Packaging
Materials, regulation and design at the point of sale.
Clearwater Paper reduces production, employees at Arkansas mill
The curtailment comes amid ongoing demand pressure for SBS due to an industry oversupply. The company expects to return the mill to full production at some point — if SBS markets rebalance or it converts the mill to produce CUK.
Packaging innovations: Dawn of a new jug, Sunset’s tomato love triangle
Plus, Blueland adds some plant-based zip to its pouches, PulPac brings plastic-like dry molded fiber to bottle caps, and UFP Packaging launches nail-free crates.
Teamsters terminate agreement, strike at Smurfit Westrock site set for closure
The company says the union terminated the two parties’ labor agreement at the Wakefield, Massachusetts, corrugated converting plant. Approximately 90 employees will be affected when the facility closes this spring.
The Iran war is hitting packaging supply chains. Are the impacts temporary?
Higher fuel and material costs, shipping disruptions and consumer spending are playing into industry impacts. Certain packaging substrates, such as plastics, bear a greater burden than others.
Ahead of the demand curve? What’s behind the rPET slump.
A recent spate of rPET facility closures follows a slightly premature ramp-up, said one converter. But renewed investment is needed to ensure “we still have an rPET industry on this continent,” according to NAPCOR.
Commerce hits China, Vietnam with duties for molded fiber products
Duties of up to 540% on imported bowls, clamshells and other products follow the U.S. federal government’s decision that certain producers engaged in dumping and received subsidies from their governments.
Stephen Gould’s new CEO talks the ‘art’ of integration
It’s a new chapter for the nearly 90-year-old packaging and supply chain services provider. Justin Golden took over the long-standing family business this month.
Butterfly Equity acquires ePac
Butterfly is “the right partner that understands and speaks our language,” said Virag Patel, co-founder and CEO of digitally printed flexible packaging specialist ePac, whose investors included Amcor.
Toxic substances in PET bottles scrutinized by researchers
Virgin and rPET bottles in Michigan and California leached additives and hazardous chemicals, per a study funded by the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling. It’s the latest research to raise questions about plastic packaging.
Sealed Air hires former Sonoco exec to lead food business
Russell Grissett, an industry leader, is the latest addition to the company in a year of change for Sealed Air, which could be taken private next year.
ProAmpac to acquire TC Transcontinental Packaging for $1.5B
The deal continues an M&A streak for ProAmpac as it plans to grow even bigger in flexible packaging.
Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR
Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.
Convenience store food popularity spurs packaging adaptations
As some consumers frequent this channel over fast-food restaurants and replace meals with snacks, TC Transcontinental sees how food packaging can help build trust, emphasize freshness and offer new on-the-go formats.
International Paper to close facilities in California, Kentucky
More than 200 employees will be affected by the closures. This brings the tally of workers affected by IP’s streamlining to more than 4,500 since October 2024.
Graphic Packaging International begins operating Waco mill
With the long-anticipated Texas mill now open, executives on Tuesday’s earnings call announced timing for a shutdown elsewhere.
Graphic Packaging International dismissed from containerboard price-fixing lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit will continue against the other seven defendants who were accused of colluding.
