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

Packaging innovations: KFC’s record-making lid, Greif’s mod containers

Plus, Ahlstrom launches paper tape and American Packaging Corp. adds a fiber-based material solution for pouches.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 20, 2024

EPA to formally review vinyl chloride risks, may evaluate styrene

Regulators will consider whether high-priority chemicals, including a building block of PVC, present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 19, 2024

Federal budget proposal with $136M in recycling and composting bills stalls

The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act and Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act were initially part of a deal to fund the federal government, but that plan has since been scrapped.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated 19 hours ago

Amazon boosts recycled content, reduces inks for device packaging

In addition to the sustainability measures for Kindle, Echo and Fire TV products, the company added a tactile feature to aid consumers with visual impairments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 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

Kansas county sues major plastic producers, alleging deceptive recycling messaging

A class-action lawsuit from Ford County, Kansas, alleges that the American Chemistry Council, Eastman, Chevron, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell lied about plastic recycling efforts. ACC calls the allegations “meritless.”

By Megan Quinn • 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

Packaging companies invest in design, training centers during November

UFP Packaging, TriMas, TransPak, Nefab and others announced openings and investments in innovation or training centers, touting benefits for design collaboration and upskilling.

By Maria Rachal • 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

How packaging producers performed in EMF’s 2024 progress report

This week’s Ellen MacArthur Foundation report comes as the plastics world anticipates the conclusion of key global negotiations. Here’s how North American signatories are faring on sustainable design in their portfolios.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2024

Sourcing challenges, producer registration present some initial hurdles for recycled content laws

Washington state recently began enforcing certain recycled plastic requirements for brands’ containers. While many producers have cleared early thresholds, regulators say there’s more work to do.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 18, 2024

Cardboard recycling rate plunges following AF&PA’s calculation revamp

The American Forest & Paper Association overhauled how it calculates and reports recycling data. The cardboard recycling rate is now closer to results from alternative methodologies, including Bloomberg Intelligence’s.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 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

Cans increased share again as overall beer shipments declined in 2023

The Beer Institute shed light on how the packaging mix for the sector is evolving. Executives at packaging companies including Ball, Crown and O-I Glass have weighed in on how beer trends are impacting their businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 11, 2024

Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions

Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Nov. 8, 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

Southwest Airlines brings bamboo on board for new cups

The airline recently stirred up change when it began stocking the bamboo-based cold beverage cups and wooden stir sticks, following a yearlong R&D process stemming from plastic reduction goals. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 29, 2024

Sway scaling compostable seaweed-based polybags with fashion brands

Prana, Faherty and other brands will begin using the bags to package items like shirts and shorts. California-based material innovation startup Sway says the next applications it’s eyeing include mailers and multilayer packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Oct. 25, 2024

PulPac 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

Packaging innovations: United Airlines’ canned wine, Chivas Regal’s light spirits

Plus, RXDco puts cannabis in a cocoon, Novolex flags product tampering and KYSU switches from plastic to paper. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 11, 2024

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.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 8, 2024

Why sustainable packaging materials matter in B2C shipping

The rapid rise in e-commerce, and the resulting increase in B2C shipping, has revolutionized how consumers receive products. However, this convenience has come at a significant environmental cost.

Oct. 7, 2024

Packaging innovations: Hot Pockets go sleeveless, Henkel’s coating lightens dry food packaging

Plus, hair care brand Overtone joins a Target sustainability initiative as it launches tubes with a new look and PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 4, 2024

BPI Summit highlights ongoing compostable packaging debate ahead of USDA decision

World Centric, the California Compost Coalition, Athens Services, Dirt Hugger, A1 Organics, Moonshot Compost and others weighed in with their thoughts about this growing category of packaging.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 2, 2024