Together with Närpes Grönsaker, a Finnish vegetable co-operative, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, commissioned a study that compared cherry tomato cartons made of paperboard with the currently used plastic box. The study specifically looked at consumer perceptions, food waste aspects and climate impact. The results showed that consumers regard paperboard as a more responsible choice than plastic packaging and that this perceived value translated into a willingness to pay more for it. The study also demonstrated that the paperboard cartons preserved the cherry tomatoes at least as well as the plastic equivalent. As part of the research a detailed consumer study was carried out in Finland with an external consumer research company, Sense N Insight. Paperboard was perceived as convenient, innovative, aesthetically pleasing and responsible with a high-status value which added to the quality image of the product. Most of the participants stated that they would prefer paperboard because of its recyclability but commented that they wanted to see the product better. Based upon the overall findings, the participants were willing to pay more for the paperboard carton than the plastic box, which demonstrates that consumers are now actively looking for alternatives to plastic.

U.S. Packaging net sales of $660.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 represented an increase of 2.7 percent compared to the same period of 2017. The increase in net sales was driven by price and mix. Compared to the prior fourth quarter, unit volumes were down approximately one percent, driven by the Company’s planned exit of infant care business at its Shelbyville, Tennessee facility. U.S. Packaging operating profit was $89.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, or 13.6 percent of net sales, compared to $89.3 million, or 13.9 percent of net sales, in 2017. Operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2018 included the benefits of cost savings from the Company’s Agility plan and improved operations, offset by the impact of customer incentives and the employee pay-for-performance plan.