Amcor eyes ‘dual end of life’ optionality for innovation investments

The company’s long-term R&D strategy includes seeking solutions that work in a future with recycling or composting infrastructure, explained Rebecca Meile, manager of corporate venturing and open innovation.

Colorado’s diversion rate could get a boost in 2026 from EPR, other new laws

Colorado municipalities took the lead on improving the state’s recycling and organics diversion rates in 2024, according to a state report. Still, more “top-down” solutions stemming from EPR implementation could help.

NAW escalates Oregon EPR lawsuit, seeking preliminary injunction

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is asking a court to suspend enforcement of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act ahead of a next round of producer invoicing.

Packaging innovations: Amoon Spirits’ vodka stirs up a vortex

Plus, 3 Tres Tequila stacks up its bottles, La Terra Fina cuts plastic in its quiche packaging and Sabert leans into PFAS-free compostables.

Say cheese: How Babybel is commercializing its plastic-to-paper makeover

Bel Group is spending millions to adapt its global production lines to handle the fiber substrate instead of biobased plastic, said the VP of research, innovation and development. But the signature red wax isn’t going anywhere.

Updated Dec. 1, 2025

US senators call on EPA to study reuse, refill

The bipartisan Reuse Act, backed by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jeff Merkley, unanimously passed the Senate and went to the House. Supporters want to assess opportunities in consumer packaging, food service and more.

Updated Nov. 24, 2025

Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR

Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.

Private label growth unwraps opportunities for packaging manufacturers

Store brands are outpacing name brands’ growth, according to speakers at a Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show. Those products and shelf-ready packaging are “essential to our model,” said Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt.

How much further can source reduction in packaging go?

U.S. packaging volumes reportedly fell by about 5 million metric tons between 2019 and 2024, despite population growth and an e-commerce boom. Future progress will require trade-offs, brand owners and packaging converters say.

US Plastics Pact weighs pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

The group’s new position paper tackles a polarizing issue. “Too often, these technologies are talked about in extremes — either as a silver bullet or as something to be dismissed outright,” said CEO Jonathan Quinn.

Verallia, Penn State envision low-carbon future for glass

In addition to being lower carbon than conventional soda lime silicate glass, the LionGlass material invented at Penn State is more resistant to cracks. The early-stage partnership with Verallia could result in a prototype in about a year.

Convenience store food popularity spurs packaging adaptations

As some consumers frequent this channel over fast-food restaurants and replace meals with snacks, TC Transcontinental sees how food packaging can help build trust, emphasize freshness and offer new on-the-go formats.

Orbis, Peli BioThermal, Averra expanding US packaging manufacturing

Amcor, Gaia Biomaterials, Saica, SmartSolve and Wyda are also adding to their American footprints.

International Paper to close facilities in California, Kentucky

More than 200 employees will be affected by the closures. This brings the tally of workers affected by IP’s streamlining to more than 4,500 since October 2024.

Food and beverage trends loom large over packaging earnings

Beef industry struggles specifically came up during packaging, food and beverage companies’ recent earnings calls, as did consumer trade downs and federal changes related to immigration and food assistance benefits.

WM now accepting polypropylene and paper cups curbside

The recycler says recent automation upgrades and changes to bale specifications helped spur the change, along with market demand for the materials. WM is asking customers to also add the materials to their lists. 

How packaging producers and CPGs stacked up in EMF’s 2025 progress report

As the Ellen MacArthur Foundation engages businesses on an updated 2030 agenda, these are some of the 2024 data highlights from the businesses involved in the “first chapter” since the Global Commitment’s 2018 launch.

Industrial M&A ramps up as tariffs settle in, interest rates drop and funds are flush

Private equity and strategic buyers are increasingly competitive acquirers in numerous areas of manufacturing. Deal experts predict much more activity as the market heats up into 2026.

Aluminum beverage can recycling rate hit 75% globally: report

The update at COP30 comes two years after the industry pledged to recycle at least 80% of these containers worldwide by 2030 and nearly all by 2050. The picture is weaker in the U.S. and North America.

Amcor to ramp up North American flexibles production

The company called the protein packaging capacity expansion, which will involve installing new equipment through the first half of 2026, one of its largest investments to date.

Updated Nov. 12, 2025

International Paper to close 5 sites, affecting 500 employees

In recent months, IP executives have referenced the importance of “rightsizing Europe” following the January acquisition of London-based DS Smith. The integration hasn’t fully gone according to expectations.

Ball announces sudden CEO transition

The Colorado-based aluminum cans maker announced a new CEO on Monday. The company also recently elected a new board chair and formalized its pick for CFO.

Smurfit Westrock to close Atlanta plant, affecting 55 workers

The closure is slated for completion early in 2026 as part of the company’s ongoing optimization efforts.

Sonoco outlines another restructuring, names leaders

The new business structure will be divided into market regions rather than substrates. A series of M&A deals and executive shifts had put the company in flux since restructuring its core businesses less than two years ago.

O-I Glass nears end of network cuts

The manufacturer has closed 8% of its capacity, on the way to a target of 13%. With beer and wine sales declining, O-I is eyeing a more sustainable future in non-alcoholic beverages and food.