Makary confirmed by Senate as FDA commissioner

The Johns Hopkins surgeon will helm the agency as layoffs loom and important decisions on treatments for rare and infectious diseases await.

US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling

Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.

International Paper outlines 2027 vision, DS Smith integration plans

“We think we can transform this company,” said CEO Andy Silvernail during an investor day. IP previewed more cost-cutting ahead, plus an estimated $1.9 billion in capital expenditures per year through 2027.

Packaging innovations: Seagram’s slims down, J. Lohr puts cab in a keg

Plus, Wimbée and Koehler Paper cap off a fiber packaging project and Contempo Specialty Packaging keeps plastics and kids out of its cannabis packaging.

URB producers to increase prices as tariffs affect fiber demand

Greif, Sonoco, Cascades and Ox Industries are leading the price increases for uncoated recycled paperboard. Meanwhile, analysts flag that tariff uncertainty has prompted fiber demand shifts.

AI-enabled MRF technology aids food-grade polypropylene recovery: report

A study led by Closed Loop Partners, in collaboration with Greyparrot, analyzed more than 650 tons of material from four U.S. MRFs. 

California packaging EPR implementation moves ahead amid regulatory redo

State officials shared updates in the first SB 54 advisory board meeting since Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a regulatory restart. CalRecycle said it will continue working on multiple other statutory requirements in the meantime.

Ball sells majority stake in aluminum cups business, forming joint venture

Ball believes the joint venture, Oasis Venture Holdings, will grow its underperforming metal cups business, and it anticipates a $25 million year-over-year improvement following the asset sale.

Packaging groups back bipartisan recycling bill in Congress

Companies including Ball, Kraft Heinz and SC Johnson registered their support. This adds to other packaging-related bills in the 119th Congress, including the Steward Act and the Farewell to Foam Act.

Days away from Oregon EPR reporting deadline, cue the ‘compliance anxiety’

In a U.S. first, producers of packaging, paper and food service ware have until the end of the month to report 2024 supply data through Circular Action Alliance’s portal. Oregon plans to start the program in July.

Updated March 21, 2025

Republic opens Indianapolis plastics complex to meet recycled content demand

The location has the company’s second polymer center and a Blue Polymers facility. Together, they’re expected to process 175,000 pounds of recycled plastic annually and in part offer resin for food-grade packaging.

FPI president touts resilience amid industry changes

The COVID-19 pandemic and EPR laws are among the forces driving the food service packaging sector to adapt and increase collaboration, said Foodservice Packaging Institute President Natha Dempsey.

PET thermoform recycling is rising, but still not matching PCR demand

Only 54% of U.S. residents with recycling programs have access to thermoform recycling. That must increase to meet growing postconsumer recycled content demand, according to NAPCOR.

Updated March 20, 2025

Henkel boosts recycled content in plastic packaging

The German consumer goods company’s newly released sustainability report also cited the supplier engagement program it launched last year as being instrumental in reducing emissions.

O-I seeks to compete better with cans in North America

As part of an investor day, the glass company shared updates on an ongoing business strategy, including financial targets, cost-cutting efforts, portfolio transformation and growth opportunities.

Recyclers give packaging designers a glimpse into limitations, opportunities in today’s MRFs

Leaders from Republic Services, Rumpke Waste & Recycling and elsewhere discussed their role in recycling plastics at the Sustainability in Packaging US conference.

Tariff uncertainty sparks manufacturing anxiety, especially among small firms

Changing foreign suppliers could become more difficult as the Trump administration continues to enact new widespread tariff policies.

5 years later, pandemic-era effects have a mark on the packaging industry

COVID-19 changed how consumers get meals, order items and more, in turn influencing packaging. Some changes in manufacturing have stuck, from automating certain tasks to adapting supply chain management.

Manufacturers hail EPA plans to rethink particulate matter regulations

The National Association of Manufacturers, American Forest & Paper Association and others previously challenged an update to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in court.

Metal tariffs make American manufacturing less competitive, can makers say

The present tariffs situation “opens the door for cheaper canned foods to flood the U.S. market from China and other foreign competitors,” the Can Manufacturers Institute said. U.S. trade groups are calling for exemptions.

Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne

The president vowed to implement the new duties if the European Union doesn’t walk back its retaliatory actions against U.S. whiskey.

Navigating next steps on EPR in California and beyond

CalRecycle said it will revise the regulations and associated documents, and initiate a new formal rulemaking process, starting with a 45-day public comment period.

Updated March 13, 2025

Walmart says it’s unlikely to meet 2025 plastic, recycling targets

The largest U.S. retailer discussed challenges to increasing PCR adoption. More than two-thirds of its global private-brand packaging was recyclable, reusable or industrially compostable in 2023, according to a company update.

EU retaliates against US steel, aluminum tariffs

The European Commission is letting previously suspended duties return for various products and planning for additional countermeasures by mid-April.

Trump reverses Canada steel, aluminum tariff hike

A 25% tariff increase on the metal imports will still go into effect Wednesday, but that rate won’t double after Ontario backed off from imposing retaliatory energy tariffs.

Updated March 11, 2025