Materials

  • A person's hand holds a cardboard box via an integrated handle and pours fluid from a spout on the box.
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    Permission granted by Smurfit Westrock
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    Packaging innovations: Smurfit Westrock’s BIB isn’t hard to handle, Mannol’s caps cut counterfeits

    Plus, Reusables.com gets a patent for technology that tracks reusable containers while keeping consumers’ sensitive payment information private.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
  • A stack of unfolded, flat paperboard boxes next to one folded box.
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    Getty Images
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    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 • Nov. 5, 2025
  • Bundled stacks of flat corrugated boxes.
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    Getty Images
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    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 • Updated Nov. 3, 2025
  • A close-up view of a paper-based sachet with messaging that says dishwasher pod and plastic-free.
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    Courtesy of SmartSolve
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    Packaging innovations: SmartSolve’s products go down the toilet, Seaman Paper avoids scuffs

    Plus, Village Farms’ valve keeps cannabis scents in check and Ahlstrom launches coffee pods that break down at home.

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
  • Bales of plastic film packaging are piled next to bales of other plastics and cardboard.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Plastic film recycling has a problem with staying power

    As technological advancements contribute to more facilities mechanically or chemically recycling film, lacking end markets and overall economics are holdbacks — including for a short-lived plant that recently closed.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
  • A close-up view of various old corrugated boxes that are flattened.
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    Getty Images
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    China’s new pulp import restrictions create ‘black swan event’ for OCC

    The announced restrictions on dry-milled recycled pulp imports could set the table for a full ban on the material. While OCC prices dropped, many industry participants are in wait-and-see mode, sources say.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
  • A large screen inside the Las Vegas Convention Center shows the Pack Expo logo and reads "CELEBRATING 30 YEARS"
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    How Pack Expo attendees see packaging materials changing

    PMMI plans to expand its polls about expected shifts in the packaging materials that companies use, such as phasing out certain types of plastics. That data could assist OEMs and CPGs in a variety of ways, the association says.

    By • Oct. 8, 2025
  • Piles of plastic packaging at a recycling facility, truck in the background
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

    The study, mandated by SB 54, sheds light on what percentage of single-use packaging and food ware materials might be diverted from landfills after the state’s extended producer responsibility program kicks in.

    By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2025
  • A person shops at a Walmart in Florida, next to an aisle of personal care products
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Target rethink private-label flexible packaging

    The retailers teamed up with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to find alternatives for flexible films with low-barrier requirements. GreenBlue Executive Director Paul Nowak said more categories are on the horizon.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • Four empty trays for food service applications are in front of a white background.
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    Permission granted by CJ Biomaterials
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    Packaging innovations: CJ Biomaterials debuts PHA coatings, CNG’s film goes matte

    Plus, Design Polymerics switches its pail color and Ball lands an aerosol can certification.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • Demonstration of Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Assessment Tool
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    Retrieved from Association of Plastic Recyclers YouTube on October 01, 2025
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    APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

    Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

    By • Oct. 1, 2025
  • Hundreds of people in a convention center
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Top packaging trade shows in 2026

    These conferences and events — ranging from smaller-scale niche gatherings to shows bringing together some 50,000 people — promise fresh opportunities for learning and making connections.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    California recyclers look for new PET solutions in wake of rPlanet closure

    Some recyclers are calling for more direct help from California state lawmakers and agencies, while others say they're choosing between holding onto the material or selling for little profit in the Eastern U.S. or elsewhere.

    By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2025
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    Portra / Stock.adobe.com

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    Sponsored by rePurpose

    California EPR component tracking: What brands need to know

    California's component-level requirements just revealed the true complexity of EPR compliance.

    Sept. 29, 2025
  • Three containers holding different varieties of FrogTape brand painter's tape.
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    Courtesy of Shurtape Technologies
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    Packaging innovations: FrogTape hops away from plastic, Digital Link gets chatty

    Plus, Mondi expands high-contrast digital printing, Stora Enso’s SBS goes high end, and Fiberdom joins Kiefel in blowing the lid off dry molded fiber.

    By • Sept. 26, 2025
  • Two hands place two purple plastic reusable cups toward a receptacle that says "Thanks for dropping your reusable cup here."
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    Permission granted by Kellyann Petry/Berry Global
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    Plastic, metal, or another material? Reusable packaging substrates pose tradeoffs

    Materials in reusables present different cost and durability profiles and environmental footprints. The space is ripe for manufacturers to innovate, sources say.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • Stacks of cardboard boxes in a logistics center
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    Getty Images
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    Corrugated comeback? Fiber’s yearslong slide could be easing

    Analysts believe corrugated markets are at an inflection point, in part due to this year’s uncommonly large containerboard capacity reductions and a milder-than-feared tariff environment. But recovery is not expected to be dramatic.

    By • Sept. 16, 2025
  • A tightly packed bale of crushed plastic bottles, compressed into a rectangular block and wrapped in clear plastic film. The bale contains various colored plastic bottles, flattened and compacted together, ready for recycling.
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    Alamy
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    How far can EPR drive recycled content uptake?

    Questions remain around how to effectively track recycled content in packaging and how to incentivize sourcing recycled material within North America. States such as Colorado are debating this as they enact EPR programs.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 15, 2025
  • A variety of clear water bottles without labels are lined up.
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    Courtesy of Sam's Club
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    Packaging innovations: Sam’s Club loses labels, Crocs blacks out

    Plus, PakTech introduces a can cap to prevent children from getting into beverages infused with hemp or cannabis.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • Stacks of black plastic food containers being packaged
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

    More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A variety of scientific equipment and raw materials.
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    Permission granted by erthos
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    Colgate-Palmolive signs on to AI tool for biomaterials development

    Biomaterials company Erthos plans to commercialize its platform, Zya, in early 2026 to aid CPG companies with faster and less risky development of biopolymers for packaging.

    By • Sept. 8, 2025
  • A screenshot of a digital tool to make educational campaign flyers.
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    Screenshot: Foodservice Packaging Insitute/YouTube

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    Adding new commodities brings recycling education challenges

    The Foodservice Packaging Institute updated its toolkit to help create recycling education campaigns. Stakeholders underscore the need for collaboration and taking a “careful step-by-step approach” when adding new items.

    By • Sept. 3, 2025
  • an arm holds flattened cardboard
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    Getty Images
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    Paper and Packaging Board shutdown reflects corporate, market changes

    President Mary Anne Hansan shared more about the phaseout of the industry marketing initiative, highlighting evolutions in executive leadership and the economic, policy and sustainability landscapes since 2014.

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
  • Three pieces of Laffy Taffy in different colors and flavors: yellow for banana, pink for cherry and purple for grape.
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    Retrieved from Ferrara on August 22, 2025
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    Packaging innovations: Laffy Taffy’s new wrappers are no laughing matter

    Plus, AeroFlexx floats a new packaging format for a Boogie bath product, and Graphic Packaging International works with Radienz Living on a laundry pod container.

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
  • Building exterior for Blue Polymers facility
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    Permission granted by Blue Polymers
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    Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California

    “Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.

    By • Aug. 19, 2025