Ultralight pizza box awarded in 2024 WorldStar packaging competition

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced Michelle M. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., will join the Company as its first Chief Sustainability Officer. Graphic Packaging has had a long-standing commitment to running operations in a sustainable manner and has continued to advance environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs at the Company to benefit all stakeholders. The Company's consumer packaging solutions are inherently sustainable, are made from renewable and recyclable materials and support the move to a more circular economy.

Silgan Holdings Inc. announced that it has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire Weener Plastics Holdings B.V., a leading producer of differentiated dispensing solutions for personal care, food and healthcare products for an enterprise value of €838 million. Weener operates a global network of 19 facilities predominantly in Europe and the Americas, with approximately 4,000 employees and proprietary manufacturing technologies including significant clean room capabilities. “The proposed acquisition of Weener represents the continuation of our strategy to expand our global Dispensing and Specialty Closures franchise and a clear example of the effectiveness of our disciplined capital allocation model to create value for our shareholders,” said Adam Greenlee, President and CEO. “The combination of Weener’s innovative product offering, advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient operating footprint, strong customer relationships and presence in growing consumer markets, including personal and health care, complements our existing dispensing business well. As with prior acquisitionsin Dispensing and Specialty Closures, Weener has established its market position through innovation, cost leadership and an intense focus on partnering with their customers to meet demanding market requirements,” continued Mr. Greenlee.

An innovative corrugated bin for face masks by Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been awarded a ScanStar in a Nordic packaging design competition organised by the Scandinavian Packaging Association. The mask bin, made of lightweight and durable corrugated board, helps to collect and dispose of used face masks easily and safely. Metsä Board developed the concept together with packaging design agency Futupack and corrugated board converter Capertum. The competition jury commented: “A simple but clever solution for a new problem – mask littering. The bin is made from corrugated material, and is easy to assemble even without the instructions which have been printed on the bin itself. The lid makes the light packaging more rigid and, if you turn the lid, it closes the package when it is full. Good printing supports the product. The bin is also accessible to those who have disabilities.” MetsäBoard Pro WKL 160 g/m2 coated white kraftliner was used as the top liner of the mask bin. The Finnish corrugated board converter Capertum printed the E-flute corrugated board in silk screen. Thanks to fresh fibre board the waste bin is strong but light, which reduces the carbon footprint.