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

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

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

Kroger rolls out Avery Dennison RFID tech

The automation technology aims to provide more frequent and accurate inventory insight to prevent food waste and streamline in-store operations. 

By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 24, 2024

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

Reality 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

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 trade shows to watch in 2025

Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024

Insights from the 2024 Packaging Recycling Summit

AI applications, recycled plastic supply and demand, and how brands are thinking about extended producer responsibility were among the topics Packaging Dive covered from this year’s event in California.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 27, 2024

Advancements push AI from jargon into practice for packaging management

Glacier demonstrated at the Packaging Recycling Summit how it developed new AI models through partnerships with Colgate and Amazon to capture more recyclables at MRFs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2024

Thermoform reclamation rises along with rPET demand

As one speaker at the Packaging Recycling Summit called thermoforms an “untapped source” for reclaimed PET, Rumpke Waste & Recycling plans to begin accepting the containers in curbside recycling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 24, 2024

AI is ‘more of an evolution than a revolution’ for packaging: PMMI report

Numerous practical applications of AI are already here for packaging machinery OEMs and their end users, though not without challenges. PMMI Business Intelligence shares recommendations on how companies can get started.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 18, 2024

Breaking out of the mold: Innovations in molded fiber drive growth

Speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event detailed advancements in the energy efficiency of manufacturing equipment, dry molded fiber and R&D to expand into new end-use markets.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2024

Molded fiber’s growth as a plastic replacement isn’t pulp fiction

While the market is expanding, speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event said it still faces an entrenched competitor in plastic and hurdles with feedstock availability, energy use and other factors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2024

Dart delves into dry molded fiber for lids, licensing PulPac tech

The food service packaging company and Solo Cup distributor is the first in North America to license a more compact production platform from the Swedish dry molded fiber specialist.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 13, 2024

Califia Farms acquires Uproot to reduce packaging via food service dispensers

Uproot has more than 150 dispensers across the U.S. at college campuses and other dining locations. The announcement follows the plant-based beverage brand’s rollout of 100% rPET bottles in the U.S. and Canada.

By Elizabeth Flood • July 25, 2024

Digitally printed, rightsized boxes could change the shape of e-commerce

EFI and Packsize collaborated on a system they say checks the right boxes to boost packaging customization, which can help brands connect with consumers and improve sustainability. 

By Katie Pyzyk • June 18, 2024

Tetra Pak training center expansion offers ‘golden opportunity’ for employee engagement

Fabio Raffone, a company vice president, describes how virtual and hands-on training sessions help to build the workforce of the future while reducing turnover.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 21, 2024

Augmented reality entices brands with endless off-package marketing space

Brands such as Almond Breeze and Jones Soda have found that visuals accessed via phone cameras can engage and educate shoppers. As the technology advances, packaging will offer increasing opportunities to test this.

By Leslie Nemo • May 20, 2024

Packaging innovations: Bandit Wines cartons offer augmented reality, Huggies ups PCR in diaper bags

Plus, Dionis Goat Milk Skincare lotion now comes in refill pouches and American Packaging Corp. tackles pet food pouch recyclability.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 6, 2024

Design and sustainability opportunities draw in next generation of packaging students

Greg Batt, who serves as director of the packaging science program at Clemson University, also highlighted the growing role of data.

By Maria Rachal • April 15, 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

5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC

AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 9, 2024

P&G, Dow pursue dissolution technology for recycling rigid, flexible, multilayer plastic packaging

The in-development technology represents neither mechanical nor advanced recycling, according to Dow. The intent is for the resulting material to be of “near-virgin quality” with a lower greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

By Maria Rachal • March 29, 2024

How IT and OT can team up on cybersecurity in manufacturing: PMMI

The association and partners also highlighted post-pandemic investment in remote services at Pack Expo East.

By Maria Rachal • March 28, 2024