims to work with innovators and startups on compostable and recyclable coatings for flexible packaging. Chosen projects could receive up to $500,000 in funding.

  • man in a navy suit with a red tie sits hands crossed at a desk with a microphone
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Makary confirmed by Senate as FDA commissioner

    The Johns Hopkins surgeon will helm the agency as layoffs loom and important decisions on treatments for rare and infectious diseases await.

  • hands open a plastic beverage bottle with a tethered cap
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    Thomas Faull via Getty Images
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    US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling

    Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.

  • Three people sit in chairs on a stage in front of an audience.
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    Courtesy of Screenshot: International Paper
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    International Paper outlines 2027 vision, DS Smith integration plans

    “We think we can transform this company,” said CEO Andy Silvernail during an investor day. IP previewed more cost-cutting ahead, plus an estimated $1.9 billion in capital expenditures per year through 2027.

  • A box with branding for Seagram's Escapes flavored malt beverages.
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    Courtesy of Seagram's Escapes
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    Packaging innovations: Seagram’s slims down, J. Lohr puts cab in a keg

    Plus, Wimbée and Koehler Paper cap off a fiber packaging project and Contempo Specialty Packaging keeps plastics and kids out of its cannabis packaging.

  • Close up of fiber tubes with blue Sonoco logos on them.
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    Retrieved from Sonoco on March 21, 2025
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    URB producers to increase prices as tariffs affect fiber demand

    Greif, Sonoco, Cascades and Ox Industries are leading the price increases for uncoated recycled paperboard. Meanwhile, analysts flag that tariff uncertainty has prompted fiber demand shifts.

  • Several white, plastic yogurt cups containing different colored yogurt, one of which has a metal spoon sticking out of it.
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    AtlasStudio via Getty Images
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    AI-enabled MRF technology aids food-grade polypropylene recovery: report

    A study led by Closed Loop Partners, in collaboration with Greyparrot, analyzed more than 650 tons of material from four U.S. MRFs. 

  • The California statehouse
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    The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    California packaging EPR implementation moves ahead amid regulatory redo

    State officials shared updates in the first SB 54 advisory board meeting since Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a regulatory restart. CalRecycle said it will continue working on multiple other statutory requirements in the meantime.

  • 2 Ball aluminum cups branded for Bud Light and Super Bowl LIV against the backdrop of Hard Rock Stadium
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    Courtesy of Ball Corp.
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    Ball sells majority stake in aluminum cups business, forming joint venture

    Ball believes the joint venture, Oasis Venture Holdings, will grow its underperforming metal cups business, and it anticipates a $25 million year-over-year improvement following the asset sale.

  • Capitol building, DC
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    Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Packaging groups back bipartisan recycling bill in Congress

    Companies including Ball, Kraft Heinz and SC Johnson registered their support. This adds to other packaging-related bills in the 119th Congress, including the Steward Act and the Farewell to Foam Act.

  • Blue recycling bins are seen on a residential street Oct. 30, 2017, in Portland, Oregon.
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Days away from Oregon EPR reporting deadline, cue the ‘compliance anxiety’

    In a U.S. first, producers of packaging, paper and food service ware have until the end of the month to report 2024 supply data through Circular Action Alliance’s portal. Oregon plans to start the program in July.

    Updated March 21, 2025
  • A wheel loader moves bales of plastic
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic opens Indianapolis plastics complex to meet recycled content demand

    The location has the company’s second polymer center and a Blue Polymers facility. Together, they’re expected to process 175,000 pounds of recycled plastic annually and in part offer resin for food-grade packaging.

  • stacks of brown paper cups in a row in a coffeeshop setting
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    dmf87 via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    FPI president touts resilience amid industry changes

    The COVID-19 pandemic and EPR laws are among the forces driving the food service packaging sector to adapt and increase collaboration, said Foodservice Packaging Institute President Natha Dempsey.

  • Various fruits inside clear plastic food containers.
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    Retrieved from Plastic Ingenuity on March 19, 2025
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    PET thermoform recycling is rising, but still not matching PCR demand

    Only 54% of U.S. residents with recycling programs have access to thermoform recycling. That must increase to meet growing postconsumer recycled content demand, according to NAPCOR.

    Updated March 20, 2025
  • Seven bottles of different scents of Dial body wash lined up next to one another on a countertop.
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    Courtesy of Henkel
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    Henkel boosts recycled content in plastic packaging

    The German consumer goods company’s newly released sustainability report also cited the supplier engagement program it launched last year as being instrumental in reducing emissions.

  • A pile of mixed recyclables of different materials, including bottles and containers
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    Solnuha via Getty Images
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    EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know

    CAA is working with producers on Oregon’s March 31 reporting deadline. Meanwhile, CalRecycle is trying to start a new formal rulemaking process for SB 54, and Maryland’s EPR advisors shared policy recommendations.

    Updated March 21, 2025
  • Close up view of corrugated cardboard
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    Photo illustration by Shaun Lucas/Packaging Dive; photograph by Vudhikul Ocharoen via Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?

    PCR exceeded 5% of Berry Global’s resin purchases, according to its newly released 2024 sustainability report.

    Updated March 19, 2025
  • O-I Glass leaders stand and cheer as they ring the New York Stock Exchange closing bell
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    Screenshot: New York Stock Exchange/YouTube

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    O-I seeks to compete better with cans in North America

    As part of an investor day, the glass company shared updates on an ongoing business strategy, including financial targets, cost-cutting efforts, portfolio transformation and growth opportunities.

  • A Greyparrot AI system sits on top of a sorting line
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    Courtesy of Greyparrot
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    Recyclers give packaging designers a glimpse into limitations, opportunities in today’s MRFs

    Leaders from Republic Services, Rumpke Waste & Recycling and elsewhere discussed their role in recycling plastics at the Sustainability in Packaging US conference.

  • A person wearing a black and reflective yellow protective suit, gloves, hard hat and goggles, pointing up with a U.S. flag behind them.
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    Courtesy of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa.

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    Tariff uncertainty sparks manufacturing anxiety, especially among small firms

    Changing foreign suppliers could become more difficult as the Trump administration continues to enact new widespread tariff policies.

  • A gloved hand places a takeout salad in a paper bag
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    doble-d via Getty Images
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    5 years later, pandemic-era effects have a mark on the packaging industry

    COVID-19 changed how consumers get meals, order items and more, in turn influencing packaging. Some changes in manufacturing have stuck, from automating certain tasks to adapting supply chain management.

  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stands at a podium, next to U.S. and EPA flags
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Manufacturers hail EPA plans to rethink particulate matter regulations

    The National Association of Manufacturers, American Forest & Paper Association and others previously challenged an update to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in court.