Manufacturing
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Deep Dive2024 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.
By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Dec. 20, 2024 -
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2025 containerboard outlook: Price increases, index exits and tariff threats
Trends such as price hikes are expected to carry over into the new year, along with the addition of new hot topics like tariffs, say analysts from RaboResearch and Bloomberg Intelligence.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of O-I Glass
Deep DiveThe 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.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Novolex
Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen in $6.7B deal
The North American companies expect to finalize the all-cash deal in 2025, which would take Pactiv Evergreen private.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of Billerud
Billerud to invest $127M in Michigan plants amid transition to paperboard production
Most of the upgrades will occur at a graphic paper mill in Escanaba, as Billerud strives to transition to paperboard production in North America.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Alamy
Smurfit Westrock becomes latest to announce 2025 price increases
The company is pursuing price increases for corrugating medium and multiple other categories. It’s now at least the fourth company to announce January price increases in recent weeks.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 27, 2024 -
dusanpetkovic via Getty Images
International Paper, Georgia-Pacific try for 2025 fiber price increases
The news follows a recent announcement by Packaging Corporation of America and could mark a potential trend heading into the new year. The increases, which cover multiple categories, are set to take effect Jan. 1.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Anna Moneymaker/Staff via Getty Images
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.
By Kate Magill • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Rafa Jodar via Getty Images
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.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2024 -
DeSid via Getty Images
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.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 5, 2024 -
DeSid via Getty Images
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.
By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 12, 2024 -
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International Paper cuts 674 jobs amid strategic review of global cellulose fibers
The news of a South Carolina pulp mill closure brings IP’s announced layoffs in October to more than 1,500. A potential sale of the broader GCF business is now under consideration.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Courtesy of O-I Glass
O-I considers cutting 7% of capacity by mid-2025
The company reported a net loss in Q3 after curtailing an estimated 18% of production amid destocking trends. It also reported the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Kentucky, its first in decades.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 30, 2024 -
Rost-9D via Getty Images
Is the fiber packaging M&A surge done? Probably not.
M&A activity is expected to influence companies’ commercial approaches for the next five to 10 years, according to conference speakers from Wells Fargo, Bloomberg and Hudson Windsor.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of Suzano
Suzano begins operating 2 US mills, talks bolt-on M&A
Suzano executives shared more details about the ramp-up in Arkansas and North Carolina, and the Brazilian company’s broader aspirations for growth in the U.S., during an earnings call on Friday.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of O-I Glass
O-I Glass shuttering Ohio innovation center, Illinois plant: reports
The company has teased multiple closures since Gordon Hardie took over as CEO but previously had shared few specifics on locations.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Courtesy of Georgia-Pacific
10 of the latest packaging facility expansions in North America
Elopak, Georgia-Pacific, Graham Packaging and RediBagUSA are among the companies that recently made investments in new facilities or upgrades.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Oct. 25, 2024 -
Win McNamee via Getty Images
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?
By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 23, 2024 -
SafakOguz via Getty Images
Fiber packaging pricing remains flat, Cascades’ 3rd increase doesn’t gain traction
Industry price increases appear to be finished for the year. Meanwhile, analysts point to continued improvement in volumes while the industry pulls up from the post-pandemic “cardboard box recession.”
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 22, 2024 -
Rachel Pollack/Packaging Dive
International Paper to close facilities in 4 states, lay off hundreds
The recently disclosed layoffs will occur in Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee in mid-December. These are in addition to 650 layoffs confirmed last week.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Oct. 21, 2024 -
Permission granted by Gem-Pack Berries
Gem-Pack Berries ditches clamshell labels with Multisteps’ digital printing technology
Multisteps Industries expects its direct-to-packaging printing to improve recyclability for Gem-Pack’s PET clamshells for berries, starting this year.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of O-I Glass
O-I Glass discloses $21M severance charge amid furnace closures
The company detailed an optimization plan in July. In the past two months, O-I has disclosed multiple furnace closures impacting hundreds of employees and a Q3 charge related to expected Q4 severance payouts.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 17, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
Deep DiveReality 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.”
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Courtesy of PulPac
Q&APulPac leverages partnerships to advance its dry molded fiber technology
The company is experiencing growth as it touts its technology's carbon footprint benefits over the wet molding process. Identifying coatings free of PFAS is a sticking point, says Chief Commercial Officer Sanna Fager.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 15, 2024
