The Latest
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Packaging innovations: Coors Light pits out, Pure Sunfarms gives a peek at weed
Plus, SIG works on a monomaterial bag for boxed wine, Smurfit Westrock and Papa Johns partner on digitally printed boxes to fit entire meals, Aptar brings biobased resins to nasal spray pumps, and more.
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Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2025
Nefab Group acquired Farusa Emballage, BradyPlus plans to merge with Imperial Dade, and Siegwerk agreed to purchase Allinova. Meanwhile, Greif is divesting its entire timberland portfolio to Molpus Woodlands Group.
Updated Aug. 13, 2025 -
Connecticut’s beverage container redemption rate rose 21% in 2024
The Container Recycling Institute says improvements like a 10-cent deposit, more return locations and a broader range of accepted containers boosted redemption rates. Some other bottle bill states saw declines of 1% to 3%.
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Manufacturers nix the USDA’s Paper and Packaging Board
Since 2014, the organization has been funded by paper manufacturers and importers to boost paper-based packaging markets. But a recent vote on continuing the marketing efforts failed to garner majority support.
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Smurfit Westrock shutting down Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility
This 100-employee closure follows other company announcements this year eliminating certain sites in Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota and Texas, spanning corrugated products, containerboard and more.
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USDA funds packaging innovations for $143B specialty crop export industry
The Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, through Clemson University, selected projects to help align with international regulations like the EU’s PPWR. Companies involved include Kwik Lok, NatureSweet, Sway and others.
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Cascades details Virginia production ramp-up, New York wind-down
The Canadian fiber specialist said it accelerated the closure of corrugated medium manufacturing operations in Niagara Falls in light of notable tonnage increases at Bear Island that persisted through July.
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Greif inks deal to sell timberlands for $462M
The sale to Molpus Woodlands Group is expected to close by the end of September. The divestiture aligns with Greif’s ongoing optimization and cost-reduction efforts.
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Ball optimistic after growth in nonalcoholic beverages
Meanwhile, the can manufacturer has been doing some “repositioning” of its beer-heavy portfolio, as that category has been relatively soft across geographies. The company called tariff impacts “manageable.”
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Sealed Air details protective packaging turnaround progress, introduces new CFO
The second quarter of 2025 brought the most stable year-over-year volume results for protective packaging since 2021, said CEO Dustin Semach on Tuesday’s earnings call.
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EU delays countermeasures to US tariffs by 6 months
The bloc has now paused countermeasure implementation three times. The measures currently put on hold include additional duties for aluminum and steel products.
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After Oregon packaging EPR law launches, wholesaler lawsuit follows
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed a complaint last week. The trade group is “reviewing all of the various proposals to implement EPR programs wherever they are being discussed,” a spokesperson said.
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Cascades, IP, O-I Glass announced layoffs in July
Employees in California, New York and Oregon are affected by the closures at paper and glass facilities, according to state WARN filings.
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International Paper sets sights on mill improvements
The company still aims to divest its global cellulose fiber business by year’s end, but “the markets have been tough,” said CEO Andy Silvernail on Thursday’s earnings call.
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Retrieved from Greif on August 01, 2025
Greif to close California facility, cut 43 jobs
Closing the steel drum and polymer container manufacturing facility aligns with the company’s plan to cut $100 million in costs by fiscal year 2027.
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Packaging manufacturers reveal Q2 results and trends
Amcor, Cascades, Ball, Sealed Air, International Paper, O-I Glass and Smurfit Westrock are among the companies that have recently reported earnings.
Updated Aug. 14, 2025 -
US to install country-specific tariffs Aug. 7
President Donald Trump signed an executive order codifying rates for over 60 trading partners while extending a USMCA tariff pause and levying a 35% tariff on non-compliant imports from Canada.
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What does ReMa’s new paper cup specification mean for packaging companies?
The addition is expected to boost acceptance in recycling streams and at mills. It comes as Graphic Packaging International preps a new recycled paperboard mill to accept 15 million cups per day as feedstock.
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Cardboard cartel? Lawsuit accuses containerboard manufacturers of price fixing
A class-action lawsuit led by a food customer follows a period of industry consolidation and multiple producer price hikes. It’s not the first time major producers have been sued over claims of anticompetitive actions.
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Georgia-Pacific announces CEO change
Christian Fischer, who has served as president and CEO since 2017, will retire from the company, ending a tenure dating back to 1989. The company aims to name a long-term replacement in 2026.
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What recycling and packaging groups are looking for in global plastic treaty talks
At a roundtable event, speakers from Circular Action Alliance, SC Johnson and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscored how treaty negotiations will impact recycling supply chains and future business opportunities.
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Smurfit Westrock touts ‘significant improvements’ to operations at 1-year mark
The company will continue efforts to optimize its corrugated box system, including through adjusting its footprint and cutting “loss-making” customer contracts, executives said on a Wednesday earnings call.
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O-I continues to cut costs, ends MAGMA production technology
The glass containers company is continuing with curtailments and closures, while also implementing more efficient operating systems at some facilities. Despite a dip in Q2, the company expects relatively stable volumes in 2025.
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Graphic Packaging’s costs climb as Waco mill nears finish line
Design and labor costs at a Texas project prompted Graphic Packaging International to restate its expected capital expenditures and free cash flow. CEO Mike Doss also noted a “highly unusual” decline in consumer spending.
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Policy shifts keep chemical footprint efforts in pendulum swing
Following pushes to reduce certain chemicals in packaging and Trump administration changes, industry and advocates ponder what’s next. Limitations remain, including around high-performance materials.