International Paper announces all-share agreement to acquire DS Smith, valued at $7.2B

The deal bests a preliminary purchase proposal from rival Mondi. It comes one week before a deadline to submit formal offers for acquiring the London-based paper packaging company.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 16, 2024

Eviction threat looms as film recycler Myplas accrues $1.3M in unpaid bills

Unexpected financial challenges occurred shortly after the company launched its highly anticipated Minnesota polyethylene film recycling operation in December, according to Peter Shippen, Myplas board chair.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 15, 2024

Is hemp the next revolution for sustainable packaging? Startup element6 Dynamics thinks so.

CEO Kimberly Kovacs details the company’s push to use industrial hemp for making paper and packaging, which she says is a more sustainable option than tree pulp.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 8, 2024

O-I Glass names new CEO as longtime leader prepares to retire

Gordon Hardie, a board member, will take over in mid-May as Andres Lopez plans to retire after nearly 40 years with the company.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 4, 2024

DS Smith extends Mondi’s offer deadline, IP details its counterproposal

The bidding war for DS Smith heats up as Mondi’s offer deadline is now set for the same day as International Paper’s. IP provided additional specifics about its proposal, including plans to create a second headquarters.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 4, 2024

ND Paper, Opus, Jindal among March plant shutdown announcements

More than 300 employees are expected to be affected by temporary or permanent shutdowns in Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 2, 2024

Bidding war speculation brews as International Paper proposes DS Smith acquisition

IP’s more than $7 billion proposal comes as next week’s deadline approaches for Mondi to make a formal offer for DS Smith.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 27, 2024

Emerald bullish on PCR as produce packaging company marks transition

Co-owner Jim Kelly is stepping down from his EVP role as he reflects on decades of innovation in the produce market. The family business looks to forge ahead on recycled content implementation in flexible packaging.

By Maria Rachal • March 26, 2024

Bioplastics player Verde Bioresins terminates SPAC deal

The California-based company, which sells a “PolyEarthylene” alternative to virgin plastics, sought to scale up production more quickly by going public. The deal was called off this month after multiple delays.

By Cole Rosengren • March 21, 2024

Amcor CEO retiring due to health reasons

The company’s chief commercial officer will serve as interim CEO during the search for Ron Delia’s permanent replacement.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 20, 2024

International Paper names Andrew Silvernail as next CEO

Silvernail will take over in May for Mark Sutton, who is stepping down after four decades with the company.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated March 19, 2024

As You Sow stays the course with plastic reduction resolutions despite ESG headwinds

“I think this is a really difficult year for shareholder resolutions,” said Kelly McBee, circular economy manager at As You Sow. To date, its 2024 consumer packaging efforts target Altria, Amazon and others.

By Maria Rachal • March 13, 2024

Mondi’s offer to buy DS Smith moving forward, not yet final

The companies are now working to quantify “synergies” they expect from the combination. Each recently reported headwinds coming out of 2023.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2024

Longtime O-I Glass CEO Andres Lopez to retire

Lopez first joined the company in 1986 and moved up through multiple roles to become CEO in 2016. 

By Maria Rachal • March 6, 2024

Greif navigates ongoing slow demand, delayed recognition of price increases

The company touted multiple acquisitions and a partnership to improve jerrycan recyclability. Those were bright spots in an otherwise challenging environment.

By Maria Rachal • March 4, 2024

Paper packaging facilities impacted in February shutdown announcements

Tetra Pak, Domtar, Stora Enso and Cascades were some of the companies that disclosed closures, layoffs or idling, citing shifts in demand and restructuring plans. Plastic packaging makers also announced changes.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 8, 2024

Pactiv Evergreen restructuring to affect 10% of company’s footprint

The changes will be spread across its manufacturing and warehousing footprint over the next few years. The company also reported lower revenues and sales volumes for Q4.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 1, 2024

SEE advances restructuring as it searches for new CEO

The interim co-CEOs discussed expected cost savings as SEE closes multiple locations. The company formerly known as Sealed Air is also revamping commercial teams, integrating Liquibox and looking beyond destocking.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 28, 2024

Sonoco eyes selling off more businesses, touts Flex-Therm integration

At an investor day, executives discussed simplifying Sonoco’s business structure, its divestiture strategy, brand partnerships and the path forward for metal packaging.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Feb. 26, 2024

Cascades optimistic about contributions from new Virginia plant amid other closures

While Cascades’ sales ticked up in 2023 as a whole, Q4 dragged down results. The company continues to prioritize production at Bear Island, Virginia, and other more modern facilities. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 23, 2024

Ardagh Metal Packaging shipment volumes grew 5% in 2023

The business was hit by end-of-year customer destocking, particularly in Europe, while sales in the Americas showed continued strength.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 23, 2024

SEE workers in New Jersey face layoffs

The changes in New Jersey follow last year’s company rebrand, CEO change and restructuring program launch.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 22, 2024

Graphic Packaging touts consumer packaging growth, announces $700M paperboard plant sale

GPI executives highlighted innovation’s role in the company’s growth and its shift toward consumer packaging during an investor day event.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 22, 2024

Confusion abounds over whether markets are accepting fiber price hikes

In the second month since the fiber price hikes were supposed to take effect, markets still aren’t reflecting the full increases that companies announced and packaging executives are questioning a key pricing index.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Feb. 21, 2024

Ball closes $5.6B sale of aerospace business and now is focused exclusively on packaging

Most of the $4.5 billion in proceeds will be split between debt reduction and returns to shareholders, with the remainder boosting Ball’s balance sheet.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 16, 2024