The Latest

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2024

    Massachusetts-based Seaman Paper is growing its presence in Germany, while Veritiv is building out a foothold in New York.

    Updated Dec. 18, 2024
  • Two workers in yellow hard hats stand over a conveyor belt full of recyclable materials, primarily plastics, in an industrial facility
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    What’s next now that Oregon has adopted final EPR for packaging rules

    Finalized rules include new permitting and living wage requirements for MRFs, as well as new fees the PRO will be expected to pay certain recyclers.

  • An array of Amazon Kindle, Echo and Fire TV devices in brown paper boxes with company branding.
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    Permission granted by Amazon
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    Amazon boosts recycled content, reduces inks for device packaging

    In addition to the sustainability measures for Kindle, Echo and Fire TV products, the company added a tactile feature to aid consumers with visual impairments.

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    samritk via Getty Images
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    2025 containerboard outlook: Price increases, index exits and tariff threats

    Trends such as price hikes are expected to carry over into the new year, along with the addition of new hot topics like tariffs, say analysts from RaboResearch and Bloomberg Intelligence.

  • A roundtable of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels on Dec. 16, 2024.
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    Courtesy of European Union
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    EU packaging regs advance

    EU packaging regulation clears final legislative hurdle

    The European Council adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It’s expected to apply 18 months after it’s officially published.

  • O-I Glass quality inspection.
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    Courtesy of O-I Glass
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    Deep Dive

    The packaging workforce grew for a decade. Labor shortages and COVID-19 changed that.

    The top 12 publicly traded U.S. packaging manufacturers by revenue collectively have more employees than they did a decade ago. Mergers and acquisitions heavily influenced the numbers, but that’s not the only factor.

  • Paris 2024 olympic signage hangs on a building.
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    Pascal Le Segretain / Staff via Getty Images
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    Paris Olympics cut single-use plastic bottles by 70% versus 2012

    Event organizers said their installation and promotion of free drinking fountains paid off. Oceana celebrated and critiqued the efforts, saying future Games’ reuse systems should not feature single-use plastic at all.

  • Large rolls of paper are lined up in an industrial facility.
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    Courtesy of Billerud
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    SBTi approves Billerud’s updated emissions reduction targets

    The Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer expects most future emissions reductions to come from its North American operations.

  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    ABimagestudio via Getty Images
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    Bottle collection, PCR rate reach highs in down year for PET sales: report

    Some 1.96 billion pounds of bottles were collected in the U.S. in 2023, according to NAPCOR. Meanwhile, the “premium for rPET has once again reached significant margins.”

  • Amcor logo
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    Permission granted by Amcor
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    Packaging M&A appears to be ramping up again with range of deals

    Following megadeals like Amcor’s move to acquire Berry Global and Novolex’s play for Pactiv Evergreen, as well as other activity, sources see packaging M&A ticking up again after a lower-volume period for deals.

  • Fourteen people wearing safety vests have a discussion on the floor of an industrial facility.
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    Courtesy of Greif
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    Greif details cost reduction strategy, value in business unit restructuring

    Executives made good on their promise to provide details about the $100 million cost-reduction plan announced on last week’s earnings call. Plus, they further explained the decision to invest more in the plastics sector.

  • Waste and recycling bins in Montgomery County, Maryland
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
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    Maryland late on EPR recommendations, continuing work into 2025

    The state is working to implement a 2023 law that calls for a recycling needs assessment. The advisory council says it needs that information to craft recommendations for packaging EPR legislation.

  • Heavy-duty trucks with the Veritiv logo in front of a warehouse.
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    Retrieved from Veritiv Corp. on August 07, 2023
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    Veritiv completes acquisition of Orora Packaging Solutions

    The transaction is meant to enhance private equity-backed Veritiv’s specialty packaging distribution capabilities, while Orora and its thousands of employees will transition to a dedicated beverage packaging business.

    Updated Dec. 12, 2024
  • a hand sticks a fork in a salad in a disposable cup
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    Giuseppe Lombardo via Getty Images
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    EPA recommends BPI, GreenScreen, other ecolabels in food service ware procurement

    The agency finalized additions to its recommendations this month, including ones related to reusable, certified commercially compostable, and certified recyclable options.

    Updated Dec. 11, 2024
  • A person speaks from behind a PMMI podium on a stage, next to a digital screen showing a pie chart of packaging market share.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Q&A

    Flexible Packaging Association’s new CEO talks flexibles growth, recyclability, tariffs

    Dan Felton detailed misunderstandings about flexibles that he hopes to dispel. He also discussed risks and opportunities that FPA members face as extended producer responsibility for packaging laws emerge.

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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Aluminum can recycling in US at lowest point in decades: report

    A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.

    Updated Dec. 11, 2024
  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
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    aimintang via Getty Images
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    Maine adopts final rules for packaging EPR law

    The finalized rules come after months of public comments and stakeholder meetings. Certain stakeholders voiced concerns over costs, and some waste groups questioned a disposal reimbursement provision.

  • Exterior of a building with the Novolex logo.
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    Permission granted by Novolex
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    Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen in $6.7B deal

    The North American companies expect to finalize the all-cash deal in 2025, which would take Pactiv Evergreen private.

  • A bulk container used for transporting sensitive products and liquids.
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    Permission granted by Greif
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    Greif leans into polymers following business segment shuffle

    After creating four material-based business segments, Greif’s executives signaled the polymers space holds the greatest growth potential. Executives also announced a $100 million cost-cutting plan.

  • Maura Healey, seated at a table, holds up a climate law, surrounded by a group of people clapping.
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    Retrieved from X.
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    Massachusetts governor signs law to form EPR commission for packaging

    A special commission, led by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, will report back to the legislature by early 2026. It marks incremental progress in a state known for legislative inaction on waste issues.

  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    shaunl via Getty Images
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    California PRO names former CalRecycle director as state lead

    Rachel Wagoner, former director of CalRecycle, will become CAA’s executive director for the state, where she will help oversee the rollout of an EPR for packaging law.

  • Dow's corporate headquarters building in Midland, Michigan.
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    Courtesy of Dow
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    Dow names new packaging segment president

    Keith Cleason immediately takes over the packaging and specialty plastics unit, following Karen Carter’s promotion to chief operating officer.

  • A sign for the FDA is displayed outside the agency's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    Trump’s FDA poised to make mark on food packaging regulation

    Crackdowns on food additives and changes to agency operations could be expected based on signals from the picks for HHS, observers suggested. In addition to chemical concerns, there are food labeling issues in play.

  • An array of metal tins with peel-back metal lids.
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    Courtesy of Eviosys
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    Sonoco completes $3.8B acquisition of Eviosys

    The Switzerland-based metal packaging business will transition to Sonoco’s branding in the coming months, bringing its 6,300 employees and 44 facilities.

  • A wide exterior shot of an industrial facility surrounded by green space.
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    Courtesy of Billerud
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    Billerud to invest $127M in Michigan plants amid transition to paperboard production

    Most of the upgrades will occur at a graphic paper mill in Escanaba, as Billerud strives to transition to paperboard production in North America.