The Mayr-Melnhof Group reports results for the first quarter of 2021

The latest industry studies estimate that as much as half of all food produced globally for human consumption is wasted every year. That is a staggering figure, particularly considering that around one in nine people on the earth do not have enough food to live a healthy life. Couple this with estimates that the global population will reach close to 9 billion people by 2050, and the need to reduce food waste to ease the strain on resources and agricultural land is more vital than ever. To look at where we can make a difference, we must first look at the food value chain. There are five steps in the process: production, handling and storage, processing and packaging, distribution and market and consumption. Emerging economies waste 40% of food during the first two steps of the value chain, while mature economies waste 40% of food during the last two steps. Processing and packaging lies in the middle of the value chain and has the potential to make an impact on both sides of the economic divide.

New data shows that 44% of Brits admit to hoarding cardboard boxes – with a massive 135m believed to be sitting in our sheds, garages, and wardrobes. Over half of Brits (52%) say the amount of cardboard packaging in their homes has increased since the pandemic, with two thirds (66%) of those blaming more online shopping, and more than a quarter (28%) holding on to boxes without any clear motive - simply because “they might be useful in the future.” But the hoarding habit, while seemingly harmless, is actually keeping raw materials out of the hands of recycling companies and causing paper prices to rise. "Since the pandemic begun there’s been a major shift in consumer shopping habits and we’ve seen a huge rise in people ordering more items online, accumulating more boxes as a result. But while some put these boxes to good use – re-using them for storage, arts and crafts, or to ship other items - many boxes are sitting unused and not finding their way back into recycling streams. It means that materials are at best getting delayed in reaching recyclers, and at worse not getting to them at all." — Rogier Gerritsen, Head of Recycling at DS Smith

First Quarter 2023 Highlights: • Reported sales grew 2% and core sales increased 4% driven by demand in Pharma and Beauty • Aptar Pharma reported sales growth of 4% and core sales growth of 7% • Aptar Beauty reported sales growth of 6% and core sales growth of 9% • Reported earnings per share decreased 12% to $0.82, due to restructuring charges • Operating cash flow was $98 million, up from $92 million in 2022