Pratt Industries opens $253M box factory in Texas

The advanced manufacturing facility, the company’s fifth in Texas, will produce 100% recycled corrugated boxes and provide 375 “green-collar manufacturing jobs.”

By Katie Pyzyk • June 29, 2023

ChatGPT can help transform packaging design and manufacturing, industry leaders say

Generative AI and modeling tools are already impacting jobs and processes in the packaging chain, speakers discussed this month at EastPack.

By Maria Rachal • June 28, 2023

CG Roxane launches second in-house rPET plant to supply bottled water operations

The company also upped its bottles’ minimum recycled content to 50%, which is expected to save nearly 33,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 20, 2023

Packaging innovations: Heinz’s stately summer, Entenmann’s rebrand tech boosts accessibility

Restaurantware, ProAmpac and AdvanSix also recently announced new launches or packaging redesigns.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 16, 2023

QR code resurgence presents opportunity for food and beverage packaging

Growing consumer familiarity with the technology, which can host endless information, is a boon to brands as they look to keep up with increasing demands for communicating via packaging.

By Leslie Nemo • June 8, 2023

Chipotle prepares national rollout of RFID for food traceability

The restaurant chain is expanding its use of the technology to track ingredients from suppliers in real time.

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 5, 2023

Specright CTO says to take advantage of AI for packaging, data is key

Ayman Shoukry, from data platform Specright, sees great potential in using artificial intelligence to better manage supply chains and reporting. But none of it will work without standardized data.

By Cole Rosengren • June 1, 2023

Penn State no longer accepting compostable packaging, certain plastics in recycling programs

The “food waste only” composting model is intended to cut down on contamination — but non-food items might be re-added in the future.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 22, 2023

Packaging innovations: Budweiser’s music box, Quilted Northern puts paper on paper and more

Catch up on six new packaging technologies and redesigns involving Pepsi, Georgia-Pacific, Bertolli, Ardagh, Ball, Tetra Pak and others.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 19, 2023

LanzaTech, Plastipak partner on ‘world’s first’ PET made from carbon emissions

The two Midwestern companies say the product can be used in food-safe applications and could help customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 18, 2023

Packaging innovations: Ampacet’s glassy plastic, Chipotle goes biodegradable and more

Catch up on some of the latest packaging solutions and news from Novolex, ProAmpac, Avery Dennison and California Olive Ranch on PFAS alternatives, designing for recyclability and changing materials.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 14, 2023

Curbside film recycling can be a reality with the right equipment and policy updates, pilot suggests

End markets exist and EPR could spur the investments to upgrade MRFs to handle flexible plastics, but “you’ve got to figure out that last step” to capture existing packaging, said the Flexible Packaging Association’s CEO.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 12, 2023

Reflecting on a dramatic decade of EPR shifts and what it means for packaging

Michael Washburn, now a senior policy advisor for The Recycling Partnership, hit a wall in his efforts to promote EPR while working at Nestlé Waters North America. Today, he says “almost everything” has changed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 11, 2023

Amcor seeks more partnerships to innovate in coatings, biobased materials, connected packaging

A year since Amcor announced an initiative to support seed-stage startups, its latest venture explores nanotechnology coatings to enhance barriers for recyclable and compostable packaging.

By Maria Rachal • April 4, 2023

5 factors influencing packaging design and operations

From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023

DOE report touts chemical recycling R&D opportunities while noting plastic’s environmental justice issues

The report, part of a long-term Energy Department effort to boost the viability of plastics recycling and cut energy use, touts opportunities in researching bio-based plastics as well as chemical recycling technologies. 

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 6, 2023

Oregon’s bottle bill system CEO talks tech improvements, refillables and the prospects for a national system

Oregon aims to attain its highest return rates yet with a range of modern updates. Jules Bailey, new CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, talks through what’s working and what’s next.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 1, 2023

Stadiums pursue new technologies and tactics to boost waste diversion

As fans flock back to large venues, many are seeing new or updated waste initiatives. Operators are experimenting with different collection systems, reusable cups, reverse vending machines, on-site sorting and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 19, 2023