WestRock to close corrugated mill near Baltimore as part of consolidation effort

About 75 employees will be affected. Additional consolidation is planned in as-yet unannounced locations.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 4, 2023

WestRock to close South Carolina mill, affecting 500 jobs

The mill, which will close permanently, produced containerboard and kraft paper for WestRock and its predecessors for more than eight decades.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 3, 2023

What April manufacturing data said about paper and plastics

Recent data from the Institute for Supply Management and S&P Global provide insights into key commodities as packaging companies experience ongoing demand shifts.

By Maria Rachal • May 2, 2023

How packaging manufacturers fared in Q1

Follow what top companies said in quarterly earnings reports about consolidation efforts, consumer demand and projections for the rest of 2023.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated May 10, 2023

Packaging innovations: ASR Group’s sugar tubs change shape, Stora Enso’s trays peel apart

See some of the latest news on packaging redesigns and material changes for chip bags, cannabis packaging and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 28, 2023

Consumer confidence sinks, implying downturn to come

Weakening optimism among consumers, as measured by the Conference Board, coincides with a decline in credit.

By Jim Tyson • April 27, 2023

O-I Glass sees lower volumes in Q1 but raises 2023 earnings guidance

Higher selling prices helped overcome year-over-year sales volume declines, which O-I attributed in part to disruptive events, customer destocking and softer consumer demand in some areas.

By Maria Rachal • April 27, 2023

Crown reports sales growth in Americas Beverage, hopes for carbonated soft drinks uptick

Can volumes were down 2.5% amid inflation’s impact on consumers and economic slowdowns in some international markets, said CEO Tim Donahue. The company anticipates summer trends could boost drink sales soon.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2023

O-I advances plant with latest glass production tech

The Bowling Green, Kentucky, production facility now under construction will be O-I Glass’s first in nearly two decades and the first built for its modular advanced glass manufacturing asset, or MAGMA, technology.

By Maria Rachal • April 18, 2023

Packaging innovations: Ampacet’s glassy plastic, Chipotle goes biodegradable and more

Catch up on some of the latest packaging solutions and news from Novolex, ProAmpac, Avery Dennison and California Olive Ranch on PFAS alternatives, designing for recyclability and changing materials.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 14, 2023

Conagra manufacturing disruption spurs canned food shortages

Issues securing and ensuring quality cans affected the availability of some products, according to a recent company earnings call.

By Kelly Stroh • April 13, 2023

Paper manufacturing payrolls saw uptick in March

Still, the March jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the broader manufacturing category contracted slightly.

By Maria Rachal • April 10, 2023

Sonoco biogas equipment upgrade to aid emissions targets, RNG capabilities

The company hopes to cut 8,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year by converting methane to renewable natural gas in South Carolina through a partnership with GreenGasUSA.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 5, 2023

As PFAS restrictions advance, paper industry struggles to phase out use

The toxic “forever chemicals” have long been used in the packaging sector. While companies say they’re being phased out, finding alternatives and fully eliminating them from effluent remain ongoing issues.

By April Reese • April 3, 2023

International Paper puts sustainability at heart of its rebrand on 125th anniversary

What’s in a logo? The company gathered input from customers and employees to influence the forest-driven symbols and messaging as the pulp giant’s focus has evolved.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 31, 2023

Packaging companies announced US facility closures, at least 1,800 planned layoffs, in Q1

Ball, O-I Glass, Pactiv Evergreen, Sonoco and others are all trimming operations in multiple states.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 30, 2023

Georgia-Pacific integrated paper mill in Alabama gets EPA recognition for energy efficiency

A recovery boiler upgrade greatly improved the Brewton plant’s energy efficiency. Executives say another $160 million investment occurring this year will push it even further.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 28, 2023

5 factors influencing packaging design and operations

From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023

Billerud North America to get new president as it pursues regional growth

Kevin Kuznicki, previously deputy president and general counsel, will take the helm as the Swedish paper specialist looks to expand its U.S. business following the 2022 acquisition of Verso.

By Maria Rachal • March 27, 2023

Flexible packaging expected to boom, despite limited recycling capabilities: PMMI report

Flexible plastic packaging and compostable packaging are predicted to see big gains, but few people in the U.S. have access to recycling programs for those materials.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 24, 2023

Berry Global 2022 ESG report shows uptick in PCR purchasing

The Indiana-based plastic packaging company said it’s been ahead of schedule on goals to reduce operational emissions, but one packaging sustainability target saw year-over-year decline amid changes to recyclability determinations.

By Maria Rachal • March 22, 2023

PPI data suggest lower packaging costs. Is inflation’s grip finally lessening?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’s data release signaled different price trends among plastic packaging products, paperboard and paper boxes and containers.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2023

Dart lays off workers at Georgia plant after sudden demand drop

A “dramatic” demand decrease made immediate job cuts and production schedule changes necessary at a Solo Cup facility, according to the company.

By Megan Ruggles • March 21, 2023

War, COVID lockdowns and riots are among international factors hitting packaging earnings

International factors led to supply chain disruptions and demand dips that tamped down Q4 2022 results. But executives anticipate brighter days ahead in 2023.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 13, 2023

Energy Department offers $6B to decarbonize industrial manufacturing

Grants will be awarded to projects in high-polluting sectors such as iron and steel, chemicals and refining and food and beverage. 

By Megan Ruggles • March 9, 2023