The Latest
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Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2025
TricorBraun acquired Craft Beverage Warehouse and Sonoco completed the sale of ThermoSafe. Plus, catch up on deals from Alpla, Aptar, Berlin Packaging, CastlePierce, Precision Concepts International and more.
Updated Nov. 5, 2025 -
Graphic Packaging International begins operating Waco mill
With the long-anticipated Texas mill now open, executives on Tuesday’s earnings call announced timing for a shutdown elsewhere.
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TriMas Packaging/YouTube
TriMas selling aerospace arm for $1.45B to focus on packaging
New CEO Thomas Snyder teased growth in packaging “through targeted high-quality acquisitions.”
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Sealed Air’s protective material volumes grow in a first since 2021
The company sees opportunity in diversifying in food service and retail, said CEO Dustin Semach during a Q3 earnings call.
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Sonoco divests ThermoSafe for up to $725M
The final selling price to a private equity firm hinges on business performance in 2025. The long-awaited divestiture of the temperature-assured packaging business will help Sonoco offset the cost of its Eviosys acquisition.
Updated Nov. 3, 2025 -
Deep Dive
Food and beverage giants play catchup on packaging investments
CPGs like Conagra, B&G and Suja increasingly appreciate the gravity of split-second consumer decision-making — and are devoting resources accordingly.
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1,000+ packaging manufacturing layoffs announced in October
In a packed month for layoff announcements, California and Illinois were some of the harder-hit states. Affected sites span EPS foam, corrugated boxes, pallets and more.
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Packaging manufacturers share Q3 takeaways
Catch up on results from Greif, Amcor, O-I Glass, Ball, Graphic Packaging International, Sealed Air, International Paper and more.
Updated 21 hours ago -
Containerboard production continued downward slide in Q3
Containerboard capacity cuts could tee up an environment ripe for price increases in early 2026. Conversely, recent boxboard production expansions have resulted in an oversupply.
Updated Nov. 3, 2025 -
International Paper reverses 2025 box shipment expectations
Although box shipments ticked up in September and early October, full-year volumes are now expected to be down, executives said on Thursday’s earnings call. They also discussed recently announced closures.
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Elopak again growing in US, citing milk carton demand
The Norwegian carton specialist reported that its new Arkansas factory was profitable in Q3 and will expand again in 2027.
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Ranpak details billion-dollar opportunity with Walmart, Amazon
The automation and packing materials company discussed growing enterprise deals on an earnings call Thursday, including with a major medical supply company.
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Georgia-Pacific to close Illinois box plant, affecting 134 employees
The facility “can no longer competitively serve customers,” a spokesperson said. This marks the company’s exit from operations in Illinois.
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Packaging innovations: SmartSolve’s products go down the toilet, Seaman Paper avoids scuffs
Plus, Village Farms’ valve keeps cannabis scents in check and Ahlstrom launches coffee pods that break down at home.
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Retrieved from Smurfit Westrock on October 29, 2025
Smurfit Westrock to close California corrugated facility, affecting 141 workers
CEO Tony Smurfit referenced the closure during a Wednesday earnings call, noting the company will continue “closing down inefficient or loss-making operations” as part of its optimization efforts.
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Food giants may lean more on lawsuits as private label encroaches on their turf
Mondelēz and J.M. Smucker have accused discount retailers of blatantly copying their products and packaging. Experts say more litigation is likely coming.
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Containerboard market ‘pretty bad right now’: Smurfit Westrock CEO
“Pain is very, very real right now” for containerboard, said CEO Tony Smurfit on Wednesday’s earnings call. He also detailed the company’s efforts to shift focus in its North American business to different fiber grades.
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California’s labeling law resets the market for recyclability claims
SB 343 loomed large at SPC Advance and the How2Recycle Summit, leading to concerns about packaging categories such as cartons, small format, flexibles, film and more.
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Bumpy beverage trends punctuated Q3 for can makers
Beer distributors and other beverage companies described price pack architecture opportunities, as well as investments in non-alcoholic markets like energy drinks, on recent earnings calls.
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Tracker
Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?
It its newly released sustainability report, Amcor shared updates on reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and said it met a voluntary recycled plastic target.
Updated Oct. 28, 2025 -
Plastic film recycling has a problem with staying power
As technological advancements contribute to more facilities mechanically or chemically recycling film, lacking end markets and overall economics are holdbacks — including for a short-lived plant that recently closed.
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Q&A
Smurfit Westrock North America CEO talks post-merger priorities
Reflecting on more than 30 years with the company, Laurent Sellier describes differences in European and North American markets, EPR impact, the role of “megaplants,” and insights from touring U.S. facilities this year.
Updated Oct. 29, 2025 -
Sonoco lowers full-year guidance, notes ‘targeted restructuring’ in Mexico, Europe
Sales were up following acquisitions, but certain negative signs persisting into Q4 dampened the 2025 outlook.
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Avery Dennison works with Walmart to add RFID to fresh categories
The companies say they addressed the longstanding challenge of implementing tracking technology in high-moisture, cold environments, such as refrigerated cases. Walmart hopes better inventory management will reduce food waste.
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Screenshot: Greif/YouTube
PCA details Greif integration, upcoming mill energy projects
Packaging Corporation of America spent more time than anticipated getting two mills up to speed following its $1.8 billion acquisition of Greif’s containerboard business in September, executives said on Thursday's earnings call.