The US Government and the EU have announced an import tariff deal, imposing a 15% tariff on most goods entering the US from Europe, with the exception of steel which is still taxed at 50%. But while the agreement may have diffused a trade war, it risks sidelining shared priorities such as climate targets, circularity, and harmonized safety standards. Packaging Insights delves into the tariffs’ potential consequences for the packaging economy and trade relations on both sides of the Atlantic.  “This decision [to impose 15% import tariffs on EU goods] introduces a serious barrier for many EU packaging material providers, especially SMEs,” Iva Werbynska, European ambassador of the World Packaging Organization and managing director at the Czech and Slovak Packaging Institute SYBA, tells us.  “The EU is a global leader in high-quality and sustainable packaging materials — from fiber-based solutions to advanced barrier technologies. A 15% tariff makes these products less competitive in the US market and may discourage transatlantic collaboration at a time when joint innovation is needed most.

Qwarzo founder: Mineral-based coatings to become standard in packaging Regulatory pressure and new consumer demands are pushing the packaging market to incorporate mineral-based coatings, according to Luca Panzeri, founder and CTO at Qwarzo. Panzeri stresses that mineral-based coatings will become the new standard for F&B, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical packaging. He notes that businesses must adopt a different design approach, as replicating plastic with paper can lead to issues. Qwarzo is an Italy-based company that develops plastic and PFAS-free barrier coatings. Packaging Insights speaks to Panzeri about the Qwarzo material and its importance for the future of sustainable packaging. Mineral-based coatings are made from natural compounds like silica, such a Qwarzo, clay, or calcium carbonate. Recently, the company equipped Starbucks and Lavazza with its coating technology, increasing its expansion in the European market.

With the first half of 2025 behind us, Packaging Digest’s January prediction that smart packaging and branding would play a pivotal role in the year’s packaging design strategies is bearing out. The integration of digital technology with physical marketing collateral, including packaging, continues apace. “Today’s consumer expects every brand interaction to reinforce a distinct personality and promise, whether they’re scrolling a mobile ad, picking up a product on shelf, or engaging with content in store or on social,” says Philip Congello, EVP of client success at marketing agency Mod Op. The idea of a brand world will become more prominent, where all aspects of a brand’s visual and experiential elements are unified. This includes packaging, advertising, digital experiences, and in-store displays and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced tech creating a cohesive and immersive brand experience. The brand world is getting bigger.

The global digital packaging and label printing market is worth $22.0 billion, accounting for 4.1% of all printed packaging in 2025, says a new study by UK-based researcher Smithers. That share is forecasted to climb to 5.8% in 2030 when it will reach $36.9 billion. Digital printing is growing much more rapidly than the dominant analogue print methods. Digital is widely used in labels, but the scalability and versatility of inkjet is making it increasingly attractive for large-format presses designed to print folding cartons, corrugated, and flexible paper and film substrates. Converters are developing major improvements in upstream order processing, design, approval and prepress; and downstream finishing and logistics, as more brands and retailers take advantage of the benefits of digital print production, the report says.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report on July 17. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 5% compared to June 2024. They were down 2% when compared to the same six months of 2024. The total operating rate increased 5.8 points since May and was up 1.2 points year-to-date. Bleached and unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 9.5% compared to the first half of 2024. Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 5% in June 2025

When you reach for your favorite cereal in the morning, you probably don’t think much about the box it comes in. But did you know that your cereal box isn’t made of cardboard? It’s actually made of something called paperboard! Common Uses of Paperboard Packaging Food & Beverage: Examples include dry-food boxes like cereal or pasta, frozen food packages, gum packaging and snack containers.   Pharmaceutical & Healthcare: Examples include over-the-counter medicine boxes and personal care product packaging for things like toothpaste, tissues, band-aids and bars of soap.   Cosmetics & Beauty Products: Examples include packaging for hair dye, face creams and make-up.   Electronics: Examples include small electronics like tablets, phones and cords.   Consumer Goods & Household Products: Examples include boxes of envelopes, stationery and toy packaging.

A national study reveals that young children in the US are exposed to various potentially harmful chemicals, commonly found in plastic packaging. Many of the chemicals are not routinely monitored and can pose health risks. The study published in Environmental Science & Technology was conducted by multiple institutions across the US in coordination with the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes, a program supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Consumers and regulatory agencies have put a bullseye on toxic chemicals that leach into products from their packaging. Here’s what you need to do — now — to defuse disaster. To protect brands from harmful chemicals, don’t rely on vague chemical attestations; and do end testing. Take ownership of your supply chain by aligning with global regulations that are often more restrictive than FDA standards. Track package components using CAS numbers to proactively address emerging chemical concerns before they escalate. 1. Take ownership of your supply chain 2. Replace NAIS attestations with specific limits. 3. Conduct end testing. 4. Become proactive

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its packaging EPR (pEPR) base fees for 2025 and 2026. Out of all packaging materials, fiber-based composite faces…

SunCure EcoPlast is a revolutionary new UV ink technology for plastic cup decoration that delivers high adhesion, fast cure speed, low migration properties and the ability to be washed off…

All grades in Lecta's EraCup range are fully recyclable, repulpable, and food-safe, meeting the highest technical and hygiene standards. They support circular economy principles and are designed for efficient end-of-life…

Stora Enso is excited to team up with Novapor in a pilot project featuring our cellulose foam packaging material Papira®. Ready to phase out conventional foams, Stora Enso is lowering…

More brands are shifting to paper packaging — but not without challenges. Paper packaging is taking on new frontiers. Maybe you’ve seen paper across new formats such as dog food canisters, vitamin…

Colbert Packaging, the leading Midwest independently-owned paperboard packaging manufacturer is proud to announce its certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the…

Huhtamaki has received the prestigious Gold Medal from EcoVadis for the fifth consecutive year, placing us in the top 5% of more than 130,000 rated companies worldwide.  The objective of…

Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), a global leader in value-added sustainable packaging, today announced it has earned accreditation with the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC). Sonoco joined PSC in 2024 to…

As part of this initiative, the company will: *Exit the molded fiber business and convert the Reno, Nev. facility to support its packaging business *Close its packaging facility in Marion, Ohio *Close its recycling facility in Wichita, Kan. *Sell its containerboard mill in Xalapa, Mexico and its recycling plants in Xalapa and Apodaca, Mexico to Acabados de Papeles Santinados y Absorbentes (APSA). In the U.S., these changes will impact approximately 110 hourly and 24 salaried employees. In Mexico, APSA intends to retain current onsite team members at each location. International Paper is committed to minimizing the impact through job placement in existing vacancies, retirements and other internal opportunities. Affected employees will also receive severance and outplacement support where possible. "These decisions are never easy because of the impact on our employees, their families and the communities in which we operate. We will assist employees and customers as much as possible through this transition," said Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president of IP's Packaging Solutions North America business.

Food brands today face a complex balancing act: “regulatory pressure to reduce plastic, rising sustainability expectations from consumers, and the need to preserve product quality across long, often international, cold chains,” says Rasel Khan, Sales Manager for Packaging Materials at Stora Enso. In frozen and chilled applications, packaging must withstand moisture, compression, and temperature fluctuations - without compromising on aesthetics or recyclability. This is where fresh fiber-based packaging board like Performa NovaTM delivers value. Designed to reduce plastic, it offers an alternative based on renewable materials that is fit for recycling. Sabine Hornischer, Head of Global Accounts at Stora Enso, adds that brands aren’t just seeking performance: “They need packaging that performs well but also offers verifiable sustainability credentials.” With its premium appearance, traceable origins and environmental performance, Performa Nova helps brands confidently demonstrate positive impact.

At the Environment Council meeting, on June 17th, one of the topics on the agenda was support for recyclers in the current economic context, and the focus was on the plastic recycling sector and the textiles recycling sector. From the recycling industry, we have been highlighting the challenges we are facing now in various ways during recent months. One example is the meeting in May with Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, that our CEO Andreas Malmberg participated in. It was arranged by Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) and based on a position paper outlining six strategic areas for immediate action to prevent the collapse of the European plastics recycling industry. Also, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) has drawn attention to the challenges and issued a “EU Plastics Recyclers’ Roadmap: For a competitive & innovative industry” with concrete proposals, such as for example introduction of incentives, whether market or tax-based, and establishing harmonised EU End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for plastics. The EU Plastic recycling sector is reducing EU’s dependence on primary raw materials and decreasing carbon emissions, both compared to primary raw materials and to incineration. The recycling sector is also taking care of plastic waste in a more sustainable way due to our high standards in the EU. With the new restrictions on plastic waste exports, a well-functioning market for recycled plastics in the EU is imperative.

Lecta Self‑​Adhesives expands its portfolio of barrier solutions with the launch of Adestor Gloss GP PFAS‑free, specifically designed to meet the demands of the food industry. With over 50 years of experience, the Adestor brand has cemented its leadership in the self‑adhesive label sector through its continued focus on quality, innovation, and commitment to the environment. Adestor Gloss GP PFAS‑free, is made with FSC® C011032 certified paper and is a high‑performance technical solution that offers excellent resistance to grease and oils. The formula does not include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in keeping with current European regulations and the increasingly rigorous environmental and health requirements of the packaging sector. This new self‑adhesive product is intended specifically for the labelling of food products such as cured meats, cheeses, ready meals, and oils—applications where an efficient barrier to greasy substances is essential to ensure both functional performance and product safety.

Amcor announced it has designed and produced a bespoke three-compartment ready meal tray for a new range of single-serve ambient microwaveable ready meals from specialist French manufacturer Cofigeo. In line with Cofigeo’s sustainability commitments, the tray has been created to conform to Design for Recycling guidelines, offering a lightweight mono-material polypropylene (PP) construction that is suitable for collection and reprocessing in France’s recycling infrastructure. The trays will be used to package five distinct French and Italian style recipes from the William Saurin Mon Trio Gourmand range, each featuring meat or fish, a starchy food and a vegetable. Keeping the three main ingredients separate enables consumers to choose whether to mix them when the meal is eaten. Working in close collaboration with the customer, Amcor devised a tray with different sized compartments that took into account the various sizes, textures and densities of all the ingredients. At the same time, the tray had to meet Cofigeo’s other key requirements — to be suitable to run on existing filling lines, de-stackable, retortable, provide an effective oxygen barrier and ensure ease of use for the end-consumer.

The ST Group of Companies has acquired a tissue paper mill in Barnwell County, South Carolina, from Cascades. The deal was signed through ST’s new subsidiary, Barnwell Tissue Solutions. The mill, equipped with a 110-inch Valmet hybrid QRT/DCT tissue machine installed in 2016, can produce 30,000 tons annually. The company will manufacture large paper rolls from recycled paper, which will be converted into different tissue products. The investment amounts to $12 million, and will create 50 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office. “Barnwell Tissue Solutions, a proud member of the ST Group of companies, is honored to expand our manufacturing footprint into Barnwell, South Carolina,” said Barnwell Tissue Solutions Owner Sahil Tak, as quoted by Columbia Business Monthly.

We’re proud to share that Atlantic Packaging president and founder of A New Earth Project, Wes Carter, was recently featured in a feature by The Cool Down spotlighting a pivotal conversation on the future of sustainable packaging. The article, titled “Candy powerhouse Mars set to rethink strategy for its popular products: ‘It’s a healthier, more collaborative model for industry,’” captures a moment of industry-wide momentum, and Atlantic is at the heart of it. At the recent Rethinking Materials Summit, Wes joined Eric Klingenberg, material science lead at Mars, and Adrian Horotan of Safer Made to discuss how scientific diligence, regulatory frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration are reshaping the packaging landscape. As Wes put it, “It’s a healthier, more collaborative model for industry.” This isn’t just a soundbite, it’s a call to action. At Atlantic, we believe that solving the plastic pollution crisis requires more than innovation. It demands partnership, transparency, and a shared commitment to human and environmental health. That’s why we’re proud to work alongside brands like Mars that are embracing long-term, research-based solutions over short-term fixes.

It’s the completion of “Pitt Plastics'” 200,000 square foot facility. Company leaders originally broke ground on the structure in March of last year. Before this expansion, the company had a 300,000-square-foot building, so this project has allowed it to nearly double its space. It was a $16 million price tag that allowed the company to increase its storage space by 66 percent. Company leaders say projects like this aren’t just a big investment for them. Pitt Plastics produces a variety of products from can liners, to foodservice and utility products, and even materials used in the healthcare industry.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in May decreased 7% compared to May 2024. They were down 4% when compared to the same 5 months of 2024. The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 73.1%, up 1.6 points from May 2024 and essentially flat (-0.4 pts.) year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack – were 97,500 short tons for the month of May, down 11.1% from the same month last year, and down 9.7% year-to-date.

As part of its stronger focus on renewable packaging, Stora Enso is initiating a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets. The review includes assessing a potential separation and public listing of the forest assets through a partial demerger. The initiative aims to further increase business focus, streamline operations, and fully unlock the value of both the forest assets and Stora Enso’s core packaging business. As part of this review, Stora Enso will explore various options, including a potential separation and listing of the forest business through a partial demerger into a new company that would be wholly owned by all Stora Enso shareholders. This move aims to establish two robust and independent entities, each with heightened focus and strategic agility. Stora Enso would continue to lead in renewable packaging, with strong market positions and more flexible, integrated, and cost-competitive production. Meanwhile, the Swedish forest business would emerge as Europe’s largest listed pure forest company, owning a unique class of assets with anticipated long-term value appreciation and potential for significant new revenue streams. Following the recent agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of Swedish forestland for an enterprise value of EUR 900 million, in line with book value, Stora Enso retains ownership of over 1.2 million hectares (1.0 million hectares of productive forestland) in Sweden, with a fair value of approximately EUR 5.8 billion as of 31 March 2025.

Amcor celebrated 100 years of packaging excellence at its Belgian site in Ghent. This centenary coincides with the first anniversary of the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe. This dual milestone underscores Amcor's enduring commitment to innovation and sustainability in the European packaging market and beyond. For a century, Amcor Ghent has been at the forefront of packaging advancements. The site's rich history notably includes the invention of easy-peel film technology in 1972, now a global standard for sterile medical equipment packaging and pre-packaged slices of charcuterie and cheeses. Building on this legacy, last year Amcor Ghent underwent a significant expansion and became home to the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe (AICE), a collaborative space where Amcor experts and brands co-create the future of packaging. In the AICE, materials scientists team up with packaging designers to develop innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the European market.

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is setting a new standard in Europe, compelling brand owners and retailers to rethink their approaches to packaging fresh fruits and vegetables. It challenges companies to strike a delicate balance: how to ensure compliance while still delivering the protection, shelf life, and consumer appeal that fresh produce demands. Fiber-based materials play an important role in this shift, offering pathways to help you stay ahead of the curve. The PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste and promote circularity. Key elements of the regulation include: *Recyclability and reusability: Packaging must meet certain recyclability thresholds by 2030 and 2038. Mandatory reuse targets apply for some packaging applications. *Material reduction: Excessive and unnecessary packaging is restricted. *Increased recycled content: Minimum thresholds for recycled content in plastic packaging apply. *Complete bans: Certain single-use plastic packages are prohibited, like those for fresh fruits and vegetables under 1.5 kg in weight.

Amcor is proud to launch a revolutionary turkey breast package for Butterball, LLC. The new Perflex® shrink bag design features a built-in handle that reduces packaging material and improves efficiency. Traditional turkey packaging utilizes a net around the product to create a strong carrying handle. Removing the additional packaging material achieves a more convenient and sustainable package. Compared to the incumbent netted turkey breast bag, the Amcor Perflex® handle bag delivers*: *22% reduction in carbon footprint *23% reduction in non-renewable primary energy demand *22% reduction in waterconsumption. The new Perflex® handle bag also improves efficiency by eliminating the manual netting process.

Crown Holdings, Inc. announced that Gary Gavin, currently President of the Company's North American Beverage can business will be promoted to President of the Crown Americas Division, effective July 1, 2025. Mr. Gavin will report to Djalma Novaes, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and will continue to be based in Tampa. In his new role, Mr. Gavin will oversee Crown's beverage can operations in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and North America, as well as its North American tinplate businesses, including food and aerosol cans and metal closures. Mr. Gavin joined Crown in January 2023 following a 29-year tenure at International Paper Company (IP), where he held progressively senior roles across sales, operations, and general management. At IP, he most recently served as Vice President & General Manager of the North American Container Division, overseeing full P&L responsibility for 56 manufacturing facilities.

The Pro Carton Young Designers Award is where tomorrow’s sustainable packaging first enters the spotlight. For years, MM Group has followed the innovative impulses each new generation brings to the industry, and MM Board & Paper has been a long-time sponsor of the event – donating the cartonboard from which the young creatives shape their designs. From across Europe, young creatives travel to the Pro Carton Young Designers Award to unveil their packaging prototypes on the big stage. MM Group is sponsoring the event, and, in April, hosted the 2024 national winners for a two-day workshop at the company’s headquarters. During the workshop, they worked shoulder to shoulder with the Innovation Teams from MM Board & Paper and MM Packaging – and visited MM Premium’s production facility and innovation center to experience firsthand the creation of bespoke packaging for major brands.

As sustainability goals rise to the top of corporate agendas, molded fiber packaging has emerged as one of the most promising alternatives to plastics for brand owners across sectors such…

Doubling tariffs on metals imports risks unintended consequences throughout the packaging supply chain, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute and the Aluminum Association. Packaging manufacturers worried by 50% tariffs on…

Tetra Pak today launched its full-year 2024 (FY24) Sustainability Report, highlighting a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain since 2019, marking a further five-percentage-point improvement…

In response to growing demand for reducing plastic in packaging, Carton Service, a Shelby, Ohio-based folding carton manufacturer specializing in gable top packaging, was seeking a partner for a unique…

Sonoco has launched its new paper-bottomed can in North America. The new can, which features a paper bottom, is made from 100% recycled fiber with up to 90% sourced from…

AF&PA and FBA announced an update to their “Voluntary Standard For Repulping and Recycling Coated or Treated Corrugated Fiberboard and its Equivalents in the Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) Recycling Stream.”…

Continuing its commitment to environmental sustainability in packaging, Lacerta Group, LLC today announced the rollout of its newest innovation, Seal N’ Flip™ packaging. Coming at a time when food retailers…

Stora Enso has entered into an agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to 12.4% of its total forest land holdings in Sweden for an enterprise value of EUR 900 million, equivalent to SEK 9.8 billion. Soya Group, will hold a 40.6% share in the newly formed company, and a MEAG led consortium will hold 44.4% of the shares. MEAG is the asset manager of Munich Re, a German insurance company. Stora Enso will retain a 15% ownership in the company. In connection with the transaction, Stora Enso and the divested entity will enter into a 15-year wood supply agreement with a possible additional 15-year extension. This will secure wood availability for Stora Enso’s Swedish business units. The new entity will also benefit from a forest management agreement under which Stora Enso will provide forest-related services. Due to the disposal, the Group’s adjusted EBITDA is expected to decrease by approximately EUR 25 million per year, of which EUR 15 million is cash-related, based on full-year 2024 numbers.

This significant upgrade represents a key transition for the PM11 paper machine, which will now produce high-quality packaging board from 100% recycled wastepaper. The conversion process involved transforming the stock preparation system from a deinked pulp line to an old corrugated containers (OCC) line. Heinzelpaper Laakirchen chose a combination of the ANDRITZ FibreFlow drum Prime (FFD) for pulping and ANDRITZ ADuro shredders for reject treatment. This innovative setup ensures superior fiber quality for the company´s high-end products while optimizing resource usage and reducing waste. Thomas Welt, CEO of Heinzelpaper Laakirchen, commented: “The successful start-up of the new recycled fiber line marks an important milestone. ANDRITZ's advanced technology and expertise have played a key role in meeting our sustainability and efficiency targets.”

The booming dermocosmetics market will continue to grow above the beauty market average growth rate. Aptar Beauty, global leader in dispensing systems, is addressing this fast-rising segment with a range of solutions, tailored to the needs of derma brands. The Derma Series full packaging and dispensing products are complemented by value-added services in areas such as human factor design, sustainability and regulatory. The combined dermocosmetics and medical aesthetics markets have been growing double-digit over the past five years and will keep growing 2-3 points above the beauty market’s average rate*. Market indicators suggest that the growth of dermocosmetics will last. Sensitive skin problems are increasingly prevalent among the global population. Environmental and lifestyle conditions also impact skin health in the long term.

Fruth Custom Packaging, a leading domestic manufacturer of medical packaging, has expanded operations to respond to increasing demand for biohazard bags and autoclave bags. Designed for healthcare, medical research, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries, Fruth autoclave bags include sterilization bags for medical instruments, specimen bags for transportation of biological samples, and biohazard bags for disposal of infectious waste. Engineered for impact and puncture resistance, Fruth autoclave bags meet the most demanding worldwide regulations for sterilization and decontamination, meeting ASTM tear resistance, impact resistance, and dart drop tests. Fruth autoclave bags are compatible with high vacuum steam, ETO gas, gamma or chemical sterilization methods, and meet all autoclaving specifications per USP 〈1211〉 Sterilization Assurance. The bags are also compliant with EPA regulations and meet WHO, CDC, and state health and safety codes.

Pregis® has expanded its EasyPack® on-demand paper portfolio with the introduction of GeoTerra® paper in white. This curbside-recyclable, wrappable solution provides light cushioning protection with a clean, minimalist aesthetic – ideal for companies seeking to deliver an unboxing experience that reflects their brand identity. The new white GeoTerra paper offers a sleek, premium alternative to the original Kraft option and complements minimalist design trends favored by high-end brands. As it’s dispensed, the paper expands into an interlocking lattice structure that cushions products, delivering all-around protection in transit. “In today’s e-commerce landscape, packaging is often the first physical brand interaction, so presentation carries weight,” says Daché Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer at Pregis. “For premium beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands, minimalist white packaging isn't just a design choice—it’s a strategic extension of brand values. Consumers prioritize clean ingredients and sustainable lifestyles, so they expect packaging to reflect those choices. White GeoTerra offers a clean aesthetic and elevated unboxing that delights customers and aligns with modern branding and sustainability.”

Made from Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, the new packaging provides strength and durability while protecting the fire starters from moisture during storage and transport. Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5 is produced entirely in-house, made from FSCTM and PEFC certified paper1. As part of Mondi’s re/cycle portfolio it is recyclable in existing European paper recycling streams where facilities are in place. ZARELO’s fire starter range includes coiled wood fibres and newly introduced compact cubes, packed in three sizes: 32 pieces, 1 kg, and 2 kg. The packaging ensures puncture resistance and durability, protecting the products throughout transport and handling. Its high-quality printability enhances ZARELO’s brand visibility at the point of sale, strengthening its presence in retail chains. The transition to re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5 allowed ZARELO to switch from manual to automated filling process, improving production efficiency and optimising resources.

For food brands seeking plastic-free alternatives without compromising performance, Kapag's innovative Changemaker concept uses Sappi's premium materials to create exceptional barrier packaging. This groundbreaking solution, developed by Kapag, combines Sappi's premium Algro Design paperboard or Fusion Topliner with AvantGuard functional barrier paper to deliver a 100% paper-based, mono-material, recyclable solution for food products that eliminates the need for plastic-based alternatives. Kapag created the Changemaker brand for all laminated paperboard products that aim to replace or significantly reduce plastics in packaging. The name Changemaker was chosen to emphasise that everyone can become a changemaker for the good of our planet by purchasing, converting and using renewable materials. First showcased at FachPack, Changemaker demonstrates how Kapag's advanced lamination technology can create sustainable packaging without compromising performance. The approach utilizes their specialised lamination process to combine Sappi's Algro Design paperboard or Fusion Topliner with Sappi's AvantGuard functional high barrier paper. While the showcase example at FachPack featured exceptional grease barrier for highly fatty Berliner doughnuts, the same concept can provide various types of protection including oxygen barriers, aroma protection, water vapour barriers, and protection against contaminants — all while maintaining the excellent printability and converting performance of Sappi's premium paperboards.

Diversey has introduced the TASKI Jontec Care floor care program, a next-generation range of state-of-the-art floor cleaning products designed to deliver the best results for any type of hard floor without intentionally added fluorinated levelling agents. The product line extends the lifetime of flooring, enhances appearance, reduces maintenance costs and offers customized solutions for all floor types in any working environment. Rigorously tested by application experts and through customer trials, the TASKI Jontec Care range guarantees premium performance. With no intentionally added fluorinated levelling agents, the TASKI Jontec Care range is better for users and for the planet. Fluorinated levelling agents are replaced by the latest advancements in chemistry and material science, providing equal or even superior product performance.

CANPACK S.A., part of CANPACK Group, Inc., and a leading manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans, is commencing an investment project in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The project involves a significant expansion of the production capacity and entails expenditures exceeding PLN 440 million. The planned investment includes both the expansion of the plant’s infrastructure and the acquisition of modern machines and equipment, as well as the modernization of existing technological lines. Thanks to the implementation of the project, CANPACK will maintain over 450 jobs and create over 100 new positions. “The investment of CANPACK in the expansion of the factory in Bydgoszcz is a response to the growing demand of our customers from Poland and Europe for aluminum beverage cans. Thanks to its implementation, the production capacity of our Bydgoszcz plant will increase by approximately one billion cans per year. Ultimately, we will create over 100 new jobs and strengthen our position in the European market, where we currently rank second among can manufacturers,” said Marian Miskov, Regional Director Poland and Steel Group Business Unit Director. “We have been present in Bydgoszcz for over 24 years, and we are proud to continue the long and rich history of beverage can production in Poland and Europe,” he added.

Mondi, a global packaging and paper manufacturer, has once again achieved Platinum status in EcoVadis’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ratings. With an overall score of 92% (up from 87% in 2024), Mondi is recognised among the top 1% of companies globally for the ninth consecutive year. "We are delighted that EcoVadis has once again rated our performance among the top 1% of companies globally. This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to embedding sustainable practices and highlights how integral sustainability is to Mondi’s strategy and commercial success. EcoVadis supports our engagement with both suppliers and customers, helping us to drive progress across our value chain," comments Gladys Naylor, Mondi Group Head of Sustainable Development.

Tetra Pak has been named the inaugural Servitization Innovation Leader of the Year by the Advanced Services Group (ASG), the world’s leading authority on servitization based at Aston Business School, United Kingdom. This recognition highlights Tetra Pak’s pioneering role in applying advanced, outcome-based service models to the food and beverage sector. Such models provide customers with increased operational flexibility, predictable production costs and access to energy and water-efficient technologies, without the traditional capital investment barriers. Unlike conventional leasing or rental models, Tetra Pak’s offering is tailored to each customers’ operations, data-driven and designed to adapt over time as customer needs evolve. The Servitization Awards celebrate excellence in transforming business models through advanced services, recognising individuals and organisations that drive meaningful innovation. The Servitization Innovation Leader of the Year category honours a company that has successfully embraced servitization to unlock new forms of customer value, while serving as a benchmark for best practices and a catalyst for wider industry transformation.

The packaging EPR landscape is rapidly changing in the U.S., so we have provided some updates here on new states with EPR laws, timelines as we know them today, and challenges producers have encountered. Given that the implementation of EPR laws is evolving so quickly, it is difficult to keep this blog post up to date with the latest. See the “Keeping Up with EPR News” section below for a list of websites that are regularly updated. Key Takeaways *Packaging EPR requires producers (usually brands) to pay fees based on the amount of type of packaging they sell into the state. *Seven U.S. states have passed packaging EPR laws. *The Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) assigned thus far to manage these EPR programs and collect fees. *Producers were required to report their 2024 packaging data for Oregon by March 31, 2025. The next deadline is for Colorado reporting, due July 31, 2025. *Companies should be conducting EPR reporting now and working to reduce and improve their packaging now to reduce fees.

The Supplier Innovation Award celebrates partners who deliver creative, value-driven solutions that extend beyond contractual obligations. Greif earned this distinction for its part in introducing a custom double-walled corrugated pallet box to replace traditional USPS bulk containers. Manufactured with renewable and recyclable materials, the new lighter-weight box is projected to deliver substantial cost reductions to the USPS—and savings to U.S. taxpayers. "Being recognized by the USPS, one of the nation’s most critical public service organizations, is an incredible honor," said Chris Zimmerman, VP of Sales for Greif’s Containerboard and Corrugated business unit. " This award is a testament to the ingenuity, dedication, and unmatched expertise of our entire team, from our mills and corrugated plants to our service and technical teams. We are proud of the value we are delivering to the U.S. Postal Service and what it means for our colleagues and shareholders.” USPS highlighted Greif’s extensive geographic coverage, reliable on-time delivery, product quality, and forward-thinking cost-saving initiatives as key factors contributing to its selection for the award.

Pregis is a proud member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), a trademark project of GreenBlue, a nonprofit dedicated to driving innovation in sustainable packaging. As a sponsor, exhibitor, and presenter at SPC Impact 2025 in Seattle, Pregis engaged with industry leaders to explore the latest advancements and challenges in sustainability. The event centered on critical themes, including recycling, alternative materials, responsible sourcing, composting, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). While the industry has made significant strides, achieving lasting progress requires continued collaboration, strategic investment, and well-informed policy alignment to drive meaningful change. Companies are making strong progress in reducing virgin plastic use and advancing bio-based alternatives. Produce packaging, traditionally reliant on monolayer LDPE bags and rigid PET clamshells, is seeing growing interest in bioplastics. Starch-based and sugarcane-derived films offer sustainability benefits but face challenges in clarity and durability. Compostable packaging is gaining momentum, particularly in food applications, where it reduces landfill waste and delivers food excess to enrich soils. Seattle’s expanded compostable waste collection showcases its benefits, while growing infrastructure and consumer education will accelerate widespread implementation. Shifting to bio-based and fiber-based packaging encounters environmental trade-offs, particularly when tracking Scope 3 emissions from external sourcing. Measuring impact is complex, and transitioning away from plastics can lead to increased land use, water consumption, and overall emissions.

Tredegar Corporation reported first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2025. First quarter 2025 net income (loss) from continuing operations was $0.7 million ($0.02 per diluted share) compared to $2.6 million (0.08 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2024. Net income (loss) from ongoing operations, which excludes special items, was $3.6 million ($0.10 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $4.7 million ($0.14 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2024. A reconciliation of net income (loss) from continuing operations, a financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to net income (loss) from ongoing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, is provided in Note (a) to the Financial Tables in this press release.

Amcor and forestry industry company Metsä Group, announced a collaboration to develop three-dimensional molded fiber packaging solutions with lidding and liner for a variety of food applications. The collaboration underscores Amcor and Metsä Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation by creating recycle-ready packaging solutions. Combining Amcor’s advanced high-barrier film liner and lidding technology with Muoto™, a wood-based molded fiber product developed by Metsä Spring, Metsä Group’s innovation company, the partnership seeks to deliver innovative fiber-based food packaging that protects perishable food products and extends shelf life. Ilya Syshchikov, Amcor’s Vice President, Global Fiber, said, “I am excited about this collaboration with our good partner Metsä. Both parties bring a wealth of materials, packaging and market knowledge to deliver more sustainable solutions to our customers with exceptional quality, functionality and efficiency.“

International Paper announced the consolidation of its operations in the Rio Grande Valley to better serve customers. As part of its strategic growth initiative, and commitment to the Rio Grande Valley, the company will make strategic investments to convert the current Edinburg, Tex. sheet plant into a warehouse, invest in its current facility in McAllen, Tex. to increase capabilities and shift its current Reynosa, Mexico operations to a new, more modern and capable facility that is currently under construction in Reynosa. The company will close its box plant and sheet plant in Edinburg, Tex. "The decision to cease operations at our two Edinburg facilities while investing in McAllen and Reynosa allows us to focus our efforts, provide excellent customer experiences and maintain a competitive cost structure that we believe positions us for profitable growth," said Tom Hamic, Executive Vice President and President of Packaging Solutions North America, International Paper. The company's goal is to minimize the impact to affected employees through natural attrition, retirements and open positions at other IP facilities, including open positions at our McAllen, Tex. facility. The company will assist employees and customers through this transition.

Amcor announced its 2025 Bottles of the Year, in celebration of National Packaging Design Day. Annually, Amcor Rigid Packaging Bottles of the Year recognizes the best in innovative and responsible conceptual packaging designs that meet the latest trends in consumer preferences in the beverage, spirits & wine, food & dairy, home & personal care and healthcare segments. “The Bottles of the Year program celebrates the best in packaging design,” said Terry Patcheak, Vice President of R&D, Sustainability and Project Management at Amcor Rigid Packaging. “Our designers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with packaging, and we are proud to highlight that thinking through this program. With Bottles of the Year, our goal is to illustrate how evolving consumer trends and the latest technology in PET plastic packaging can drive advancements in eye-catching designs, improved consumer experience and responsible packaging choices that meet new minimum PCR standards.” A collection of five bottle designs, the Bottles of the Year are ready to be refined for commercialization. The designs highlight stand-out innovative packaging opportunities for brands in the beverage, spirits & wine, food & dairy, home & personal care, and healthcare markets.

The awards honor partners who embody the Pregis Purpose: to protect what matters, preserve the planet, and ‘inspyre’ change. By adopting and delivering key Pregis sustainable product lines throughout 2024, these partners drove meaningful environmental and social progress. “Our distributor and fabricator partners play a critical role in extending the reach and impact of Pregis sustainable packaging solutions,” says Kris Getty, Chief Sustainability Officer of Pregis. “Together, we meet customer needs while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits. This year’s results highlight the power of partnership in driving lasting impact.” The annual awards span three key categories: Preserve Award: Trees saved through 100% recycled paper solutions - By providing Pregis EasyPack® 100% recycled paper packaging, including FSC® certified solutions, Pregis partners saved 573,000 trees from harvest. Inspyre Award: Lives changed through clean water partnership - By driving the adoption of the Pregis Inspyre™ portfolio, including paper, air cushioning, and mailing solutions, distributor partners have provided clean water to over 39,450 people in 2024. Renew Award: Carbon emissions reduced through recycled content - The Pregis Renew Award recognizes companies that integrate products made with 30% or more recycled content into their solution portfolios, including AirSpeed® Renew™ Inflatable Solutions and PolyPlank Renew® Foam.

"Our first quarter results were ahead of our expectations driven by continued execution on business fundamentals. We achieved organic growth in our Food business by continuing to take share in retail end markets with our case-ready solutions, while volumes in our Protective business continued to stabilize due to our ongoing transformation efforts," said Dustin Semach, Sealed Air's President and CEO. "Looking forward, we are focused on controlling the controllables, executing our transformation and supporting our customers as they navigate market uncertainties." "While our first quarter results were ahead of expectations, we continue to be prudent as we navigate the limited-visibility environment," said Roni Johnson, Interim CFO. "We are maintaining our full year guidance and will continue to assess evolving trade policies and the second-half demand environment as we progress throughout the second quarter."

Located in the heart of the Midwest, the new facility will primarily focus on serving the protein segment, providing tailored packaging solutions and meeting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable packaging. "We are thrilled to break ground and invest in our company and the city of Waterloo," said John Berry, Group Vice President, International Paper. "This facility represents our dedication to growing in markets where we want to compete, advancing our capabilities and ensuring our customers receive quality and reliable products. We look forward to our continued future in Waterloo and are very grateful to everyone who has made today possible." The Waterloo box plant will feature cutting-edge technology and equipment, enabling International Paper to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. The plant's design incorporates the latest safety practices and industry technology.

The new machine enables Mondi to meet the rising demand for paper-based flexible packaging while strengthening the Group’s vertically integrated Paper Bags business. It also supports the optimisation of production efficiency across the Group’s entire kraft paper portfolio. Mondi is committed to ensure a reliable supply of kraft paper to support customers in their transition to paper-based solutions. The paper machine strengthens the company’s position as a leader in sustainable packaging, offering a full range of kraft paper products from high strength to high porosity grades, for various applications such as construction and industrial bags. "We are delighted to have started production on this paper machine. The project team did a fantastic job and ensured it was installed on time and in budget. The quality of the paper is exceptional, and we are impressed with how quickly we have been able to deliver paper that meets our customers’ expectations." Roman Senecky, COO Kraft Paper, Mondi.

Eco-Products® and DNO Produce® (DNO) have unveiled a new compostable cup and lid offering specifically designed for K-12 school nutrition programs. The unique product combination features a 4-ounce molded fiber cup made with renewable resources, which is sealed with plant-based lidding film once food, typically cut fruit or vegetables, has been placed inside.   DNO Produce is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor of fresh-cut and bulk produce, servicing school nutrition programs in 17 states. DNO equips thousands of K-12 students with fresh fruits and vegetables daily and is working with Eco-Products to meet their goal of increasing their use of packaging made with renewable resources.

Amid rising demand for its consumer brands, which include Huggies® diapers, Kleenex® tissue, Depend® incontinence products, Scott® kitchen towels, and Cottonelle® bath tissue, these investments will significantly enhance its US manufacturing capacity, accelerate its innovation plans and support its ambitious growth targets. This broad-based investment program centers on two transformative projects: a new advanced manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, and an expansion of its Beech Island, South Carolina, site with a state-of-the-art automated distribution center. It also includes additional capital expenditure linked to innovation and automation upgrades across its North America supply chain network. These projects are expected to create more than 900 highly skilled jobs in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing.

Net Income in first quarter 2025 was $127 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, versus $165 million, or $0.53 per diluted share in first quarter 2024. First quarter 2025 and 2024 Net Income was impacted by special items and amortization of purchased intangibles of $27 million and $38 million, respectively. Excluding special items and amortization of purchased intangibles, Adjusted Net Income for the first quarter of 2025 was $154 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, and $203 million, or $0.66 per diluted share in first quarter 2024. Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "First quarter results fell short of our expectations in a challenging economic and consumer environment. Consumers are redoubling their efforts to find value as food prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, promotional activity is driving mix and brand switching, rather than incremental foot traffic and volume gains. Against that backdrop, we saw a small volume decline in the Americas business, but continued improvement in our International business. Leveraging our growing cost and quality advantage and the strength of our innovation portfolio, we continue to gain market position as we partner with customers in a rapidly changing market. We saw an uptick in input cost inflation during the quarter, and responded with a price increase intended to bring margins back to a more normal range. With our Waco, Texas recycled paperboard investment nearing completion, our capital spending needs decline substantially, and yesterday our Board of Directors approved a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization, taking the total available authorization to $1.865 billion. In February, we announced a ten percent increase in our quarterly dividend. We expect to return substantial cash to stockholders in the months and years ahead through a growing dividend and share repurchase."

Developed in partnership with reuse systems innovator OZZI®, Veda brand containers are designed for durability, repeated use and seamless integration into foodservice operations. They feature OZZI’s proprietary tracking and collection technology and are primarily designed for closed-system environments like colleges and universities, corporate campuses, military bases and hospitals. Made from durable polypropylene, the containers have been tested to withstand a minimum of 1,000 commercial washes and are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to meet food protection and safety standards. “Reuse is a critically important element of the waste diversion toolkit,” said Wendell Simonson, Director of Marketing at Eco-Products. “We’re excited to bring the same passion to reusable systems that has defined our approach to compostability, and believe the two solutions can be complementary while reuse gains traction.” By fully implementing trackable Veda containers, foodservice operations can reduce landfill waste, conserve valuable raw materials, reduce energy use and save on long-term costs.

Thomas Blaige, Chairman and CEO of Blaige & Company, commented: "It was a pleasure working with the Shah family. Soteria is the ideal partner for Hamilton, providing a seamless ownership transition, workforce stability, and expanded opportunities for its customer base. It will benefit greatly from adding a top-tier, innovation-driven barrier film producer to its platform. The combined entity gains scale, technology, broader offerings, and stronger customer and supplier ties-well-positioned to drive growth through shared R&D and operational synergies." Blaige added: "We are especially proud that this marks our third transaction with a TJC portfolio company in the past decade." Hamilton Plastics, Inc., born out of a quality lab and the vision of renowned chemist Harshad Shah, was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company has grown into a leading manufacturer of high-performance, high-value-added coextruded and barrier films serving the food, industrial, and medical markets. Hamilton operates a world-class fleet of blown film extrusion equipment and offers advanced coextrusion capabilities, including 3-, 5-, and 9-layer lines. Its 9-layer coextrusion lines represent the most advanced barrier film technology operating in North America today.

Tony Smurfit, President and CEO, commented: “I am pleased to report a strong first quarter performance with Net Income of $382 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $1,252 million, in-line with our stated guidance, and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.4%. This performance was driven by good results across all three segments, with notable progress in North America, and is significantly ahead of the combined result for the prior year. “I am especially pleased with how well the combination has come together, with strong operational and cultural integration taking place across all three regions. Coupled with our geographic footprint and our unrivalled portfolio of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, we have a customer-focused and performance-driven team that is delivering for all stakeholders. “Our synergy program is on track to deliver $400 million, with approximately $350 million in the current year. We believe there is substantial opportunity to continue to structurally improve the business through a sharper commercial and operational focus, at least equal to our synergy target. “We continue to actively optimize our asset base. We have recently announced the closure of over 500,000 tons of paper capacity in North America. We are also closing two converting facilities in our North American region and have initiated consultations to close two of our converting facilities in EMEA & APAC.

“Our first quarter results demonstrated the strength of the new Sonoco as our global team achieved record top-line and adjusted EBITDA performance, growing 31% and 38%, respectively, while adjusted earnings per share rose 23% despite higher-than-expected interest expense, taxes and the negative impact of currency exchange rates,” said Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Consumer Packaging segment sales grew 83% and adjusted EBITDA jumped 127%. We completed the first phase of the integration of Eviosys as it has been rebranded Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA and we drove strong synergies across the global Metal Packaging enterprise. In addition to the benefit of the Eviosys acquisition, our Metal Packaging U.S. business achieved approximately 10% growth in organic volume/mix in the quarter. Our Industrial Paper Packaging segment improved adjusted EBITDA by 6% and EBITDA margin by approximately 200 basis points driven by year-over-year improvement in price/cost and productivity.” Coker continued, “After the close of the quarter, we successfully completed an important step in our transformation to a simpler, stronger and more sustainable company with the sale of our Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business. We have used after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.56 billion to significantly reduce debt and strengthen our balance sheet. Today, our net leverage ratio is below 4.0X Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA and we remain on track to achieve our targeted net leverage of 3.0X to 3.3X by the end of 2026.”

Aptar’s consistent recognition as a climate leader underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship. The company has implemented a comprehensive climate transition plan aligned with the latest climate science, aiming to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy. By year-end 2024, Aptar achieved significant milestones, including sourcing more than 95% of its total global electricity consumption from renewable sources. In addition, the company was recognized for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and further the low-carbon economy, by environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its prestigious “Climate A List” for 2024. Aptar has been actively reducing emissions for much longer than the two-years that this ranking considers. Since the Company’s baseline year 2019, Aptar has achieved a reduction of more than 75% of Scope 1 + Scope 2 absolute emissions, as monitored toward their validated science-based target. In addition to this recognition from USA Aptar has also been named among America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek for six consecutive years and one of Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies for seven consecutive years.

"Crown got off to an excellent start for the year, driven by strong performances in each of our global beverage can businesses," said Timothy J. Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Combined first quarter beverage can segment income climbed 24% over the prior year, attributable to robust volumes in Brazil and Europe and outstanding operational performance throughout the manufacturing network. Beverage can volume growth in North America, in the low-single digit range, was also better than expected. Increased volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies propelled a significant advance in income in our North American food can and closures businesses, while Transit Packaging performed in line with expectations. "With respect to global trade tensions, the Company believes it is well-positioned, as essentially all products sold domestically are produced domestically. Moreover, for those select raw materials or components that may need to be imported, our contracts contain tariff pass-through provisions. The Crown team is working diligently in this dynamic environment to optimize supply chains and minimize the potential impact of tariffs.

"Reflecting on my first year, I am proud of the International Paper team for embracing transformational change and achieving tremendous progress together," said Andy Silvernail, Chief Executive Officer. "We deployed 80/20, focusing on our most valuable customers and aligning our resources accordingly. We launched key initiatives to drive step-change improvement in our performance, and invested to grow in the most attractive markets. Most recently, we welcomed our DS Smith colleagues and outlined our strategic direction at our Investor Day." "This year's first quarter results reflect higher sales and earnings, primarily driven by the DS Smith acquisition, sales price increases, and cost out," Silvernail added. "We also made good progress on growing our market position in our North American packaging business. Overall market demand, however, was softer than anticipated in both of our regions. As expected, our free cash flow was temporarily impacted by transformation costs and incentive compensation payout. In this uncertain macroeconomic environment, we are focusing on actions within our control as we accelerate our 80/20 execution to drive commercial excellence and cost out across the company."

Metsä Board’s CEO Esa Kaikkonen: “I started as Metsä Board’s CEO on 7 April. The forest industry and Metsä Group are very familiar to me, as I’ve held various duties at Metsä Group over the last 27 years. I wish to thank my predecessor Mika Joukio, who served as Metsä Board’s CEO since 2014. Mika’s profound knowledge of the paperboard market and his ability to build long-lasting customer relationships have played a key role in Metsä Board’s development and transition from a paper company to one of the world’s leading paperboard producers. Uncertainty in global trade policy is at a record high due to the decisions made by the US President, and the operating environment is expected to remain unstable in the near future. In addition, the difficult market situation has weighed on Metsä Board’s profitability for quite a while, and we are far from our long-term targets. However, I recognise several strengths at Metsä Board. Our leading position in premium fresh fibre paperboards, our know-how in the paperboard business, our long-term customer relationships, and our solid financial position offer us a good foundation for business development and shareholder value growth.

Pregis® is expanding its blown film operations at its Anderson, South Carolina facility by adding capacity for its ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier film options. Increased production of EVOH barrier films will allow the company to scale a variety of solutions, including its Pregis Renew™ Series sustainable portfolio. B-Series high-barrier polyethylene sealant film is the business’ most recent advancement within the Renew portfolio. This EVOH solution is engineered to be a critical replacement for metallized or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) films, offering the market an all-polyethylene, mono-material flexible packaging structure. Pregis also offers a metallized version of its film for enhanced barrier performance suitable for more demanding applications in snacks, confections, and pet treats. These solutions enable recyclability which can result in decreased landfill waste, and reduced carbon footprints by shifting from mixed-material laminations to mono-material structures. Pregis Performance Flexibles is hyper-focused on catering to this market through these latest innovations in barrier performance. “As brands seek packaging that delivers both barrier properties and recyclability, Pregis is investing in the infrastructure needed to stay ahead of that demand,” said Bob Gargione, President of Pregis Performance Flexibles. “This capacity expansion ensures our ability to support customers with high-quality, high-barrier structures that meet today’s performance standards while enabling store drop-off recyclability.”

Stora Enso is expanding its core packaging material offering with the launch of Performa Nova, a next-generation folding boxboard (FBB) that combines high yield with exceptional performance. The new board is designed to meet the growing demand for renewable, recyclable, and efficient packaging solutions in segments such as dry, frozen, and chilled food, chocolate, and confectionery. Performa Nova is now available to customers for orders following the start-up of Stora Enso’s state-of-the-art consumerboard production line in Oulu, Finland. The launch is a result of a major investment in fiber-based materials, reinforcing Stora Enso’s long-term commitment to packaging sustainability and innovation. Performa Nova is produced using FiberLight Tec™, Stora Enso’s extensively tested and proven proprietary technology that enables the creation of strong yet lightweight board. The result is higher material efficiency, which allows for more packages to be produced with less raw material -- without sacrificing packaging strength or visual appearance.

According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q1 remained essentially flat (-0.4%) compared to Q1 2024. The operating rate for Unbleached Kraft Liner decreased compared to Q1 2024, while rates for all the other grades increased. The rates for all 4 grades were above 90% for the first time in over a year. Production for export increased in Q1 after 2 consecutive quarterly declines in the 2nd half of 2024, but it was still 7.7% lower than Q1 2024. Domestic new supply for Q1 increased 1.0% from the same quarter last year, but declined 3.8% from Q4 2024, which had been the strongest quarter since 2022. Inventories at mills at the end of Q1 declined 4.2% from their December 2024 levels. They were nevertheless 6.8% higher than the average mill inventories for the last 15 months.

Total Boxboard production in Q1 decreased 1% compared to Q1 2024. The boxboard operating rate was 87.8%, up 1.6 points from the same quarter last year. Solid Bleached Boxboard production in Q1 increased 1% compared to Q1 2024. Solid Bl. Folding - Export production increased 14% compared to Q1 2024. Uncoated Recycled Boxboard production decreased 3% compared to Q1 2024.

Mondi, a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and paper, has successfully started up its Duino mill. This milestone further strengthens Mondi’s position as a leading producer of high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions while driving long-term value creation. Throughout the ramp-up phase, Mondi is focused on maintaining consistent production of high-quality recycled containerboard, made from 100% recovered fibre. Ideal for lightweight corrugated solutions, these containerboard paper grades support cost-efficient, fully recyclable packaging solutions for applications such as eCommerce and consumer goods packaging. "Starting up this machine on time is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team. With Mondi Duino now part of our integrated value chain, we are excited to serve our customers with sustainable packaging solutions from our expanded network of six containerboard mills worldwide." Markus Gärtner, CEO Mondi Corrugated Packaging

Stora Enso plans to implement a new organisation with seven P&L responsible business areas reflecting the importance of its core business of renewable packaging in the business portfolio. The new flatter and streamlined organisation will increase customer focus, drive operational efficiency with increased integration, reduce complexity and enhance the Group’s performance culture. Following the planned change, the Group’s renewable packaging business will consist of four P&L responsible business areas accounting for approximately 60% of Stora Enso’s full year revenue (2024): Food Service and Liquid Board, Cartonboard, Containerboard, and Packaging Solutions. The offering of these business areas helps customers reduce their environmental impact and benefit from strong sustainability growth trends, leading market positions and a high degree of innovation. Each individual business area offers a wide range of renewable fiber-based packaging materials and solutions, such as cartons, boxes, trays, cups, and bags for various industries such as food and beverage, e-commerce,  pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. The Group’s remaining businesses accounting for approximately 40% of Stora Enso’s full year revenue (2024) continue to be divided into three P&L responsible business areas: Biomaterials, Wood Products and Forest. In addition to their respective businesses, they support Stora Enso’s renewable packaging products through wood sourcing and their important supply of raw material.

Stora Enso’s President and CEO Hans Sohlström comments on the first quarter 2025 results: During the first quarter of 2025, we continued to make good progress in building a stronger and more profitable Stora Enso. We recorded a robust adjusted EBIT of 175 million euro, an 18% increase year-on-year, with an EBIT margin of 7.4%. This improvement primarily resulted from higher prices, alongside increased volumes, favourable foreign exchange rates, and the positive impact of cost-saving and value-creation initiatives, which helped mitigate continued high fiber costs. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter with a year-on-year result improvement. Furthermore, in the first quarter, all divisions achieved positive adjusted EBIT for the first time since the third quarter of 2022. Group sales rose by 9% year-on-year, driven by higher deliveries and increased sales prices across most divisions.

Lambeau Field, home of the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers, is continuing to raise the bar on fan experience through its long-standing partnership with Tork®, an Essity brand and the global leader in professional hygiene. Lambeau Field works closely with Tork to ensure clean, efficient, and sustainable hygiene solutions for its iconic sports stadium. As a celebrated destination always topping U.S. sports fans’ bucket lists, Lambeau Field is known for providing an unmatched atmosphere for fans. Hosting over 800,000 guests during a typical football season—plus thousands more attending special events—Lambeau Field depends on reliable hygiene solutions that can handle high traffic without compromising quality. That’s why the stadium uses a high volume of Tork products – including over 2,800 Tork dispensers across the facility for hand towels, soap, sanitizer, toilet paper and napkins. The installation includes high-capacity, controlled consumption solutions like Tork PeakServe® Continuous™ Hand Towel Systems, with 50% compressed towel refills1 and Tork Optiserve® Coreless Toilet Paper Systems, which uses 89% less packaging.2 These Tork systems are designed to help the facility team reduce paper waste, make full use of every roll, and streamline the refill process. The upgrade reflects Lambeau Field’s commitment to improving operational efficiency while enhancing the guest experience through clean, well-stocked facilities.

Huhtamaki has acquired Zellwin Farms, a privately-owned business located in Zellwood, Florida in the United States. The USD 18 million enterprise value transaction will support Huhtamaki’s growth within the molded fiber industry, specifically for egg cartons and egg flats. Zellwin Farms has been serving egg producing customers throughout the Southeastern US from a single site for more than 20 years. The annual net sales of the acquired business is approximately USD 20 million. The transaction will benefit Huhtamaki with additional capacity and capabilities in molded fiber packaging. This acquisition is attractive for us as legislation in North America continues to shift packaging choices in the egg industry toward more renewable and recyclable options, such as molded fiber. This acquisition will support our aspiration to be a leader in this category, deliver installed capacity to strengthen our manufacturing footprint, and help grow our excellent customer relationships”, says Ann O’Hara, President, North America.

President and CEO’s review: Despite the increased uncertainty in the market, our financial performance in the first quarter of 2025 was in line with the previous year’s level. Customers and consumers turned more cautious during the quarter due to geopolitical events. During the quarter, net sales and adjusted EBIT remained at the previous year’s level. We continued to make progress on our efficiency program, compensating for the negative impact from a decrease in sales volumes. By the end of Q1, we have achieved a total of EUR 87 million in cost savings and these have been essential to compensate for cost inflation. Fiber Packaging delivered strong growth with continued margin improvement. Our focus on margin improvement in Flexible Packaging yielded improved results, although the uncertainty in the market impacted net sales. In Foodservice Packaging, the softened demand had a negative impact on performance. In North America, performance was impacted by timing of sales in retail tableware, with sales partially pulled from January to December, and a seasonally late Easter.

Mondi’s ProVantage containerboard paper grades range, available in both brown and white, ensures that businesses can meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging without compromising on performance. From fully recycled to 100% fresh fibre, the containerboard paper grades provide a strong foundation for corrugated packaging and is also well-suited for applications like honeycomb structures and fibre drums. Mondi’s ProVantage paper range meets the packaging needs of applications in eCommerce, fresh fruit & vegetable and heavy-duty applications, offering a variety of paper grades that balance strength, sustainability, and printability. The portfolio includes: *Appearance grades for premium printability and standout branding *Kraft grades for superior strength and protection *Recycled grades that deliver a sustainable edge *Semi-Chem grades for moisture resistance and durability, ideal for long-distance transportation. "As sustainability expectations rise, businesses need packaging that protects their products while reducing environmental impact," says Remy Eecke, Senior Value Chain and Sustainability Manager at Mondi Containerboard. "Our containerboard papers are 100% recyclable and made from 100% sustainably sourced raw materials, giving brands the edge they need in a competitive, eco-conscious marketplace."

Sonoco Products Company has been named to USA TODAY’s list of America’s Climate Leaders 2025. This prestigious award is presented by USA TODAY and Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The list was announced on April 22, 2025, and can be viewed on usatoday.com. “A continued focus for Sonoco is our commitment to promote accountability and transparency in our sustainability and corporate responsibility programs,” said Howard Coker, president and CEO. “Our simplified portfolio of more sustainable metal and fiber packaging further enhances our commitment to serve as a valued partner to our customers in reducing the environment impacts of their packaging.” The America’s Climate Leaders of 2025 award is based on a two-step process. First is the application and research phase. Companies could be included on the list by applying online or by having the necessary data publicly available. To be considered for the award, a company must meet the following criteria: 1. The company is headquartered in the USA. 2. The company had revenue of at least $50 million in 2023. 3. Independent emission reporting with data on Scope 1 and Scope 2 for the years 2021 to 2023. 4. In case a CDP rating is available, the score had to be at least C. 5. Broader environmental record (e.g. no oil exploration, non-GHG pollution, or deforestation).

Packaging Corporation of America reported first quarter 2025 net income of $204 million, or $2.26 per share, and net income of $208 million, or $2.31 per share, excluding special items. First quarter net sales were $2.1 billion in 2025 and $2.0 billion in 2024. Reported earnings in the first quarter of 2025 include special items primarily for closure costs related to corrugated products facilities.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported first quarter 2025 results driven by resilient consumer demand, the introduction of pioneering innovative new products, and leveraging sustained productivity momentum. "Building on the strong foundation we established in 2024, we made further progress across the three pillars of our Powering Care strategy in the first quarter of 2025," said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO, Mike Hsu. "Despite the evolving external landscape, our first quarter was consistent with our full-year plan." Hsu continued, "At the same time, the current environment will now mean greater costs across our global supply chain versus our expectations at the beginning of the year. However, we remain confident in our ability to offset these costs over time and unlock our long-term potential. Our strong productivity momentum is fueling investments to advance our competitive advantage and driving profitability. Our innovation across the good-better-best value spectrum is winning with consumers and enabling us to gain share. I am proud of the effort of our teams around the world. Their commitment has positioned Kimberly-Clark to usher in our next chapter of growth and continue to deliver Better Care for a Better World."

The lightweight bag has been developed to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging for fumed silica, which is used as a performance additive in various industrial and consumer applications. Evonik started investigating more sustainable packaging in 2022 and worked closely with Mondi to find an innovative solution. The collaboration resulted in a two-ply pre-made paper-based bag, removing a plastic-coated paper layer from the previous packaging. This means that less paper and plastic is used, resulting in an overall weight reduction of the packaging by 30%, compared to the previous solution. The new paper bag also has a lower carbon footprint which was assessed in Mondi’s in-house life cycle-based PIA (Product Impact Assessment) tool. Following intensive tests conducted by Evonik, the suitability and product protection of the new bags were proven, and the bags are now launched to the market. The new bag was created using Mondi’s high porosity kraft paper, which offers superior strength, durability and stretch. Mondi applies a small amount of spot coating to the bag, enabling Evonik to securely seal it after filling. The new bag is recyclable according to the CEPI v.3 test method and 4evergreen’s fibre-based packaging recyclability evaluation protocol1.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the March 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report.  Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March increased 1% compared to March 2024. They were down 1% when compared to the same 3 months of 2024. The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 74.8%, essentially flat (+0.5 pts.) from March 2024 and essentially flat (-0.2 pts.) year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack – were 113,400 short tons for the month of March, essentially flat (-0.4%) from the same month last year, and down 3.2% year-to-date.

AptarGroup, Inc. has achieved the Platinum level rating in recognition of its sustainability efforts from EcoVadis for the fifth consecutive year. The Platinum rating places Aptar among the top 1% of the more than 150,000 companies rated by EcoVadis across all industries. “Aptar is honored to once again achieve the EcoVadis Platinum rating, a testament to our global commitment to sustainability,” explained Stephan B. Tanda, President and CEO. “Our innovative approach to eco-efficient operations, renewable energy and more sustainable products not only sets us apart but also enables us to support the world’s leading brands with their goals. We are proud to be an industry leader in sustainability.”

Inteplast Group’s Foodservice Business Unit won the Exclusive Brands and Elite Supplier awards at this year’s UniPro Foodservice Spring Conference in Denver. The company was hailed for its service and product quality in three disposable categories: can liners, gloves, and PVC wrap under the Companions® brand. Approximately 1,400 industry professionals attended the event on March 10-12. Here’s a video of our winning Foodservice team at the UniPro conference. Matt O’Doherty, general manager and senior director of Inteplast’s Foodservice Business Unit, described the wins as “phenomenal.” “This is an incredible achievement for the Inteplast team. Collectively, UniPro, and their 450+ member distributors purchase $168 billion annually from over 500 approved supplier partners. That Inteplast, as a non-foods supplier, was selected as the Overall Supplier of the Year is unprecedented. We consider this an organizational award as virtually all areas of the IBS Division and Pitt Plastics team have contributed to our success.” Pitt Plastics is an Inteplast Group company within its Integrated Bagging Systems (IBS) Division. The Foodservice business unit comprises products from IBS and Pitt Plastics.

“Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure” flexible packaging paper from Koehler Paper was awarded a 2025 PAP’AWARD in the Circular Economy category at the “La Nuit du Papier” event in Paris in April. This was the third time that the event has taken place, and the use case that led to the award for the heat-sealable packaging paper consisted of French cooperative “Coopenoix” packing organic walnuts in a 500 g paper bag for the first time ever. The unique bit about the packaging? A sheer linen mesh window that replaces plastic windows and meshes. The bag, which combines outstanding strength with the aforementioned see-through feature, was processed by French converter Multisac. “Like all other Koehler NexPlus® paper offerings, ‘Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure’ is also heat-sealable, and its strength properties make it ideally suited for further processing on all standard packaging machines. To put it another way, the material’s micro and macroperforation, as well as the window’s processing, were a piece of cake,” explains Bettina Bastien, Business Development / Brand Owner manager for flexible packaging paper at Koehler Paper. “This award honors the commitment to innovation and the development of efficient and sustainable paper solutions for which Koehler Paper is known.”

Known for their leadership in innovation and sustainability, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is a German multinational brand-owner in industrial and consumer goods products, with a portfolio that includes laundry and home care products and hair care, as well as adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. According to Carsten Bertram, Head of Packaging Sustainability at Henkel Consumer Brands, the company has been preparing for the PPWR transformation for several years: “The PPWR levels the playing field and incentivizes the transition to a circular economy. Despite some policy details and many delegated acts still pending, all companies in the packaging value chain need to get involved now.” Packaging innovations enhance recycling At its core, the PPWR outlines that all packaging must be designed for recycling by 2030. Here, labels play a crucial role, despite being a small component of the overall package. “The increased adoption of wash-off labels is vital for the industry in the next years,” Carsten states. “We have already started to include wash-off labels especially for PET packaging and labels which do not hinder the recycling of HDPE.”

Amcor has been recognized with an ‘AA’ rating by MSCI ESG Research for its strong sustainability performance. This rating underscores Amcor’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership and highlights its progress in advancing more sustainable packaging solutions. Amcor’s ‘AA’ rating highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase clean energy procurement, and expand the use of recycled content in its products. The company’s focus on circular economy solutions is a key pillar of its sustainability strategy, driving innovation to reduce environmental impact and enhance recyclability at a global scale. David Clark, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amcor, said, “We are proud that MSCI continues to recognize Amcor’s commitment to responsible packaging, and we celebrate this achievement. This rating is a testament to our dedication to delivering superior packaging solutions that meet consumer expectations, customer needs and the highest standards of efficiency and safety. Amcor is focused on advancing our sustainability journey and collaborating with our value chain partners to help shape a society where responsible consumption and circularity are the norm.”

International Paper announced that the company has entered into exclusive negotiations with PALM Group of Germany after receiving an irrevocable offer for the purchase of five corrugated box plants in Europe: (i) three plants in Normandy, France (namely, one box plant in Saint-Amand, one box plant in Mortagne, and one sheet plant in Cabourg); (ii) one box plant in Ovar, Portugal; and (iii) one box plant in Bilbao, Spain. Upon completion of the required French works council consultation and/or employee information processes, the parties expect to enter into a definitive share purchase agreement. The closing is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2025. "Finding the right buyer for these five facilities has been a top priority for our team since the completion of the acquisition of DS Smith, and I'm pleased that we have found one in PALM," said International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail. "We are grateful for the many contributions the team members at these five plants have made to the company and know they will continue to be successful and deliver value with their new owners." The sale of these plants was agreed to with the European Commission as a remedy for IP's acquisition of DS Smith Plc, as published on the Commission's website on January 24, 2025. The conclusion of the divestment is subject to the European Commission's approval of the proposed purchaser.

Smurfit Westrock invested approximately US $3.5 million in social and environmental initiatives in Colombia in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to the sustainable development of the communities where it operates. The initiatives, which positively impacted 21,800 people in more than 30 municipalities, were in areas including education, income generation and environmental management. Managed by the Smurfit Westrock Colombia Foundation, which was established in 1962, alongside the forestry division, the company has fostered deep roots within the community. Early childhood development has been one of the cornerstones of the initiatives with the Foundation’s child development center, El Caracolí, providing care for over 590 vulnerable children in Yumbo. Secondary level education also receives strong support with over 580 students attending the company’s agricultural and forestry technical institute (ITAF) school in 2024. The school, which specializes in rural education, teaches students from the Cajibío and El Tambo municipalities (Cauca) and Calima Darién (Valle del Cauca) and has above-average scores in Saber tests. To date, over 1500 students have graduated from ITAF and 40% of them have been employed in local industrial and agricultural sectors.

Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated Morris Packaging, a leading Minority Business Enterprise-certified manufacturer of flexible products, on plans to build a new $60.9 million production plant in Marion County, a project that will create 276 full-time jobs. “I’d like to welcome Morris Packaging to Marion County and to their New Kentucky Home, as well as the 276 quality jobs the company will create with this investment,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is the latest company to recognize the value of locating in Kentucky and the many strengths our state offers to ensure businesses thrives. Morris Packaging will be a great addition to our sustainability efforts and to our manufacturing sector, which continues to diversify and grow.” The more-than-100,000-square-foot facility in Lebanon will provide Morris Packaging with increased printing and bag converting capacity and provide a redundancy option to its customers across the United States. As a leader in sustainable packaging products, this state-of-the-art production plant will be Safe Quality Food-certified and allow the company room to grow in the future. Construction on the new facility in Lebanon is expected to be completed by October.

Amcor announced that it has completed construction of its advanced coating facility for healthcare packaging in Selangor, Malaysia. This state-of-the-art facility is the first in Asia to leverage cutting-edge air knife coating technology, strengthening the supply of high-quality, sterile packaging for healthcare customers across the region. The new facility expands Amcor’s existing healthcare packaging plant in Selangor, creating an integrated campus that makes Amcor the first in Asia to produce both top and bottom substrates for medical device packaging. This development delivers critical benefits to customers, including enhanced supply chain resilience and reduced lead times. Equipped with advanced technologies such as water-based coating systems, online inspection systems and air knife technology, the facility sets new standards for precision and efficiency. The air knife technology, in particular, uses high-speed air streams to ensure uniform coating application, enhancing product consistency and reducing material waste.

Mid South Extrusion, a family-owned flexible film and bag manufacturing company, is investing $12.5 million to expand production capacity with the addition of two new, state-of-the-art polyethylene extrusion lines at its facility in northeast Louisiana. This is the second expansion the Ouachita Parish-based company has announced in seven months. In September, Mid South Extrusion announced a $17 million investment for two similar production lines to support growing consumer demand. “Mid South Extrusion’s rapid rate of expansion illustrates the strength of Louisiana’s manufacturing sector and shows our state’s critical role in the made-in-America supply chain,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “It is always encouraging to see local, family-owned businesses like Mid South Extrusion grow – especially at this impressive pace. We are thrilled that as the company continues on its path of success and impact, it still calls Louisiana home.”

For the first time ever at LUXE PACK in Shanghai, Koehler Paper will be showcasing its latest Greenium product line – premium recycled paper offerings that are both luxurious and environmentally friendly. These innovative recycled paper products combine sustainability and quality perfectly and can be used by companies to tap into new opportunities to achieve their environmental goals while simultaneously producing top-of-the-line printed products. On April 9th and 10th, 2025, roughly 200 exhibitors from the fragrance, beauty, jewelry, watch, fashion, wine, spirits, and gourmet food industries will converge at LUXE PACK Shanghai at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. As a leading platform for creative packaging, the event is known for cutting-edge technologies, trailblazing designs, and the latest trends in the area of sustainable packaging. Greenium creative board, creative print, COLORline IQ, and Koehler Eco® paper products made of 100% secondary fiber material are intended as a sustainable and premium alternative in the areas of top-quality packaging and printed products. “With Greenium, we’re combining recycling with premium quality and directly appealing to brand owners of luxury brands,” explains Udo Hollbach, managing director of the Koehler Paper Greiz mill. In fact, a num-ber of international brands have already been using Greenium paper products for over a year now.

Lecta is firmly committed to delivering innovative and more sustainable products that support a circular economy. Our broad range of​ flexible packaging papers, made from natural, recyclable, and renewable raw materials, is designed to protect product integrity with optimal barrier properties. The launch of Creaset HGP reflects this, creating packaging solutions that meet the evolving demands of today's consumers. Creaset HGP is a one-side coated paper specifically engineered for grease-resistant product packaging. With its superior grease resistance, it is the ideal solution for demanding applications such as lamination for pet food bags and butter wrapping, where product protection and integrity are essential. It ensures the wrapped product stays fresh and protected without compromising quality. This exceptional grease barrier is also PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) free, making Creaset HGP a safer, more environmentally responsible alternative.

Ahlstrom has received Home compostability certification* from the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) for its Sulpack® product range. Sulpack® is a PFAS-free parchment paper specifically developed for fresh and greasy applications and offers a natural grease barrier for packaging, such as butter wraps and cheese interlayers. The product can be used either as a mono-material or in laminated structures. Ahlstrom’s Sulpack® products have achieved the ABA certification complements the European TÜV Home and Industrial Compost certifications, and the North American BPI® compostability certification. Sulpack® products offer a unique combination of functionality and sustainability tailored to regional needs. These certifications enable Ahlstrom’s customers, converters and brand owners, to effectively meet their sustainability goals. The Australasian Bioplastics Association certifies compostable products through a rigorous process to comply with standards guaranteeing that certified products will fully compost.

HEINZEL GROUP continues its commitment to sustainable packaging papers with a major investment of around 140 million euros. Paper machine 11 (PM11) has been converted from publication paper production to corrugated base paper, making it one of the most advanced paper machines in Europe. With the successful conversion of PM10 in 2017 and the commissioning of PM11 in early April, the Laakirchen mill is strengthening its position as a high-performance producer of corrugated base paper made from 100% recycled fibers. The strategic decision to phase out publication paper and focus entirely on corrugated base paper ensures the long-term competitiveness of Heinzelpaper Laakirchen in Upper Austria. PM11 has the capacity to produce up to 470,000 tonnes of corrugated base paper annually, operating at a width of 8.9 metres and a speed of 1,600 metres per minute.

Amcor is proud to collaborate with Riverside Natural Foods, a leading certified organic snack producer, to launch MadeGood Trail Mix bars in AmFiber™ paper-based packaging. The exclusive launch during Earth Month is a category-first solution that delivers curbside recyclability in the paper stream without compromise on package performance. The new recyclable wrapper uses Amcor’s AmFiber™, a paper-based laminate made with FSC®-certified (C206475) fiber. Compared to traditional bar wrap, the package reduces the amount of virgin plastic by 77% and has been certified by Western Michigan University to meet repulpability standards necessary for the recycling process. The R&D experts at Amcor worked closely with Riverside Natural Foods to ensure the new package met the needs of both the brand and the consumer. This collaboration resulted in a package with no compromise on run speeds or graphic quality.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is bringing the market an improved version of MetsäBoard Classic FBB, pushing the industry forward with its higher-than-ever print quality and a lower-than-ever carbon footprint. Known and loved for its stable quality, stiffness and light weight, and its ability to consistently deliver, MetsäBoard Classic FBB is already the leading choice for fast moving goods, such as food and healthcare packaging. Thanks to an approximately EUR 60 million modernisation of the Simpele folding boxboard mill, it will now deliver further improved print quality that extends the end use area of the grade to even more demanding print jobs. “By combining curtain coating and blade coating, the newest version of MetsäBoard Classic FBB delivers more visual uniformity and brighter and more vivid images, which we believe is going to help our customers’ products truly stand out on store and pharmacy shelves,” says Maarten Florizoone, Vice President, Growth, Folding Boxboard. “It’s kicking off a new era in folding boxboard.” Energy consumed at Simpele mill to produce MetsäBoard Classic FBB has already been 89% fossil-free, and that number is estimated to reach 98% by the end of 2025.

The Italian Loacker wafer in flexible packaging paper from Koehler Paper has been on the market for more than a year and a half. But the life cycle of this packaging does not end in waste paper after consumption. Thanks to its certified recyclability, the raw material can be used again and again: The wafer packaging is turned into high-quality recycled paper at Koehler Paper in Greiz. In this way, Koehler Paper is making an active contribution to conserving resources and setting an example of the circular economy in action within the Group. The starting point of the recycling trip is Kehl am Rhein, where Koehler Paper commissioned its most modern paper machine to date in 2019. Specially developed for the production of flexible packaging paper, packaging alternatives to plastic are created here. Compared to plastic, paper generally has a significantly lower carbon footprint. One of the reasons for this is that hardly any other material can be recycled so frequently. Even after several passes through the cycle, the quality of the secondary raw material is retained. From Kehl, the Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure MOB packaging paper is sent to the SIT Group in San Marino, Italy. Here it is further processed into a Doypack and then delivered to Loacker as environmentally friendly secondary packaging. Once the wafers have been consumed, the packaging paper is sent via a waste paper sorting system to a local recycled paper mill, for example to Koehler Paper in Greiz. The beginnings of paper production in Greiz date back to 1591. Today, Loacker packaging is given a second life here, as all paper produced in Greiz is made from 100 percent secondary fiber raw materials. Thanks to state-of-the-art dyeing technology, the former red Loacker packaging, for example, is turned into a deep black recycled paper that has been awarded the “Blue Angel” eco-label and the EU Ecolabel. But that's not all: the black recycled paper produced in Greiz is further processed by a converter and finally reaches the renowned watch manufacturer Mühle-Glashütte in Saxony. There it finds a new purpose as fine packaging for luxury watches.

Novolex® announced today that is has completed its combination with Pactiv Evergreen™ Inc., creating a leader in food, beverage and specialty packaging products. The transaction is valued at approximately $6.7 billion, inclusive of Pactiv Evergreen's net debt as of September 30, 2024. "Today is an exciting chapter in the Novolex growth story as we officially welcome Pactiv Evergreen to our company and leverage our combined talents and capabilities to better meet our customers' evolving needs," said Stan Bikulege, Chairman and CEO of Novolex. "Together, we'll continue to solidify our position and deliver in the markets we serve by optimizing operations, accelerating product innovation and driving commercial excellence while maintaining sustainable growth across the business. I look forward to working with our new, expanded Novolex family to achieve our shared mission of packaging a better future through choice, innovation and sustainability. Together, we will work to not only be a leading packaging company, but also to become a leading industrial company in all aspects of our business. I am truly honored to be a part of our combined team." Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the combined company will continue to operate under the Novolex name as one of the largest food packaging leaders with a broad manufacturing and distribution footprint across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The combination delivers greater choice to customers with more than 250 brands and 39,000 combined SKUs with one of the most diverse substrate sets in the packaging industry.

The Manchester, England-based maker of bespoke plastic products said it will buy Arrow from its administrators for a total consideration of GBP502,899 in cash through its wholly owned subsidiary Film & Soil Solutions Ltd. Coral said the acquisition was funded without increasing its existing group facilities. An initial cash payment of GBP202,899 has been made, with the remaining GBP300,000 due within 14 days of completion. Yorkshire, England-based Arrow is an approved supplier to UK supermarkets and has current sales demand of circa GBP1 million per month according to Coral.

Trioworld, a leading supplier of innovative, high-performance plastic film solutions, announces two new divisions – Division Retail and Division Recycling. Division Carrier bags, based in Arvika, Sweden, merges into the new Division Retail. Six divisions become seven as an adjustment to accelerating growth in line with the M&A strategy as well as the increasing focus on circular solutions and expanded recycling capacity. Division Retail is headed by Niklas Agevall, former Business Director Bags & Sacks. Oskar Karlsson, Vice President Sustainability and CPO, will lead Division Recycling. “We are refining our governance model to better fit the accelerating growth as well as our focus on circular solutions. The new Recycling division is an important component in our overall product offering to our customers, ensuring high-quality PCR to all product categories with Loop alternatives. It includes Trioworld Korsberga, which will be the hub for recycling of industrial stretch film along with the current recycling lines for silage film, says Andreas Malmberg, CEO, Trioworld Group. “Division Retail gathers a strong product portfolio including refuse bags and sacks as well as carrier bags, bin bags and building film.” Trioworld now operates under the following structure: Consumer Packaging Division, Health Care Division, Industrial Film Division, Recycling Division, Retail Division, Stretch Film Division and North America Division.

Solenis, a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions, released its 2024 Sustainability Report, marking the first edition that combines information and data from Diversey. Solenis acquired Diversey Holdings, Ltd. in 2023 and now operates as one integrated company with aligned sustainability policies. “With the integration of Diversey and the addition of more than 9,000 employees to the Solenis team, we finished 2024 as one united company on a clear path to make a real and lasting positive impact on our customers, our employees and our world,” said CEO John Panichella. “We continue to embrace and enhance our own transparency around sustainability, while as a partner we are uniquely able to help customers achieve their sustainability and operational goals.” Along with the report, Solenis unveiled a new sustainability-focused website at sustainability.solenis.com, underscoring its ESG initiatives and activities that add sustainability value for customers.

Sonoco Products Company announced it has completed the sale of its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business to TOPPAN Holdings Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $1.8 billion on a cash-free and debt-free basis and subject to customary adjustments. “Today marks a milestone in achieving our strategy to transform Sonoco into a simpler, stronger and more sustainable Company. We extend our best wishes for continued success to our approximately 4,500 former TFP teammates and their new Toppan team,” said Howard Coker, president and CEO. “As previously communicated, we are utilizing the approximately $1.5 billion of after-tax cash proceeds to reduce leverage. Sonoco is moving forward with a focused portfolio and an improved financial position that will enable us to further invest in growing our sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging businesses.”

Huhtamaki is implementing changes to empower business segments to accelerate execution of its 2030 profitable growth strategy. Effective today, changes are made to the organizational structure of the Sustainability and Communications as well as the Strategy and Business Development functions. As a result, the changes streamline the Global Executive Team (GET). “Since joining the company as President and CEO in January, we made clear that our 2030 strategy is intact. Within our strategy, we have specified three focus areas to help us reach our profitability ambitions, namely accelerating growth through all levers, disciplined capital allocation as well as increased accountability and speed of execution. The changes we are making today are part of the implementation of our new operating model to accelerate strategy execution. With these changes we will simplify decision-making, gain speed, and ensure clear accountability,” says Ralf K. Wunderlich, President & CEO of Huhtamaki.

Mondi has completed the acquisition of the Western Europe assets of Schumacher Packaging, expanding the product range, capacity and innovation available to customers demanding high-performance, sustainable packaging at scale. For existing Mondi customers, the expanded product range and enhanced production flexibility supports the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Customers joining from Schumacher Packaging gain full access to Mondi’s comprehensive product portfolio and services, industry-leading sustainability credentials, reliable delivery systems and strengthened security of supply. Among the acquired sites, the two state-of-the-art mega box plants in Ebersdorf and Greven (Germany) deliver best-in-class asset performance and quality. By adding solid board solutions to the portfolio, Mondi provides eCommerce and FMCG customers with sustainable packaging that protects products while optimising logistics. “This acquisition is all about delivering more for our customers – greater capacity, enhanced supply security, and a broader range of sustainable packaging solutions to help them succeed. Bringing together the expertise of our new colleagues from Schumacher Packaging with Mondi’s capabilities strengthens our offering even further, enabling us to drive greater innovation and value for the customers we serve,” comments Markus Gärtner, CEO Corrugated Packaging, Mondi Group.

Pactiv Evergreen Inc. announced that all required regulatory approvals have been received in connection with the Company’s previously announced definitive agreement to be acquired by Novolex® for $18.00 per share in cash. As a result, the transaction is now expected to close on April 1, 2025, subject to satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Upon the completion of the transaction, Pactiv Evergreen will become a privately held company, and its common stock will no longer be listed on Nasdaq.

In an innovative step towards a circular economy and as a result of close collaboration, Tetra Pak and Schoeller Allibert will launch a new transport crate made of polyAl from used beverage cartons at the Plastics Recycling Show in Amsterdam from 1 to 2 April 2025. Schoeller Allibert is a leading global manufacturer of returnable transport packaging solutions. By integrating up to 50% polyAl from used beverage cartons with raw materials from other recycled streams (without using any virgin materials), Schoeller Allibert has developed warehouse crates and other reusable logistics packaging that meet high industry standards for performance and durability, offering a more sustainable and cost-competitive alternative to conventional offerings. The crates are currently undergoing rigorous quality and durability field tests. Once validated, Tetra Pak will gradually replace over 50,000 crates used at its global spare parts distribution centre in Lund, Sweden.

We use fresh fibers from responsibly managed forests in our products. Fresh fibers provide exceptional strength per unit weight, allowing us to meet a certain specification while reducing material use. Smart fiber utilization means using just the right amount of fiber for each type of paper and board. Our development center labs work both independently and alongside customers to develop optimal packaging in terms of performance and weight. "Fiber efficiency is all about precision – delivering exactly what’s needed to meet high performance standards by optimizing fiber usage." Erika Toresson Nygårds, Project manager/Product development at Billerud. Lightweight packaging offers multiple advantages. Less use of material and lower transport weight reduces the carbon footprint. Packaging producers and buyers achieve a lower total cost of packaging while saving the planet’s resources. A low packaging weight also makes it easier for warehouse staff, store workers and consumers to handle the product.

Amcor has announced the launch of its new AmFiber™ Performance Paper stand-up pouch, a paper-based refill pack for instant coffee and dry beverage products. This innovation – launching first across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region – is part of Amcor’s AmFiber™ Performance Paper portfolio, and delivers recycle-ready paper packaging that has been designed specifically for dry beverages. Preserving the aroma and taste of coffee products requires strong product protection. Amcor’s new AmFiber™ Performance Paper stand-up pouch provides excellent seal integrity and barrier that makes it an ideal solution for soluble coffee products. The new refill pack offers curb-side recyclability in several European countries, thanks to its 85% fiber content, and is certified for recyclability by CEPI and Aticelca. For all-round sustainability benefits, the AmFiber™ refill pouch enables brands to reduce the carbon footprint of their dry beverage packaging by up to 73%, including reductions to non-renewable energy use (71%) and water consumption (41%) (1). These enhancements allow brands to bolster their sustainability efforts and align with the preference among consumers for attractive, paper-based packaging.

TOPPAN Holdings Inc. subsidiary TOPPAN Speciality Films Private Limited (TSF), based in India, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 80% of the issued shares of Irplast S.p.A. (Irplast), an Italian based high-performance BOPP film manufacturer, from the current majority shareholder, British-based investment fund Cheyne Strategic Value Credit (SVC). Irplast is a leading manufacturer of high-performance BOPP films, using simultaneous biaxial orientation technology to offer superior transparency, durability, and processability, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved recyclability and delivering products widely used in various fields, including packaging and labels for food, personal and home care. Leveraging its extensive experience and technological expertise in the printing and packaging sectors, the TOPPAN Group will integrate Irplast's advanced manufacturing technologies for high-performance BOPP films to develop and deliver innovative solutions that meet various customer needs. Furthermore, this acquisition aligns with the TOPPAN Group's strategic goals of realizing a sustainable society.

Kimberly-Clark has announced that its manufacturing site in Koblenz, Germany has become the company’s first tissue manufacturing facility globally with a pathway to transition its operations to 100% renewable energy. The site will electrify its heating needs as well as source its electricity demand via a portfolio of European power purchase agreements of offsite renewables. The transition is intended to be completed by 2029 latest. The move has been made possible by a Carbon Contract for Difference grant from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, combined with K-C’s recently announced multi-country European purchase power agreements. As a result, toilet paper, hand towels and wipers under brands Kleenex, Scottex, Scott, WypAll, Page & Hakle, manufactured at the Koblenz facility, will be produced with significantly less carbon emissions. The CCFD is a financial mechanism to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Improvements at the Koblenz site supported by the grant will include switching a natural gas boiler, hood heaters and related infrastructure to electric. These updates will achieve an energy efficiency of almost 99% and remove over 13,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (MTCO2e) annually at the Koblenz facility.

Kemirawill make a multi-million Euro investment in multiple production line expansion of strength chemical agents for paper, board and tissue at its Wellgrow site in Thailand. The implementation of the expansion project will begin in 2026. The new capacity is expected to be up and running in August, 2026. Kemira is the leading producer and supplier of pulp, paper and board chemicals in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, and the investment will serve the expanding Southeast Asian and Indian markets. Strength agents are used for improving the mechanical properties of all kinds of paper and board products. Kemira’s new advanced strength technology enables lower water usage, improved material efficiency, and superior strength. The technology supports customers in achieving higher productivity while reducing environmental impact when replacing older technologies. “To further strengthen our leading position in APAC, we are expanding our production in Thailand for future growth. The Asian pulp and paper market is growing among the fastest globally, and this investment will enhance our capabilities to provide cutting edge, sustainable chemical technology to serve our customers,” said Harri Eronen, EVP Packaging & Hygiene Solutions, Kemira. The total estimated annual capacity at the Wellgrow site, which is close to Bangkok airport and the Port of Bangkok, will be approximately 100,000 tons after the expansion.

Koehler Paper, part of the Koehler Group, in collaboration with Wimbée, a French manufacturer of cardboard packaging, has created the first cap for aerosol cans made of 100% cardboard and paper. This innovative cap was produced for Héritage, an industrial customer that, among other things, markets furniture care products under the brand name O'Cedar. Thanks to its excellent laminating, shaping and printing properties, the flexible packaging paper "Koehler NexCoat® Smart" is ideally suited for the surface of the cap. The cap is available in standard diameters of 51 mm and 63.5 mm. Cap sizes with diameters of 45 mm und 55 mm are in the works. Wimbée, which has decades of experience in this area, was able to rely on the expertise of Koehler Paper during the development of the new cap. The flexible packaging paper, which impresses with its high fold-crack resistance, ideally complements the cardboard – in terms of improved printing and processing characteristics as well as reduced environmental impact. "Koehler NexCoat® Smart is ideally suited to the challenge of creating a greener and, in particular, recyclable alternative to standard caps. It is made of renewable raw materials and can be re-used multiple times within the established paper recycling process," explains Bettina Bastien, brand owner manager for flexible packaging paper at Koehler Paper.

Norske Skog Golbey will commence production of recycled containerboard in April and start delivery of its first customer volumes. Finalising the pre-commissioning at the containerboard machine is the main outstanding item before the project is completed and production can start. There is no change in the budget for the project. “We are pleased to announce that we are nearing completion of the world-class containerboard machine at Golbey, which will be a significant milestone for Norske Skog and for everyone working at the Golbey mill. Although the final work has taken slightly longer than expected, we look forward to start deliveries of containerboard to our customers shortly,” says Geir Drangsland, CEO of Norske Skog.

In 2022, Stora Enso decided to convert the remaining idle paper machine at the Oulu site into a highly flexible consumer packaging board line for folding box board (FBB) and coated unbleached kraft (CUK), with an annual capacity of 750,000 tonnes. The project is being completed according to the original timeline and budget of approximately EUR 1 billion. The new packaging board line is expected to reach EBITDA breakeven by the year-end 2025 and full capacity during 2027, at which point annual sales are anticipated to be approximately EUR 800 million. Renewable packaging is Stora Enso’s largest growth segment. The investment supports the Group’s strategy by further strengthening the customer offering in the growing FBB and CUK segments. The targeted segments are frozen, chilled and dry food, as well as beverage multi-packaging, primarily for customers in Europe and North America.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February decreased 8% compared to February 2024. They were down 2% when compared to the same 2 months of 2024. The operating rate for unbleached packaging papers was 84.8%, down 3.2 points from February 2024 and up 0.6 points year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in bleached packaging papers – food wrapping – were 22,500 short tons for the month of February, down 5.3% from the same month last year.

IPG, a global provider of packaging and protective solutions, today announced that its facilities in Carrollton, Texas, Everetts, North Carolina, and Tremonton, Utah, have been awarded Silver certification under the TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) rating system. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), TRUE helps facilities measure, improve, and recognize zero waste performance. This achievement underscores IPG’s commitment to sustainable practices and its journey toward becoming a zero-waste company. The TRUE certification recognizes these plants' dedication to best practices in recycling, reusing, and reducing waste. The Tremonton facility has achieved a 90% diversion rate by recycling materials such as plastics and cardboard. Everetts has reached a 94% diversion rate through right-sizing collection containers, conducting annual waste audits, and engaging employees in zero waste activities. Carrollton obtained an impressive 98% diversion rate by recycling plastics, pallets, and cores. "We are extremely proud of the TRUE certifications obtained by our Carrollton, Everetts, and Tremonton facilities," said Jay Bolus, VP of Sustainability at IPG. "This marks an important milestone on our journey to become a zero waste company and is further proof of IPG’s commitment to sustainable products and processes.”

Tork, an Essity brand and a global leader in professional hygiene, announced that the Tork dispenser development process is the first in the world to be certified according to the Design for All standard (EN 17161). This approach aims to make hygiene in public spaces accessible for the majority of users. It strengthens the Tork commitment to helping businesses provide inclusive hygiene solutions in public restrooms and other public spaces. “We are committed to making public hygiene accessible to the majority of users by working to eliminate visible and invisible barriers to hygiene,” said Kristian Grennfelt, Global Brand Innovation Director, Professional Hygiene, Essity. “Restrooms are the busiest rooms in a building, and when businesses provide public restrooms designed to meet the needs of many, it not only improves their reputation but also improves their overall business. In fact, nearly 90% of people say it’s important for them to have easy access to hygiene in public, particularly in the restroom.2 It’s clear that providing inclusive hygiene in public restrooms is good for people and for business.”

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, launches today LamiBak™ Flex, the latest addition to its LamiBak™ portfolio of high-performance base papers. Designed specifically for flexible packaging, LamiBak™ Flex builds on the proven success of the original LamiBak™ product line. This launch reinforces Ahlstrom’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that address the growing need for safe and sustainable and high-barrier packaging materials. Ahlstrom equips converters and brands with an adaptable platform for paper-based flexible packaging. LamiBak™ Flex is ideally suited for further processing, such as coating, metallization, or extrusion, delivering superior barrier properties across food applications, including pouches, sachets, and flow packs. Its advanced design enables reduced primer coating needs, achieving exceptional barrier properties while optimizing costs and maintaining a sustainable and recyclable profile. LamiBak™ Flex underscores Ahlstrom’s commitment to sustainable flexible packaging solutions. By offering a paper-based flexible packaging alternative, it helps brands reduce reliance on plastics and metallic substrates, aligning with industry regulations and consumer demand for more eco-friendly packaging.

The global kraft paper bag market was valued at approximately $4.50 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% through 2030. Dominated by U.S. demand, North America led the market in 2024, driven by a robust industrial base and the rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector. The demand for kraft bags reflects a strong trend towards sustainable and versatile packaging solutions. Businesses across industries are turning to kraft bags as an eco-friendly alternative that meets both regulatory and consumer expectations.1 Kraft bags are a staple for businesses looking for reliable, sustainable packaging. Here’s how they cater to different industries: *Large E-commerce Platforms – Online retailers and bulk e-commerce operations need durable and sustainable packaging for a wide variety of products. They're also involved in the re-packing and re-distribution of items like kraft bags. *Food & Beverage Companies – Kraft bags are widely used in the food industry, particularly for dry goods, takeout containers, and other lightweight items. In fact, the food service sector dominated the U.S. kraft bag market with a revenue share of 26.5% in 20241, highlighting the increasing demand for sustainable packaging in food-related businesses. *Sustainability-Oriented Companies/Regions – With many brands and regions shifting toward eco-friendly policies, kraft bags provide a biodegradable, recyclable alternative to plastic bags.

Novolex® today announced two coveted achievements for its new compostable butter wrap: the 2025 Gold Award for Sustainability from the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), and certification as compostable in commercial facilities by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Manufactured by Novolex company Shields®, the new TerreGloss™ and Terrecote™ butter wraps seamlessly blend performance and sustainability to meet the needs of both consumers and dairies alike. “We are incredibly proud to earn FPA’s Gold Award for Sustainability and BPI’s certification for our butter wrap,” said Adrianne Tipton, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Novolex. “At Novolex, we are dedicated to making exceptional products, advancing sustainability and offering a wide range of innovative packaging choices. These achievements reaffirm our commitment to pioneering the best in packaging solutions.”

We are thrilled about the launch of our innovative Paperform, a sustainable alternative to traditional single-use plastic blister packs. This groundbreaking product was recently showcased at PACK EXPO Southeast, where it gained attention and praise from industry leaders and attendees alike. As part of the broader paperization trend, Paperform represents excting progress in our commitment to sustainability. Unlike conventional blister packs that rely on thermoformed plastic trays with cardstock backing, Paperform is made from renewable paperboard. This fiber-based composition not only reduces environmental impact but also ensures that the packaging can be curbside recyclable, making it an eco-friendly choice for both brands and consumers.

Saica Group announced it will construct a second corrugated paper and board manufacturing facility in the US. The company is investing over US$110 million in the manufacturing of the new plant, which is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in Anderson, Indiana. Saica, headquartered in Spain, is a manufacturer of recycled paper for corrugated board and is expected to begin constructing the new factory this May and begin operating in Q4 2026. Susana Alejandro, president and CEO of Saica Group, says: “Saica is committed to stability and long-term growth in the US. This investment is proof that we are moving forward with our plans in the US as we are convinced that we can provide products that will differentiate us in a crowded market.”

Billerud has developed a recyclable, heat-sealable paper designed to replace plastic in packaging applications with high demands for sealing performance and recyclability. At Billerud we embed sustainability in everything we do and when developing new high performing packaging materials, we know we have a joint interest with converters and brand owners to replace plastics with fossil-free materials. While ConFlex HeatSeal has already been successfully introduced in the bedding segment by a major Swedish furniture brand, its potential extends far beyond into further applications in industrial and hygiene packaging. “With ConFlex HeatSeal, we offer a commercially viable, heat-sealable paper that supports businesses to transition away from plastic. It delivers strong sealing performance and recyclability within existing paper recovery systems and works within slightly modified converting processes where Billerud provides transition support. It’s great to see how we live our purpose to make high performance packaging materials for a low carbon society through innovation,” comments Robert Torstensson, Vice President Business Area Paper, Billerud.

Amcor plc and Berry Global Group, Inc. announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the previously announced combination of the two companies. Expiration of the waiting period satisfies another closing condition necessary for completing the combination. The companies also confirm that a number of additional approvals have been received from regulatory authorities in recent weeks, including antitrust clearances from China and Brazil. Progress toward obtaining remaining regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions is well advanced. The companies continue to expect transaction close in the middle of calendar year 2025.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member, Touch, the FMCG design and packaging innovators. From insight to in-the-hand, Touch deliver brand and consumer centric structural design and innovation that’s sustainable, commercially viable and technically feasible. Future-proofing business growth and shaping things to come. “We see packaging as more than just the wrapper—it’s the process that puts the brand into consumers’ hands. That’s why our team considers every step of the value chain, from responsible sourcing to end-of-life disposal. With deep expertise across sustainability legislation, taxation, infrastructure, emerging technologies, and shifting consumer and retailer demands, we help brands navigate this complex landscape. By combining strategic insight with world-class creativity, we drive future-proof growth and meaningful innovation. Our holistic approach to packaging aligns with the Two Sides campaign, and we’re delighted to become a member,” says James Pryor, Co-Founder of Touch.

Crestview Partners, a leading private equity firm, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Smyth Companies, a premier, full-service provider of pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, in-mold labels, glue-applied labels, and flexible packaging, from Novacap. Crestview is investing alongside members of the Company's founding family and the existing management team led by President & CEO Scott Fisher, who will continue to lead the Company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the transaction, Crestview is allocating additional equity to support organic investments and M&A to drive enhanced capabilities, scale and diversification; and Smyth is actively pursuing both tuck-in and transformational acquisitions across the pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeve, in-mold labels and flexible packaging markets. Headquartered in Eagan, MN, Smyth is a leader in the prime labels industry, providing customized solutions for a diverse array of high-value consumer product applications across the household, food, health & beauty and automotive aftermarket segments.

Metsä Board has concluded the change negotiations that began in January to improve the company's profitability and cost competitiveness. As a result of the negotiations, Metsä Board will permanently close Tako board mill and enhance the operational efficiency of Kyro board mill. The measures will lead to a total reduction of 208 jobs. CEO Mika Joukio: "The change negotiations with the personnel were conducted in a constructive spirit. Finding new jobs for the people being laid off is our primary goal, and we also aim to help with employment by offering reemployment training and support." Production at the Tako board mill is planned to end by the end of the second quarter of 2025 at the latest. The closure of the mill will not affect customer deliveries, as Metsä Board's total annual folding boxboard production capacity is sufficient to meet current demand. After the mill closure, Metsä Board's annual folding boxboard capacity will be approximately 1.4 million tonnes.

UPM Specialty Papers and Orkla Suomi are piloting a new paper wrapper for Panda Milk chocolate. During a six-month pilot period, the new wrappers replace traditionally used PP-plastic wrappers. Milk chocolate bars in new packages are now available in stores across Finland. “At Orkla Suomi, we want to make everyday life better with local brands that bring joy and make sustainable choices easier. Our products are a combination of tradition, innovation, and sustainability. A great example of our ongoing efforts to replace fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives is the new paper-based chocolate tablet packaging, developed in collaboration with UPM and printing house Walki Westpak. We will pilot this paper-based packaging with Panda Milk Chocolate in spring 2025 to gather insights and experiences from the new solution,” says Arja Laitinen, Packaging Developer at Orkla Snacks. The new type of wrapper for Panda Milk Chocolate is based on UPM AsendoTM Pro 75 g/m2 barrier paper, which has suitable grease barrier properties for Panda milk chocolate.

Healthcare providers and manufacturers are faced with the complex task of balancing environmental responsibility with the need to maintain the highest standards of product performance, patient safety, and regulatory compliance. The healthcare sector contributes to approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with around half of that coming from supply chains. To make a meaningful impact, healthcare supply chains must become more circular and efficient. However, achieving this requires large-scale, collective action. Companies track their emissions across three categories: Scope 1 includes direct emissions from activities the company controls, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy, and Scope 3 represents all other indirect emissions from the value chain before or after the company’s own operations. Scope 3 emissions are often the largest contributor to a company's carbon footprint, yet they are also the most challenging to manage.

Eco-Products® and OZZI® are partnering on a new multiprong initiative to make reusable foodservice containers more accessible to businesses, colleges, hospitals and other institutions — an effort that could help foodservice operators meet their sustainability goals, help keep waste out of landfills and reduce costs. This multipronged initiative features several innovative solutions. The initiatives include Veda™, introduced in October, a new line of durable and reusable containers from Eco-Products; free guidance from the company’s Product & Zero Waste Specialists on how to convert to reusables; and collection and tracking solutions for reuse systems provided by the team at OZZI. OZZI is offering a new financing option that lowers the initial costs for foodservice establishments looking to invest in the OZZI Machine — a fully automated collection solution that supports container retention rates up to 97%.

Kimberly-Clark Professional introduced a customer-centric innovation called Onvation® SmartFit™ technology consisting of a small, internet-enabled sensor that fits inside paper towel and bath tissue dispensers to provide real-time data that helps commercial facility managers schedule janitorial staff more efficiently and reduce waste. "Restrooms are one of the most scrutinized areas of any facility," said Susan Gambardella, President, Kimberly-Clark Professional. "With Onvation SmartFit, we offer customers a valuable service bundle to enhance efficiency, prevent complaints, reduce waste and improve the guest experience." Onvation was already known in the industry as a smart restroom management system featuring SCOTT® towel and bath tissue and PURELL® hand soap. Now, the compact SmartFit™ technology expands that capability to include a wider range of dispenser types including Kimberly-Clark Professional's ICON®, SCOTT PRO® dispenser collections and select universal dispensers.

Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, has partnered with Insymmetry® to develop an innovative 2oz retort bottle, addressing growing demand for durable, shelf-stable packaging. Designed to meet the needs of brands seeking high-performance packaging for low-acid, shelf-stable products like coffee and dairy-based beverages, this breakthrough packaging solution is the first to leverage Amcor Rigid Packaging’s (ARP) proprietary StormPanel™ technology. Designed to withstand high-pressure retort sterilization processes while maintaining product integrity and market-ready aesthetics, the bottle provides manufacturers with a reliable and scalable alternative to aseptic processing. Stellify™, a beverage brand owned by Insymmetry®, is the first company to take advantage of this StormPanel™ technology with their energy nootropic Dulce de Leche Energy and Espresso Energy wellness beverage shots, which will be spotlighted at Natural Products Expo West 2025.

Effective February 28, 2025, Diversey, a Solenis company, completed the sale of Zenith Hygiene and Shorrock Trichem, two leading UK-based hygiene product and service distributors, to Lyreco in a share deal. With experienced teams, loyal customers and strong supplier partnerships, both Zenith Hygiene and Shorrock Trichem (previously part of Diversey) are well-positioned to build on their success and drive future growth. By integrating their market leadership with Lyreco’s operational excellence, this acquisition enhances value, innovation and sustainable solutions for customers. Commenting on the acquisition, Gregory Lienard, Lyreco CEO, said, “This acquisition strengthens our hygiene solutions portfolio in the UK, allowing us to better serve our customers. I look forward to combining our talent and expertise to deliver an even greater working day together.”

Diversey is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability by replacing all1 its 5L canisters in its European factories to Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic in 2025. This initiative is a testament to the company’s ESG+C® formula for sustainability success, underscoring its dedication to delivering innovative solutions that drive positive environmental impact. Diversey's transition to PCR plastic will cut CO2 emissions by an impressive 35% across its 5L canisters every year. This reduction is equivalent to: *Greenhouse gas emissions from 628 petrol-powered cars driven for a year *The energy required to charge 217,545,166 smartphones *Carbon sequestered by 44,493 tree seedlings grown for ten years. “At Diversey, we recognize our responsibility to drive sustainability in packaging solutions. Replacing our 5L canisters to PCR plastic is a crucial step in reducing our carbon footprint and limiting our reliance on virgin plastic,” said Daniel Daggett, vice president, sustainability.

Huhtamaki, a global leader in sustainable food packaging solutions, is proud to announce the development of the recyclable single coated paper cups ProDairy, specifically designed for yogurt and dairy products. Yogurt is a product with high food safety requirements. This highly functional and innovative packaging solution meets all the requirements and delivers a lower polymer content than traditional alternative products. With less than 10% plastic content across its full product range, it is fully recyclable in Europe.   "Dairy products are an important part of our daily life and creating recyclable packaging for something as important as your morning yogurt has been a challenge, especially while maintaining the high-performance standards required for dairy products. I am proud of our team and excited that we can now offer this solution to our customers at scale. Our solution is highly functional in terms of product performance and barrier properties, and it is a cost-efficient solution which meets customer and consumer expectations regarding our innovation in food packaging. These recyclable single coated paper cups help our customers address consumer demands for reduced plastic in packaging", says Fredrik Davidsson, President of Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania at Huhtamaki. 

Net income attributable to equity holders of the Company (Earnings) for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $36.6 million increased by 5.1 percent from the $34.8 million recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2023. The improvement in gross profit was a key factor, elevating Earnings by $9.0 million. Conversely, higher operating expenses led to a contraction in Earnings of $2.4 million. In addition, foreign exchange lowered Earnings by $1.9 million. Furthermore, income taxes subtracted $1.1 million from Earnings. In combination, all other factors reduced Earnings by $1.8 million. For the year ended December 29, 2024, Earnings advanced by 0.9 percent to $149.5 million from the comparable 2023 result of $148.1 million. The sizeable expansion in gross profit enhanced Earnings by $20.7 million. Operating expenses reduced Earnings by $10.8 million. Additionally, foreign exchange and income taxes dampened Earnings by $4.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. In total, all remaining items lowered Earnings by $0.9 million.

Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Hénaff said: “I would like first of all to thank Arkema’s teams who were able to adapt to a demanding macroeconomic and geopolitical context last year. The Group thus once again achieved a solid financial performance in 2024 and continued to implement its innovation strategy for more sustainable solutions and the execution of large-scale projects in Asia and North America which will have a strong contribution in the future. 2024 was also a year of progress in terms of CSR, notably in the areas of safety, climate and diversity, with several achievements ahead of long-term objectives. We are also pleased to have finalized the acquisition of Dow's flexible packaging adhesives last December, a new step in the growth strategy of our Adhesive Solutions segment in high value-added technologies.”

Tim Nicholls has been named Executive Vice President and President of DS Smith, an International Paper company, reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail. Tim has more than 30 years of industry experience including a variety of business and finance leadership roles. He has served as the CFO of International Paper since 2018 and also held the CFO role from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, Lance Loeffler will join International Paper as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reporting to Silvernail. Throughout his more than 25-year career, he has worked in finance, strategy and business leadership roles at UBS Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank Securities and Halliburton.

Commentary from CEO Ole Rosgaard: “Greif is actively managing a historical period of industrial activity contraction while simultaneously transforming our internal processes and our portfolio mix for optimal alignment to long-term profitable earnings growth.” said Ole Rosgaard, Chief Executive Officer of Greif, “This quarter highlights the resilience of our new business model amid multiple headwinds and demonstrates our willingness to invest in the long-term future of Greif while managing the present. We’re excited for what the future holds and for accelerating our growth in both the near and long-term. Our announcement to seek the sale of our Soterra land management holdings demonstrates our commitment to constantly assessing our business portfolio for maximum value creation and taking decisive action to pursue long-term sustainable earnings growth.” Strategic Actions and Announcements: Intend to divest our approximately 176,000 acres of timberland in the Southeastern United States. Proceeds will be applied towards debt reduction. Announced closure of A1 uncoated recycled paperboard machine in Austell, GA as well as the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard mill in Fitchburg, MA. Progress on announced cost optimization project proceeding on target, with $13.0 million of annual run-rate savings achieved through the end of first quarter 2025.

ND Paper is excited to announce plans to re-start PM 25 at our Biron, WI mill. This machine was idled in April of 2023. With the successful conversion of PM 26 at Biron to recycled packaging and the growing demand for ND Paper’s packaging products, we are pleased to add the capacity of PM 25 back to our portfolio. The machine was rebuilt in 2019 and will be capable of making recycled containerboard and recycled kraft paper. This will add additional capacity to the existing recycled packaging product portfolio when the machine starts up in the 2nd half of 2025. ND Paper currently offers 30# – 70# recycled kraft, 23# – 35# Recycled Liner and recycled medium. The 100% recycled furnish is supplied by a newly built 1,400-ton OCC pulping facility and a newly build 700-ton OCC pulping facility.

Fedrigoni has acquired a stake in Papkot, a cutting-edge company specializing in the development of fiber-based solutions with high barrier properties that are fully recyclable and biodegradable on an industrial scale. This investment is part of our corporate venture capital program, aimed at identifying innovative startups to accelerate the innovation process, acquire new technologies, and support our customers on their path toward sustainability. Marco Nespolo commented: “This deal has enormous potential for Fedrigoni. We have the opportunity to acquire disruptive technology in the Plastic-to-Fiber sector, enabling us to further support our customers in developing mono-material and fully recyclable packaging solutions. Fedrigoni will play a key role in accelerating the industrialization phase, which is essential for scaling Papkot’s business model.”

This approval satisfies the shareholder vote condition for the combination, originally announced in November 2024. Together, Amcor and Berry will be among the global leaders in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions with the combined material science and innovation capabilities required to revolutionize product development and better solve customers’ needs and consumers’ sustainability aspirations. These two highly complementary businesses are expected to grow faster together in attractive categories and opportunities to further refine the portfolio. With faster growth and $650 million of identified synergies, this combination is expected to drive significant near- and long-term value for all shareholders. Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny commented, “The resounding support from both companies’ shareholders marks another important milestone in bringing Amcor and Berry together. Our combined company will be positioned to serve customers better, grow faster and operate globally in a way neither company could accomplish alone. Together, we have an exciting and unique opportunity to truly transform the future of packaging.” Berry CEO Kevin Kwilinski added, “We are excited to take another important step toward finalizing this combination between Berry and Amcor and are pleased the shareholders of both companies clearly recognize the significant opportunities we will have as one company to deliver enhanced value for all stakeholders.”

Distinguished by contactless, leak-free dispensing, Aptar’s SureSnap two-in-one pre-assembled valve and retaining ring is an attractive option for reusable beverage container brand owners – including those offering water bottles, thermoses, and children’s sip cups – seeking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market. In consumer packaging, the “Three R’s” – reduce, reuse, and recycle, are commonly deployed strategies to reduce waste and conserve resources. While there is a heavy focus today on recyclability and material reduction in the consumer beverage market, Aptar’s SureSnap addresses the “Third R” – reuse, an area long ripe for innovation in reusable beverage containers. This category historically utilizes underperforming or insufficiently robust closures. For example, conventional push-pull closures typically require fingers or teeth to open and shut; in addition to potentially compromised hygiene and safety, this approach can allow fluid leakage or foreign particle ingress when the closure is left in the open position.

State leaders on Monday announced that First Quality Tissue, a manufacturer of hygiene, paper and packaging products, will invest $984 million to build an ultra-premium towel and tissue production facility in Defiance County. The project, announced by Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef, marks the largest single investment and job-creation initiative in the county's history.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, collaborated with Sherwin-Williams, a global leader in paints and coatings, to introduce re/cycle SpoutedPouch as a refill option for its concentrated paint, sold on the UK market. Leveraging the expertise in its Halle/Steinfeld plant in Germany, Mondi introduced a wider spout for easier filling and pouring, while ensuring the mono-material pouch is designed to protect its contents. The paint concentrate was developed to replace the traditional 5-litre pre-mixed paint in rigid plastic tubs. Consumers are encouraged to reuse these tubs to mix the paint concentrate and then recycle the refill’s packaging. It comes in a lightweight 950ml spouted pouch with instructions for mixing clearly printed on the side. The spout offers excellent pourability to make it easy to mix with water and create the needed amount of paint. The pouch can be tightly closed after usage, preserving any unused concentrate.

Diversey, a Solenis company and leading player in professional cleaning and hygiene solutions, has opened a new European headquarters and shared operating company (OpCo) office for Solenis and Diversey in Breukelen, the Netherlands. The new facility reflects the shared vision of both companies to enhance collaboration, drive innovation and deliver value to customers across the region. An integrated research and development (R&D) center at the new site stands out as a hub for innovation, focused on creating breakthrough cleaning and hygiene solutions to solidify Diversey’s industry leadership. Additionally, the new building will house the Dutch OpCo for both Solenis and Diversey, consolidating operations to enable greater synergy and efficiency. Solenis’ European headquarters remains in Switzerland.

"During the fourth quarter, we completed the reorganization into two market-focused businesses, Food and Protective, and had a strong finish to the year," said Dustin Semach, Sealed Air's President and CEO. "We exceeded our expectations across Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS and Free Cash Flow, reflecting improved discipline in fundamentals. I want to express my deep gratitude to our 16,400 plus Sealed Air team members for their commitment to our transformation and their tireless efforts in solving our customers' most critical packaging challenges.""With the foundation now firmly in place, we are focused on maximizing the potential of each business based on their respective end-markets and portfolios. We are accelerating the momentum in Food by expanding further into higher growth end-markets with our case ready and fluids solutions and continuing to stabilize Protective. In parallel, we are continuing to streamline our operations and drive further productivity across the company. As a result, we are targeting growth and margin expansion in 2025. We are focused on accelerating the pace of execution to improve the outcomes for our customers and maximize value for our shareholders," said Semach.

Hugues Simon, President and CEO, commented: "Our fourth quarter 2024 performance was in line with expectations. Favourable average selling prices and raw material costs in the Containerboard business drove stronger sequential results, offsetting the impact of usual lower seasonal volumes. Specialty Products continued to perform well despite slightly lower volume sequentially. In Tissue, average selling prices and raw material costs were advantageous, and fully offset slightly higher operational costs. Broadly, the depreciation of the Canadian dollar benefited quarterly results, but led to higher reported debt levels at the end of the year given the company's $1.3 billion of US denominated debts." Discussing near-term outlook, Mr. Simon commented, "Operationally, raw material costs remain a tailwind for our businesses in the first quarter, and we are currently seeing steady seasonal demand levels. We will not be providing an outlook for near-term financial or business-specific performance given the lack of clarity regarding the implementation of bilateral tariffs between Canada and the United States. The continued risk has resulted in significant near-term macro-economic uncertainty, and may disrupt or negatively impact future demand levels, customer buying patterns and the economic performance of both countries."

Inland Packaging, a family-owned label and packaging manufacturer, has been named a finalist for the 36th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award in the Large Manufacturer Category. “Inland is honored to be named a finalist for the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award,” says Inland COO Scott Roob. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit of our entire team. With deep roots in Wisconsin and more than 80 years of manufacturing excellence, we are proud to be part of the state’s rich manufacturing tradition.” Roob emphasizes the importance of Inland’s employees, adding, “Our team members are the heart of our success. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions drive everything we do.”

How many rolls of bubble cushioning does it take to package a personalized outdoor landscape stone with rough edges and an atypical shape? It’s not a question looking for a punchline, it’s the kind of question packaging engineers at Pregis can more easily tackle on behalf of customers because of deep knowledge and the Pregis IQ. In this case, the answer is zero. They were able to do it with Pregis AirSpeed® Hybrid Cushioning (HC) and cut waste by more than half. A small ecommerce business was using bubble cushioning to protect its customized stone product inside a corrugated box that was then shipped to the customer. The bubble cushioning monopolized a significant amount of the customer’s warehouse footprint. To add to the company’s challenges, there were inconsistencies in the amount of material being utilized per box, and the bubble cushioning was inconveniently located outside of the reach of the packers. Both of these challenges contributed to unpredictable material costs, and reduced throughput via an inefficient packing workflow, which posed ergonomic challenges for packers.

The packaging paper product from Koehler Paper provides ideal protection for “einpott” ready-to-eat meals thanks to its extraordinary oxygen, mineral oil, and grease barrier properties. pack&satt products are available in three flavors: “Tomate Linse” (lentils and tomato), “Curry Linse” (lentil curry), and “Rote Bete Kartoffel” (red beet and potato). pack&satt ready-to-eat meals were originally bottled in returnable jars. However, customer feedback, coupled with a general overhaul of the product, led the company to look for alternative packaging options: “Our customers frequently told us that if they had an electric kettle, that meant that they also had bowls or cups available, making the jars redundant. And on top of that, we found out that using paper instead of glass to hold dry product would improve our environmental footprint! Given all that, we were tremendously happy when we found Koehler and saw that they offered the right packaging material for our needs,” explains pack&satt founder Sophie Gnest.

“2024 was a milestone year for Sonoco in achieving our strategy to globally scale our metal packaging platform through the acquisition of Eviosys and to transform our portfolio to comprise more sustainable Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses through the announced divestiture of TFP and strategic review of some of our other resin-based diversified businesses,” said Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our fourth-quarter results were within our expectations as we benefited from strong productivity improvements that more than offset price/cost headwinds that persisted across most of our businesses. Overall, we achieved the second best operating cash flow in our history and maintained solid operating performance due to the focused execution of our global team.” Commenting on the Company’s outlook, Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker, said, “As we enter the new year, we are focused on successfully integrating Eviosys into Sonoco Metal Packaging and achieving our two-year $100 million synergy target. We have announced the divestiture of TFP and intend to continue pursuing strategic alternatives for our remaining temperature-assured cold-chain packaging business. We intend to use proceeds from divestitures, along with projected strong free cash flow, to lower leverage to 3.0X to 3.3X Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2026. We will continue to invest in our global Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses while maintaining our focus on profitability and productivity. Finally, we expect to achieve an extraordinary 100 consecutive years of returning cash to our shareholders in the form of dividends. By transforming into a simpler, stronger and more sustainable company, we have positioned Sonoco to grow projected adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco by approximately 20% year over year and adjusted EBITDA by approximately 30% year over year in 2025.”

India’s flexible packaging solutions provider UFlex is investing over $86.35m to establish a woven polypropylene bags (WPP) manufacturing unit in Mexico and a new recycling facility in Noida, India. These operations are expected to commence within financial year 2025-26 (FY25-26). The board of UFlex has sanctioned the construction of the WPP manufacturing plant in Mexico with a $50m investment. This facility aims to serve the North and South American pet food markets. The Mexican plant is projected to produce 80 million bags annually, with the capacity addition planned for FY25-26. This expansion is a strategic move to tap into the growing demand in the Americas for high-quality packaging solutions.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January increased 4% compared to January 2024. The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 81.4%, up 3.3 points from January 2024. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack – were 104,800 short tons for the month of January, down 1.6% from the same month last year.

Mondi announced the results of its sixth annual eCommerce trend report “Sustainability and its impact on packaging and online shopping choices”. This comprehensive study examines trends, attitudes and expectations regarding eCommerce and the impact packaging has on the consumer experience. The report presents data from around 6,000 consumers across Czechia, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Türkiye, collected via an online survey in October and November 2024. The findings offer eCommerce brands valuable insights on meeting consumer needs, including country-specific results from each of the six markets. The survey was conducted by RetailX, who also co-authored the whitepaper. "This year’s findings confirm that sustainability is no longer just a trend, it’s a business imperative. Consumers are demanding tangible action from retailers to reduce their environmental impact. At Mondi, we are proud to support customers with innovative, sustainable eCommerce packaging and paper solutions that meet consumer expectations and help our partners to build trust, loyalty, and long-term value in the eCommerce space." Armand Schoonbrood - Mondi Group eCommerce COO

Sealed Air Corporation announced that Dustin Semach has been appointed to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Semach will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. The Board of Directors and Patrick Kivits have mutually agreed to transition Sealed Air's leadership. Mr. Kivits has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Semach most recently served as the Company's President and Chief Financial Officer. Veronika "Roni" Johnson, currently the Chief Accounting Officer, has been appointed the Interim Chief Financial Officer.

IPG announced the launch of its new American® brand Plastic Sheeting, available in both Ultra and Performance films. This high-performance, tear-resistant, and easily workable plastic sheeting film is designed to provide superior surface protection in a variety of applications. The transparent, high-density film clings to substrates, helping maintain a clean work environment and protecting surfaces from overspray and other potential contaminants during repairs and renovations. The American brand Plastic Sheeting offers several key features and benefits, including: • Tear-resistant construction for reliable protection • Static cling for easy application and secure hold • Helps maintain a clean work environment • Transparent plastic for clear visibility • Easy-to-dispense box for convenient use • Cost-effective solution for surface protection

Mondi Group is proud to announce a three-year extension to its partnership with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organisation providing food assistance to those recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Over the past few years, Mondi’s technical expertise, R&D infrastructure, and financial contribution have supported WFP in improving and optimising packaging solutions to withstand difficult transport, storage and handling conditions in crisis-affected regions. Between 2024-2027, the partnership aims to find more sustainable alternatives to existing packaging materials, supporting WFP food manufacturers in working with sustainable fibre – both virgin and recycled, optimising material use, and enhancing packaging quality. These initiatives will support the fight against hunger by addressing packaging-related food losses across WFP operations. They will also contribute to global efforts to curb food loss and waste, which is vital considering every year one-fifth of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted1.

Amcor is partnering with leading Australian bread manufacturer Tip Top Bakeries to introduce new bread bags that are made with 30% recycled plastic using the ISCC mass balance approach.* These innovative bags, which began rolling out in September 2024, are now available across Tip Top The One, Tip Top The One Gluten Free, and Tip Top 9 Grain loaves in major retailers across Australia. This industry-first initiative for the Australian sliced packaged bread aisle will help remove 160 tons of virgin plastic by December 2025. It builds on Tip Top’s commitment to sustainable packaging, following its introduction of 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard bread tags in 2020, which eliminated 140 million pieces of single-use plastic annually. Richard Smith, director of Sustainability for Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, commented, "At Amcor, we are dedicated to pioneering advanced packaging solutions that reduce reliance on virgin plastics while maintaining the quality and safety consumers expect. This partnership not only underscores Tip Top's leadership in the bakery aisle but also demonstrates the impact that collaboration across the value chain and innovation can have on driving the circular economy forward in Australia."

Huhtamaki is separating the Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment into two distinct business segments, Fiber Packaging and Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. The change is expected to take effect as of April 1, 2025, at the latest. “We are separating our Fiber Foodservice business into two distinct business segments to empower our teams to serve our customers more efficiently. This strategic move positions us for profitable growth by giving accountability to the businesses and increasing speed of execution in a changing business landscape. It will support our goal of being the first choice in sustainable packaging", says Ralf K. Wunderlich, President and CEO of Huhtamaki. The business segments were integrated in 2020. In external reporting the businesses have continued to be reported separately, and this change will not impact external reporting.​ Combining the businesses in 2020 has achieved the initially projected synergies and built foundations for growth by seizing promising market opportunities.

Sara Engber (56), has been appointed President, Fiber Packaging and member of the Global Executive Team at Huhtamaki. She will report to President and CEO Ralf K. Wunderlich and be based in Espoo, Finland. The appointment is following the decision in which Huhtamaki has decided to separate the Fiber Foodservice business segment into two distinct business segments, Fiber Packaging and Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. Sara Engber has worked at Huhtamaki since 2009 in multiple positions, most recently as Senior Vice President, Operations, North America. Fredrik Davidsson will continue as a member of Global Executive Team as President, Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. Both changes will become effective as of April 1, 2025, at the latest.

For Huhtamaki, 2024 was a solid year, with improved safety performance and increased profitability. In the first half of the year, demand was muted in many markets. The second half saw gradual recovery, with variations across categories and regions. Demand for pre-packed food, especially egg packaging, increased, and flexible packaging saw gains in a volatile market. Food on-the-go volumes remained subdued, particularly for coffee chains, due to high prices caused by inflation. The North American foodservice market performed better than other regions. The ongoing Middle East conflict affected global brands in some Middle Eastern and Asian markets throughout the year. In Q4, comparable net sales increased by 3%. Sales volumes growth was supported by customers’ promotional activities. We improved our profitability as the adjusted EBIT margin reached 10.4% and adjusted EBIT grew by 3% to EUR 110 million. For the full year 2024, comparable net sales remained at the previous year’s level. Sales prices decreased due to a pass-through of lower raw material prices, while volumes increased slightly.

International Paper announced the permanent closure of the company's Red River containerboard mill in Campti, La., recycling plant in Phoenix, Az., box plant in Hazleton, Pa., and sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Mo. All facilities will cease operations by the end of April 2025. The Red River containerboard mill closure is expected to reduce the company's containerboard capacity by approximately 800,000 tons on an annualized basis. In total, 495 hourly employees and 179 salaried employees will be affected. The company will work to minimize the impact on employees by using attrition, retirements and current vacancies at other International Paper locations. Team members at these locations will receive outplacement assistance, access to mental health support resources and where possible, severance benefits. "The decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities," said Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president, North American Packaging Solutions, International Paper. "We greatly appreciate the contributions from our departing team members and will do all we can to support them."

Inteplast Engineered Films (IEF), manufacturer of blown polyethylene (PE) films, and MTI Polyexe, manufacturer of specialty silicone coated films and release liners, will be collaboratively exhibiting at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) in San Antonio, TX, February 19-21, to offer customers the signature Inteplast Group one-stop-shop experience. IEF Sales Manager Angela McQueen said the partnership simplifies sourcing for both companies’ customers. The product offering between the two Inteplast Group companies caters to the unique and sometimes overlapping supply needs within building materials and construction markets. “Our building materials and construction customers have established long-time relationships with Inteplast Engineered Films and MTI Polyexe separately, not having known that we are sister companies within Inteplast Group. With so many mutual current and potential partners, it made sense to take a joint, simplified approach to the market for our customers. This unified approach provides our customers with a one-stop-shop experience,” McQueen said.

Tony Smurfit, President and CEO, commented: “I am pleased to report a strong fourth quarter performance with Net Income of $146 million, Adjusted EBITDA1 of $1,166 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 15.5%. For the full year, in line with our stated guidance, we have delivered a Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA1 of $4,706 million. “While we are at the beginning of our journey, I am immensely proud of what our teams have achieved in our first six months as Smurfit Westrock. The operational and financial expertise that are hallmarks of this management team are already being applied as we transform the combined business. “Our synergy program of $400 million is on track and will be completed by the end of this year. Moreover, there are significant operational and commercial opportunities, at least equating to that synergy target.

Metalvac papers provide light, moisture, water vapor, water, grease and oxygen barriers. They are characterized by excellent runnability and adaptability to different packaging equipment, allowing for maximum performance in the production process. In addition, their low aluminum content (0.08 g/m²) increases barrier efficiency without compromising recyclability in the standard paper circuit, making Metalvac a more sustainable option for flexible packaging. Metalvac GP PFAS-free is Lecta's new 75 g/m² metallized paper, designed to deliver more natural, efficient packaging for a wide range of foods, particularly butter, margarine, cheese and other fatty products. PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) free, it complies with the latest regulation and avoids the use of any chemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment. In addition to the characteristics of the Metalvac range, it provides a barrier to vegetable oils such as sunflower and palm oil, as well as mineral oils. It folds and processes easily for efficient and versatile production and complies with CEPI V2 and ATICELCA recyclability standards (level B test results). Metalvac GP PFAS-free represents a more environment-friendly, high-performance alternative to metallized films and other traditional greaseproof papers. Its properties make it an ideal choice for companies seeking more natural, quality packaging for their fatty products.

Mondi’s internal product impact assessment indicates that the new solution has significantly lower CO2 emissions from cradle to gate compared with the previous plastic solution1. The flexible stand-up pouches contain 20 water soluble dishwashing tabs. Created using Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, the new solution is a paper-based alternative to replace the previously used plastic solution. As part of Mondi’s re/cycle portfolio, the paper-based pouches are designed to meet the recyclability requirements for Spain and Portugal. The entire packaging solution, including the zipper, contains more than 85% paper share, meaning the packaging can be conveniently disposed of by the end consumer in the paper recycling streams across both countries. The paper-based re/cycle StandUpPouch is manufactured in-house at Mondi: first the kraft paper is made from responsibly sourced fibres, then it’s coated to provide the barrier properties needed to protect the tabs inside, and finally it’s printed, slit and converted to the final pouch, ready for filling and sealing.

Owned and operated by Caroline Fournier and Marilène Fournier, Imprimerie Ste-Julie (ISJ) has cultivated a strong reputation across Quebec, serving businesses that seek customized, creative and sustainable label solutions to enhance their products. ISJ is a trusted partner to customers in the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, natural products and cosmetics markets, and meet their strict delivery, quality, and sustainability goals. "Joining the Resource Label Group family is an exciting new chapter for Imprimerie Ste-Julie,” stated Co-President Caroline Fournier. “For nearly 50 years, we have been committed to delivering exceptional quality and service to our customers. RLG will allow us to expand our capabilities, introduce new innovations, and continue offering the personalized experience our clients expect. We are thrilled to join a network that shares our dedication to excellence and growth."

The corrugated packaging industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability, driven by brand owners' ambitious environmental goals and changing consumer preferences. In an era dominated by conversations about eco-conscious printing and a circular economy in packaging, it's worth considering what 'more sustainable' corrugated packaging means. Brand owners are setting ambitious sustainability goals which are directly impacting converters. Many businesses are seeing increased demand for packaging with higher recycled content or a push for fully recyclable or compostable packaging solutions. Furthermore, brands are increasingly asking their suppliers to help reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain, prioritising those that can actively demonstrate they are making a difference with more eco-conscious packaging designs.

Together with Italian pasta company Astrabio, Koehler Paper has now packed pasta in one of its flexible packaging paper for the first time ever. “Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure,” a heat-sealable paper, maximizes shelf life, protects the product inside it, and features extraordinary strength properties that make it perfect for further processing on standard packaging machines. The brand IRIS Bio stands for high-quality food and a sustainable agricultural model. Koehler Paper accordingly offers a sustainable packaging alternative with its flexible packaging paper. “With ‘Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure,’ we offer a packaging paper with a significantly reduced carbon footprint in comparison to conventional plastic packaging, not to mention that it also boasts the significant benefit of being recyclable and conserving valuable resources as a result,” says Mauro Moretti, Flexible Packaging Paper Sales Manager at Koehler Italia, while going over this new application for the paper. This is also corroborated by positive feedback from customers, which shows that the two companies made the right decision.

Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "In 2024, we demonstrated the value of the Graphic Packaging business model, generating a level of consistency and profitability in line with other leading consumer packaging companies. We delivered strong and steady margins and significant new consumer packaging innovations. Our strategic investments in capabilities, innovation, and competitive advantage have positioned the company for long-term value creation. In 2025, we will build on that success, driving competitive advantage in recycled paperboard across all of North America, and expanding our innovation capabilities into new markets and new product categories around the world. "The past two years have presented unusual volume challenges for the industry and our customers. Customer destocking is largely over, but consumers are stretched and searching for value in their everyday purchases. Across grocery, convenience, e-commerce and mass retail, Graphic Packaging is responding to our customers' evolving needs by creating the more circular, more functional, and more convenient packaging that consumers prefer. As the last of our major asset investments comes to completion in 2025, capital spending will decline significantly, and we will deploy excess cash to create substantial value for our stockholders. Consistent with our capital allocation priorities, today we are announcing a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend, to $0.11 per common share, effective for the first quarter 2025."

Sonoco Products Company has received pre-qualification to carry the How2Recycle® ‘Check Locally’ label for its EnviroCan® Metal Bottom rigid paper container. The EnviroCan paper container body is made of 100% recycled fiber, 90% of which comes from post-consumer resources, a design that balances responsible materials sourcing with product and food safety. The metal bottom end is made of steel, one of the world’s most recycled materials. The widely recognized How2Recycle on-pack label guides consumers with clear instructions for recycling at their location and demonstrates Sonoco’s ongoing efforts to develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for customers and consumers worldwide. “Securing the pre-qualification for the EnviroCan Metal Bottom is the result of years of data and evidence collection as well as collaboration with recyclers,” said Sabrina Dixon-Ridges, Director of Global Operational Sustainability at Sonoco.

CEO Peter Konieczny said: "Amcor delivered a solid second quarter result aligned with the expectations we set out in October, giving us the confidence to again reaffirm our guidance for the fiscal year. We continued to execute well on our underlying business, delivering our fourth consecutive quarter of sequential volume improvement. Margins continued to expand, supporting adjusted EBIT and EPS growth of 5% on a comparable basis for the quarter." “We also announced the next transformational step for Amcor, agreeing to combine with Berry Global. Bringing these two companies together will deliver on our strategy to become an even stronger company with accelerated volume-driven organic growth achieved through an unwavering focus on our customers, sustainability and portfolio mix. The combined company will have enhanced positions in attractive categories, the material science and innovation capabilities required to further revolutionize product development and a broader, more complete portfolio of primary packaging solutions for consumer and healthcare customers. With faster growth and $650 million of identified synergies, this combination will drive significant near and long term value for all shareholders. The path to completion is well advanced and we remain on track to close in mid calendar year 2025.”

AptarGroup, Inc. reported strong fourth quarter results due to solid operational performance driven by top and bottom line improvements. Results were driven by sales growth in pharma solutions, increased demand for closures technologies and productivity gains across the company. Reported sales increased by 1% and core sales increased by 2% due to a negative currency effect. Aptar reported net income of $101 million for the quarter, a 62% increase from the prior year. In addition, the quarterly results benefited from a lower effective tax rate. “Aptar achieved another strong quarter and year, delivering back-to-back years of double-digit earnings per share growth. For the full year, our pharma franchise grew sales 8%, propelled by brisk demand for our proprietary drug delivery systems, which grew 9% in 2024. Our closures segment also finished the year strong with solid performance and good momentum. Net income for full year 2024 grew 32% over the prior year and we ended 2024 solidly in the middle of our long-term adjusted EBITDA margin range, with significant margin expansion in our pharma and closures segments. Our beauty segment was able to improve its margin even with a challenged top line, driven by increased productivity and cost management efforts. In 2024, net cash provided by operations increased 12% along with lower capital expenditures, which generated a free cash flow increase of 40%,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO.

"Crown delivered strong results in the fourth quarter, with segment income advancing 12% compared to the prior year," stated Timothy J. Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Combined global beverage can segment income improved 17%, driven by global volume growth of 4%, led by shipment increases in Europe and North America, which grew 8% and 7%, respectively. The North American food can business also generated increased income during the quarter as a result of increased volumes while Transit Packaging saw lower volume and profitability as industrial activity remains sluggish. "2024 was an excellent year overall, exceeding previous expectations. Segment income advanced nearly $100 million or 6% over the prior year, following a 7% improvement in 2023. Combined global beverage can segment income expanded 19% over the prior year, reflecting robust volume growth – 10% in Brazil and 7% in both North America and Europe – and excellent manufacturing performance."

The combination brings together the best of both companies to accelerate growth, improve profitability and serve customers all over the world from operations in more than 30 countries. Together with DS Smith, International Paper will be a great place to work with colleagues who value excellence, ethics and safety above all else. "With a stronger portfolio of sustainable packaging solutions, the combination of International Paper and DS Smith enhances our offerings, increases innovation and expands our geographic reach," said Andy Silvernail, International Paper Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We will bring together the capabilities and expertise of two experienced teams, with similar cultures to create the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions."

Metsä Board’s CEO Mika Joukio: “In October–December, demand for paperboards was lower than expected, and our delivery volumes decreased from the previous quarter. We adjusted production to match the low demand at several of our mills. Our profitability was also burdened by the repair shut-down at Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill, which lasted for about a month. Our sales in October–December amounted to EUR 446 million, and our comparable operating result was EUR -3.6 million. We had a positive start to 2024, with paperboard demand picking up clearly from the previous year’s record low level. However, activity faded towards the end of the year, and our paperboard deliveries, amounting to approximately 1.5 million tonnes, remained below our capacity level. Demand is still constrained by cautious purchasing behaviour and consumption focusing more on services than products. In addition, market balance has been influenced by the strong growth in Asian paperboard capacity and increasing paperboard imports especially to Turkey, the Middle East and South America.

Packaging Corporation of America reported fourth quarter 2024 net income of $221 million, or $2.45 per share, and net income of $222 million, or $2.47 per share, excluding special items. Fourth quarter net sales were $2.1 billion in 2024 and $1.9 billion in 2023. Full year 2024 net income was $805 million, or $8.93 per share, and net income of $814 million, or $9.04 per share, excluding special items. Full year net sales were $8.4 billion in 2024 and $7.8 billion in 2023. Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “As we have seen throughout the year, demand in our Packaging segment during the quarter remained very strong. Our corrugated products plants delivered record fourth quarter total shipments and an all-time record shipments per day. The plants also set new annual records for total shipments and shipments per day. Excellent operations throughout our mill containerboard system set new quarterly and annual production records as well. This allowed us to meet our customer’s demand needs in a timely manner as well as achieve year-end inventory targets ahead of the mill outages scheduled for the first half of 2025. Although seasonally slower, volume and price/mix in the Paper segment were above last year’s levels. Throughout the Company, our employees together with the benefits of our capital spending program continued to do a great job to lessen the inflationary impact across most of our cost structure.”

Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the U.S., is leveraging Atlantic Packaging’s MUST Stretch Film Management System to optimize its stretch wrapping operations. With 65 production lines across 16 manufacturing plants, nearly 700 SKUs, and more than 100 packaging sizes, consistency, efficiency, and sustainability are top priorities. “…It helps us consistently wrap the pallets the same, making sure that we’re wrapping certain pallets the right way,” says Melanie Sabella, Coca-Cola Consolidated Vice President of Technical Services.

Greif announced it will permanently cease production on the Number 1 Paperboard Machine (A1) in Austell, GA and permanently close the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mill in Fitchburg, MA. “Decisions like these are extremely difficult because of the impact it has on our colleagues and their families, as well as the larger community,” said President and CEO Ole Rosgaard. “We are grateful to our colleagues in Austell and Fitchburg for their contributions to the company and are committed to helping them navigate next steps by providing severance benefits and outplacement assistance.” In total, approximately 140 positions will be impacted. Ceasing production at A1 – a non-integrated URB asset for the company - is a result of increased cost and declining demand in its major end use markets of furniture, books, and binders. The combination of high operating costs and the need for significant capital investment were the determining factors in the decision to close the Fitchburg mill. Together, these actions will reduce the containerboard capacity of Greif’s mill network by 100,000 tons, and URB capacity by 90,000 tons.

International Paper reported full-year 2024 net earnings of $557 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, and adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $400 million, or $1.13 per diluted share. Full-year net sales were $18.6 billion in 2024 and $18.9 billion in 2023. The reported fourth quarter net loss was $147 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, and adjusted operating loss (non-GAAP) was $7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Fourth quarter net sales were $4.6 billion in 2024 and 2023. Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of $395 million for accelerated depreciation and restructuring charges, including $334 million related to the previously announced closure of the Company's Georgetown, S.C. pulp mill. "During 2024, we initiated our strategy to deliver profitable growth as the low-cost, most reliable and innovative sustainable packaging solutions provider for our customers," said Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail. "Through a disciplined 80/20 approach, we have restructured our corporate organization, added resources to the business, reduced structural costs through footprint actions and successfully piloted regional box plant optimization. In the quarter, our earnings have stabilized and we intend to accelerate earnings improvement in 2025."

Silgan Holdings Inc. reported full year 2024 net sales of $5.9 billion and net income of $276.4 million, or $2.58 per diluted share, as compared to full year 2023 net sales of $6.0 billion and net income of $326.0 million, or $2.98 per diluted share. For the fourth quarter of 2024, Silgan reported net income of $45.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, as compared to $64.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023. "The Silgan team delivered another year of strong results, with record fourth quarter adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBIT and double digit free cash flow growth, and made significant progress on several important long-term strategic objectives that will benefit our Company in 2025 and beyond." said Adam Greenlee, President and CEO.

Amcor plc and Berry Global Group, Inc. announce that an important milestone towards the completion of their previously announced all-stock transaction has been reached, with filing of the definitive joint proxy statement (“the Joint Proxy Statement’) with the U.S. SEC. The Joint Proxy Statement includes notices of Amcor and Berry shareholder meetings that will both take place on Tuesday 25 February, 2025. This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses to create a global leader in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions, uniquely positioned to accelerate growth across a broader and scaled flexible film, containers, closures and dispensing packaging portfolio. The combined company will have significant opportunities to further refine the portfolio and leverage differentiated material science and innovation capabilities to revolutionize product development, and solve customers’ and consumers’ sustainability needs.

Smurfit Westrock has once again demonstrated its prowess in designing innovative and sustainable packaging by picking up 10 awards in WorldStar 2025. The latest accolade is testament to the packaging leader’s ability to create products that outperform on every level. Solutions that stood out for the judges in this year’s awards include: an eCommerce pack for South America’s biggest egg provider, a paper-based tray for plant-based meals and a bag-in-box solution for cleaning products. Sustainability was front and centre in each submission and illustrated how the company goes the extra mile in every project.

In the future packaging will be at least one of these things: made of renewable materials, recyclable, possibly reusable, and optimised to protect the product while avoiding overpacking. These three trends will change packaging for good. 1. Tailored minimalism - In the future packaging design, less is more. There is a growing demand for solutions that address the problem of overpackaging. This is demonstrated by the actions and opinions of consumers, environmental groups, and legislators. 2. Return of the reusable packaging - It would be an understatement to call recyclability a packaging trend as it is the main driver in packaging design at the moment. In addition to recyclable and recycled packaging materials, there will be more and more reusable packages in the future. 3. Going beyond fossils - With companies’ ambitious climate targets and EU regulation, it’s no wonder that replacing fossil-based materials in packaging remains a growing trend. Packaging designers are increasingly looking for alternative packaging materials that minimise environmental harm while maintaining functionality and performance.

We are revising the PEFC Project Certification requirements to respond to stakeholder needs, add value to companies, and align them with the latest version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard, and we are looking for your feedback! Project certification provides independent verification of the use of certified timber in construction and other projects with a defined time and site. This survey aims to gather your valuable feedback to help improve these requirements. It is part of a broader effort to increase global demand for PEFC project certification and the procurement of PEFC-certified materials.

The Lemu Group and paper manufacturer Koehler Paper introduce fully paper-based mailers for a sustainable future.The result is a mailer that is completely made of paper and makes it possible to safely ship goods without the need for plastic bubble wrap. “Koehler Eco® Paper” recycled paper, which is used in these innovative mailers, is available in grammages of 120 to 350 gsm. Its extraordinary running properties make it ideal for further processing on standard converting systems. Within this context, the collaborative efforts between Koehler Paper and the Lemu Group have focused on developing cutting-edge sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce. “We’re extremely happy that we’re now able to produce a lightweight, versatile, and fully recyclable paper mailer on our machines after our tests with Koehler’s Eco® Paper recycled paper delivered excellent results,” says Jean-Claude Jaufret, director of the Paper Bags and Envelopes division from the Lemu Group.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 13% compared to December 2023. They were up 11% when compared to the same 12 months of 2023. The operating rate for unbleached packaging papers was 87.5%, up 12.5 points from December 2023 and up 6.4 points year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in bleached packaging papers – food wrapping – were 23.6 thousand short tons for the month of December, down 0.6% from the same month last year and down 0.5% year-to-date.

Greenville Distribution is the first Atlantic distribution-only facility to obtain a TRUE Zero Waste certification, with a waste diversion rate of 93.9% over the last 12 months. Why it Matters: Atlantic Packaging’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, is now TRUE Zero Waste Certified, making it the first distribution-only site in the company to achieve this milestone. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to sustainability — both for ourselves and our valued customers. How We Got Here: *Teamwork: Every employee played a role in reducing waste through recycling, composting, and innovative problem-solving. *Precision: Our warehouse manager weighed dumpsters before and after hauls for four weeks to ensure accurate data. *Engagement: Employees embraced deeper waste stream analysis, found outlets for challenging materials, and explored sustainable options such as low-waste catering.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Eagle Flexible Packaging, a Batavia, IL-based firm, announced plans to construct a new $5 million, 52,000 square foot facility in the Waupun Industrial Park. At the January 14, 2025 meeting of the Waupun Common Council, Waupun’s elected officials approved a developer’s agreement to sell city owned land to the company, paving the way for the proposed expansion to begin in early 2025. Eagle Flexible Packaging began operations in the City of Waupun in 2021, after acquiring a formerly shuttered production facility located at 4 Taylor St. The company has added 65 jobs in Waupun since opening the Taylor St facility three and a half years ago. In 2024, Eagle Flexible Packaging acquired 1208 Wilson Drive in the Waupun Industrial Park and has invested more than $3 million in that facility, including facility improvements and the addition of state-of-the-art graphics equipment to support continued growth in Waupun.

Due to the prolonged weak profitability, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, plans to close its Tako mill as well as to improve the efficiency of its Kyro mill, and launches change negotiations at both mills and related operations. The negotiations will involve a total of approximately 360 employees and may lead to a reduction of up to 215 employees. The negotiations are expected to last at least six weeks. If the plan is implemented, production at Tako mill would end in 2025. The aim of the change negotiations at the Kyro mill is to improve the profitability of the mill and safeguard its operational conditions. Any decisions on personnel reductions and mill closure will only be taken after the change negotiations have been concluded. In recent years, the production of folding boxboard at Tako and Kyro mills has remained well below capacity due to the market situation, and the mills have had to implement several temporary layoffs. Due to weak market situation and rapidly rising costs, both mills have been loss-making in 2023 and 2024. The cost competitiveness of Tako board mill is particularly weakened by its high energy costs and the small size of its production lines. The development of the mill is limited by its exceptional location in the centre of the city of Tampere.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is proud that 10 of its innovative products have received WorldStar Packaging Awards in 2025. The awards, organised annually by the World Packaging Organisation, celebrate outstanding achievements in packaging design and technology across the globe. "We are proud to mark a milestone in 2025 with Mondi receiving more WorldStar awards than ever before. This broad recognition across our regions highlights the strength of partnerships with our customers and the creativity and collaborative efforts of our teams. These awards inspire us to keep pushing boundaries and deliver even more innovative solutions." Markus Gärtner, CEO Corrugated Packaging

Phenix Label, a leader in prime labels and flexible packaging, today announced the company has doubled production capacity of RFID-enabled packaging for hard-to-tag retail items. With this increased capacity, Phenix Label enables its clients to significantly ramp up production volume, including packaging for water-based food items that have not been previously tracked using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Phenix Label's breakthrough packaging design substantially improves reliability of RFID scanning for liquid-filled consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food items, empowering more accurate inventory management and traceability for grocery and nutraceutical brands. In fact, RFID now accounts for 32% of the food traceability market and is growing at nearly 10% per year because it enables reliable, real-time tracking throughout the supply chain, helping food retailers meet strict food standards, particularly in the event of a product recall.