Packaging industry trends that shaped Q2 earnings

Amcor, Berry, Ball, WestRock, O-I, Sonoco, Graphic Packaging, Ardagh, International Paper, Silgan, Crown and Packaging Corp. of America shared insights into the status of destocking, consumer demand and other trends.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Aug. 17, 2023

Flexi-Hex, Orora partnership brings 100% recycled fiber protective packaging to North America

It offers an alternative to plastic options like foam peanuts or air-filled cushions.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 25, 2023

Corona, Modelo shareholders vote against proposed circular packaging report

Amazon, Kroger and Yum Brands were among the companies that faced similar shareholder proposals this year.

By Maria Rachal • July 24, 2023

Bio-based plastics, reuse systems highlighted in House Appropriations Committee budget proposal

The committee seeks to cut the U.S. EPA's budget but says it supports work around recycling definitions and product labeling, and exploring U.S.-grown plastic alternatives such as hemp.

By Megan Quinn • July 24, 2023

Amazon phasing out plastic mailers and working to reduce e-commerce packaging

While 92% of its packaging material weight in the U.S. and Canada is recyclable curbside, Amazon intends to further eliminate hard-to-recycle materials and has seen a boost in deliveries that ship in their own containers.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 20, 2023

Nova Chemicals, Novolex collaborate on facility for making PE from mechanically recycled film

The plant will deliver 100 million pounds of recycled polyethylene annually when it reaches full capacity, which Nova expects to occur in 2025.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 19, 2023

Premier Packaging buys carbon offsets to counter fleet emissions on path to net zero

The Louisville, Kentucky-based manufacturer and distributor acknowledged this is “not a perfect solution” but is one action as it pursues electric vehicle pilots and eyes total net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

By Maria Rachal • July 19, 2023

DS Smith targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

The paper and packaging company also intends to add up to five reuse pilot programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2023

Coca-Cola to source rPET from Republic Services’ upcoming polymer centers

The company is the first announced customer for a new network of secondary plastic recycling facilities as it aims to use at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030.

By Maria Rachal • July 14, 2023

Packaging innovations: Matrix Pack, Fieldless, Dr. Bronner’s make a switch to fiber

Charter Next Generation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions and others announced product launches and redesigns to improve sustainability.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 14, 2023

Coca-Cola targets sustainable packaging innovations with $137.7M venture fund

The company expects the investments, managed by Greycroft, will provide greater access to emerging technologies to boost sustainability and reduce carbon emissions as 2025 and 2030 goals loom.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 13, 2023

Yum Brands shares updates on 2025 packaging targets

Shareholders at the quick service restaurant brand behind KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell rejected a proposal earlier this year for a new report on plastic packaging use and reduction plans.

By Maria Rachal • July 11, 2023

Berry commits to net-zero emissions across operations, value chain by 2050

Using lighter-weight, recycled or bio-based plastics instead of virgin plastics is one of its strategies to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions more than 90%. 

By Maria Rachal • July 10, 2023

Wash-off labels continue to gain ground as brands look to make their containers more readily recyclable

While the concept has been around for years, the emergence of producer responsibility laws and other recycling targets could make it more mainstream.

By Hollie Stephens • July 10, 2023

Packaging innovations: Meaty changes from Sainsbury’s and lower-carbon screwtop closures by Amcor

Bath & Body Works, Eviosys and Aludium were also involved in recently announced packaging redesigns and product updates.

By Maria Rachal • July 7, 2023

Can opt-in rules help restaurants, diners stick to sustainable packaging?

Consumer interest in biodegradable and reusable restaurant packaging is still growing, and a push to ditch single-use cutlery and condiments may spark bigger behavior changes.

By Kristine Sherred • July 7, 2023

At Colgate, supply chain and sustainability come from the same tube

The CPG aims to reduce its carbon footprint and plastic waste while converting to packaging deemed recyclable for the billions of tubes of toothpaste it sells.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 6, 2023

Big brands and retailers detail packaging sustainability progress in 2023

Kraft Heinz, Clorox and Target are some of the major brands that have shared updates this year on their efforts to increase recycled content and meet other packaging targets.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Oct. 17, 2023

Beauty packaging gets a makeover with growing number of refillable options

Cosmetics and beauty products can create a lot of waste, leading to renewed interest in reusable and refillable options. But designing those options, and ensuring that consumers will adapt to them, is a complex task.

By Danielle Beurteaux • July 5, 2023

PepsiCo struggles to advance its plastic sustainability goals

The food and beverage company’s ESG report attributed its increased use of virgin plastic from nonrenewable sources, in part, to “limited availability and high cost of recycled content.”

By Katie Pyzyk • July 5, 2023

Keurig Dr Pepper reports progress on replacing virgin plastic with recycled content

The beverage company’s sustainability report shows, however, that it did not increase overall packaging recyclability and compostability last year, nor did it increase postconsumer recycled content across packaging types.

By Maria Rachal • June 29, 2023

Digital printing boosts ‘unboxing’ e-commerce trend and customized consumer experiences

The technology also unlocks sustainability and consumer loyalty benefits, according to panelists on a “future of packaging” webinar.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 29, 2023

Dow achieves clean energy target, accelerates progress toward waste reduction goals

The chemical company, about half of whose net sales come from packaging and specialty plastics, is ahead of schedule on its electricity transition but faces challenges in reducing water use.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 28, 2023

Kroger shareholders vote against proposed packaging sustainability report

In recommending that shareholders reject As You Sow’s resolution, Kroger cited recycled content progress in its brands’ products and a road map toward making all such packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030.

By Maria Rachal • June 27, 2023

DS Smith anticipates improved box volumes following dip that dragged down financial results

The U.K.-based packaging company is investing heavily in innovation, especially to help customers replace plastic products with fiber.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 26, 2023