Stora Enso strengthens wood supply chain to its packaging board site in Oulu by acquiring a Finnish sawmill company

Berry Global recently opened the doors to its “Circular Innovation and Training Center” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The new 12,000 square foot center will accelerate the development of highly innovative products driven by superior materials science and engineering, foster a collaborative space for training, and incubate cutting-edge stretch film projects that help keep materials in use and out of the environment. Utilizing state-of-the-art film characterization and performance testing technology, the new site will measure the variable properties and behaviors of stretch films, including: *Film characterization and quality measurement to quickly analyze fundamental film properties, like thickness, width, length, weight, density, modulus, elongation, tensile strength, puncture resistance, tear resistance, and cling force. *Performance testing to accurately assess how film properties will perform in the field, including pre-stretch ratio, force-to-load ratio, neck-down ratio, roping ratio, film memory, film relaxation, load deformation, load shifting, and load failure.

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights (as compared to third quarter 2020): • Revenue increased 22.5% to $395.6 million primarily due to the impact of higher selling prices in tape, film, woven, and protective packaging products driven by increases in the cost of many raw materials and freight. • Gross margin decreased to 22.0% from 26.0% primarily due to the impact of maintaining dollar spread on higher average selling prices and increased plant operating costs, partially offset by a favourable product volume/mix. • Net earnings attributable to the Company shareholders ("IPG Net Earnings") decreased $1.4 million to $25.3 million ($0.43 basic and $0.42 diluted earnings per share) primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") resulting from an increase in employee- and technology-related costs mainly due to the growth of the business in 2021 and the non-recurrence of cost saving measures implemented in response to COVID-19 related uncertainty in 2020. This unfavourable impact was partially offset by an increase in gross profit.

Like many other major plastics applications, plastics use in flexible packaging has come under deep scrutiny in recent years as sustainability concerns rise and spread globally. Paper is often lauded as a far more environmentally friendly alternative but how do the two materials really compare? And what is the most sustainable solution? Historically, papers have been used in flexible packaging for many applications, including confectionery, pet food and dried food. By the early-2000s, however, paper demand as a flexible packaging substrate began to decline due to competition from down-gauging and the rise of plastic alternatives. Consumers today widely view paper as a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. A European consumer preferences survey, commissioned by Two Sides in 2020, concluded that 62% of consumers see paper and cardboard packaging as better for the environment. Additionally, 70% of consumers surveyed said they were actively taking steps to reduce their use of plastic packaging. Comparing green credentials isn’t as straightforward as some would think, however.