Manufacturing

  • Hands carry a cardboard box with other workers blurred in the background
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    Drazen Zigic via Getty Images
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    Packaging companies delve into Q2 results

    Earnings reports are ramping up. Catch up on insights this week from Packaging Corporation of America, International Paper and Crown Holdings.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • July 26, 2024
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    Kevin Dietsch / Staff via Getty Images
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    Paper, plastic industries react to major Supreme Court decisions

    The American Forest & Paper Association and the Plastics Industry Association shared their thinking after rulings staying EPA’s “Good Neighbor” plan and overturning the longstanding Chevron doctrine.

    By • July 25, 2024
  • Rear view of a person in a Smurfit WestRock jacket and a Cover Guard hat
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    Courtesy of Smurfit WestRock
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    Smurfit WestRock and others set to raise fiber prices in August

    Upcoming increases on multiple fiber grades, set to take effect in August, are the latest development in an ongoing push-pull between converters and the Fastmarkets RISI index.

    By • July 18, 2024
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Q&A

    Departing WestRock CEO Sewell reflects on his tenure and company’s future

    In an interview, David Sewell discussed fiber pricing trends, infrastructure investment strategies, the importance of innovation and highlights from his time at the helm of WestRock, which comes to an end July 5.

    By • July 2, 2024
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    Kaarin Vembar/Packaging Dive
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    Ardagh, McKinley, Tupperware among large layoff announcers in June

    Packaging companies disclosed more than 1,000 layoffs that will take place across the U.S. this summer and fall, according to state filings.

    By • July 1, 2024
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    WestRock breaks ground on highly automated Wisconsin ‘superplant’ for corrugated boxes

    The facility, one of WestRock’s largest investments this year, is strategically placed to serve the Midwest. CEO David Sewell told Packaging Dive that this superplant concept helps increase regional efficiencies.

    By • June 28, 2024
  • Bundled stacks of flat corrugated boxes.
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    samritk via Getty Images
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    Second round of fiber product price increases appears to be taking hold

    As packaging producers continue to announce summer price increases for multiple fiber grades, some analysts hint that the “cardboard box recession” might be coming to an end.

    By • June 25, 2024
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    Daniele Mezzadri via Getty Images
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    Ardagh Glass closing Houston facility with 220 workers, citing ‘beer market conditions’

    Also in July the company will be indefinitely curtailing production at a Seattle site servicing wine customers, impacting another 244 employees. Ardagh detailed ongoing challenges in both the beer and wine markets.

    By , • June 25, 2024
  • An industrial printing and box-making machine bears branding from EFI and Packsize.
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    Permission granted by EFI
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    Digitally printed, rightsized boxes could change the shape of e-commerce

    EFI and Packsize collaborated on a system they say checks the right boxes to boost packaging customization, which can help brands connect with consumers and improve sustainability. 

    By • June 18, 2024
  • A worker operates a forklift in an industrial warehouse, surrounded by large rolls of a fiber product.
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    Retrieved from Greif on June 11, 2024
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    North America’s 2 largest URB producers to raise prices

    Greif and Sonoco’s recent announcements about increases for uncoated recycled board are the latest in a string of fiber price hikes this year. They may not be the last.

    By • June 12, 2024
  • A wide shot of an industrial facility with smoke emerging from smokestacks.
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    Courtesy of Billerud
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    Billerud’s decision to scrap $1B cartonboard plant could signal further sector pullbacks

    While Billerud’s reversal could be positive for competitors like Graphic Packaging, Greif and Westrock, an overall soft boxboard market could result in more delays and cancelations for the sector, industry observers say.

    By • June 5, 2024
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    Ideas_Studio via Getty Images
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    US packaging manufacturers announced more than 600 layoffs in May

    Genpak, Georgia-Pacific and Graphic Packaging were among the companies that filed WARN notices. Closures are happening in states including Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.

    By • June 3, 2024
  • International Paper's new logo.
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    Courtesy of International Paper/Cision
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    Suzano and International Paper address deal rumors, details still unclear

    Executives acknowledged a potential transaction for the first time this week, but made clear that no formal offer is in place. Analysts speculate that Suzano may specifically be interested in IP’s Global Cellulose Fibers business.

    By • May 23, 2024
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    Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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    Q&A

    Tetra Pak training center expansion offers ‘golden opportunity’ for employee engagement

    Fabio Raffone, a company vice president, describes how virtual and hands-on training sessions help to build the workforce of the future while reducing turnover.

    By • May 21, 2024
  • A person wearing goggles works on a line of household appliances in an industrial setting.
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    Courtesy of GE Appliances
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    GE Appliances embarks on 5 new packaging sustainability goals

    The company aims to eliminate expanded polystyrene and make all packaging recyclable. In 2023, it processed 1 million pounds of plastic scrap to use in manufacturing new products.

    By • May 16, 2024
  • Row of tall metallic aerosol cans
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    Ideas_Studio via Getty Images
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    Mauser Packaging to exit US aerosol can manufacturing

    While the Illinois-based company is considering a potential sale or merger for the business, workers at multiple plants are expected to lose their jobs.

    By • May 15, 2024
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    Mikola249 via Getty Images
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    Upcoming round of linerboard price increases marks fiber companies’ second attempt in 2024

    Companies including Cascades, Georgia-Pacific, Pratt Industries and WestRock plan to join International Paper in raising linerboard prices in June, following a lack of recognition for earlier increases, analysts say.

    By • May 13, 2024
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    Retrieved from U.S. Chemical Safety Board.
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    PCA to appeal $91.8M payout verdict for Louisiana plant explosion

    Packaging Corporation of America believes its insurance will cover the cost of damages in the latest lawsuit over a deadly 2017 explosion at a pulp mill in DeRidder, Louisiana.

    By • May 9, 2024
  • Dozens of paper beverage cups with natural-colored heat sleeves, and one cup with a green sleeve featuring a recycling symbol.
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    Bet_Noire via Getty Images
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    As 40+ mills accept paper cups, advocates turn to boosting residential recycling acceptance

    Only 11% of U.S. communities accept paper cups in residential recycling programs. Mills play a “pivotal role” in advancing acceptance, according to the NextGen Consortium and Foodservice Packaging Institute.

    By • May 8, 2024
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    w-ings via Getty Images
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    Strike at Silgan Containers food can plant is ongoing, USW says

    Around 100 workers at an Edison, New Jersey, facility are involved. Some of the biggest areas of contention relate to the contract's cost-sharing for health insurance and overtime provisions, according to United Steelworkers.

    By • May 6, 2024
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    Permission granted by JBM Packaging
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    Deep Dive

    Second chance hiring can bridge labor gaps, break employment barriers

    Although some companies say they initially hire formerly incarcerated individuals to overcome a labor shortage, these programs can lead to less employee churn, lower recidivism and life-changing impact, advocates say.

    By • April 30, 2024
  • International Paper's new logo.
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    Courtesy of International Paper/Cision
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    Fire and ice cool International Paper’s Q1 earnings

    January and February incidents resulted in notable charges. CEO Mark Sutton, during his last earnings call before retirement, discussed volume trends but didn’t comment on the announced DS Smith acquisition.

    By • April 26, 2024
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    wragg via Getty Images
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    CMI weighs in on Biden’s call for tariff increases

    Trade with China is a key issue ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Can Manufacturers Institute says the Biden administration should take greater action to mitigate impacts from steel and aluminum imported goods.

    By • April 19, 2024
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    Permission granted by Myplas
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    Eviction threat looms as film recycler Myplas accrues $1.3M in unpaid bills

    Unexpected financial challenges occurred shortly after the company launched its highly anticipated Minnesota polyethylene film recycling operation in December, according to Peter Shippen, Myplas board chair.

    By • Updated April 15, 2024
  • Rows of industrial hemp growing in a farm field.
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    AndrisTkachenko via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Is hemp the next revolution for sustainable packaging? Startup element6 Dynamics thinks so.

    CEO Kimberly Kovacs details the company’s push to use industrial hemp for making paper and packaging, which she says is a more sustainable option than tree pulp.

    By • April 8, 2024