The Latest
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Screenshot: Genpak/YouTube
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.”
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Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images
Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2026
The Royal Group acquired Chillicothe Packaging, PackEdge acquired Keno Graphics and private equity firm TruArc Partners acquired Matrix Adhesives Group.
Updated March 30, 2026 -
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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.
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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.
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TrackerPackaging 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 -
Photographer name withheld upon request
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.
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Courtesy of Yazoo Mills
13 North American packaging manufacturers announce expansions
Cascades, ePac, International Paper, Lindenmeyr Monroe and Rand-Whitney were among the packaging companies that announced expansions.
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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.
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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.
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Deep DiveThe 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.
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Permission granted by Matthew Wright
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.
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Rachel Pollack/Packaging Dive
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 -
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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.
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Prescription bottle recycling a real pill for the industry
Not many pill bottles are getting recycled in the U.S. despite being made of commonly recyclable material. A new Closed Loop Partners report calls for collaboration across the value chain to increase pill bottle recycling rates.
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Aptar announces CEO transition
A fellow 30-year veteran of the company, who leads the company’s fast-growing pharma business, will take over when Stephan Tanda retires later this year.
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Oregon EPR legal challengePaper industry joins Oregon EPR lawsuit
After the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors secured a preliminary injunction in February, the American Forest & Paper Association, plus groups representing grocers and other businesses, want in.
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USITC advances 4 trade cases with implications for packaging
Polypropylene corrugated boxes and PET films are among the products that saw determinations in Q1. PP corrugated box producer Inteplast explained why it submitted a request for review and what effect new duties would have.
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Permission granted by Returnity
Inside FedEx’s reusable shipper rollout
Years in the making, Returnity collaborated with the logistics giant on a specialized design that’s meant to be durable, tamper-resistant, collapsible, automation-friendly, and easy to scan and unpack.
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TriMas Packaging/YouTube
TriMas sells aerospace arm for $1.45B to focus on packaging
CEO Thomas Snyder called the divestiture a “significant milestone in TriMas’ ongoing transformation.”
Updated March 16, 2026 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
ReMA advances HDPE beverage carrier spec following PakTech petition
A comment period is open until April 8 regarding the proposal to add these rigid can and bottle carriers to the Recycled Materials Association’s ISRI specifications for inbound residential single and dual streams.
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Catherine Douglas Moran/Packaging Dive
Barcode changes are coming. SmartLabel wants grocers to be ready.
The initiative that gives consumers detailed product information via QR codes is gearing up for a major shift in retail technology.
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Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Trump admin probes foreign manufacturing production, capacity
Numerous sectors are plagued by excess capacity and production, including aluminum, glass, paper and plastics, according to a USTR filing.
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Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
As performance and growth avenues lag, companies pursue M&A
Packaging companies are turning to multiple small-to-medium deals to achieve growth, according to a report from McKinsey & Co. More than 80% of executives surveyed expect M&A activity to increase in the coming years.
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4 major URB producers announce price increases
Ox Industries, Greif and Sonoco announced price increases within the last week, citing higher input costs. This follows Cascades’ early February URB price hike announcement.
Updated March 12, 2026 -
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Tennessee packaging EPR bill sidelined for 2026
The bill faced pushback from groups like Ameripen and bottlers. Vowing to return stronger next year, state Sen. Heidi Campbell said she’s proud of how the bill has put EPR awareness on the map in the Southeast.
