American Forest & Paper Association Releases February 2021 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

E-commerce is expected to reach $3.914 trillion globally by the end of 2020. And in order to snag a significant market share from the hundreds of thousands of competing e-commerce retailers that are just a few clicks away, differentiation is key. Direct to consumer (D2C) companies, in particular, allocate a lot of their budgets to marketing and branding — in some cases, 30 percent of sales. With consumers having more access to competitor products at their fingertips, D2C brands need to make a connection with consumers and give a reason to become a brand loyal customer. Unboxing also allows companies to showcase their brand through packaging, including their sustainability efforts.

Metsä Group’s Kemi mills are getting ready for a maintenance and connection shutdown to prepare for the deployment of the largest ever investment of the forest industry in Finland – the new bioproduct mill and paperboard mill expansion in Kemi. The shutdown will begin on Sunday, 10 September 2023, and the aim is to start up the mills on 20 September 2023. During shutdown, odours may occur, and there may be temporary traffic congestion around the mill area, especially at the beginning of the week starting on 11 September. Odours may also occur before the shutdown due to preparations for the bioproduct mill's start-up.

Sonoco announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Highland Packaging Solutions for approximately $150 million in cash. Highland is a privately owned producer of thermoformed plastic packaging for fresh produce and dairy products, based in Plant City, Fla. The transaction is subject to normal regulatory review and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018. Owned by Steve Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer, and John Durham, along with select members of the company’s leadership team, Highland has grown from a regional supplier of agriculture packaging products into a global packaging company with 2017 net sales of approximately $90 million. The Company has approximately 425 employees operating a world-class production facility in Plant City producing a total packaging solution for customers that includes sophisticated engineered containers, flexographic printed labels and inventory management through distribution warehouses in the Southeast and West Coast of the United States. Click Read More below for additional information.