Smurfit WestRock: The transaction creating a global packaging giant

The pending combination of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock is expected to make the world’s largest publicly traded packaging company. Follow Packaging Dive’s ongoing coverage as the transaction moves toward completion in 2024.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Sept. 12, 2023

Smurfit Kappa finalizes plan to acquire WestRock in 2024

CEOs Tony Smurfit and David Sewell outlined their vision for a leading global packaging company and discussed the outlook for possible divestitures on Tuesday.

By Cole Rosengren , Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 12, 2023

Smurfit Kappa and WestRock deal not expected to face major barriers, analysts say

The geographical diversity in the two companies’ assets could reduce competition concerns in what could become the largest containerboard company in the world.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 11, 2023

Graphic Packaging closes $262.5M acquisition of folding carton company Bell

The deal, which includes three U.S. converting facilities, grows Graphic’s presence in food service packaging and offers an expansion opportunity into the mailer business.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 11, 2023

Smurfit Kappa, WestRock in advanced talks to merge

If finalized, Smurfit WestRock would bring together American and European paper packaging giants whose combined annual revenue this past year would have totaled approximately $34 billion, the companies said.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 7, 2023

International Paper CEO Mark Sutton to step down, triggering succession plan

Sutton has been with the company his entire career, nearly four decades, and will remain in his role until International Paper finds a successor.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 7, 2023

Domtar to ‘indefinitely’ idle Ontario mill, affecting 450 jobs

After years of operating losses at the Ontario mill, the paper and pulp company couldn’t find a way to keep it open, such as through a site sale, it said.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 8, 2023

Berry, Menasha Packaging, Solo Cup plan Illinois layoffs

Companies cited business slowdowns, restructuring and site transformation as reasons for cuts that will impact hundreds of jobs.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Sept. 28, 2023

Greif executives discuss downtime at mills, signs of industrial recession

The industrial packaging and paper company also announced it’s acquired a majority interest in ColePak, which it described as the second-leading supplier of bulk and specialty partitions in North America.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 31, 2023

WestRock to close two plants in October

The Indiana corrugated sheet plant and Pennsylvania folding carton plant closures bring the company’s 2023 layoff total to more than 1,000 employees.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 1, 2023

PFAS class action suit alleges Ahlstrom paper mill contaminated Wisconsin farms

Ahlstrom is accused of spreading PFAS-contaminated sludge on Wisconsin farmland. But the company says it didn’t own the mill at the time in question.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 21, 2023

Amcor talks inflation, destocking, demand challenges in full-year report

M&A is also on Amcor executives’ minds as they continue to operate in a lower-demand environment, according to commentary during a full fiscal year earnings report Wednesday.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 17, 2023

Berry Global names new CEO

Multi-Color Corp. President and CEO Kevin Kwilinski will replace Berry CEO Tom Salmon, who announced his planned retirement earlier this year.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 15, 2023

Inventory outlook: What packaging suppliers predict for rest of 2023

Customers’ inventory management dominated numerous recent earnings call discussions, with footprint optimization being another prominent theme among some packaging manufacturers.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 14, 2023

Berry closed 20 facilities last quarter to optimize footprint

Executives offered few details about the closures, which are part of a cost-cutting initiative. As destocking and inflation ease, investments in innovation and sustainability provide a “competitive advantage,” said CEO Tom Salmon.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 10, 2023

SEE announces restructuring following brand revamp

The company formerly known as Sealed Air also recently said it’s working with ExxonMobil on an “advanced recycling” initiative for food-grade plastics.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 9, 2023

Veritiv to be acquired in $2.3B private equity deal

Almost a decade after Veritiv was formed through a merger, the public company is slated to become private via a deal with an affiliate of a major firm.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 7, 2023

Ball says Q2 volumes declined due to US beer controversy, Russia divestment

Global beverage volumes fell 11% in Q2, said CEO Dan Fisher. The company offered few updates on a possible sale of its aerospace business.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 4, 2023

WestRock sees start of volume turnaround during ‘unprecedented year’ of declines

Following this week’s announcement of the Tacoma, Washington, mill closure, executives further detailed the ongoing footprint optimization plan intended to improve profitability.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 3, 2023

O-I Glass looks ahead to 2024 expansions amid ‘choppy’ destocking

Q2 results exceeded expectations, executives said, despite lower consumer demand and destocking trends dampening sales volumes.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 3, 2023

Sonoco’s net sales fell 11% in Q2 amid ‘turbulent’ market conditions

The company pointed to “accelerated inventory reduction programs” at top customers in food and aerosols, which resulted in lower-than-expected demand. At the same time, it saw “record results” in flexible packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 2, 2023

Graphic Packaging to enter fiber mailer space via acquisition

The foray into the e-commerce mailers comes as more customers request flexible fiber packaging solutions as they transition away from plastic.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 2, 2023

Constantia Flexibles to be sold in 1.1B-euro deal

The world’s third-largest producer of flexible packaging is slated for a new private equity owner after more than eight years and nearly a dozen acquisitions of its own.

By Maria Rachal • July 31, 2023

Packaging industry trends that shaped Q2 earnings

Amcor, Berry, Ball, WestRock, O-I, Sonoco, Graphic Packaging, Ardagh, International Paper, Silgan, Crown and Packaging Corp. of America shared insights into the status of destocking, consumer demand and other trends.

Updated Aug. 17, 2023

Beer controversy exacerbates 16% drag in Ardagh’s North American glass shipments

Amid a sharp dropoff in U.S. beer demand, the company pulled forward plant closures in North Carolina and Louisiana as it pursues a 15% net reduction in North American glass capacity.

By Maria Rachal • July 28, 2023