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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

Manufacturers nix the USDA’s Paper and Packaging Board

Since 2014, the organization has been funded by paper manufacturers and importers to boost paper-based packaging markets. But a recent vote on continuing the marketing efforts failed to garner majority support.

Smurfit Westrock shutting down Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility

This 100-employee closure follows other company announcements this year eliminating certain sites in Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota and Texas, spanning corrugated products, containerboard and more.

USDA funds packaging innovations for $143B specialty crop export industry

The Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, through Clemson University, selected projects to help align with international regulations like the EU’s PPWR. Companies involved include Kwik Lok, NatureSweet, Sway and others.

Cascades details Virginia production ramp-up, New York wind-down

The Canadian fiber specialist said it accelerated the closure of corrugated medium manufacturing operations in Niagara Falls in light of notable tonnage increases at Bear Island that persisted through July.

Greif inks deal to sell timberlands for $462M

The sale to Molpus Woodlands Group is expected to close by the end of September. The divestiture aligns with Greif’s ongoing optimization and cost-reduction efforts.