The Latest

  • Puzzle pieces with packaging
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip

    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2026

    Welch Packaging is growing in Tennessee, Salem One acquired SmashBrand, and Paranova Print and Packaging is a go.

    Updated 2 hours ago
  • A Matson vessel docked at a Southern California port terminal.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Matson
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Uncertainty reigns for manufacturers seeking tariff refunds

    Only a small percentage of companies that might be entitled to refunds have sued, while others have filed administrative claims or taken no action yet. “No one really knows for certain what they should be doing,” said one attorney.

  • Large rolls of sheet aluminum stacked in a factory setting
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Metal tariff adjustments aren’t a win for packaging, trade groups say

    Updated Section 232 tariffs took effect this week. Canmakers aren’t getting the targeted relief they wanted, although items like aluminum lids will be subject to lower rates.

    Updated April 7, 2026
  • A person's head is seen in front of a computer showing a variety of line graphs with stock symbols.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Iran war may dampen packaging M&A in 2026

    While deals are still being announced, they’re coming at a slower pace than analysts had expected — in part due to war-related uncertainty. Meanwhile, predictions for smaller deals and heavy private equity activity are playing out.

  • A large jug of dish soap with Dawn branding on the front and messaging about an easy-pour spout.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Procter & Gamble
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: Dawn of a new jug, Sunset’s tomato love triangle

    Plus, Blueland adds some plant-based zip to its pouches, PulPac brings plastic-like dry molded fiber to bottle caps, and UFP Packaging launches nail-free crates.

    Updated April 6, 2026
    CPG
  • Eight people, some with hard hats and shovels, stand outside on a dirt site in front of a blue sign that says "coming soon."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Tetra Pak
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tetra Pak launching $22M facility to support food, beverage innovation

    The company intends to work with food and beverage customers, as well as co-manufacturers, that own Tetra Pak’s equipment. They’ll collaborate on innovation projects from ideation to product launch.

  • EU Visa Mastercard card networks Europe
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    New EU guidance on PPWR released less than 5 months from start date

    Europen said the guidance “still falls short of providing the legal certainty and operational clarity businesses urgently require” ahead of Aug. 12. Implementing acts are still in the works.

  • The exterior of a Genpak facility in Cedar City, Utah
    Image attribution tooltip

    Screenshot: Genpak/YouTube

    Image attribution tooltip

    Genpak, Millwood, PCA led packaging layoff announcements in March

    Layoff announcements from numerous companies in March spanned Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Utah and Virginia.

  • President Donald Trump walks while adjusting his tie.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump adjusts tariffs for aluminum, steel

    Goods made entirely of the metals will still face a 50% tariff, but the levy will be reduced to 25% for certain derivative goods, effective April 6.

  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    PCA closing full-line plant in Richmond, Virginia

    The closure is “a difficult business decision” expected to impact 110 employees come June, Packaging Corporation of America wrote in a WARN letter.

  • Plastic jerrycans containing antifreeze.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lubricants, wholesaler groups talk EPR lawsuits

    For now, the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association and National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors say they remain focused on Colorado and Oregon, respectively.

  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    rPET market challenges further impacted by more closures, trade pressures

    Incentives and trade transparency could help thermoformers and other packaging producers, according to speakers from WM, Republic Services and the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

  • Handling styrofoam takeout container
    Image attribution tooltip

    Screenshot: Genpak/YouTube

    Image attribution tooltip

    Genpak to close Utah plant, affecting approximately 200 workers

    The decades-old site produces a “large volume of polystyrene containers,” prompting the food service ware manufacturer to realign its footprint “to coincide with legislative changes and consumer demand.”

  • A variety of paper, plastic, glass and metal packaging on green artificial turf.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging stocks among hardest hit by Iran war: Morningstar

    Morningstar tracked a packaging stock sell-off over a three-week period. Jefferies also noted this week that packaging manufacturers’ stocks are “significantly underperforming” the S&P 500.

  • Georgia-Pacific's logo is on top of a skyscraper.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Georgia-Pacific names new CEO

    An existing G-P employee and longtime Koch executive immediately takes over the top role. This comes almost eight months after Georgia-Pacific announced the retirement of its previous CEO.

  • Cardboard with an imprinted chasing arrows recycling symbol.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Businesses prepping for California EPR and recyclability laws amid lawsuit

    A lawsuit filed last week centers on SB 343, California’s forthcoming labeling law. But SB 54 concerns loom. “It’s a lot to balance in one year,” said Liz Morris of Anthesis Group.

  • Close up view of corrugated cardboard
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Tracker

    Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?

    Ball shared updates on emissions trajectories and incorporating recycled aluminum in its latest combined sustainability report.

    Updated March 25, 2026
  • Multiple people gathered in front of an industrial facility hold picket signs saying they are part of the Teamsters Local 3 and are on strike.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photographer name withheld upon request

    Image attribution tooltip

    Teamsters terminate agreement, strike at Smurfit Westrock site set for closure

    The company says the union terminated the two parties’ labor agreement at the Wakefield, Massachusetts, corrugated converting plant. Approximately 90 employees will be affected when the facility closes this spring.

  • An aerial ivew of an industrial facility's interior shows equipment and fiber packaging on the manufacturing floor.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Yazoo Mills
    Image attribution tooltip

    13 North American packaging manufacturers announce expansions

    Cascades, ePac, International Paper, Lindenmeyr Monroe and Rand-Whitney were among the packaging companies that announced expansions.

  • Close-up view of flat, stacked corrugated boxes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Spring surprise? Containerboard prices reverse course in March.

    For the second consecutive month, some observers reported surprise at a containerboard pricing index’s movement. The March increase reinforces expectations that producers will target another price hike this year.

  • Closeup of a white plastic container in a bale of recycled plastic containers
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CAA preparing for California EPR on compressed timeline

    SB 54 regulations are still yet to be finalized. Circular Action Alliance will submit its program plan by June 15. The PRO has received more than 2,000 producer reports, but notes some producers are holding out.

  • Large rolls of sheet aluminum stacked in a factory setting
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    The Iran war is hitting packaging supply chains. Are the impacts temporary?

    Higher fuel and material costs, shipping disruptions and consumer spending are playing into industry impacts. Certain packaging substrates, such as plastics, bear a greater burden than others.

  • A screenshot of a demo of the Forest AI platform for packaging
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Matthew Wright
    Image attribution tooltip

    AI-powered platform aims to speed packaging chats and sales

    Matthew Wright, the founder of Specright, wants to create a new digital home for the packaging industry via Forest, an AI-powered platform that’s being designed to streamline new connections and transactions.

  • A closeup of the bottom of a corrugated box with International Paper's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Rachel Pollack/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    International Paper to build $225M box plant in Mississippi

    The new build will replace a nearby aging facility. This aligns with IP’s plan for $1.9 billion in annual capital spending, especially to reconfigure its box plant network.

    Updated March 20, 2026
  • recycling logo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    California’s recyclability labeling law under fire in new lawsuit

    The Flexible Packaging Association and the American Forest & Paper Association are among the plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343 come October.