The Latest

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    Gen AI could transform packaging pricing: McKinsey

    There was a jump in AI adoption for commercial optimization by packaging companies in 2025. “They are walking the talk in many ways,” said one partner. “Our expectation is that 2026 will be all about at-scale deployment.”

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2026

    Inovar Packaging Group and Millcraft Paper are each expanding in the Midwest with recent deals.

    Updated Feb. 25, 2026
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    Q&A

    Get louder about sustainability progress, Crown leader says

    Packaging sustainability efforts aren’t failing, but more can be done, said Crown’s VP of global sustainability. She described navigating the challenge of absolute targets and tailoring sustainability work to different geographies.

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    February containerboard prices chart ‘surprising’ dip

    Despite production pullbacks and improved demand, one index showed a dip in monthly containerboard prices. This “shocked” some industry participants and could jeopardize certain producers’ planned $70 per ton hikes for March 1.

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    Producers, composters renew push for federal rulemaking on compost

    “This national leadership is needed now more than ever to provide market certainty for the US supply chain,” BPI wrote in a letter to the USDA signed by Georgia-Pacific, the Foodservice Packaging Institute and dozens of others.

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    Ahead of the demand curve? What’s behind the rPET slump.

    A recent spate of rPET facility closures follows a slightly premature ramp-up, said one converter. But renewed investment is needed to ensure “we still have an rPET industry on this continent,” according to NAPCOR.

  • President Trump holding tariff chart during "Liberation Day" announcement on April 2, 2025 in DC
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court invalidates Trump tariffs based on emergency powers

    In a 6-3 decision, the court rejected President Trump's claim that a 1977 law gave him the authority to impose broad tariffs globally.

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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Takeaways from The Packaging Conference 2026

    Speakers at the February event discussed timely industry topics including M&A, EPR, innovation and market growth.

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    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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    Digital printing poised to ‘mature’ in 2026

    Factors such as brands’ input, artificial intelligence and system interoperability are expected to influence adoption of digital printing for packaging this year, according to a newly released report from Keypoint Intelligence.

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    Courtesy of SunDance
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    South Carolina, Virginia score packaging manufacturing expansions

    Hinton Lumber Products, Georg Utz, Infinity Global and SunDance are growing in the South. Meanwhile, Silgan and Questar Solutions moved their headquarters locally.

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    Multilayer film design meets machine learning

    Research authored by partners from the Bottle Consortium and published in Nature Communications this month aims to challenge the status quo, exploring recyclable alternatives for performance films.

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    Will EPR actually increase recycling?

    Skeptics sparked debate about the value of extended producer responsibility for packaging at The Packaging Conference in Austin, Texas. Perhaps the only clear thing is that a lot is still unclear about the emerging legislation.

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    Retrieved from Sonoco on March 21, 2025
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    Sonoco’s ‘transformation is complete,’ CEO says. What’s next?

    A three-year growth strategy is underway that prioritizes innovation, including artificial intelligence, executives explained during a Tuesday investor event.

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    Domestic markets and policy could help weather rPET woes

    Remedies could include long-term contracts with brands, setting recycled content laws in more states, and investing in reuse and refill, say leaders from The Recycling Partnership, APR, Primo Brands and NAPCOR.

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    Retrieved from Sonoco on February 13, 2026
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    Q&A

    Sonoco settles in after years of change, says new consumer packaging leader

    Ernest Haynes recently took the helm of the company’s newly reworked consumer packaging Americas business unit. He spoke about operating within a simpler organization and helping employees navigate uncertainty.

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    CJ Biomaterials builds toward compostables having their moment in EPR era

    The PHA producer commercialized multiple new offerings in recent years, invested in a new Massachusetts polymer science facility and regularly works with composters to tests its products.

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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Recycled content claims bill introduced in Congress

    The bipartisan Recycled Materials Attribution Act aims to establish federal standards and ensure the Green Guides are updated accordingly.

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    Packaging sustainability is ‘failing.’ Or is it?

    A speaker set off a firestorm at The Packaging Conference this week with a comment about sustainability efforts being a flop. But others believe reports of packaging sustainability's death may have been greatly exaggerated.

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    Screenshot: Smurfit Westrock/Vimeo

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    Smurfit Westrock unveils medium-term plan to accelerate growth

    Executives detailed five-year financial targets, further optimization efforts and investments in innovation, including AI tools, during an event Wednesday.

    Updated Feb. 12, 2026
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    sankai
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    How packaging manufacturers performed in 2025

    Packaging manufacturers are sharing their full-year results and outlooks for 2026. Catch up on results from Ardagh, Cascades, Sonoco, Smurfit Westrock, O-I Glass and more.

    Updated 4 hours ago
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Investors’ appetites for size, scale drive packaging M&A

    Lagging company growth has tamped down M&A activity, but that could shift this year, according to speakers from Perella Weinberg Partners at The Packaging Conference. 2026 is also expected to bring more take-private deals.

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    Tennessee packaging EPR bill revamped with small business, county exemptions

    The bill, now featuring exemptions, takes a business-centric approach that differs from other state EPR programs. Supporters include the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Unilever, Mars and Atlantic Packaging.

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    Oregon judge grants wholesalers preliminary injunction in packaging EPR case

    The latest court development shields National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors members for the coming months and tees up a trial in July.

    Updated Feb. 9, 2026
  • O-I Glass global headquarters.
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    Courtesy of O-I Glass
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    O-I Glass reorienting portfolio to boost non-alcoholic beverages

    The shifts come amid volume declines in beer and spirits. The glass packaging manufacturer is also wrapping up planned capacity reductions in Europe and rolling out an updated strategy across its sales force.

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    Permission granted by Greif
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    Q&A

    Greif CEO Ole Rosgaard on strategizing for the next 148 years

    The CEO discussed with Packaging Dive his outlook for 2026 and Greif’s long-term strategy amid an industrial recession. Changes include recent divestitures, workforce cuts, a new sales strategy and a revamped corporate structure.