Materials

  • A four-pack of beverages with a black plastic child-resistant cap.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    ReMA advances HDPE beverage carrier spec following PakTech petition

    A comment period is open until April 8 regarding the proposal to add these rigid can and bottle carriers to the Recycled Materials Association’s ISRI specifications for inbound residential single and dual streams.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • A large roll of kraft paper in a factory setting
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    4 major URB producers announce price increases

    Ox Industries, Greif and Sonoco announced price increases within the last week, citing higher input costs. This follows Cascades’ early February URB price hike announcement.

    By • Updated March 12, 2026
  • A line with beverage cans
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Craft beer’s push into cans is leveling off, Brewers Association says

    The conversion from glass bottles to cans may be reaching its ceiling, according to the trade group’s staff economist. Meanwhile, impacts from tariffs are still playing out.

    By • Updated March 11, 2026
  • A variety of paper-based packaging with Graphic Packaging International's branding sits on a display shelf at a conference.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Paper-based flexibles could reduce pollution from small-format plastics: EMF

    Fiber-based flexibles do “not yet exist at the scale, cost, and performance needed” to solve the flexible plastic pollution problem, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s newly released guide.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • A screenshot of a video showing Chupa Chups' "impossible" lollipop's various coatings.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Screenshot: Bartle Bogle Hegarty/YouTube

    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: Chupa Chups says ‘good luck’ with ‘final boss’ wrapper

    Plus, Parkside launches three compostable films and Nova Chemicals commercializes two grades of recycled polyethylene.

    By • March 6, 2026
  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    February containerboard prices chart ‘surprising’ dip

    Despite production pullbacks and improved demand, one index showed a dip in monthly containerboard prices. This “shocked” some industry participants and could jeopardize certain producers’ planned $70 per ton hikes for March 1.

    By • Feb. 23, 2026
  • A person stands behind a podium that's in front of a blue background that says The Packaging Conference.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Takeaways from The Packaging Conference 2026

    Speakers at the February event discussed timely industry topics including M&A, EPR, innovation and market growth.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026
  • Clear plastic bottles
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ahead of the demand curve? What’s behind the rPET slump.

    A recent spate of rPET facility closures follows a slightly premature ramp-up, said one converter. But renewed investment is needed to ensure “we still have an rPET industry on this continent,” according to NAPCOR.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domestic markets and policy could help weather rPET woes

    Remedies could include long-term contracts with brands, setting recycled content laws in more states, and investing in reuse and refill, say leaders from The Recycling Partnership, APR, Primo Brands and NAPCOR.

    By Megan Quinn • Feb. 17, 2026
  • Rear view of a person in a checkered shirt working at a packaging testing facility
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by CJ Biomaterials
    Image attribution tooltip

    CJ Biomaterials builds toward compostables having their moment in EPR era

    The PHA producer commercialized multiple new offerings in recent years, invested in a new Massachusetts polymer science facility and regularly works with composters to tests its products.

    By • Feb. 13, 2026
  • Close-up shot of a food container with film that says recyclable.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging sustainability is ‘failing.’ Or is it?

    A speaker set off a firestorm at The Packaging Conference this week with a comment about sustainability efforts being a flop. But others believe reports of packaging sustainability's death may have been greatly exaggerated.

    By • Feb. 12, 2026
  • A person uses a pouch containing olive to refill a bottle with yellow and black Terra Delyssa olive oil branding on the outside.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CHO America
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: Terra Delyssa does an oil change

    Plus, Top Cup got the Ball ahead of the Super Bowl, and Saica Group helps Unilever give plastic film the Axe.

    By • Feb. 10, 2026
  • A person tips a blue recycling bin containing a clear plastic Starbucks cup into a larger collection bin.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    New year, new label: PP cup recyclability status changes

    The new How2Recycle labels are expected to roll out on PP cups this year. Years of collaboration between Starbucks, WM and other partners resulted in meeting the 60% recycling access threshold, said GreenBlue.

    By • Feb. 2, 2026
  • different types of packaging in different bins
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The packaging industry outlook for 2026

    Take a closer look at some of the biggest topics and trends that industry leaders expect will shape commodity markets, dealmaking and the future of packaging policy.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
  • The bottom half of a supplements bottle features a barcode and states 'Bottle is made from 100% PCR CONTENT'
    Image attribution tooltip
    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Plastic scrap imports add to ‘perfect storm’ hitting domestic PCR

    Against a backdrop of rising imports, pricing competition and tariff confusion, an unprecedented number of domestic PET reclaimers closed last year. In 2026, expect more emphasis on policy solutions and local supply chains.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Jan. 29, 2026
  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    PCA is first major containerboard producer with price increase in 2026

    Analysts expected at least one increase this year as operating rates rise following a 10% capacity pullback in North America. International Paper announced a similar increase on Monday.

    By • Updated Jan. 27, 2026
  • A person's hand dips a french fry into a side compartment that holds ketchup attached to red french fry box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Kraft Heinz Co.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: Heinz gets a side piece, Butter Wines adds cans

    Plus, Saverglass introduces a line of glass wine bottles that are lighter than standard versions.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    What 2026 holds after containerboard’s historic 10% capacity pullback

    Following a “mild recession,” recovery could be in store — but not a big one. Muted consumer spending will play a large role, say analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence, BofA Securities, RaboResearch and Truist Securities.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • hands hold compostable bag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    USDA organics board rejects compostable polymers, puts paper on watch

    While the group is concerned about contamination from synthetic polymers broadly, it’s open to evaluating individual substances or narrower use cases such as fruit stickers or collection bags.

    By • Updated Jan. 15, 2026
  • A close up of baled plastic recyclable bottles and containers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Abandoning packaging sustainability a ‘serious strategic miscalculation’: Bain

    Companies are still pursuing sustainable packaging strategies even though they’ve toned down public messaging about it, according to a newly released report from Bain & Co. Substrate switches remain a leading strategy.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Packaged items on refrigerated grocery shelves.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2026

    Long-anticipated EPR and labeling regulations are poised to have very real impacts. The M&A cycle is advancing. And is there nowhere to go but up for containerboard?

    By , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Three carts on curb in San Diego - blue for recycling, black for trash and green for organic waste
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by City of San Diego
    Image attribution tooltip

    How much plastic, paper, metal and glass are recycled in California?

    For the first time, CalRecycle published estimated recycling rates for materials that will be covered under packaging EPR law SB 54.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Toxic substances in PET bottles scrutinized by researchers

    Virgin and rPET bottles in Michigan and California leached additives and hazardous chemicals, per a study funded by the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling. It’s the latest research to raise questions about plastic packaging.

    By April Reese • Jan. 6, 2026
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    2025 packaging trends by the numbers

    A $10.4 billion acquisition. Two new EPR laws. A $1 billion kraft linerboard mill investment. These were some of the figures that stood out in the packaging industry this year.

    By , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Dry ice is being made from a machine while a person's hands wearing protective gear scoops the dry ice pellets.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Cold-chain packaging companies adapt as dry ice supply falters

    Tight supply of the CO2 used to make dry ice is creating ripple effects across supply chains. Packaging suppliers are stepping up with cold-chain innovations to address the trend and to improve safety and sustainability.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025