If you have an interest in packaging policy or sustainable packaging, you have likely heard the term “EPR” or “extended producer responsibility.” But what exactly is EPR, and how will it ultimately affect the types of packaging we use? In this Deep Dive, we will explore the current EPR landscape in the U.S. and what is likely to come over the next several years. A note of caution: this article is intended as a general overview of packaging EPR with some basic advice for companies trying to navigate the new legislative landscape. It should not be taken as legal advice, and we highly recommend that companies who think they are regulated “producers” seek legal counsel to better understand their responsibilities. Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, refers to a policy approach that shifts the responsibility for waste management of a given product from consumers/taxpayers and municipalities onto the producers of that product. Typically, the main goal of EPR is to minimize the environmental externalities of a product’s end of life – that is, minimize the unintended consequence of what happens to a product when we’re done with it. EPR prompts a society to start thinking on a large scale about where products end up when we’re done with them and how we can better manage them. EPR regulations are not new to the U.S. and have been around for over a decade to manage products like e-waste, mattresses, paint, tires, batteries, etc. Let’s take the example of paint. “Producers,” meaning paint manufacturers, are typically responsible for the paint up until the point where you, the consumer, purchase it. But there are some unintended consequences that come when you’re done with that paint can that likely has extra paint in it. While most paint is actually recyclable, many people throw it away or pour it down the drain, which can contaminate the environment with hazardous chemicals. Ultimately, consumers/taxpayers and the environment pay the costs to deal with this result, and paint companies don’t have an incentive to fix it.

DS Smith Round Wrap is a pioneering multi-pack packaging solution that rounds corners and is designed to reduce CO2 emissions when compared to standard corrugated multi-packs. The packaging product solution is fully recyclable and anticipated to save up to 224 tons of CO2 annually for Carlsberg in Poland, and the fibre-based design with rounded corners is also designed to protect and keep products intact during transportation. The rounded shape of DS Smith Round Wrap demonstrates key benefits for Carlsberg Poland with regards to branding and design and there are increased opportunities to place brand identity and illustration on the rounded corners of the packaging solution as well as across the entire 360-degree side surface of the packs.

Pregis® advances the sustainability of its line of Pregis EverTec™ mailers with the introduction of paper certified to theSustainable Forestry Initiative®(SFI) standard. Choosing SFI provides an assurance that the Pregis supply chain supports environmental, social and governance commitments. The certification ensures Pregis EverTec Cushioned and Non-Cushioned Mailers are made with paper from trees grown in forests that meet stringent requirements to conserve water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat. Additionally, Pregis added EverTec Cushioned and Non-Cushioned stock mailers to its Inspyre™ brand portfolio, which is a brand member of 1% for the Planet. This non-profit accelerates and verifies environmental giving by facilitating donations to responsible charities. Through 1% for the Planet, Pregis donates 1% of Inspyre product revenues to support the Uzima Clean Water Mission, exemplifying its dedication to the global community by making a charitable impact in concert with sustainable product design.

Suzano says to have reached a maximum price for International Paper and will not pursue with the proposed acquisition of the US paper and packaging group. Brazil's pulp giant Suzano has backed away from a possible takeover of International Paper (IP). According to Suzano, after some negotiations with International Paper regarding a possible transaction between the two companies, the company belives to have already reached a maximum price for the transaction that would generate value for Suzano. "Therefore, in observance of its commitment to capital discipline, Suzano formalizes that it will not pursue a transaction involving the acquisition of International Paper," the company announced.

Mondi is announcing the Spanish launch of its ground-breaking SolmixBag in collaboration with Cemex, by bringing it to the building industry on the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca. Cemex, a global buildings materials company, and Mondi established a valuable partnership during the past 12 years, kicking off the recent collaboration about SolmixBag in 2021. Cemex was looking for a sustainable cement bag to meet legal requirements on the Spanish islands regarding landfilling and incineration of waste, as well as drive its own sustainability goals. Jointly, the two global companies found a fit-for-purpose solution, achieving zero waste with the introduction of SolmixBag, complying with the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for the packaging . SolmixBag is a one-ply paper bag made from 100% kraft paper which stores and transports dry cement, screed and coarse pre-mixes: its ingenious design means that it disintegrates during the mixing process, eliminating dust and waste on the building site. Strong and durable, the bag is resistant to punctures and dissolves when it gets in contact with water in the cement mixer, where the fibre packaging integrates with the cement.

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Eviosys, Europe’s leading food cans, ends and closures manufacturer, from KPS Capital Partners, LP for approximately $3.9 billion. The Transaction accelerates Sonoco’s strategy to focus on and scale its core businesses and invest in high return opportunities, both organically and inorganically. Following the Transaction, Sonoco will be the leading metal food can and aerosol packaging manufacturer globally. Both Sonoco’s metal business and Eviosys have meaningful commercial momentum and the Transaction facilitates Sonoco’s ability to partner with customers and lead with innovation and sustainability. Eviosys is a leading global supplier of metal packaging, producing food cans and ends, aerosol cans, metal closures and promotional packaging to preserve the products of hundreds of consumer brands. Eviosys has the largest metal food can manufacturing footprint in the EMEA region, with approximately 6,300 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries. Sonoco estimates Eviosys’s 2024 revenues will be approximately $2.5 billion and its 2024 adjusted EBITDA will be approximately $430 million. Eviosys has meaningful commercial and operational momentum and has increased EBITDA by approximately 50% since 2021. Sonoco expects to achieve over $100 million of synergies from the integration of Eviosys with Sonoco’s complementary metal can business. Rodger Fuller, Sonoco’s Chief Operating Officer, will lead the integration with a focus on customer and supplier relationships, employee continuity, operational excellence, and synergy realization, while combining the best of Sonoco’s culture with the rich history and heritage of Eviosys.

Novolex® announced that Theodore (Ted) Jackson has been appointed President of the company’s Performance Solutions segment which includes the Heritage® can liner, Shields® custom flexible film, and specialty laminations businesses. Jackson assumes this role after rising through a series of positions with increasing responsibility within Novolex and, before joining the company, broad experience in general operations and consulting. “Ted has demonstrated exceptional leadership in a variety of roles at Novolex,” said Novolex Chairman and CEO Stan Bikulege, “and I’m truly excited to have him join my Senior Leadership Team. His deep knowledge of our values, operations and products makes him ideally suited to take on this key role at the company. We will also benefit from his extensive experience in a variety of consulting roles which will bring new valuable insights to our Performance Solutions businesses and customers.” Most recently Jackson was Executive Vice President, Operations for the Novolex Food & Delivery segment where he oversaw manufacturing operations across 30 plants in North America that produced both fiber and resin packaging.

HP Indigo and ePac Flexible Packaging have today announced a multiyear strategic agreement to convert ePac Flexible Packaging fleet to HP’s Indigo 200K digital press. This is a significant milestone for the partnership as ePac Flexible Packaging continues its fleet expansion in the digital print market. This deal is set to revolutionize ePac Flexible Packaging’s portfolio and solidify its position as an industry leader with the flexible packaging sector. The advanced capabilities of the HP Indigo 200K series, including enhanced speed, quality, and versatility, will enable ePac Flexible Packaging to offer innovative packaging solutions with unparalleled customization and efficiency.

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced it will invest $23 million in a new, state-of-the-art facial tissue converting line at its Shelby, North Carolina consumer products facility. Clearwater Paper's Shelby Mill manufactures high-quality private branded bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue. The 400-acre facility employs more than 600 people. "Clearwater Paper selected Shelby for its newest facial tissue line due to its proximity to our customers, a growing local skilled workforce, and a history of excellent working relationships with the City of Shelby, Cleveland County and the State of North Carolina," said Clearwater Paper's senior vice president of consumer products, Michael Urlick. "Our investment in a new facial line will enable us to meet growing customer demand, further optimize our network and continue to deliver outstanding quality and service to our customers."

Konraad Dullaert has been appointed Executive Vice President for Food and Consumer Packaging division and Chief Innovation Officer effective June 19, 2024. He continues as a member of the Executive Management Team. He succeeds Mark Ushpol, who will pursue his career outside Ahlstrom, as previously announced. Konraad joined Ahlstrom in 2023 as EVP for Science, Innovation and Sustainability. In his new role he will continue to lead Ahlstrom’s global innovation agenda in addition to leading the global Food and Consumer Packaging business. Konraad has a proven track record in leading global businesses in the engineering plastics division in Royal DSM, and he has held senior executive leadership positions in Covestro and Royal DSM. He has extensive experience in leading large-scale business transformations and driving sustainable growth by working closely with customers and other stakeholders.

Omet Americas has opened its latest Innovation Center in Mount Prospect, IL, strategically positioned near Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This move underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in the North American market. At the heart of this facility is the Omet KFlex 17in flexo press, a platform designed to ‘redefine industry standards’ with its innovative design and advanced technology. It offers flexibility and operator convenience and is available in 17 and 20in models. The KFlex’s standout feature is its Switch system, enabling easy configuration adjustments to meet various production demands.

Metsä Board will present its range of lightweight premium paperboards and its 360 Services at FachPack, hall 4A, stand 116. As a leading European supplier of fresh fibre paperboards Metsä Board focuses on circularity in packaging, efficient use of materials, and solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of packaging. Visitors to FachPack can look forward to learning about a wide range of packaging applications for Metsä Board’s recyclable and compostable dispersion barrier board. This board can reduce plastic use – for example, in sensitive applications such as dry food, takeaway food, bakery products and frozen food. Metsä Board’s premium quality folding boxboards and white kraftliners will also be on view. Thanks to their light weight and strength they enhance resource efficiency and material reduction. Metsä Board invites FachPack visitors to its stand to discuss solutions to their own packaging challenges and the environmental impact of material and packaging choices.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is partnering with advanced biomaterial engineers traceless to develop a new coating solution based on by-products from the agricultural industry. This innovative bio-circular coating solution is the first of its kind and will be able to replace traditionally used plastic coating. There is an increasing demand for plastic alternatives in packaging solutions, and this new coating will respond to the demand directly: made from renewable plant-based materials, namely residues from the agricultural industry, it eliminates the need for fossil raw materials. traceless' consequential life-cycle assessment showed that the provision of traceless® material to the market leads to overall greenhouse gas savings of 76% from sourcing to disposal, if the material is used as a replacement for virgin PET. If only the production and disposal phase is considered, these savings add up to 95%. Also, the material is certified home compostable by DIN CERTCO according to NF T51-800. 

IPG® (Intertape Polymer Group®), a leading manufacturer of packaging products, was named the “Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year” by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC). Each year, this council recognizes world-class manufacturing companies for their outstanding efforts as they pursue their journeys to Manufacturing 4.0. The 20th annual award ceremony took place at the conclusion of the MLC’s signature event that focuses on insights and strategies for how manufacturers can further their operational digital transformation held in Florida June 2-5, 2024. Manufacturing Leadership Award finalists and winners were determined by a distinguished panel of judges with significant industry expertise and experience. Manufacturers continually find new and inventive ways to not just bring new technology into their factories, but also how to leverage it for highly effective problem solving and even developing new processes and products that can allow for entry into new markets and new revenue streams,” said Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director and head of the MLC Awards program.

Sigma Plastics Group has acquired selected assets from the recently completed Midland, GA-based, state-of-the-art, cast polyethylene stretch-film operation of Stalwart Plastics, Inc., and Quantico Plastics Group, Inc. The deal brings the number of Sigma acquisitions to 41, and the number of global operations to 48. The Midland operation produces industrial flexible packaging for use as pallet wrap largely by consumer brand owners. The Southeastern US location represents one of the most attractive in the country given its above-average growth rates. The operation will be Sigma’s 8th stretch-film manufacturing location, adding to plants in Riverside, CA; Tulsa, OK; Shelbyville, KY; Lyndhurst, NJ; Belleville, Canada; Karczew, Poland; and Bangkok, Thailand. The location will be renamed and marketed as Sigma Stretch Films of Georgia. Stalwart Plastics, more widely known as Zummit Plastics, was being liquidated under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Cartón Circular is the collective EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system promoted by different associations in the paper and cardboard industry value chain in Spain, including ASPAPEL, the Spanish Association of Pulp and Paper Manufacturers. By joining, Lecta reinforces its commitment to complying with new national regulations (Real Decreto de Envases y Residuos de Envases 1055/2022, royal decree on packaging and packaging waste 1055/2022) to ensure correct, responsible management of packaging and packaging waste introduced in the market when products are sold.

SEE announced that its Board of Directors has elected Patrick Kivits as its new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search process, effective July 1st, 2024. Mr. Kivits will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors of SEE. Mr. Emile Chammas and Mr. Dustin Semach will remain with the company. Mr. Chammas will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Semach's role is being elevated to President and Chief Financial Officer. Henry Keizer, SEE Board Chairman, said, "We are pleased to welcome Patrick as our new CEO. He has a strong track record of delivering growth and driving commercial and operational transformations within the packaging industry, and we are confident he will accelerate SEE's transformation and drive long-term value creation for our shareholders."

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), the leading advocate and voice for the growing U.S. flexible packaging industry, announces that its long-serving President & CEO, Alison Keane, will step down from her position on August 1, 2024. The organization announced at the same time that it is initiating a search to identify a new leader. Founded in 1950, FPA’s mission is to amplify the voices of converters, suppliers, trade press professionals, and academics, leading to effective advocacy, unique educational offerings, outstanding networking opportunities, and real growth for our members.

Metsä Group's pre-engineering project for a potential commercial-scale Muoto™ fibre product plant is progressing as planned. After the pre-engineering phase, Metsä Group may consider making an investment decision. The partners selected for the pre-engineering project are Elomatic, SRV, Valmet Technologies and A-insinöörit Suunnittelu. SRV will act as project management contractor for the construction project and will also be the engineering design partner for the building services. Elomatic has been selected as the main design partner for the design of the factory structure and facilities and will assist in the cost planning and construction schedule. Valmet will act as process engineer for the fibre product in the project. A-insinöörit Suunnittelu Ltd has been selected as the plant construction design partner for the project.

WestRock Company announced that, based on the preliminary vote count, WestRock stockholders voted to approve the Transaction Agreement and other proposals related to the combination of Smurfit Kappa Group plc (“Smurfit Kappa”) and WestRock (the “Combination”) at WestRock’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement entered into on September 12, 2023, Smurfit WestRock will acquire Smurfit Kappa by means of a scheme of arrangement under the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland (as amended) (the “Smurfit Kappa Share Exchange”), and Sun Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit WestRock, will merge with and into WestRock (the “Merger,” and together with the Smurfit Kappa Exchange, the Combination), with WestRock surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Smurfit WestRock.

Timber is exposed to demanding circumstances during storage, loading and transportation. "We have developed a new packaging that consists of 70 percent recycled material, without compromising on quality. SCA Wood will be the first on the market with packaging that has such a high proportion of recycled plastic," says Tom Rautakorpi, product specialist at Trioworld. The packaging is manufactured by Trioworld and is estimated to result in 54 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to the same product made from virgin plastic. "To increase our already significant climate benefit, it is important to gradually reduce the remaining emissions. We have long been looking at what we can do better regarding the packaging, and it is positive that we can now make progress in this area," says Jerry Larsson, President of SCA Wood.

Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, together with Valley partners Nestlé and Tetra Pak, brought together 60+ Swiss and European partners at a nationwide event in Bern this week. The joint project is designed to shine a light on some of the most promising approaches in sustainable packaging materials and drive further innovation through new collaborations. Commenting on the event, Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO of Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, says, "This event showcased the incredible potential of collaborative innovation. The challenges around sustainable packaging cannot be solved in silos. Collaboration between startups, established multinationals, research institutions and governmental bodies is crucial."

The new, 41” RMGT 1060 TP LX 10-color CC LD + UV press will replace two existing presses at Colbert’s 170,000-sq.-ft. Kenosha, Wisconsin, facility. An existing Eagle Systems cold foil unit at Colbert will also be transferred to the new press after it is installed in February 2025. Colbert Packaging President John Lackner and CFO Kraig Lang were on hand, along with RM Machinery CEO Rahul Kaushik and other RM Machinery and RMGT executives, to celebrate the order signing at drupa on May 29. Celebrating its 65th anniversary, the independent, woman-owned Colbert Packaging provides paperboard packaging solutions, primarily for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Tetra Pak today announces the launch of the Tetra Pak® Industrial Protein Mixer, a groundbreaking new product designed to reduce product loss in liquid protein mixing. A direct response to the longstanding issue of foaming during the mixing phase of liquid food products, this innovative solution is set to improve food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers’ operational efficiency. Traditional methods of mixing in liquid food production often encounter problems with air entrapment and foaming, resulting in lost product. Foaming alone is estimated to cost approximately €276,400 annually in typical food and beverage production scenarios,1 making this mixer an important technological evolution for F&B manufacturers aiming to reduce their total cost of ownership, boost margins and improve product quality.

Amidst the daily whirlwind of business, achieving balance can be truly gratifying. Mondi’s Containerboard team is today launching a campaign to help customers achieve just that. Introducing ProVantage SmartKraft Brown and White — offering a harmonious packaging solution that brings peace of mind. No more compromises; these two containerboard paper grades strike the ideal balance between sustainability, strength, and printability, providing the tranquillity needed in packaging decisions. The papers are made of 100% fresh fibre on the top and 100% recycled fibre underneath (two ply solution), making them the perfect blend of sustainability, strength, cost efficiency and printability. Like all Mondi Containerboard papers, they are 100% recyclable and made from 100% responsibly sourced raw materials. ProVantage SmartKraft grades combine fresh and recycled fibres and are available in both brown and white variations, aiming to minimise environmental impact while maintaining high standards of quality and strength. These containerboard paper grades are ideally suited to the needs of e-commerce, retail and fast-moving consumer goods packaging, by using responsibly sourced raw materials.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, has acquired 100 percent of Lilleborg shares from Orkla, on June 12, 2024. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Lilleborg supplies professional cleaning solutions and is one of the leading companies in the Norwegian commercial market. Lilleborg has been a long-term partner with Diversey, a Solenis Company, driving value through deep, targeted expertise and customer insights with proven innovation and sustainable methods and products. The acquisition allows Diversey to expand into the Norwegian water treatment market with a direct channel, offering food and beverage customers an expanded portfolio of solutions.

Label Life by UPM Raflatac proudly marks 10 years of its life cycle assessment service. Over the past decade, Label Life has been a comprehensive life cycle assessment tool for label evaluation, enabling businesses to make informed, environmentally responsible decisions. Continuously evolving to cover an ever-widening portfolio of more sustainable products, Label Life now accounts for over 90% of UPM Raflatac’s commercial portfolio by sales volume, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability. Label Life provides essential environmental information on label materials, utilizing the standardized method of life cycle assessment (LCA) to calculate their environmental impact from cradle-to-grave. Customers benefit from individual footprints or “product passport prototypes” (PPPs) displaying 25 indicators, as well as focused comparisons of three key metrics—greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, and water consumption—facilitating a transparent and guided decision-making process.

On our journey to create a more circular supply chain, we’ve discovered many amazing brands that share our commitment to sustainable business practices. Wild Idea Buffalo is a company that is working to regenerate the North American prairie through restoring the buffalo population with the goal of improving the natural environment and food systems. When Wild Idea Buffalo had the opportunity to evaluate their shipping materials to ensure they upheld their company ethos all the way through their supply chain, they looked at a variety of factors in terms of performance, sustainability, and appearance. We are thrilled to have introduced the organization to Cruz Cool, a sustainable cold-chain cooler made of 70% upcycled material. Cruz Cool is a premium cold-chain shipping cooler that provides cushioning and over 48 hours of thermal protection to perishable goods as they make their way from business facilities to customer doors. It’s the perfect packaging solution for sustainably minded meal-kit companies or organizations that ship high-quality meats, seafood, produce, or ingredients.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, has once again, achieved the highest Platinum level in EcoVadis’ sustainability assessment with a record score. The company has achieved the highest level rating every year since 2017. Metsä Board received high scores in each of the four themes assessed, and with a total score of 91/100 is among the highest 1% of companies assessed in the category of paper, paperboard and packaging manufacturers. The overall score improved from the previous assessment (87/100) thanks to a better score (90/100) in the labour and human rights evaluation. In the environmental evaluation, the company scored 100/100 for the third year in a row.

Smurfit Kappa has demonstrated its commitment to delivering on its sustainability goals through the recent inauguration of two state-of-the-art investments in Spain. Over 12,000 solar panels were unveiled at the packaging leader’s Sangüesa paper mill which will work alongside its biomass and recovery boilers to generate more than 50% of its annual energy requirements, the equivalent to powering 3,600 homes. The photovoltaic system, which is the largest of its kind in the Navarra region, is set to reduce the mill’s annual CO2 emissions by over 3,000 tonnes and represents an investment of €6 million. Since 2005, the Sangüesa paper mill has reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 51%.

Headquartered in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, Aqua ChemPacs is a leading manufacturer of pre-portioned, concentrated liquid chemical packs utilizing low-carbon-footprint packaging. Used in restaurants, retail stores, healthcare and educational facilities, arenas and event venues around the world, the company’s innovative ChemPacs dissolve easily in water so customers can produce a variety of high-quality cleaning and disinfection products on-site. ChemPacs provide precise portion control, require no messy mixing and help eliminate the risks associated with pouring chemicals from bottles. In addition, ChemPac products are concentrated and weigh less than traditional ready-made cleaners and disinfectants, so they are less expensive to ship, deliver and store.

Aptar Digital Health, a global leader in digital health solutions (Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and digital Patient Support Programs), connected devices and disease management, today announced a collaboration with SHL Medical, a world-leading solutions provider of advanced drug delivery systems such as autoinjectors, pen injectors and innovative specialty delivery systems. The collaboration will extend SHL Medical’s connected device technologies by integrating Aptar Digital Health’s SaMD platform to provide comprehensive solutions to help patients on injectable therapies manage their disease. As part of this collaboration, devices designed by SHL Medical, such as the Molly® Connected Cap – a smart retrofittable add-on for SHL Medical’s Molly® modular platform autoinjector – will benefit from Aptar Digital Health’s SaMD platform to enhance the patient experience by offering additional support during self-administration via a digital solution.

AptarGroup, Inc., a global leader in drug delivery, consumer product dispensing and protection technologies was named one of America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today. “We are honored to be named to USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders for the second consecutive year,” said Beth Holland, Aptar’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We continue to raise the bar on sustainability by creating products that are fully recyclable, made from sustainable materials or in some cases reusable, and by running our company in a more sustainable matter both within our own operations and as expected from our value chain partners.”

Nottinghamshire-based Surepak Limited is ceasing to trade despite appointed administrators at PKF Smith Cooper being hopeful of a sale following the interest of 96 parties. Surepak Limited’s financial concerns became apparent during the global energy crisis when its electricity costs increased by more than 425%. This increase, coupled with the loss of two significant contracts, decreased the company’s turnover by c.£1m, due to customers’ packaging requirements changing and the relocation of a customer abroad. The Nottinghamshire-based organisation sought a buyer after sole director Stuart Yorston filed for administration on 9th February 2024. This was to safeguard the company’s business, assets, and employees from a winding-up petition served by a creditor, which was due to be heard on 14th February.

Wells Fargo Center and Tork®, an Essity brand, announced a formal partnership to enhance sustainability, efficiency and overall fan experience through innovative hygiene solutions. Following the recent $400 million renovation to Wells Fargo Center, the partnership between the arena and Tork, the world’s number one professional hygiene brand1, will leverage hygiene to further elevate on-site amenities.  As the home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers and one of the country’s top venues for concerts and events, Wells Fargo Center requires comprehensive and precise operational coordination to accommodate the variety of events hosted onsite. As part of the partnership, Wells Fargo Center will install a variety of Tork dispensing systems to bolster hygiene management throughout the facility. In addition, the venue will be equipped with Tork Vision Cleaning. This GBAC STAR-accredited facility management software will provide real-time data to cleaning staff on when and where there are service needs across the arena’s over 180+ restrooms, helping to secure hygienic experiences during the 220+ events per year hosted at this location.

Wisconsin-based Green Bay Packaging Inc. (GBP) has announced its acquisition of SMC Packaging Group, Springfield, Missouri. GBP describes the acquired firm as a producer of custom corrugated boxes, displays, packaging materials and equipment. SMC Packaging Group, founded in 1972 by Ross Ausburn and Charles Bachus, operates from multiple locations in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, says GBP. “We are excited to unite two well established, family-run businesses,” says Will Kress, board chair and CEO of Green Bay Packaging, which this decade has invested to build a new recycled-content paperboard mill in Green Bay, Wisconsin. That mill consumes several recovered paper grades, including mixed paper and old corrugated containers (OCC).

In 2023 we launched a new collection of wine, spirits and beverage label materials that embrace circularity by using recycled fibers in aesthetically attractive labels. The new collection, called Rêverie 3, demonstrates, via unique collaborations with five leading Spanish designers, that sustainability and impactful design can work together to deliver stunning results. The Rêverie 3 collection offers packaging designers a toolkit of visually appealing labels that are all made with materials from well-managed, FSC™ certified (FSC C012530) forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources. With more and more brands now seeing the inclusion of FSC and PCR packaging as a necessity, we wanted to showcase the potential of today’s sustainable label materials. With this in mind, five of the company’s responsibly sourced label materials were given to five Spanish design agencies, with the brief to create a new collection. The label designs in the Rêverie 3 collection were created for high end wine, spirits, sparkling cider, craft beer and tomato juice drinks, with excellent execution of the artworks with different printing techniques managed by Gráficas Varias.

CANPACK Group announced that CANPACK S.A. plans to merge with Giorgi International Holdings S.A. R.L. in Luxemburg, which is currently a direct shareholder of CANPACK S.A. The merger is planned to be executed until the end of 2024 through absorption of Giorgi International Holdings S.A. R.L. by CANPACK S.A. The purpose of the merger is simplification of the internal corporate and shareholding structure – as a consequence of the merger, CANPACK Group Inc. with a seat in the United States of America, will become a direct shareholder of CANPACK S.A.

Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights: *Net income decreased 60.1% to $44.4 million or $0.77 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $111.2 million or $1.90 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(1), decreased 53.9% to $47.9 million or $0.82 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $103.8 million or $1.77 per diluted Class A share. *Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $123.3 million to $87.5 million. Adjusted free cash flow(3) decreased by $126.5 million to a source of $59.0 million. *Total debt of $2,916.1 million increased by $626.9 million, primarily to fund the acquisition of Ipackchem. Net debt(4) increased by $589.4 million to $2,720.1 million. Our leverage ratio(5) increased to 3.44x from 2.53x sequentially, and increased from 2.25x in the prior year quarter.

ePac Flexible Packaging, founded in 2016 as the world’s first all-digital flexible packaging company, just turned 8 years old in May of this year. So it’s fair to ask: How is ePac doing with its disruptive business model? From 2016 through 2022 ePac consistently grew 50 -100% per year. In 2023 ePac’s growth slowed, but units produced still increased 30% over 2022 as new customer acquisition remained strong. Today, ePac is an international company with ~$200M in sales. In 2023, and still in 2024, the flexible packaging industry came under significant financial pressure caused by a myriad of factors including inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain issues, emergence from COVID 19, and the availability of capital. The industry, in general, saw top line sales decline and underlying costs increase. ePac responded with a reassessment of its strategy, and took several key steps to mitigate what was/is happening industry-wide. Since its beginning ePac has been focused on using technology to drive productivity and customer experience. ePac’s Software and Services group developed unique solutions for the company’s ERP and CRM systems, on-line quoting, automated job routing, data-mining, pre-press automation, and advanced digital printing. It’s these advancements in technology that have positioned ePac to further simplify its operations and prepare for its next wave of growth.

Smurfit Kappa, one of the world's leading providers of sustainable packaging solutions, has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Artemis Ltd., a Bag-in-Box packaging plant located in Shumen, Bulgaria. Artemis focuses on food and beverage packaging and makes the bags for Bag-in-Box products as well as films and caps for wine. Artemis will join Smurfit Kappa’s network of Bag-in-Box operations in Europe. The acquisition will allow Smurfit Kappa to expand its presence and customer base in Eastern Europe, as well as to enhance its product portfolio and innovation capabilities in the bag-in-box sector. Massimiliano Bianchi, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box, said: "We made this acquisition strategically to boost our growth in the European market and expand our reach in its eastern region. By continuing to develop and invest in this plant, we can offer our customers more benefits, such as outstanding product quality, high-quality service and the wide-ranging and global expertise of Smurfit Kappa."

WestRock is making progress toward its science-based greenhouse gas targets by supporting the first of two Texas-based solar projects. WestRock set the stage by entering into virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with ENGIE North America, a subsidiary of ENGIE S.A. and global leader in the net zero energy transition. Bernard Creek Solar, LLC, the first of two solar projects that are part of the VPPAs between WestRock and ENGIE, is now live and operating in Wharton County southwest of Houston. Under the VPPA, WestRock contracted 207 MW from the project. The 230 MW Bernard Creek solar project is on track to produce approximately 500,000 MWh annually, generating over $45 million in revenue for the county and creating more than 250 jobs during construction. The WestRock VPPA for the Bernard Creek project, combined with a similar project located in Bell County, will add a total of 282 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to the Texas energy grid. "We are pleased to play a role in the production of clean energy from large-scale solar projects and to join forces with ENGIE and Schneider Electric to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adding more renewable energy to the grid,” said David B. Sewell, president and chief executive officer at WestRock.

Starkraft, a business unit of Heinzel Pöls, part of the HEINZEL GROUP, proudly announces the successful launch of its PM6 at the Steyrermühl paper mill in Austria, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards enhanced productivity and global expansion. With this strategic investment, Starkraft elevates its production capacity to a total of 350,000 tons of kraft paper per year. From versatile white to natural packaging and specialty papers, Starkraft offers a comprehensive selection tailored to meet customer needs and industry demands. This substantial increase empowers the company to foster growth opportunities with both its longstanding clients and new partners on a global scale. As Starkraft continues to innovate and excel in the paper manufacturing sector, it reaffirms its dedication to delivering exceptional quality and service to customers across the globe.

Huhtamaki has decided to consolidate its three Flexible Packaging manufacturing sites in the United Arab Emirates, keeping one factory in Jebel Ali and expanding the one in Ras Al Khaimah. The transition will gradually take place during the second half of 2024. The aim of the consolidation is to optimize the manufacturing footprint, improve the competitiveness and strengthen the foundation for future growth in the region. The announced change is part of Huhtamaki’s program to accelerate strategy implementation published in November 2023 and expected to materially support the profitability of Huhtamaki with efficiency improvements leading to savings of approximately EUR 100 million over the next three years.  Planned consolidation does not represent a material share of the sales or profits of Huhtamaki. During the second quarter of 2024, Huhtamaki will book consolidation-related costs in total of approximately EUR 4 million. The costs will be booked as items affecting comparability. 

Legendary Finnish design house Marimekko turned to Stora Enso for co-creating a new, scalable and recyclable packaging portfolio for a range of their products. The innovative and stylish boxes made of renewable certified materials such as fibre-based corrugated board feature Unikko, Marimekko’s most iconic print. Thanks to a worked-through design process, in-house knowledge and production, Stora Enso can provide a fast route from idea to production for clients. Stora Enso and Marimekko teamed up with the goal of updating Marimekko’s gift packaging with a Nordic design solution and enhanced user experience eliminating unnecessary paper, ribbons or stickers while also protecting fragile products such as plates, vases, trays, and mugs. Expressing Marimekko’s brand identity with a premium feeling for customers was key.

Adding recycled content in your flexible plastic packaging can reduce your climate impact and support a more circular use of packaging materials. By using recycled plastic materials, we make use of plastic waste and use a raw material with a lower carbon footprint. How to do it and what to think about in terms of regulations, quality and implementation? Register to learn more in our upcoming webinar. In this webinar we share best-practice from a customer - Wienerberger, the world’s largest producer of bricks for the building industry, implementing the Trioworld Loop30 stretch hood in their operations. You will also get an overview of the regulatory landscape, as well as the journey of recycled plastic through the value chain – from waste to high-quality plastic material. register at: https://triowor.webinargeek.com/recycled-content-in-flexible-plastic-film

Kimberly-Clark announces it has made the difficult decision to exit its business in Nigeria after almost 15 years, due to recently refocused company strategic priorities globally as well as economic developments in the country. Kimberly-Clark will close its manufacturing facility and commercial office in Lagos and will no longer manufacture, market, or sell its Huggies and Kotex products in the country. Consistent with Kimberly-Clark’s value of care, the company’s top priority will be to fulfil its obligations and ensure that employees and partners are treated with fairness and respect.

Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, a local Coca-Cola bottler serving Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City, and WestRock, has successfully completed the installation of new equipment and technology to begin packaging multipack bottled beverages in recyclable paperboard carriers. The new packaging, which will replace an estimated 200,000 pounds of plastic rings each year, is now starting to appear on store shelves. WestRock designed the substrate, technology and packaging machine used to implement PETCollarTM Shield Plus into beverage packaging lines, which the local bottler installed at its Philadelphia production facility earlier this year. The durable, easy-to-hold paper-based carriers are being used to package Coca-Cola’s top brands in multipacks for 12-ounce (355 millileter) and 16.9-ounce (500 milliliter) beverages. Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages is the first beverage distributor in the world to implement this specific type of paperboard packaging. “The new packaging technology allows us to completely replace plastic rings with paperboard carriers for products produced at our Philadelphia facility,” said Fran McGorry, co-owner of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages. “We expect to replace 200,000 pounds of plastic a year from our multi-state territory.”

Global leader in dispensing systems Aptar Beauty has released a new plastic fragrance pump made with post-consumer recycled resin (PCR). Color Code PCR is the first fragrance pump on the market to include up to 67%* of mechanical PCR Plus material without compromising on customization options and aesthetics. By integrating up to 67%* of mechanical PCR Plus content during manufacturing, Aptar reduces the product’s CO2 emissions by up to -39% versus the version using conventional resin. This number has been verified by a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the raw materials using Aptar’s internal Eco Design tool**. By choosing Color Code PCR over a conventional plastic equivalent, brands can reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions, while benefiting from a ready-to-use PCR content claim. Depending on the region, using this pump may also help brands avoid some extra plastic packaging tax.

The E-CO Flex SealMatic is a fully automated case sealer to process FEFCO 201 (RSC) cases, automatically adjusting its mechanical movements according to the case size. It is equipped with sustainable water-activated tape (WAT) technology to seal cases on top and bottom at a high speed, up to 20 boxes per minute, without the need for operator intervention. The machine can process an extensive range of case sizes, allowing the equipment to seamlessly adjust to the size of each case while closing the case top flaps. If a SIOC (Ships in Own Container) case is detected, the machine will automatically bypass it, to pass through the system without applying tape. The E-CO Flex SealMatic can be outfitted with a variety of extra features. These include the ability to apply labels for hazardous materials (hazmat), print and apply shipping labels, and use quality inspection smart cameras to ensure proper flap folding, tape application, and tape leg length. The case sealer’s compact size allows it to be seamlessly incorporated into existing layouts with only minor modifications.

Stora Enso’s brand-new board line in Oulu, Finland is well under way to completion. It brings with it a promise to introduce up to 750,000 tonnes of renewable packaging materials to the market, all sourced from well-managed forests. With the increased capacity to produce more premium renewable solutions, we will grow our support for food and beverage brand owners in answering consumers’ wishes for more sustainable packaging. In anticipation of the line’s startup in 2025, we’re introducing the first of such products, a new folding boxboard (FBB) that will take center stage in Oulu – Performa Nova. The promise of Performa Nova is all in the name. For years, our Performa product range has stood for exceptional performance, embodied by the strength and dependability of the material at a low weight. “Nova” signals a new era in fiber-based packaging, reflecting enhanced efficiency and product experience. Performa Nova is poised to redefine industry standards and consumer expectations.

After a successful start-up, the machine is now producing kraft papers for packaging which are marketed under HEINZEL GROUP’s well-established Starkraft brand. This enables Heinzel Pöls/Starkraft to take a major step forward in sustainable paper production and global expansion. The rebuilt machine is running smoothly with a capacity of 150,000 tons of brown and white kraft paper per year and a paper witdth of 6,300 mm at the reel. Starkraft offers a full range of 40 to 100 gsm kraft papers. This strategic investment allows Heinzel’s Starkraft division to produce a total of up to 350,000 tons of kraft paper per year. ANDRITZ introduced a unique headbox and gapformer concept combined with a shoe press that achieves significant energy savings. ANDRITZ's softnip calender technology results in premium paper surface qualities. Moreover, ANDRITZ provided a new VIB SteamTech profiling system and an upgrade of the existing steam and condensate system.

As a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, we fully support the European Union’s aim of promoting packaging circularity and reducing the impact of packaging on the environment. To help our customers navigate new rules shaping the future of packaging in the EU, we have outlined the latest information on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), its importance, objectives, and the differences between existing rules and the key measures proposed. The PPWR is a proposed piece of legislation revising the current packaging and packaging waste rules applicable in the European Union (EU). Currently, the main regulatory framework for packaging and its end of life in the European Union is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), adopted in the 1990s and revised several times since.

Mondi has commissioned and completed a life cycle assessment (LCA) for its ground-breaking paper-based Hug&Hold solution, to determine its environmental impact compared to that of conventional low-density polyethylene shrink wrap for six 1.5 litre PET beverage bottles. Hug&Hold is an innovative, sustainable and fully recyclable solution to replace plastic shrink wrap on the PET bottle bundle packs. It comprises two elements - a kraft paper sleeve to provide secure and safe transportation and a corrugated carrying handle that firmly holds the bottles around the neck, featuring an integrated handle for convenience and strength. The assessment shows that Hug&Hold has lower impacts in the categories of climate change, fossil resource use, photochemical ozone formation, acidification, ionising radiation, water use and eutrophication of freshwater. The overall carbon footprint is 43% lower than average LDPE virgin plastic shrink wrap and 15% lower than LDPE shrink wrap with 100% recycled content, meaning it can be recommended to reduce the climate change impacts of packaging while providing a strong solution for the customer and end user.

UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers can be enhanced with heat-seal properties while reproducing high-quality images in almost any flexographic print shop under normal production conditions. This was demonstrated in joint co-creation project carried out by UPM Specialty Papers, BOBST, and Siegwerk. The test results verified that it is possible to efficiently print packaging papers and at the same time achieve heat-sealability using flexographic printing techniques. The project combined a number of UPM’s barrier and barrier base papers with Siegwerk’s water-based ink series UniNATURE, which are formulated with a high Bio Renewable Content (BRC), and two heat-sealing lacquers for paper and board applications from their CIRKIT coatings range. The papers were printed using BOBST MASTER CI, a 10-color wide-web printing press designed for water-based inks and 800 m/min speed.

The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) 2024 has proven to be another successful forum for collaboration, learning, and networking. The ISTA Forum, which includes the TransPack and TempPack events, is where the packaging community comes together to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges, explore best practices, and discover the latest trends. The common theme of the ISTA 2024 Forum was collaboration. To move the industry forward, speakers urged the audience to amplify efforts to collaborate both internally and externally. Sustainability is a tremendous priority and most companies invest in promoting their sustainability efforts. By collaborating as an industry, we can share data and amplify messaging to educate B2C consumers and B2B decision-makers on the value of sustainable packaging. Industry players should be willing to share their respective insights to make a more positive impact on the environment. The ability to measure impact – and learn from it – is a critical piece of the puzzle.

Mondi held a groundbreaking ceremony in Duino, Italy, today laying the cornerstone on its €200 million investment in the mill acquired in January 2023. The facility’s existing paper machine is being converted into a high-quality recycled containerboard machine which will create job opportunities for current and potential employees, build and evolve partnerships with local stakeholders as well as contribute to the region’s overall economic development. The start-up of the new machine is expected in 2025. Once fully operational, it will be capable of producing 420,000 tonnes of recycled containerboard for sustainable packaging solutions and will be Mondi’s widest recycled paper machine at 8.5 metres. Where possible, the mill will source materials locally in order to contribute to the local economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions through shorter transport distances and strengthen supply chain resilience.