Dow plans 1,500 layoffs in $1B savings plan

The cost-cutting announcement follows a 6% sales decline in the company’s packaging and specialty plastics segment.

By Sara Samora • Jan. 31, 2025

The packaging industry outlook for 2025

The evolution of packaging EPR, potential for more industry-reshaping megadeals, shifting attitudes on plastics and sustainability goals, and Trump’s mark on trade and federal funding are dynamic areas to watch.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Layoffs, closures announced by Dow, Orbis, Greif in January

Packaging Corporation of America and RR Donnelley also gave notice of upcoming packaging-related closures and layoffs.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 31, 2025

Greif announces 2 closures, affecting 140 jobs

One paperboard machine in Georgia and one containerboard mill in Massachusetts will shut down permanently by this spring.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 29, 2025

Lend an ear: Corn-based material introduced for biodegradable packaging

Corn Next believes it has cracked the corn code for more sustainable packaging and aims to scale up. Later this year, it will move to Illinois, closer to where its corn supplier is based.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 28, 2025

Trump freezes Inflation Reduction Act funding

The White House issued a memo the following day to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Packaging materials didn’t cause Walmart broth recall, says TreeHouse Foods

Tetra Pak makes the cartons for the recalled broth and said it is not aware of procedural issues on its end. This recall comes as food and cosmetics recalls more broadly are on the rise, according to FDA data.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Trump orders trade review ahead of potential tariffs

Federal agencies have until April 1 to give recommendations on trade pacts with Mexico, Canada and China. President Trump also said certain tariffs on Mexico and Canada could begin by Feb. 1.

By Philip Neuffer • Jan. 21, 2025

8 US packaging manufacturing developments to know in the new year

Nelipak, TerraSafe and Global Packaging Solutions all expanded in North Carolina. Catch up on growth news in Florida, Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania and Texas.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 15, 2025

O-I Glass secures DOE funding as it begins Ohio decarbonization project

The company will bring together energy efficiency technologies to upgrade furnace infrastructure, aiming to reduce carbon intensity by as much as 40%.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2025

PCA to close Georgia corrugated plant, affecting 103 people

Packaging Corporation of America determined it could better serve customers by moving the Atlanta-area full-line plant’s capacity to other locations, according to a spokesperson.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2025

5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2025

Donald Trump’s return to the White House, evolving conditions for M&A, more mature state policy negotiations and a reckoning around 2025 plastics reduction targets are some of the factors poised to affect the industry.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 8, 2025

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.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Dec. 20, 2024

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

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.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 11, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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