Manufacturing

  • A group of people standing on the stairs in front of an industrial building with Nefab signs.
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    Permission granted by Nefab
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    Morris Packaging, Karat Packaging, Nefab, Saica announce expansions

    From warehouses to converting facilities, expansions cover a variety of plastic and fiber substrates. Paragon Films, Engineered Foam Packaging, Forming Technologies and Graphic Packaging are also among those growing.

    By • April 11, 2025
  • Exterior view of a manufacturing facility with the Smurfit WestRock logo
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    Courtesy of Smurfit WestRock
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    Smurfit Westrock to close corrugated plant in Oregon

    Layoffs at the Portland facility will come in waves, with 72 employees affected in the first round. This closure is part of the packaging company's ongoing footprint optimization plan.

    By • April 11, 2025
  • Two people holding up kegs of Liquid Death branded water.
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    Retrieved from Liquid Death on April 09, 2025
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    Packaging innovations: Liquid Death’s ‘Kegs for Pregs,’ Crown has a Moment

    Plus, brand and packaging company collaborations led to new or redesigned packaging from Dole, Henkel, Furminator, Bubbies Ice Cream, Happy Campers, Berlin Packaging, AeroFlexx, Earthcycle and Verde Bioresins.

    By • April 10, 2025
  • A large group of dosing pens for subcutaneous injection of anti-obesity medication piled in a heap.
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    aprott via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Weighty issue: GLP-1 drugs are reshaping packaging demand

    Soaring use of these medications for weight loss is shifting demand, including for packaging manufacturers that serve pharma and food customers. Analysts say the game-changer is an opportunity for innovative companies.

    By • April 9, 2025
  • Three people examine envelopes while standing next to an industrial machine.
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    Permission granted by JBM Packaging
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    JBM Packaging brings training program to Ohio prison

    Moving the machine adjuster training program to the London Correctional Institution in Ohio allowed the company to increase participants’ pay. JBM aims to start real-world envelope production at the site soon.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • resin pellets fall into an outstretched hand
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    Permission granted by NOVA Chemicals
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    Closed loops may help boost US food-grade PCR supply

    Industry groups and packaging companies support increasing the use of PCR in food-grade packaging, but progress remains incremental in many cases. 

    By Hollie Stephens • April 7, 2025
  • A company display at a conference showing reusable totes and Orbis branding.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Mauser, Orbis, Pretium among March packaging company layoffs

    Graphic Packaging International and RTS Packaging also are among the companies that announced facility closures in March.

    By • April 4, 2025
  • President Donald Trump waves to a crowd at the White House on April 2, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties

    The president said he will levy import taxes on China, Japan and others equal to half of what they charge the U.S. based on White House calculations.

    By Philip Neuffer • April 2, 2025
  • A dark gray plastic industrial crate.
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    Courtesy of Tetra Pak
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    Crate idea: Transport packaging made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons

    The polymer and aluminum material, polyAl, that gets separated from fiber during carton recycling is a key material for the new transport crates made by Schoeller Allibert. 

    By • April 2, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters at the White House on March 3, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Manufacturing economy stalls amid tariff confusion: PMI

    Purchasing managers’ index data showed a contraction in March. The industry is bracing for the impact of the Trump administration's upcoming "Liberation Day," on April 2, set to bring a slew of tariffs.

    By Kate Magill • April 1, 2025
  • Exterior of a building with the Novolex logo.
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    Permission granted by Novolex
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    Novolex completes $6.7B acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen

    Pactiv Evergreen has transitioned from a publicly traded to privately held company as it is absorbed under Novolex. The combined company becomes one of largest food packaging producers.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • closeup of tops of glass bottles lined up in a crate
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    Ratchapon Supprasert via Getty Images
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    Verallia, Saverglass part of anticompetition investigation in France

    The country’s Competition Authority carried out unannounced visits on Thursday and Friday as part of its probe into companies’ practices for manufacturing and marketing glass packaging.

    By • March 31, 2025
  • A person draws on a white board with a marker.
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    Courtesy of Amcor
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    Amcor extends open call for novel barrier coatings

    The company aims to work with innovators and startups on compostable and recyclable coatings for flexible packaging. Chosen projects could receive up to $500,000 in funding.

    By • March 28, 2025
  • Three people sit in chairs on a stage in front of an audience.
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    Courtesy of Screenshot: International Paper
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    International Paper outlines 2027 vision, DS Smith integration plans

    “We think we can transform this company,” said CEO Andy Silvernail during an investor day. IP previewed more cost-cutting ahead, plus an estimated $1.9 billion in capital expenditures per year through 2027.

    By • March 26, 2025
  • A box with branding for Seagram's Escapes flavored malt beverages.
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    Courtesy of Seagram's Escapes
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    Packaging innovations: Seagram’s slims down, J. Lohr puts cab in a keg

    Plus, Wimbée and Koehler Paper cap off a fiber packaging project and Contempo Specialty Packaging keeps plastics and kids out of its cannabis packaging.

    By • March 26, 2025
  • 2 Ball aluminum cups branded for Bud Light and Super Bowl LIV against the backdrop of Hard Rock Stadium
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    Courtesy of Ball Corp.
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    Ball sells majority stake in aluminum cups business, forming joint venture

    Ball believes the joint venture, Oasis Venture Holdings, will grow its underperforming metal cups business, and it anticipates a $25 million year-over-year improvement following the asset sale.

    By • March 24, 2025
  • stacks of brown paper cups in a row in a coffeeshop setting
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    dmf87 via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    FPI president touts resilience amid industry changes

    The COVID-19 pandemic and EPR laws are among the forces driving the food service packaging sector to adapt and increase collaboration, said Foodservice Packaging Institute President Natha Dempsey.

    By • March 20, 2025
  • A wheel loader moves bales of plastic
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic opens Indianapolis plastics complex to meet recycled content demand

    The location has the company’s second polymer center and a Blue Polymers facility. Together, they’re expected to process 175,000 pounds of recycled plastic annually and in part offer resin for food-grade packaging.

    By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2025
  • A person wearing a black and reflective yellow protective suit, gloves, hard hat and goggles, pointing up with a U.S. flag behind them.
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    Courtesy of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa.

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    Tariff uncertainty sparks manufacturing anxiety, especially among small firms

    Changing foreign suppliers could become more difficult as the Trump administration continues to enact new widespread tariff policies.

    By Kate Magill • March 17, 2025
  • A piece of foam placed on top of food scraps in a green compost bowl.
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    Permission granted by Formic | Emilia Anderson
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    Sponsored by Cruz Foam

    How to make more informed decisions about your products’ packaging with life cycle assessments

    As overconsumption continues to fuel an environmental and human health crisis, understanding the full life cycle of the products we create is more critical than ever.  

    March 17, 2025
  • A gloved hand places a takeout salad in a paper bag
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    doble-d via Getty Images
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    5 years later, pandemic-era effects have a mark on the packaging industry

    COVID-19 changed how consumers get meals, order items and more, in turn influencing packaging. Some changes in manufacturing have stuck, from automating certain tasks to adapting supply chain management.

    By , • March 14, 2025
  • EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stands at a podium, next to U.S. and EPA flags
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Manufacturers hail EPA plans to rethink particulate matter regulations

    The National Association of Manufacturers, American Forest & Paper Association and others previously challenged an update to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in court.

    By • March 14, 2025
  • Hands hold a white paper cup filled with yogurt and fruit
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    Courtesy of Huhtamaki
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    Packaging innovations: Less plastic in dairy cups, paint refills, pallet wraps

    Huhtamaki, Mondi and Ranpak recently announced new packaging launches and technology integrations.

    By • March 7, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters at the White House on March 6, 2025.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Trump extends tariff pause to all USMCA goods

    Imports from Mexico and Canada that are compliant with the trade deal will not be subject to tariffs until April 2.

    By Philip Neuffer • March 6, 2025
  • A rendering of a new packaging manufacturing facility from Eco Guardian
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    Courtesy of Eco Guardian
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    Evertis, Ingredion, Eco Guardian and more announce expansions

    Citing sustainability regulations, tariffs and other driving factors, packaging and materials companies have laid out plans to grow their North American operations.

    By • March 6, 2025