PCA to shut down machines in Washington, affecting 200 jobs

Packaging Corporation of America is slated to permanently close a paper machine and kraft pulping operations at its Wallula mill in early 2026. It’s working on upgrades at other mills to augment the lost capacity.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 4, 2025

Packaging innovations: Lego favors fiber, Old Bay gets back to basics with metal

Plus, Burgopak designs a supplement pack that’s worth its weight in salt.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 3, 2025

November layoff announcements from Printpack, Graphic Packaging, Smurfit Westrock and more

International Paper made up the bulk of the more than 1,000 announced job cuts, many of which are slated to take place in 2026.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 2, 2025

Tariffs remain heart of economic uncertainty: PMI

The levies are having the opposite effect on manufacturing sectors as what was intended, with economic uncertainty leading to manufacturing weakness, said Susan Spence, chair of the ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 2, 2025

Amcor eyes ‘dual end of life’ optionality for innovation investments

The company’s long-term R&D strategy includes seeking solutions that work in a future with recycling or composting infrastructure, explained Rebecca Meile, manager of corporate venturing and open innovation.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2025

Packaging innovations: Amoon Spirits’ vodka stirs up a vortex

Plus, 3 Tres Tequila stacks up its bottles, La Terra Fina cuts plastic in its quiche packaging and Sabert leans into PFAS-free compostables.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 25, 2025

Private label growth unwraps opportunities for packaging manufacturers

Store brands are outpacing name brands’ growth, according to speakers at a Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show. Those products and shelf-ready packaging are “essential to our model,” said Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2025

Orbis, Peli BioThermal, Averra expanding US packaging manufacturing

Amcor, Gaia Biomaterials, Saica, SmartSolve and Wyda are also adding to their American footprints.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2025

Sealed Air agrees to sell to private equity firm for $6.2B

The deal would lead to the food and protective packaging company delisting from the New York Stock Exchange in mid-2026. But first, it allows Sealed Air 30 days to solicit other offers before moving ahead with the transaction.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 17, 2025

International Paper to close facilities in California, Kentucky

More than 200 employees will be affected by the closures. This brings the tally of workers affected by IP’s streamlining to more than 4,500 since October 2024.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2025

Food and beverage trends loom large over packaging earnings

Beef industry struggles specifically came up during packaging, food and beverage companies’ recent earnings calls, as did consumer trade downs and federal changes related to immigration and food assistance benefits.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2025

Industrial M&A ramps up as tariffs settle in, interest rates drop and funds are flush

Private equity and strategic buyers are increasingly competitive acquirers in numerous areas of manufacturing. Deal experts predict much more activity as the market heats up into 2026.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 13, 2025

Amcor to ramp up North American flexibles production

The company called the protein packaging capacity expansion, which will involve installing new equipment through the first half of 2026, one of its largest investments to date.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Nov. 12, 2025

International Paper to close 5 sites, affecting 500 employees

In recent months, IP executives have referenced the importance of “rightsizing Europe” following the January acquisition of London-based DS Smith. The integration hasn’t fully gone according to expectations.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 12, 2025

Smurfit Westrock to close Atlanta plant, affecting 55 workers

The closure is slated for completion early in 2026 as part of the company’s ongoing optimization efforts.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 10, 2025

Sonoco outlines another restructuring, names leaders

The new business structure will be divided into market regions rather than substrates. A series of M&A deals and executive shifts had put the company in flux since restructuring its core businesses less than two years ago.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 10, 2025

Economic uncertainty throws off folding carton market

Certain economic conditions and policy changes tamped down an expected recovery period in 2025. But the Paperboard Packaging Council projects shipments could turn around in 2026.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 5, 2025

Containerboard production continued downward slide in Q3

Containerboard capacity cuts could tee up an environment ripe for price increases in early 2026. Conversely, recent boxboard production expansions have resulted in an oversupply.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Nov. 3, 2025

1,000+ packaging manufacturing layoffs announced in October

In a packed month for layoff announcements, California and Illinois were some of the harder-hit states. Affected sites span EPS foam, corrugated boxes, pallets and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 3, 2025

Elopak again growing in US, citing milk carton demand

The Norwegian carton specialist reported that its new Arkansas factory was profitable in Q3 and will expand again in 2027.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 31, 2025

Georgia-Pacific to close Illinois box plant, affecting 134 employees

The facility “can no longer competitively serve customers,” a spokesperson said. This marks the company’s exit from operations in Illinois. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 30, 2025

Smurfit Westrock to close California corrugated facility, affecting 141 workers

CEO Tony Smurfit referenced the closure during a Wednesday earnings call, noting the company will continue “closing down inefficient or loss-making operations” as part of its optimization efforts.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 29, 2025

Packaging manufacturers share Q3 takeaways

Catch up on results from Greif, Amcor, O-I Glass, Ball, Graphic Packaging International, Sealed Air, International Paper and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 7, 2025

Bumpy beverage trends punctuated Q3 for can makers

Beer distributors and other beverage companies described price pack architecture opportunities, as well as investments in non-alcoholic markets like energy drinks, on recent earnings calls.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2025

Smurfit Westrock North America CEO talks post-merger priorities

Reflecting on more than 30 years with the company, Laurent Sellier describes differences in European and North American markets, EPR impact, the role of “megaplants,” and insights from touring U.S. facilities this year.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Oct. 29, 2025