The Latest

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2025

    Ahlstrom acquired a Pixelle mill in Wisconsin and Verescence was sold by a private equity firm to new investors. OrCon Industries, Welch Packaging, Aaron Packaging and The Royal Group also announced deals.

    Updated May 30, 2025
  • The cab of a semi truck appears blurry while driving past a stack of shipping containers in the background.
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    5 questions about tariff impacts on the packaging industry

    Frequent changes and uncertainty loom over manufacturers as they assess international supply chain risk and consider procurement changes.

  • A white factory with the blue U.S. Steel logo and U.S. flag on the building.
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    Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
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    Trump to increase steel, aluminum tariffs to 50%

    The president announced the tariff hikes, which are set to begin Wednesday, while touting Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel during a rally in Pittsburgh.

    Updated 16 hours ago
  • A view of the United States Court of International Trade in New York City, on June 22, 2019.
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    The image by ajay_suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    US court blocks Trump’s sweeping tariffs

    The Court of International Trade said the president overstepped his authority, halting various duties. After an appeal, the ruling has been paused.

    Updated May 29, 2025
  • People placing bottles in recycling bin
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    spwidoff via Getty Images
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    Will 2025 EPR laws pave the way for more packaging policy?

    After Maryland and Washington recently adopted packaging EPR laws, leaders from Ameripen and the National Stewardship Action Council expect to see more policy action, including on bottle bills, in 2026.

  • A close-up image of stacks of broken laptops
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    Ian Waldie/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Plastics reduction advocate and former EPA administrator joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation

    Jennie Romer, known for plastics pollution work at Surfrider and at the EPA's pollution prevention office, will address e-waste, textiles and circular economy policy in her new role at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

  • Bales of plastic in a warehouse
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    Courtesy of Nova Chemicals
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    Nova Chemicals, Novolex open mechanical recycling facility for PE film

    The Indiana facility will process up to 145,000 bales of postconsumer plastic film a year to produce recycled LLDPE for use in food-safe applications. End users will include Charter Next Generation and Pregis.

  • National Park Service sign affixed to a wall
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trump administration orders reversal of plastics phase-out in national parks

    A new order states that the rescission tracks with a February executive order to end procurement of paper straws.

  • Beverage bottles with Pepsi branding sit on a store shelf.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    PepsiCo resets packaging sustainability goals, ditches reuse target

    The company discontinued some sustainability goals and revamped others for packaging and emissions. PepsiCo says the goals are still ambitious and reflect external challenges to achieving targets.

  • Ball cans and bottles.
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    Permission granted by Ball Corporation
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    Ball CFO to depart after less than 2 years in role

    Ball will rely on a longtime executive to serve as interim CFO upon Howard Yu’s departure next month. 

  • The California state flag waves in the wind.
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    CalRecycle unveils new SB 54 text; Wagoner out as CAA’s California lead

    The agency will host a public meeting Tuesday to take feedback. Circular Action Alliance, the packaging EPR program’s PRO, plans to hire a new state lead as former CalRecycle director Rachel Wagoner steps aside.

  • Bags of beans and rice are displayed at a Walmart store.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Walmart, Mondelēz, Mars, Nestlé leave the US Plastics Pact

    Multiple major members appear to have recently exited the group, which is gearing up to pursue refreshed 2030 targets. Meanwhile, some other companies have doubled down on participation for the next five years.

  • A square chunk of cheese in a wrapper with messaging for Nestlé's ¡Qué Rico! cheese brand.
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    Screenshot: Ogilvy/YouTube

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    Packaging innovations: Nestlé ‘self-packing’ cheese will have you saying ‘no whey!’

    Plus, ProAmpac discusses a collaboration bringing recyclable paper bags to lawn care, and SIG scales its aluminum-free aseptic carton offerings.

  • Rows of metal cans on a manufacturing line.
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    Frazao Studio Latino via Getty Images
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    Can Manufacturers Institute to get new president as longtime leader retires

    A leader from within CMI’s ranks will take over next month for President Robert Budway, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with the association.

  • Close up view of stacked corrugated cardboard.
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    Mikola249 via Getty Images
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    Fiber producers see pricing upside for late 2025 amid capacity, tariff changes

    A temporary reduction in tariffs with China and upcoming mill closures by Georgia-Pacific and others could contribute to pricing and demand improvements in the second half of the year, according to analysts.

  • Aerial view of an industrial facility surrounded by trees and located next to waterways.
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    Retrieved from Domtar on May 19, 2025
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    Domtar nears decision on converting Quebec mill to containerboard

    The company did not confirm an official decision yet, but union Unifor says the investment tentatively is a go. Analysts note a current containerboard oversupply, but conditions could change by the time a conversion is complete.

  • The back of an industrial worker standing in a factory.
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    kyonntra via Getty Images
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    Tariffs push manufacturing into stagnation through 2025: ISM forecast

    Revenue is expected to remain flat this year as manufacturers navigate spiking prices and falling demand.

  • Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson poses with a crowd of people in Olympia after signing a bill
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    Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive, data from TVW
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    Washington adopts seventh packaging EPR law in the US

    All three West Coast states now have extended producer responsibility for packaging laws. Washington’s law, the seventh in the U.S., was backed by multiple CPG and packaging trade groups.

  • A rigid plastic bottle of Mrs. Meyer's liquid hand soap sits next to a larger, flexible plastic pouch of the same product.
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    Permission granted by SC Johnson
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    Packaging innovations: SC Johnson’s soap refill system, Amcor and Metsä collaborate on trays

    Plus, Nestlé Purina gets a PCR boost and Futamura brings compostability features to sachets.

  • Line of people with shovels and hard hats and an International Paper sign
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    Courtesy of International Paper
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    CNG, Elopak, Hotpack, IP expanding US operations

    Malnove, Nelipak, Pregis and UFP also shared expansion updates in the past month. Here’s where packaging manufacturers are growing.

  • 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

    Maryland and Washington became the sixth and seventh states with packaging EPR laws. In California, CalRecycle is accepting comments on proposed changes to SB 54 regulations.

    Updated May 20, 2025
  • Lee Zeldin claps next to Donald Trump as he signs an executive order, amid a crowd of people
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    EPA’s future PFAS manufacturing effluent limitation guidelines raise new questions

    The Trump administration will pursue regulations for certain manufacturers of chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers after pausing implementation of a similar Biden-era proposal.

  • A sign for an industrial facility welcoming visitors to Georgia-Pacific's Cedar Springs containerboard mill.
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    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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    Georgia-Pacific to cut 535 jobs in containerboard mill closure

    The company doesn’t believe this mill in Cedar Springs, Georgia, can competitively serve customers in the long-term. While most employees will be let go by August, some will remain to assist with the facility shutdown.

    Updated May 14, 2025
  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
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    Adisak Mitrprayoon via Getty Images
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    Amid industry frustration about fiber price indexes, Bloomberg presents alternative

    Existing pricing indexes haven’t kept up with changes in fiber manufacturing and sales over the last several decades, so Bloomberg developed an alternative, according to speakers on Tuesday’s webinar introducing the index.

  • A pile of food waste in a waste bin
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California compostable packaging restriction could have ‘chilling effect’

    The Biodegradable Products Institute says it’s still waiting to hear whether there could be a compliance extension for a key provision of AB 1201 poised to affect compostables in the state come 2026.

    Updated May 19, 2025