Free the tea: Celestial Seasonings is latest brand to slash plastic overwrap

Plastic overwrap was a legacy process for Celestial Seasonings, which recently redesigned its boxes. The U.S. Plastics Pact’s executive director said more brands should ask whether outer plastic wrap is needed.

O-I Glass names new CEO as longtime leader prepares to retire

Gordon Hardie, a board member, will take over in mid-May as Andres Lopez plans to retire after nearly 40 years with the company.

DS Smith extends Mondi’s offer deadline, IP details its counterproposal

The bidding war for DS Smith heats up as Mondi’s offer deadline is now set for the same day as International Paper’s. IP provided additional specifics about its proposal, including plans to create a second headquarters.

Circular Action Alliance is lone PRO to submit program plan for Oregon EPR

The brands-led group, which is already active in Colorado, California and Maryland, is eyeing end-of-year approval for its plan as 2025 recycling changes loom.

Costco tests a switch from rigid to flexible packaging for its rotisserie chickens

Costco anticipates the substrate switch will reduce the plastic it uses for the chicken products by 75%, aligning with packaging guidelines it adopted last year. Its five-year action plan for plastics reduction is coming soon.

Updated April 3, 2024

Tracking US state packaging policies

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that allows the sale and purchase of wine in glass containers up to 15 liters – or almost four gallons – in the state.

Updated April 1, 2024

Robots’ value proposition evolves in packaging and manufacturing

Speakers from Delkor, Fanuc, PMMI and others shared insights at Pack Expo East into the current state of workforce gaps and adoption of automation and other solutions.

ND Paper, Opus, Jindal among March plant shutdown announcements

More than 300 employees are expected to be affected by temporary or permanent shutdowns in Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Sephora, Ulta recycling partner Pact reports lower diversion volumes, higher engagement in 2023

Pact Collective attributed much of the volume decline to a year-over-year drop in the amount of obsolete inventory and unsellable goods collected. The nonprofit said this bulk material has huge potential for upcycling in 2024.

Manufacturing is ‘highly likely in our next growth cycle’: March PMI

The industry was buoyed by a rise in demand and production rates last month, encouraging manufacturers to invest more in capacity.

P&G, Dow pursue dissolution technology for recycling rigid, flexible, multilayer plastic packaging

The in-development technology represents neither mechanical nor advanced recycling, according to Dow. The intent is for the resulting material to be of “near-virgin quality” with a lower greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

Packaging innovations: Zespri’s kiwi pillbox, Capri-Sun’s recyclable pouch

Plus, 3M’s modified mailer material offers plastic-free protection, and Greif partners with CDF Corp. on an intermediate bulk container redesign.

Gravis looks to lead B2B bulk transportation packaging market in North America

The private equity-backed company recently launched as a combined platform with six acquired companies, including Bagwell and Bulk Lift International. New CEO Vishal Rao outlines plans to grow in the FIBC market.

How IT and OT can team up on cybersecurity in manufacturing: PMMI

The association and partners also highlighted post-pandemic investment in remote services at Pack Expo East.

Bidding war speculation brews as International Paper proposes DS Smith acquisition

IP’s more than $7 billion proposal comes as next week’s deadline approaches for Mondi to make a formal offer for DS Smith.

Best practices for using rPET in beverage containers: ISBT

“Everybody wants to utilize more recycled material,” but differences emerge based on output source and application, said Lee Malvitz, presenting for the International Society of Beverage Technologists during Pack Expo East.

Updated April 3, 2024

Emerald bullish on PCR as produce packaging company marks transition

Co-owner Jim Kelly is stepping down from his EVP role as he reflects on decades of innovation in the produce market. The family business looks to forge ahead on recycled content implementation in flexible packaging.

PCR procurement platform Circular eyes expansion with $10.5M in funding

Circular plans to expand internationally, add employees and introduce materials besides plastics to the platform.

International Paper, O-I Glass win DOE funds for industrial decarbonization

Targeting “difficult-to-decarbonize sectors,” the Biden administration calls its 33 project awards “the largest investment in industrial decarbonization in American history.” Diageo, Eastman, Gallo Glass and ExxonMobil are also recipients.

Material reduction, enhanced recyclability anchor Hain Celestial’s new packaging targets

The CPG company behind Celestial Seasonings tea and Terra chips set targets to reduce virgin packaging materials and packaging waste while increasing recyclability.

Packaging innovations: Aldi wine bottles flatten out, Baileys bottles lighten up

Plus, Atlantic Packaging brings fiber zip ties to North America; Seaman Paper launches stretchable fiber pallet wrap; and PulPac’s partnership results in a fiber coffee cup lid.

4 packaging facilities receive EPA recognition for energy efficiency

Energy Star certifications recognize the nation’s most energy-efficient manufacturing facilities, with only the top 25% most energy-efficient plants in their sector achieving this status.

Bioplastics player Verde Bioresins terminates SPAC deal

The California-based company, which sells a “PolyEarthylene” alternative to virgin plastics, sought to scale up production more quickly by going public. The deal was called off this month after multiple delays.

Amcor CEO retiring due to health reasons

The company’s chief commercial officer will serve as interim CEO during the search for Ron Delia’s permanent replacement.

Federal judge dismisses $600M environmental lawsuit against Graphic Packaging

The judge did not believe the plaintiffs’ attorney made a convincing case that GPI and government officials harmed residents of Kalamazoo, Michigan, with toxic emissions. Now, that attorney faces possible punishment.