Materials

  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
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    Third time’s the charm? Index partially recognizes latest containerboard price hikes

    This is the first month Fastmarkets RISI recognized North American containerboard producers’ third wave of price hikes this year. The industry has been abuzz about the increases since PCA announced its unprecedented $140 per ton bump.

    By • Sept. 18, 2026
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    Plastics get pulled into tariff turmoil

    Plastic bags, lids and caps are among products listed at a 50% tariff rate, but there's still confusion. “It's up to the exporters and importers to identify what the correct codes are,” said a packaging and logistics analyst.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • Juice cartons with red screw cap in supermarket shelf.
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    Mill survey shapes polycoated paper recycling design guidance

    The guide considers white and brown fiber mill compatibility. PCPA wants it to be reflected in Circular Action Alliance’s California program plan.

    By • Updated 6 hours ago
  • A close-up view of several flexible paper pouches.
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    6 CPGs team up on paper flexibles R&D

    Colgate-Palmolive, Nestlé and PepsiCo are among the CPGs focusing on small-format, recyclable and biodegradable flexible fiber packaging. Such solutions “do not exist today” at scale, per the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

    By • Sept. 16, 2026
  • A close-up view of stacked PET water bottles.
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    NAPCOR envisions cutting PET bottle life-cycle emissions 57% by 2050

    Lightweighting is a leading strategy to accelerate decarbonization. Srinivasan Prabhushankar, technical director at NAPCOR, highlighted "credible methodologies where the proof is there that this is achievable."

    By • Sept. 15, 2026
  • Atlantic Packaging
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    Permission granted by Atlantic Packaging
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    Passing the sniff test: Overcoming PCR’s odor and color challenges

    Sensory issues related to scent and tint pose unique hurdles for brands looking to incorporate more recycled plastic in consumer goods packaging. It’s spurring more creative applications for PCR.

    By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 15, 2026
  • Four different colored tubes of Colgate toothpaste with the message "Recycle Me!" printed on the tubes.
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    Courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive
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    Judge sets date for Colgate toothpaste tube recyclability trial

    Attorneys now indicate they plan to subpoena MRFs and waste management companies, including WM and Republic Services, for additional information.

    By • Sept. 14, 2026
  • 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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    New Jersey delays PCR requirements for food-contact packaging to 2030

    The state’s Department of Environmental Protection said technologies still don’t exist at scale to reliably meet the requirements. The Association of Plastic Recyclers disagreed, citing concerns about stranded assets.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 11, 2026
  • Stacks of flattened pizza boxes move across a production line in a manufacturing facility.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Smurfit Westrock, Pratt seek investigation into ‘unfairly traded’ pizza box imports

    The two companies petitioned the U.S. International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce to investigate and deliver duties for pizza boxes imported from three countries.

    By • Sept. 10, 2026
  • Stacks of cardboard boxes in a logistics center
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    Fastmarkets RISI plans to add corrugated box cost index

    This is a “major development” that could affect the decades-old model for monthly corrugated pricing, according to analysts. The public has less than a month to provide comments about the proposal.

    By • Sept. 9, 2026
  • Two people in protective gear shift through various-sized pieces of metal on a wooden table.
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    Alamy
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    In the bin or not? How MRF operators decide which packaging to take.

    As EPR laws and reputational concerns drive brands to push for their product packaging in accepted material lists, those debates have grown more complex.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 9, 2026
  • A knife next to a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and a PBR box featuring a Jason Voorhees cut-out mask.
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    Courtesy of Pabst Blue Ribbon
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    Packaging innovations: PBR creates fear with beer

    Plus, BW Converting makes pet food pouring easier, Green Food Pack Co. wants consumers to give their paper cups a spin and Ahlstrom creates a path to grease resistance.

    By • Sept. 4, 2026
  • A person in a hard hat inspects a bale of recyclables
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    Paper, cardboard recycling rates were flat in 2025: AF&PA

    Recycling rates held steady despite declines in U.S. paper and paperboard production in 2025, which illustrates the industry’s resilience, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.

    By • Aug. 31, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
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    Evelyn Hockstein via Getty Images
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    Packaging industry braces for impacts from U.S.-Canada trade war

    Trade associations representing manufacturers of fiber, metal and glass packaging weighed in on expected effects — mainly higher costs — that could affect companies along both countries’ supply chains.

    By • Aug. 26, 2026
  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
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    Containerboard pricing holds steady in August

    Containerboard pricing was largely expected to remain flat considering producers’ third wave of price increases won’t take effect until September. Boxboard prices also were mostly flat, although SBS bucked that trend.

    By • Aug. 25, 2026
  • United States President Donald Trump stands next to Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney flanked by U.S. flags.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump vows 50% tariffs on Canada cars, trucks, auto parts, steel

    The president announced the new levies, effective Jan. 1, after Canada said it would retaliate against duties the U.S. implemented over the weekend. 

    By Phil Neuffer • Updated Aug. 24, 2026
  • An open corrugated box contains expanded polystyrene foam packaging.
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    US Plastics Pact removes transport EPS from ‘problematic’ list

    This is the first time the group has removed an item from the approximately four-year-old list. A broader review of the materials on the list is underway.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • Large rolls of sheet aluminum stacked in a factory setting
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    Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation

    At issue is the Midwest Premium, which reportedly incorporates the 50% aluminum tariffs on domestic manufacturers — even those that use domestically recycled aluminum. 

    By • Updated Aug. 19, 2026
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    FDA lays out plan to close ingredients, food-contact substances ‘loophole’

    The agency’s proposal would require companies to provide more information on chemicals self-affirmed as safe under the controversial GRAS framework. Public comment is open until Dec. 9.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 11, 2026
  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
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    Independent box making group decries containerboard price increases

    AICC says the hikes reflect “a small group of producers having market dominance.” The group also questions major containerboard producers’ recent statements about demand increases and tight supply.

    By • Aug. 10, 2026
  • Bundled stacks of flat corrugated boxes.
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    Containerboard production healthier in Q2, but still in decline

    Data from the American Forest & Paper Association shows improving demand and operating rates for containerboard producers, aligning with companies’ recent earnings commentaries.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • Close-up view of a printed seal on a brown cardboard box. The black circular stamp includes product details and is from "INTERNATIONAL PAPER" located in "BINGHAMTON, NY." Additional printed text is visible on the right-hand side in large black font.
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    Alamy
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    More producers announce price hikes for containerboard, boxboard

    Cascades, Smurfit Westrock and International Paper announced containerboard price increases days after PCA’s, which is being called unprecedented. And boxboard producers announced increases for SBS and FBB.

    By • Updated Aug. 3, 2026
  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
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    PCA’s $140/ton containerboard price increase considered unprecedented

    Packaging Corporation of America’s announced increase is double the typical amount, shocking industry observers. The reported action sent PCA’s — and competitors’ — stocks soaring on Friday.

    By • July 27, 2026
  • An industrial machine with webs of transparent plastic.
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    Hope for quick plastic market normalization fades as Iran conflict escalates

    July fighting squashed the promise of a June ceasefire and the Strait of Hormuz reopening, along with packaging converters’ wishes for plastic price relief. Today, Dow hinted at higher plastic and packaging prices ahead.

    By • Updated July 24, 2026
  • A close-up view of various old corrugated boxes that are flattened.
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    Deep Dive

    OCC price increases evoke divergent effects across value chain

    Following a sluggish 2025, OCC prices have climbed through 2026. While recyclers are riding the wave of higher prices, containerboard producers aren’t so excited.

    By , Megan Quinn • July 22, 2026