The Latest
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Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge
Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.
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Trump’s tax law could boost cash flow for manufacturers with deductions and more
The recently signed tax law allows bonus depreciation for qualifying equipment, offers R&D deductions, locks in the corporate tax rate and more. But tariffs and tax code interpretations could still complicate companies’ financial plans.
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Tracker
Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?
Packaging Corporation of America released 2024 sustainability data, including updates on emissions reductions.
Updated Aug. 25, 2025 -
EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know
CalRecycle has opened another public comment period as it advances rulemaking for SB 54. Oregon DEQ also calculated the 25 largest producers, which will be required to submit life cycle impact evaluations next year.
Updated Aug. 25, 2025 -
Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2025
Prometheus Retail Solutions acquired the packaging and retail display division of PackagingARTS, Inteplast Group acquired Con-pearl from private equity firm Blue Cap AG, and an investor purchased Innovative Packaging Group.
Updated Aug. 19, 2025 -
Paper and Packaging Board shutdown reflects corporate, market changes
President Mary Anne Hansan shared more about the phaseout of the industry marketing initiative, highlighting evolutions in executive leadership and the economic, policy and sustainability landscapes since 2014.
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Canada to scale back retaliatory tariffs for US imports on Sept. 1
The country will lift levies on goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement while maintaining sector-specific duties on steel, aluminum and cars.
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Retrieved from Ferrara on August 22, 2025
Packaging innovations: Laffy Taffy’s new wrappers are no laughing matter
Plus, AeroFlexx floats a new packaging format for a Boogie bath product, and Graphic Packaging International works with Radienz Living on a laundry pod container.
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International Paper selling global cellulose fibers unit for $1.5B
Private equity firm American Industrial Partners is the buyer in the long-anticipated sale. CEO Andy Silvernail has been pushing to make International Paper a more streamlined, pure-play packaging solutions company.
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International Paper to close 4 facilities, affecting 1,100 employees
The latest closures bring the number of impacted IP workers to 3,600 since October 2024. The actions add to North American containerboard production capacity cuts, which now total 9.5% in 2025, according to an analyst.
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Containerboard price-fixing lawsuit advances
The complaint against eight of the largest U.S. containerboard producers is “definitely not frivolous” and shows a “pretty solid basis for bringing the action,” said one attorney with antitrust defense expertise.
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Lawmakers, recyclers call for SB 54 regulations that reflect intent of EPR law
CalRecycle is expected to open the 45-day public comment period on SB 54 rulemaking soon. Circular Action Alliance is asking producers to register by Sept. 5.
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Novolex closing Pactiv Evergreen plant in California, affecting 127 employees
This follows a Pactiv Evergreen facility closure in Michigan earlier this year that resulted in 153 layoffs.
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Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California
“Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.
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Recycling and waste groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty
Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps. Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end market impacts.
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Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers
General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under SB 54.
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PepsiCo, Bold Reuse partner on NFL stadium cups
The collaboration follows PepsiCo doing away with a formal reuse target earlier this year. It’s also Bold Reuse’s first implementation in California.
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CalRecycle in ‘early stage’ of enforcing EPS food service ware ban
Meanwhile, multiple companies have been trying to formally demonstrate a recycling rate of at least 25% for expanded polystyrene in order to stay on the market, but none have been approved yet.
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4 fiber companies’ earnings flag ‘challenging’ industry conditions
Weak demand, trade conditions, divestitures and swing production dominated earnings reports from Clearwater Paper, Sappi, Stora Enso and Sylvamo.
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Amcor considers divesting North American beverage business
The company is redefining its “core portfolio” after acquiring Berry Global. Since finalizing that deal, Amcor has cut 200 roles and worked to close five sites. It’s also hit some unexpected snags in North America.
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Retrieved from Screenshot: Sappi/YouTube on August 14, 2025
Hood Container, Sappi, Uline invest in expansions
Cosmo Films, Eco King, Flair Packaging, Schütz Container Systems, TricorBraun and Trioworld Group are among the other packaging companies expanding their production capacities or geographical footprints.
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Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA
Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.
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Novelis sees ‘strong demand’ for aluminum beverage packaging sheet
The company is readying additional capacity at a new Alabama facility as it expects continued sustainability-driven growth in aluminum beverage packaging.
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Packaging innovations: Coors Light pits out, Pure Sunfarms gives a peek at weed
Plus, SIG works on a monomaterial bag for boxed wine, Smurfit Westrock and Papa Johns partner on digitally printed boxes to fit entire meals, Aptar brings biobased resins to nasal spray pumps, and more.
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Connecticut’s beverage container redemption rate rose 21% in 2024
The Container Recycling Institute says improvements like a 10-cent deposit, more return locations and a broader range of accepted containers boosted redemption rates. Some other bottle bill states saw declines of 1% to 3%.