Amazon tweaks tech to create first 100% fiber-focused fulfillment center

Two main technologies are being tested at an Ohio facility to determine how best to transform other facilities to handle only fiber — not plastic — packaging.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Nov. 1, 2023

What’s in the box? Maybe a gift of recovering corrugated demand.

Containerboard demand remains down year over year, but was ending October’s spooky season in a less scary position than previous quarters, according to data from the American Forest & Paper Association.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 31, 2023

Packaging manufacturers’ Q3 results

Follow what top companies are saying in quarterly earnings reports about demand, destocking and optimizing manufacturing as 2023 winds down.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 17, 2023

HDPE packaging to get digital watermarking in HolyGrail 2.0 rollout in France

P&G, which is participating in the initiative to improve plastic recycling rates, hopes to gain insight into “any gaps in the actual chain of custody from manufacture to recycling so that we can ensure optimal circularity.”

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 23, 2023

Amazon outlines push to ‘eliminate packaging altogether’

As the company looks to remove added packaging from more orders in 2024, its packaging innovation director explains how Amazon identifies products fit to ship in their own packaging and works with vendors on redesigns.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 19, 2023

Packaging Q3 earnings reports to follow early signs of holiday shopping zeal

Consumers have already shopped pre-holiday sales. Deloitte projected holiday season e-commerce sales growth upwards of 12.8%, while Adobe Analytics expects a boost from “record discounts and flexible payment methods.”

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 18, 2023

Packaging innovations: PlayStation boosts accessibility, Dymapak squeezes out tampering

Plus, packaging launches from Berry Global, Microtek Laboratories and UMF|PerfectCLEAN, including options that are compostable or contain PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 13, 2023

SEE to revise sustainability target, citing deficient recycling infrastructure and material availability

The revamped Sealed Air company noted a “longer than anticipated” timeline for market demand and material supply, as it pursues a 2025 goal for recyclable or reusable packaging that incorporates recycled or renewable content.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 13, 2023

For e-commerce packaging, sustainability is imperative, not just ‘nice-to-have’

Speakers at E-PACK in Chicago agreed sustainability is a force for change in e-commerce packaging. But what sustainable packaging is and how to achieve it are up for debate.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 10, 2023

Prices for packaging materials continue to fall, paper and plastics production down

September data reports suggest manufacturing again contracted and prices for aluminum, corrugated boxes and polypropylene all continued monthly declines.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2023

Amazon to expand ships-in-own-packaging push in 2024

Products certified to ship in their own packaging can be eligible for lower fulfillment fees. Last year the e-commerce giant shipped 11% of its items globally without added Amazon packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2023

Post-pandemic renormalization, innovation and sustainability dominate Pack Expo discussions

Speakers from PMMI, the Flexible Packaging Association and the Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers weighed in on factors influencing different parts of the packaging industry.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 19, 2023

Packaging companies prioritize sustainability, M&A during ‘turbulent’ year

While paper and packaging companies previously considered sustainability an expense, many now leverage it as a cost reduction and revenue growth strategy, according to analysis by Bain & Co.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2023

RFID on packaging gains traction amid food safety and waste concerns

A tracking system traditionally used for nonperishable items could become more common on certain types of packaging ahead of future traceability requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

By Leslie Nemo • Sept. 12, 2023

Berry, Menasha Packaging, Solo Cup plan Illinois layoffs

Companies cited business slowdowns, restructuring and site transformation as reasons for cuts that will impact hundreds of jobs.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Sept. 28, 2023

Ecospirits reusable beverage service system to set sail on Carnival cruises

Ecospirits, which is backed by Closed Loop Partners, is working with Bacardi and Carnival to see how its closed-loop solution can cut back single-use packaging, namely glass bottles, on ships.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 30, 2023

Can makers await possible fallout from Commerce tin imports tariff decision

The Can Manufacturers Institute warns that proposed tariffs could cause canned food prices to spike up to 30% while putting 40,000 jobs at risk. The Department of Commerce released its preliminary decision this week.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 18, 2023

Packaging evolves in response to ‘unboxing’ videos flooding social media

Brands are requesting customized boxes to touch consumers’ emotions and build loyalty. Filler material, in-box printing and sustainability contribute to memorable unboxing moments, too.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 16, 2023

Inventory outlook: What packaging suppliers predict for rest of 2023

Customers’ inventory management dominated numerous recent earnings call discussions, with footprint optimization being another prominent theme among some packaging manufacturers.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 14, 2023

Collaboration across value chains key to increasing food service packaging recycling, experts say

A Foodservice Packaging Institute event prompted discussion of how to recover more paper cups and PET thermoforms and what data shows about how much food service packaging contaminates recycling streams.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 8, 2023

O-I Glass looks ahead to 2024 expansions amid ‘choppy’ destocking

Q2 results exceeded expectations, executives said, despite lower consumer demand and destocking trends dampening sales volumes.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 3, 2023

Sonoco’s net sales fell 11% in Q2 amid ‘turbulent’ market conditions

The company pointed to “accelerated inventory reduction programs” at top customers in food and aerosols, which resulted in lower-than-expected demand. At the same time, it saw “record results” in flexible packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 2, 2023

Graphic Packaging to enter fiber mailer space via acquisition

The foray into the e-commerce mailers comes as more customers request flexible fiber packaging solutions as they transition away from plastic.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 2, 2023

Paper, plastic packaging manufacturers announced layoffs in July

While shutting down facilities in California, Missouri, South Carolina and elsewhere, multiple companies cited ongoing footprint optimization processes.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 1, 2023

Kraft Heinz looks to transform plastic packaging portfolio

The food and beverage giant is now trying to cut virgin plastic use 20% by 2030. U.S. consumers can expect to buy certain mayo products in packaging made entirely from recycled content starting next year.

By Maria Rachal • July 31, 2023