Trump’s tariffs: How manufacturers can prepare

Front-loading commodity imports could be a temporary solution, but diversified sourcing will be critical for the long term, experts say.

By Kate Magill • Nov. 14, 2024

Ardagh permanently closing Seattle wine bottle facility, citing unfavorable ITC decision

The closure of the previously halted glass facility impacts 245 workers. Curtailments can positively affect GHG emissions metrics, the company noted in a new sustainability road map on Thursday.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 14, 2024

Automation, labor shortage discussions permeate largest-ever Pack Expo

Sustainability also sat among the top themes at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, including a focus on reusable and flexible packaging. PMMI says the event broke records for attendance and the number of exhibitors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2024

Layoffs tick up in October, led by International Paper and O-I Glass

Companies such as Dart Container, PPC Flexible Packaging, Sonoco and Metsä Board also disclosed upcoming layoffs in multiple areas.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 5, 2024

Packaging manufacturers share insights from Q3

Recent earnings calls revealed some notable changes at packaging manufacturers. Follow the latest from Pactiv Evergreen, Clearwater Paper, Sonoco, Amcor, International Paper, Smurfit Westrock and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 12, 2024

International Paper cuts 674 jobs amid strategic review of global cellulose fibers

The news of a South Carolina pulp mill closure brings IP’s announced layoffs this month to more than 1,500. A potential sale of the broader GCF business is now under consideration.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 31, 2024

O-I considers cutting 7% of capacity by mid-2025

The company reported a net loss in Q3 after curtailing an estimated 18% of production amid destocking trends. It also reported the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Kentucky, its first in decades.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 30, 2024

Is the fiber packaging M&A surge done? Probably not.

M&A activity is expected to influence companies’ commercial approaches for the next five to 10 years, according to conference speakers from Wells Fargo, Bloomberg and Hudson Windsor.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 28, 2024

Suzano begins operating 2 US mills, talks bolt-on M&A

Suzano executives shared more details about the ramp-up in Arkansas and North Carolina, and the Brazilian company’s broader aspirations for growth in the U.S., during an earnings call on Friday.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2024

O-I Glass shuttering Ohio innovation center, Illinois plant: reports

The company has teased multiple closures since Gordon Hardie took over as CEO but previously had shared few specifics on locations.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 24, 2024

10 of the latest packaging facility expansions in North America

Elopak, Georgia-Pacific, Graham Packaging and RediBagUSA are among the companies that recently made investments in new facilities or upgrades.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Oct. 25, 2024

Election 2024: The outlook for packaging and manufacturing policy

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump differ on environmental regulations, manufacturing, energy and ESG policies. What could a Trump or Harris presidency mean for the packaging industry?

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 23, 2024

Fiber packaging pricing remains flat, Cascades’ 3rd increase doesn’t gain traction

Industry price increases appear to be finished for the year. Meanwhile, analysts point to continued improvement in volumes while the industry pulls up from the post-pandemic “cardboard box recession.”

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 22, 2024

International Paper to close facilities in 4 states, lay off hundreds

The recently disclosed layoffs will occur in Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee in mid-December. These are in addition to 650 layoffs confirmed last week.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Oct. 21, 2024

Gem-Pack Berries ditches clamshell labels with Multisteps’ digital printing technology

Multisteps Industries expects its direct-to-packaging printing to improve recyclability for Gem-Pack’s PET clamshells for berries, starting this year.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 18, 2024

O-I Glass discloses $21M severance charge amid furnace closures

The company detailed an optimization plan in July. In the past two months, O-I has disclosed multiple furnace closures impacting hundreds of employees and a Q3 charge related to expected Q4 severance payouts.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 17, 2024

Reality check: AR, VR transforms training for packaging manufacturers

Augmented and virtual reality experiences at Greif, Papacks, Smurfit Westrock and Sonoco are working to boost employees’ skills and safety, pushing packaging manufacturing training into its “next era.”

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 16, 2024

PulPac leverages partnerships to advance its dry molded fiber technology

The company is experiencing growth as it touts its technology's carbon footprint benefits over the wet molding process. Identifying coatings free of PFAS is a sticking point, says Chief Commercial Officer Sanna Fager.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 15, 2024

Dart Container, Origin Materials announced workforce cuts in September

New data shows U.S. manufacturing contracted and layoffs rose last month. News of workforce reductions by Berry Global and Origin cropped up in Canada, as well as at Dart’s corporate headquarters in Michigan.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 2, 2024

Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024

What’s next for product certification amid concerns about PFAS and toxics in plastic

Lagging regulation and a potential “toxic treadmill” with recycled content are viewed as just some of today’s pressing challenges. Clean Production Action Executive Director Mark Rossi reflects on two decades of change in the field.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 30, 2024

Advancements push AI from jargon into practice for packaging management

Glacier demonstrated at the Packaging Recycling Summit how it developed new AI models through partnerships with Colgate and Amazon to capture more recyclables at MRFs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2024

New molded fiber company will use industrial hemp as main feedstock

Renw seeks to minimize reliance on forestry assets in packaging by expanding the growth of industrial hemp, which will be used as a feedstock at the company’s molded fiber production facilities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 25, 2024

Containerboard pricing holds steady as box demand sees uneven recovery

The latest Fastmarkets RISI monthly data showed flat pricing for domestic containerboard. While Cascades is attempting its third price increase this year, so far others have not followed.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2024

AI is ‘more of an evolution than a revolution’ for packaging: PMMI report

Numerous practical applications of AI are already here for packaging machinery OEMs and their end users, though not without challenges. PMMI Business Intelligence shares recommendations on how companies can get started.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 18, 2024