Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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SDI Productions via Getty Images
2024 packaging trends by the numbers
These are some of the stats illustrating key storylines this year in policy and regulation, M&A activity, manufacturing, pricing, recycling, sustainability goals and more.
Katie Pyzyk and Maria Rachal • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of O-I Glass
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.
Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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.”
Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Permission granted by Rare Beauty
‘Everybody benefits’: Why the beauty industry needs to get serious about accessible packaging
Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design, but the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet.
Caroline Jansen • Oct. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of NatureWorks
Inside the debate over PLA, the packaging industry’s favorite bioplastic
Polylactic acid has been around for decades, but it only became popular as an option for compostable packaging more recently. While some environmental groups question its credentials, the packaging sector expects demand to grow.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 8, 2024 -
K Neville via Getty Images
Hush-hush: Is greenwashing pushback prompting pivot to ‘greenhushing’?
Companies must focus on data to back their sustainability claims instead of resorting to silence, or exaggerations, said sources from groups such as the U.S. Plastics Pact, Glass Packaging Institute and McCormick & Co.
Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Mark Wilson via Getty Images
How much did packaging CEOs make in 2023?
The packaging industry’s largest manufacturers have a wave of new CEOs beginning this year. Here’s a look at how compensation has trended for packaging leaders — and their employees — in recent years.
Maria Rachal, Cole Rosengren and Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Smurfit WestRock
2024 packaging M&A trends: Megadeals are in, destocking hangover is out
Despite several high-profile megadeals between large packaging companies in recent months, small companies make up more volume than meets the eye, according to analysts. And international transactions are gaining prominence.
Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by JBM Packaging
Second chance hiring can bridge labor gaps, break employment barriers
Although some companies say they initially hire formerly incarcerated individuals to overcome a labor shortage, these programs can lead to less employee churn, lower recidivism and life-changing impact, advocates say.
Katie Pyzyk • April 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Elevate Packaging
Compostable packaging take-back programs aim to ease consumer burden, boost recovery
As compostable packaging rollouts outpace access to collection, more companies are looking to make collection less confusing via mail-in or pick-up programs.
Katie Pyzyk • March 13, 2024 -
golubovy via Getty Images
Does this packaging contain recycled plastic? Inside the mass balance debate
An accounting system long used in other industries is gaining prominence in the packaging sector, due in part to the rise of chemical recycling. Companies, trade groups and regulators are weighing the complexities and controversies.
Leslie Nemo • March 5, 2024 -
Nigel Harris via Getty Images
Biodiversity emerges as an ESG priority in packaging, but measurement could be a challenge
As international standards evolve, fiber-based packaging companies are in the spotlight. Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Canopy Planet weigh in on what the increased focus means for the industry.
April Reese • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Lindsey Shuey/The Republican-Herald via AP
Carton shortage may last through school year, but brandless packaging brings relief
Pactiv Evergreen said it’s producing half-pint cartons at maximum capacity as a supply chain disruption still challenges dairies and schools. Some people suggest the problem originates from an Ohio converting plant shuttering.
Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 12, 2024 -
Sean Rayford via Getty Images
Customization, AI and scannable codes seen as future opportunities for digital printing
As the technology’s capabilities broaden, converters are “thinking in completely different ways” about packaging production and predicting it will capture some of analog printing's market share.
Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 20, 2023 -
Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
Brands level up packaging with digital printing’s customization, consumer connection options
From Taylor Swift-printed Amazon boxes to different versions of the same product, digital inkjet printing enables converters such as Fortis Solutions Group, Printpack and Tetra Pak to meet brands' evolving needs.
Katie Pyzyk and Shaun Lucas • Dec. 13, 2023 -
Courtesy of Recology
Compostable packaging’s contested, complicated past doesn’t determine its future
Composters can struggle to manage the wide variety of new packaging entering the market, leading to greater calls for labeling guidelines and testing. Cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis offer case studies in how to make it work.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Dec. 5, 2023 -
Compostable packaging is still evolving but popular. Here’s where experts say it could be most effective.
From farmers markets to Walmart to stadiums, compostable packaging is on the rise. Elevate Packaging, NatureWorks, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and others weigh in on how to get it right.
Hollie Stephens • Dec. 4, 2023 -
Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
‘Revolutionary’ digital printing technology uptake expected to accelerate for packaging
DS Smith, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, WestRock, O-I Glass and others are among the companies innovating with this technology, which can increase precision and reduce waste.
Katie Pyzyk and Shaun Lucas • Nov. 29, 2023 -
Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images; Federal Trade Commission
Taming the wild west of environmental marketing: A Green Guides history
More than 30 years after state attorneys general pushed for scrutiny of marketing claims, the packaging landscape is as complicated as ever. Did the guides serve their original purpose?
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Sept. 6, 2023 -
Milko via Getty Images
Packaging evolves in response to ‘unboxing’ videos flooding social media
Brands are requesting customized boxes to touch consumers’ emotions and build loyalty. Filler material, in-box printing and sustainability contribute to memorable unboxing moments, too.
Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 16, 2023 -
sebasnoo via Getty Images
Demand for recycled plastic in packaging is growing. So are concerns about potential health risks.
Recent studies have raised questions about health effects from plastic, including recycled material, as companies and regulators increasingly look at ways to advance the use of recycled resin in food-grade packaging.
April Reese • June 26, 2023 -
hapabapa via Getty Images
As PFAS restrictions advance, paper industry struggles to phase out use
The toxic “forever chemicals” have long been used in the packaging sector. While companies say they’re being phased out, finding alternatives and fully eliminating them from effluent remain ongoing issues.
April Reese • April 3, 2023 -
Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images
5 factors influencing packaging design and operations
From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.
Katie Pyzyk, Maria Rachal and Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023
