North American aluminum demand resilient, Aluminum Association reports

Preliminary 2025 data showed a small year-over-year bump in domestic shipments and imports. While there may be new incentives for heavy-duty steel and aluminum, canmakers still await tariff relief.

By Maria Rachal • May 18, 2026

Plastic packaging converters raise red flags over Iran war impact

Polyolefins are bearing the brunt of supply disruptions and price increases, and renormalization isn’t expected until 2027 at the earliest. Experts from ICIS, Emerald Packaging and others weigh in.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 14, 2026

20% of US residents can now recycle paper cups, FPI says

Paper cup recycling access quadrupled in the last decade, according to the Foodservice Packaging Institute. But more work is needed, including on end markets, as some mills that accepted the material have backed out.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 11, 2026

Breaking the ‘boom-and-bust cycle’ in domestic recycled plastic markets

Ensuring PCR use in more challenging packaging like food-grade pouches can be “way down the road,” said APR Chief Policy Officer Kate Bailey. For now, there’s plenty to do with secondary products and bolstering good policy.

By Maria Rachal • April 27, 2026

From tariffs to Iran war, geopolitics are upending packaging supply chains

Switching all sourcing to the U.S. is nearly impossible, manufacturers and consumer brands say. In 2026, here’s how some CPGs are thinking about savvy supply chain management.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 9, 2026

Uncertainty reigns for manufacturers seeking tariff refunds

Only a small percentage of companies that might be entitled to refunds have sued, while others have filed administrative claims or taken no action yet. “No one really knows for certain what they should be doing,” said one attorney.

By Jeffrey Kinney • April 7, 2026

Metal tariff adjustments aren’t a win for packaging, trade groups say

Updated Section 232 tariffs took effect this week. Canmakers aren’t getting the targeted relief they wanted, although items like aluminum lids will be subject to lower rates.

By Maria Rachal • Updated April 7, 2026

Trump adjusts tariffs for aluminum, steel

Goods made entirely of the metals will still face a 50% tariff, but the levy will be reduced to 25% for certain derivative goods, effective April 6.

By Phil Neuffer • April 3, 2026

rPET market challenges further impacted by more closures, trade pressures

Incentives and trade transparency could help thermoformers and other packaging producers, according to speakers from WM, Republic Services and the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

By Megan Quinn • March 30, 2026

Packaging stocks among hardest hit by Iran war: Morningstar

Morningstar tracked a packaging stock sell-off over a three-week period. Jefferies also noted this week that packaging manufacturers’ stocks are “significantly underperforming” the S&P 500.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 26, 2026

The Iran war is hitting packaging supply chains. Are the impacts temporary?

Higher fuel and material costs, shipping disruptions and consumer spending are playing into industry impacts. Certain packaging substrates, such as plastics, bear a greater burden than others.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 19, 2026

Inside FedEx’s reusable shipper rollout

Years in the making, Returnity collaborated with the logistics giant on a specialized design that’s meant to be durable, tamper-resistant, collapsible, automation-friendly, and easy to scan and unpack.

By Maria Rachal • March 16, 2026

Trump admin probes foreign manufacturing production, capacity

Numerous sectors are plagued by excess capacity and production, including aluminum, glass, paper and plastics, according to a USTR filing.

By Phil Neuffer • March 13, 2026

With help of EPR, aerosol can groups push for recycling acceptance

A new playbook from trade groups addresses concerns about safety and consumer education. Eureka Recycling weighs in on an issue dividing MRF operators.

By Marissa Heffernan • March 6, 2026

High Midwest Premium, ongoing tariffs, Iran conflict hit aluminum

Metal packaging input costs remain under pressure in 2026, as duties on aluminum and tinplate steel hold firm. International conflict adds a new variable, the Aluminum Association says.

By Maria Rachal • March 4, 2026

Wine, spirits glass value chain worn down by tariff uncertainty

Wine and spirits customers charted steep dropoffs in exports to Canada in 2025. The Glass Packaging Institute is partnering with end markets to advocate for a return to more traditional trade authorities.

By Maria Rachal • March 3, 2026

Takeaways from The Packaging Conference 2026

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

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 20, 2026

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 Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 20, 2026

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

Commerce hits China, Vietnam with duties for molded fiber products

Duties of up to 540% on imported bowls, clamshells and other products follow the U.S. federal government’s decision that certain producers engaged in dumping and received subsidies from their governments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 5, 2026

How packaging manufacturers performed in 2025

Packaging manufacturers are sharing their full-year results and outlooks for 2026. Catch up on results from Sealed Air, Ardagh, Cascades, Sonoco, Smurfit Westrock, O-I Glass and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated March 2, 2026

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

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

Stephen Gould’s new CEO talks the ‘art’ of integration

It’s a new chapter for the nearly 90-year-old packaging and supply chain services provider. Justin Golden took over the long-standing family business this month.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 27, 2026

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 Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Jan. 8, 2026