The Latest

  • Close up view of stacked corrugated cardboard.
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    Mikola249 via Getty Images
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    Cardboard recycling rate plunges following AF&PA’s calculation revamp

    The American Forest & Paper Association overhauled how it calculates and reports recycling data. The cardboard recycling rate is now closer to results from alternative methodologies, including Bloomberg Intelligence’s.

  • Top view of multiple wine bottles
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    Rafa Jodar via Getty Images
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    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.

  • Puzzle pieces with packaging
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2024

    Coregistics says it’s North America’s largest pure-play contract packaging company after acquiring a Canadian business. Also, X-Rite acquired Colorware, and Package Design & Supply acquired True North Packaging.

    Updated Nov. 15, 2024
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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?

    Ardagh’s metal and glass businesses both reported progress on reducing scope 3 emissions in 2023. Production curtailments following lower market demand also helped decrease GHG emissions.

    Updated Nov. 19, 2024
  • Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin seated at a Delaware County, Pennsylvania, campaign stop in front of a backdrop that says "America's Future Tour."
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Packaging materials, waste groups react to Trump tapping Zeldin to lead EPA

    While in Congress, former Rep. Lee Zeldin voted in support of some PFAS regulations but largely voted against other environmental bills. ACC, AF&PA, former EPA staff and other groups weighed in on this week’s pick.

  • Donald Trump in business attire stands in a stage with an U.S. flag in the background
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    Anna Moneymaker/Staff via Getty Images
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    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.

  • International Paper's new logo.
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    Courtesy of International Paper/Cision
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    International Paper to lay off 650 employees

    The company released additional details this week about corporate layoffs in Memphis, Tennessee, with hundreds of employees to be impacted the first week of January.

    Updated Nov. 14, 2024
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Stories from Pack Expo International 2024

    At the largest Pack Expo event ever held, Packaging Dive connected with manufacturers, brands and trade groups for insight on the latest industry trends.

    Updated Nov. 14, 2024
  • Stacks of reusable plastic transport totes sit on plastic pallets in a warehouse.
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    luchunyu via Getty Images
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    The dual case for reusable transport packaging

    Adopting reusables across the supply chain presents not just sustainability benefits, but also cost savings, according to speakers at Pack Expo International.

  • Closeup of a plastic cup containing muffin liners bears a How2Recycle instructional label, next to a paper box containing tea bags that also bears a How2Recycle instructional label
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    3 insights for navigating the ‘messy middle’ of labeling policy

    During an Ameripen event, representatives of SmartLabel, How2Recycle and BPI Certification discussed where legislation could offer clarity as brands consider on-pack labeling amid evolving state and federal guidance.

  • Two cups with messaging indicating they are reusable next to the Chicago Bears logo.
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    Courtesy of Chicago Bears
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    Chicago Bears, Keurig Dr Pepper add to reusable cups trend at sports venues

    The partners worked with Bold Reuse to introduce the cup pilot program in a portion of Soldier Field. They aim to learn more about scaling reuse models.

  • Three different sizes of cartons that bear branding for Pactiv Evergreen's SmartPour.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Mill divestiture ‘marks an important milestone’ for Pactiv Evergreen

    The Pine Bluff, Arkansas, mill encountered operational challenges during its final month as a Pactiv asset. But its sale, and that of a North Carolina mill, “marks an important milestone,” according to CEO Mike King.

  • Empty beer bottles
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    Daniele Mezzadri via Getty Images
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    Cans increased share again as overall beer shipments declined in 2023

    The Beer Institute shed light on how the packaging mix for the sector is evolving. Executives at packaging companies including Ball, Crown and O-I Glass have weighed in on how beer trends are impacting their businesses.

    CPG
  • An array of Dr. Squatch men's body and skincare products displayed in a forest setting.
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    Retrieved from Dr. Squatch.
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    Emerging brands’ on-pack messaging reshapes retail

    Small brands "had a breakout year" for new launches, and the messaging on their packaging is forcing the marketplace to evolve, according to speakers from Smurfit Westrock at Pack Expo International last week.

    CPG
  • Ameripen Program Director Kyla Fisher (left) moderates a discussion with Michael Okoroafor (center), chief sustainability officer at McCormick & Co., and Neil Menezes (right), packaging sustainability policy manager at General Mills, about how suppliers can help brands complying with packaging EPR programs at Pack Expo International in Chicago on Nov. 5, 2024.
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    Permission granted by Ameripen
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    How supplier collaboration, investing in data can help brands’ EPR transition

    At Pack Expo International, key voices involved in EPR scale-up, representing Ameripen, Circular Action Alliance and major brands, sought to educate big crowds about what brands need to know and how suppliers can help.

    Updated Nov. 7, 2024
  • A wide shot of Sealed Air's exhibiting area on the show floor of Pack Expo International, with people and machinery throughout
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive/Packaging Dive
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    Sealed Air CEO Kivits reorganizes verticals, embraces fiber

    Through talking to customers and investors, “it became clear that reorganizing into two verticals, food and protective, was a critical foundational step,” said new CEO Patrick Kivits, a WestRock alum, on Sealed Air’s Q3 earnings call.

  • An aerial view of exhibitors set up in a large convention hall.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    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.

  • Three different sizes of cartons that bear branding for Pactiv Evergreen's SmartPour.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions

    Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.

  • An industrial campus located along a body of water.
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    The image by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Clearwater Paper details transition to paperboard focus amid sales jump

    Despite a $5 million negative impact from Hurricane Helene in Q3, the company’s recent mill acquisition — and the sale of its tissue business — are expected to provide longer term support for the paperboard-focused company.

  • Close-up view of zippers for compostable packaging from Fresh-Lock
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    Permission granted by Fresh-Lock
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    Packaging suppliers and CPGs increasingly zip up flexible packaging

    Experts from Fresh-Lock, the U.S. Plastics Pact and Clemson University say that functionality testing covering closure durability and accessibility is critical among a range of consumers. 

  • Green glass bottles.
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    DeSid via Getty Images
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    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.

  • Exterior view of Berry Global's Circular Innovation and Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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    Courtesy of Berry Global
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    Berry completes spin-off of health division to form new company Magnera

    Berry spun off its health and hygiene business to merge with Glatfelter, allowing it to focus on consumer packaging. The newly formed Magnera is now “the largest nonwovens company in the world.”

    Updated Nov. 5, 2024
  • Green glass bottles.
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    DeSid via Getty Images
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    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.

    Updated Nov. 12, 2024
  • Interior of industrial production facility
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    Courtesy of Sonoco
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    Sonoco discloses pending $419M divestiture in China amid period of major change

    CEO Howard Coker said the pending purchase of Eviosys and two more possible divestitures would create a company primarily focused on metal and fiber products. It also disclosed notable hurricane effects in Florida.

  • Former President Donald Trump, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris, right, stand behind podiums at a debate.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    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?