The Latest
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Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2025
Mondi acquired Schumacher Packaging’s Western Europe assets; TricorBraun acquired Euroglas and Glaspack; Novvia Group acquired MegaChem; Toppan acquired Sonoco’s Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business.
Updated 13 hours ago -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Retrieved from Sonoco on March 21, 2025
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.
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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.
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The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 -
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.
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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.
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Retrieved from Plastic Ingenuity on March 19, 2025
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 -
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.
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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 -
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 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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Metal tariffs make American manufacturing less competitive, can makers say
The present tariffs situation “opens the door for cheaper canned foods to flood the U.S. market from China and other foreign competitors,” the Can Manufacturers Institute said. U.S. trade groups are calling for exemptions.
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Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne
The president vowed to implement the new duties if the European Union doesn’t walk back its retaliatory actions against U.S. whiskey.