The Latest

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2024

    TricorBraun announced it will acquire Veritiv Containers; Novolex agreed to acquire Pactiv Evergreen; and Inteplast Group has acquired CoolSeal USA.

    Updated Dec. 10, 2024
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    Permission granted by Novolex
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    Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen in $6.7B deal

    The North American companies expect to finalize the all-cash deal in 2025, which would take Pactiv Evergreen private.

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    Permission granted by Greif
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    Greif leans into polymers following business segment shuffle

    After creating four material-based business segments, Greif’s executives signaled the polymers space holds the greatest growth potential. Executives also announced a $100 million cost-cutting plan.

  • Maura Healey, seated at a table, holds up a climate law, surrounded by a group of people clapping.
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    Retrieved from X.
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    Massachusetts governor signs law to form EPR commission for packaging

    A special commission, led by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, will report back to the legislature by early 2026. It marks incremental progress in a state known for legislative inaction on waste issues.

  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    shaunl via Getty Images
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    California PRO names former CalRecycle director as state lead

    Rachel Wagoner, former director of CalRecycle, will become CAA’s executive director for the state, where she will help oversee the rollout of an EPR for packaging law.

  • Dow's corporate headquarters building in Midland, Michigan.
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    Courtesy of Dow
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    Dow names new packaging segment president

    Keith Cleason immediately takes over the packaging and specialty plastics unit, following Karen Carter’s promotion to chief operating officer.

  • A sign for the FDA is displayed outside the agency's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    Trump’s FDA poised to make mark on food packaging regulation

    Crackdowns on food additives and changes to agency operations could be expected based on signals from the picks for HHS, observers suggested. In addition to chemical concerns, there are food labeling issues in play.

  • An array of metal tins with peel-back metal lids.
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    Courtesy of Eviosys
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    Sonoco completes $3.8B acquisition of Eviosys

    The Switzerland-based metal packaging business will transition to Sonoco’s branding in the coming months, bringing its 6,300 employees and 44 facilities.

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    Courtesy of Billerud
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    Billerud to invest $127M in Michigan plants amid transition to paperboard production

    Most of the upgrades will occur at a graphic paper mill in Escanaba, as Billerud strives to transition to paperboard production in North America.

  • Bottles of Coca-Cola products are displayed on a store shelf on July 14, 2023 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging sustainability targets

    The new goals cover packaging design and collection. The move follows an August statement that it was “behind plan” to meet certain 2030 goals.

  • A close-up of baled recycled plastics
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    Courtesy of Eastman
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    Kansas county sues major plastic producers, alleging deceptive recycling messaging

    A class-action lawsuit from Ford County, Kansas, alleges that the American Chemistry Council, Eastman, Chevron, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell lied about plastic recycling efforts. ACC calls the allegations “meritless.”

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    DeSid via Getty Images
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    Glass, EPS manufacturing hit in November layoff announcements

    Orora Packaging Solutions, Ardagh Glass, Anchor Glass and International Paper were some of the companies that made downsizing and closure announcements across Washington, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2024
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    Informa TechTarget

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    Note from the Editor-in-Chief

    A change in ownership and what it means for our readers.

  • A room of people sit in chairs at a meeting, with a screen saying "High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution" in the background
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    The image by Ministry of Environment - Rwanda is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    Global plastic pollution treaty talks fail in final meeting of 2024

    Parties expressed disappointment and determination as they anticipate another international meeting in 2025. Negotiators considered potential tenets like capping plastic production and phasing out certain chemicals and products.

  • Two people in yellow safety vests stand in a Nefab warehouse with wooden crates
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    Courtesy of Nefab
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    Packaging companies invest in design, training centers during November

    UFP Packaging, TriMas, TransPak, Nefab and others announced openings and investments in innovation or training centers, touting benefits for design collaboration and upskilling.

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    Alamy

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    Smurfit Westrock becomes latest to announce 2025 price increases

    The company is pursuing price increases for corrugating medium and multiple other categories. It’s now at least the fourth company to announce January price increases in recent weeks.

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    Permission granted by Berry Global
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    Berry selling specialty tapes business to private equity for $540M

    This adds to a string of divestitures this year under CEO Kevin Kwilinski. It comes a week after Amcor announced plans to acquire Berry.

  • Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Trump calls for 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico

    The president-elect also called for additional 10% tariffs on imports from China as part of his Day 1 White House plans. 

  • Unassembled (flat) cardboard boxes.
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    dusanpetkovic via Getty Images
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    International Paper, Georgia-Pacific try for 2025 fiber price increases

    The news follows a recent announcement by Packaging Corporation of America and could mark a potential trend heading into the new year. The increases, which cover multiple categories, are set to take effect Jan. 1.

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    ArtMarie via Getty Images
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    Packaging converters, brands support EPR as global plastic pollution negotiations near finish line

    “These outcomes will have significant downstream impacts on plastic packaging producers and brands,” potentially driving new regulations and investments, said U.S. Plastics Pact CEO Jonathan Quinn.

  • marty makary FDA
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    Noam Galai via Getty Images
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    Who is Marty Makary, Trump’s pick to head the FDA?

    If confirmed as commissioner, Makary would join the agency amidst a massive reorganization of its food division, which included bringing functions from the regulatory affairs and food safety offices into one program.

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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    EPA calls for developing national EPR framework

    The agency released the finalized National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution on Thursday, as the international community seeks to finish negotiating a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.

  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Romeo Gacad via Getty Images
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    Constantia Flexibles taps former Ardagh leader to be next CEO

    David Spratt will assume his position at the Vienna-based company with nearly 10,000 employees in the new year.

  • A lineup of plastic cleaning product containers without labels
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    tarasov_vl via Getty Images
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    How packaging producers performed in EMF’s 2024 progress report

    This week’s Ellen MacArthur Foundation report comes as the plastics world anticipates the conclusion of key global negotiations. Here’s how North American signatories are faring on sustainable design in their portfolios.

  • Close-up of brown corrugated packaging
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    Lisa Beeby via Getty Images
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    PCA’s new fiber price hike spurs questions for 2025

    Amid a general oversupply of fiber, analysts are waiting to see if markets will recognize Packaging Corporation of America’s planned price increase and if competitors will follow suit.