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 Sonoco, Smurfit Westrock, O-I Glass, Crown Holdings, Silgan and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Feb. 18, 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

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 Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 23, 2025

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 Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 15, 2025

4 insights on the state of PET recycling and rPET in packaging

Thermoforms have a bigger role, and multiple changes are afoot in the rPET landscape — tempering recycled content growth in bottles, the National Association of PET Container Resources’ director of data services explained.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 11, 2025

Commodity values further decline for Northeastern MRFs

MRFs reported lower average prices for nearly all recycled commodities in the third quarter, but glass and bulky rigids provided rare bright spots, according to the Northeast Recycling Council.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2025

Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR

Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2025

US Plastics Pact weighs pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

The group’s new position paper tackles a polarizing issue. “Too often, these technologies are talked about in extremes — either as a silver bullet or as something to be dismissed outright,” said CEO Jonathan Quinn.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 21, 2025

Private label growth unwraps opportunities for packaging manufacturers

Store brands are outpacing name brands’ growth, according to speakers at a Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show. Those products and shelf-ready packaging are “essential to our model,” said Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2025

WM now accepting polypropylene and paper cups curbside

The recycler says recent automation upgrades and changes to bale specifications helped spur the change, along with market demand for the materials. WM is asking customers to also add the materials to their lists. 

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 14, 2025

Aluminum beverage can recycling rate hit 75% globally: report

The update at COP30 comes two years after the industry pledged to recycle at least 80% of these containers worldwide by 2030 and nearly all by 2050. The picture is weaker in the U.S. and North America.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 13, 2025

Packaging manufacturers share Q3 takeaways

Catch up on results from Greif, Amcor, O-I Glass, Ball, Graphic Packaging International, Sealed Air, International Paper and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 7, 2025

A tale of 3 small businesses: How they changed packaging to mitigate tariffs

A Shark Tank startup, skincare brand and local retailer share their stories of navigating changes with packaging suppliers, including through altering materials or dimensions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 22, 2025

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 Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 20, 2025

Amazon, Menasha tout anti-counterfeiting codes, with an eye to Sunrise 2027

Menasha Packaging is offering back-end management for brands, leaning into providing broader supply chain services beyond just supplying packaging itself.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 16, 2025

Manufacturers focus on supply chain costs, look to AI amid uncertainty

Global disruptions, including tariffs, are hindering manufacturers’ ability to innovate, according to a recent KPMG survey. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 10, 2025

‘Not a good sign.’ Weak demand continues amid tariff uncertainty: PMI

In addition to new orders contracting and backlog orders increasing, the government shutdown adds further concerns for manufacturers.

By Sara Samora • Oct. 2, 2025

Top packaging trade shows in 2026

Coming up in Q1: the EPR Think Tank, the East Coast edition of Pack Expo, the Plastics Recycling Conference and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Jan. 5, 2026