Smurfit Westrock to close corrugated plant in Oregon

Layoffs at the Portland facility will come in waves, with 72 employees affected in the first round. This closure is part of the packaging company's ongoing footprint optimization plan.

Weighty issue: GLP-1 drugs are reshaping packaging demand

Soaring use of these medications for weight loss is shifting demand, including for packaging manufacturers that serve pharma and food customers. Analysts say the game-changer is an opportunity for innovative companies.

Morris Packaging, Karat Packaging, Nefab, Saica announce expansions

From warehouses to converting facilities, expansions cover a variety of plastic and fiber substrates. Paragon Films, Engineered Foam Packaging, Forming Technologies and Graphic Packaging are also among those growing.

Packaging innovations: Liquid Death’s ‘Kegs for Pregs,’ Crown has a Moment

Plus, brand and packaging company collaborations led to new or redesigned packaging from Dole, Henkel, Furminator, Bubbies Ice Cream, Happy Campers, Berlin Packaging, AeroFlexx, Earthcycle and Verde Bioresins.

Trump pauses most reciprocal tariffs, hikes China’s further

The U.S. will now charge a 125% duty on imports from China, while most other countries will be subject to a 10% rate for 90 days.

Updated April 10, 2025

Packaging M&A highlights from Q1

Packaging Dive followed dozens of deals in the first quarter. Industry observers noted activity in the labels space.

JBM Packaging brings training program to Ohio prison

Moving the machine adjuster training program to the London Correctional Institution in Ohio allowed the company to increase participants’ pay. JBM aims to start real-world envelope production at the site soon.

California confirms EPS food service ware ban

CalRecycle said that after a review, there’s not sufficient data showing covered materials meet a required 25% recycling rate. This clarifies what many had already considered a de facto ban under SB 54.

Maryland EPR for packaging bill heads to governor’s desk

SB 901 calls for reimbursing key recycling collection, transportation and processing costs in the state, including for organics. Maryland would be the sixth state with packaging EPR if Gov. Wes Moore signs the bill. 

Closed loops may help boost US food-grade PCR supply

Industry groups and packaging companies support increasing the use of PCR in food-grade packaging, but progress remains incremental in many cases. 

Trump threatens 50% tariff on China if retaliatory duties stay

The president said Monday that China, which vowed to fight the action, had until Tuesday to back off from its plan for 34% tariffs on U.S. imports.

Updated April 8, 2025

Shareholder advocacy targets flexible packaging, reusables and recycling labels

Proposals remain pending at Mondelēz, Amazon, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo and Wendy’s. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola, Hyatt, Sealed Air, Starbucks and Wyndham recently reached agreements with shareholder advocates.

Updated April 7, 2025

Mauser, Orbis, Pretium among March packaging company layoffs

Graphic Packaging International and RTS Packaging also are among the companies that announced facility closures in March.

China readies 34% tariff on US imports starting April 10

The country's retaliation against President Donald Trump's trade policies builds upon previously announced duties.

Aluminum cans, beer imports subject to 25% tariffs

The duties are separate from President Trump’s baseline tariffs. The Aluminum Association supports the move, while the Consumer Brands Association joined others in asking the administration to “fine-tune their approach.”

Updated April 4, 2025

Ideas for easing recycled content woes through policy, packaging

Brand innovations, policy changes and better communication could help ease challenges associated with adding recycled content to packaging, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties

The president said he will levy import taxes on China, Japan and others equal to half of what they charge the U.S. based on White House calculations.

Crate idea: Transport packaging made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons

The polymer and aluminum material, polyAl, that gets separated from fiber during carton recycling is a key material for the new transport crates made by Schoeller Allibert. 

Graphic Packaging International to close Ohio plant, affecting 130 employees

The Ohio closure had been anticipated as part of the company’s effort to consolidate its mill system and focus on new facilities in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Waco, Texas, but it comes months ahead of schedule.

Novolex completes $6.7B acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen

Pactiv Evergreen has transitioned from a publicly traded to privately held company as it is absorbed under Novolex. The combined company becomes one of largest food packaging producers.

Toppan buys Sonoco’s thermoformed and flexibles business for $1.8B

The transaction advances Sonoco’s portfolio simplification plans and will help it reduce debt leverage. Toppan first expanded into the U.S. from Japan in 2016 with a film production facility in Georgia.

Updated April 1, 2025

Manufacturing economy stalls amid tariff confusion: PMI

Purchasing managers’ index data showed a contraction in March. The industry is bracing for the impact of the Trump administration's upcoming "Liberation Day," on April 2, set to bring a slew of tariffs.

Verallia, Saverglass part of anticompetition investigation in France

The country’s Competition Authority carried out unannounced visits on Thursday and Friday as part of its probe into companies’ practices for manufacturing and marketing glass packaging.

Hitting a plateau: Circular packaging designers face flexibles hurdle

Many companies have targets to make 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Now, as they face the hardest categories to transform, some are weighing whether it’s feasible.

Amcor extends open call for novel barrier coatings

The company aims to work with innovators and startups on compostable and recyclable coatings for flexible packaging. Chosen projects could receive up to $500,000 in funding.