The Latest
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Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2024
Veritiv acquired contract packaging and fulfillment services company AmeriPac. This follows Veritiv’s acquisition of Vivabox Solutions in February.
Updated April 16, 2024 -
Compostables break down in real-world conditions, but more work needed: report
The Composting Consortium, which is managed by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, calls this study the largest known North American field test of certified compostable packaging.
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Bidding war for DS Smith
International Paper announces all-share agreement to acquire DS Smith, valued at $7.2B
The deal bests a preliminary purchase proposal from rival Mondi. It comes one week before a deadline to submit formal offers for acquiring the London-based paper packaging company.
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Q&A
Design and sustainability opportunities draw in next generation of packaging students
Greg Batt, who serves as director of the packaging science program at Clemson University, also highlighted the growing role of data.
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Illinois Senate approves bill targeting single-use plastic at hotels
Similar legislation requiring hotels to eliminate small plastic toiletry bottles has passed in Washington, California and New York.
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Eviction threat looms as film recycler Myplas accrues $1.3M in unpaid bills
Unexpected financial challenges occurred shortly after the company launched its highly anticipated Minnesota polyethylene film recycling operation in December, according to Peter Shippen, Myplas board chair.
Updated April 15, 2024 -
Henkel to engage packaging suppliers in bid to lower scope 3 emissions
The German consumer goods company behind brands like Dial soaps and Soft Scrub cleaners says about a quarter of its value chain emissions are caused by packaging and raw materials. It’s targeting decreases by 2030.
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What brands and retailers are saying about sustainable packaging in 2024
Ikea, Walgreens, Starbucks, Hain Celestial and Del Monte are some of the retailers and brands that have shared updates on packaging changes, new targets and annual progress in sustainability reports during 2024.
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Del Monte details progress on lightweighting, PCR in 2023 ESG report
The CPG company began adding postconsumer recycled material to some containers, but it did not report its progress toward some other key packaging sustainability targets.
Updated April 11, 2024 -
EPA event spotlights reusable food ware and Perpetual’s city projects
A Wednesday event noted millions more available in pollution prevention grants, some of which could support reuse. Perpetual detailed progress toward establishing food ware reuse systems in four U.S. cities.
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Aviation industry group recommends how plastic reduction can take off
Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are among the carriers testing ways to reduce single-use plastic with strategies including substrate switches and reusable cups.
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Tracker
Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?
Berry Global shared its 2023 sustainability report on Tuesday, saying it hit its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduction goal two years ahead of its target and increased its share of recyclable fast-moving consumer goods packaging.
Updated April 10, 2024 -
5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC
AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.
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Energy drinks buzz with new designs and sustainable packaging
Beverage makers such as Rockstar and Celsius are innovating to keep their current consumers and reach new ones — and packaging manufacturers are along for the ride.
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Q&A
Is hemp the next revolution for sustainable packaging? Startup element6 Dynamics thinks so.
CEO Kimberly Kovacs details the company’s push to use industrial hemp for making paper and packaging, which she says is a more sustainable option than tree pulp.
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Domestic PCR-virgin resin battle faces global headwinds but finds local remedies
PCR markets are still facing competition with virgin resin and oversupply headwinds, but future recycled content policy effects and changes to contracts could help, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.
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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.
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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.
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Bidding war for DS Smith
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.
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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.
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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 -
Tracker
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.
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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.
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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.