The Latest
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Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2026
Amcor is offloading multiple assets to Closure Systems International and Pacific Avenue Capital Partners. UFP Packaging is expanding its pallets network in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Updated May 7, 2026 -
Automation takes center stage at Smurfit Westrock ‘superplant’ in Wisconsin
From pizza to industrial products, there’s a corrugated box for that at the year-old, $136 million Pleasant Prairie plant. Automation lets it use about 60% of the labor of a traditional box plant, while scale enables service to greater Chicago.
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Amcor to open Miami headquarters
In other news announced Wednesday, Amcor says it’s maintaining higher inventories to mitigate any disruptions related to conflict in the Middle East, and is ahead of schedule on synergies one year since acquiring Berry Global.
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Canmakers say capacity is tight as they gear up for big summer
Ball, Crown and Ardagh are navigating higher input costs and inflationary pressures as beverage customers prepare promotions related to the World Cup and America250 celebrations.
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At long last, California publishes SB 54 EPR rules
The milestone gives way to next compliance steps for the sweeping extended producer responsibility and source reduction law. Circular Action Alliance also published estimated fees for obligated producers.
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GPI cut 3% of global workforce after business review
In addition to reducing the workforce by more than 500 people, the company discontinued low-return projects and is divesting a facility in Croatia to cut $60 million in costs, executives said during Tuesday’s earnings call.
Updated May 5, 2026 -
Retrieved from Gerresheimer Glass on May 05, 2026
Gerresheimer Glass, Oliver, TriMas, Veritiv Visual announced closures in April
Plus, Clearwater Paper and Graphic Packaging International announced restructurings to result in dozens of layoffs.
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5 predictions as US packaging EPR progresses
The last 18 months “feels sort of like 18 years,” said Circular Action Alliance’s CEO. Political, PRO and packaging leaders discussed where EPR is headed, including implications for data and design and how to measure success.
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Smurfit Westrock examines delisting from LSE, closing UK mill
Executives on Thursday’s earnings call took an optimistic tone about the future despite weather and demand contributing to “a challenging quarter.” A newly announced price increase is expected to offset some Q1 cost increases.
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Wish you could reseal your canned beverage? Now you can.
Re:Lid USA is partnering with L.A. Libations to launch canned water with a reclosable aluminum lid. The next step is to establish a U.S. manufacturing presence for the can innovation.
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International Paper touts $200M in EMEA cuts ahead of business split
After the company splits, IP will take a 20% stake in the new EMEA business. Meanwhile, IP is accelerating reinvestment in its assets as part of its ongoing optimization plan, including via the acquisition of North Pacific Paper Co.
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EPR budgeting conversations: Advice from the frontlines
Extended producer responsibility costs are elevating packaging discussions to the C-suite and forcing companies to work out budget strategies. A “conversation companion” tool could help.
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Middle East conflict adds to Greif’s demand challenges
The company has multiple locations in the Middle East and faced “direct impacts” from the war with Iran during its fiscal second quarter. Meanwhile, Greif made progress on its $120 million cost-cutting plan.
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O-I Glass calls Q1 ‘a story of two hemispheres’
Europe, which trails the Americas by several months in implementation of O-I’s restructuring program, was weaker than expected. O-I lowered its earnings outlook for 2026.
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Containerboard production charts steepest decline in years in Q1
The year-over-year drop is significant but “is not unprecedented,” according to the American Forest & Paper Association. It follows the nearly 10% production capacity cuts announced in 2025, the last of which were finalized this year.
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Amazon, Walmart seek source reduction solutions from suppliers
What parameters for innovation should packaging R&D teams pursue? There’s a new effort to demystify what “sustainable packaging” and “good innovation” mean to the biggest names in retail.
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Breaking the ‘boom-and-bust cycle’ in domestic recycled plastic markets
Ensuring PCR use in more challenging packaging like food-grade pouches can be “way down the road,” said APR Chief Policy Officer Kate Bailey. For now, there’s plenty to do with secondary products and bolstering good policy.
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JBM Packaging celebrates first graduate of in-prison training program
While in prison, Billy Campbell trained on JBM Packaging’s manufacturing equipment, and then secured full-time employment upon his release. He joined the roughly 40% of JBM’s employees who were formerly incarcerated.
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Packaging innovations: CVS Health swaps foam, PPG coats pet food cans
Plus, Amcor goes lighter on sauce caps and UPM Specialty Materials works with Felix Schoeller on a barrier solution for flexible food packaging.
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Anheuser-Busch doubles US manufacturing investment to $600M
The company’s Brewing Futures initiative includes improvements and workforce commitments at facilities across the country.
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PCA expects strong Q1 demand to continue in 2026
Despite geopolitical and economic headwinds, Packaging Corporation of America experienced an uptick in sales for the first quarter, executives said during Thursday’s earnings call.
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Greif drawing up emissions reduction targets for SBTi approval
The industrial packaging company plans to submit the targets to SBTi this year, including its first ever for scope 3 emissions reduction.
Updated April 23, 2026 -
Retrieved from Sonoco on February 13, 2026
Sonoco details cost management strategies as input expenses rise
Geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions are prompting uncertainty and higher input costs, executives said during Wednesday’s earnings call. Still, Sonoco made progress on achieving goals in its three-year cost-cutting plan.
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CG Roxane, Questar Solutions, Uline announce expansions
Many of the expansions are in the central U.S., including those by Alltrista Plastics, Nextera Packaging and Tetra Pak.
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Containerboard prices rise in April for second consecutive month
Fastmarkets RISI recognized another bump that brings producers closer to achieving the $70 per ton hikes they announced earlier this year.