An expanded partnership with Zalando to optimise packaging solutions

Flow Cosmetics, a Finnish natural cosmetics company, has selected paperboard from Metsä Board, part of the Metsä Group, as its packaging material of choice, for its innovative range of shampoos, body and face soaps. Bar-shaped cosmetic products are ecological to use as well as to transport and store. MetsäBoard Natural FBB was selected for the packaging board for its visual appearance, lightness, and ecology. In addition, the uncoated surface of the paperboard has a pleasing natural look and feel. “As part of our zero waste principle, we chose sustainable MetsäBoard Natural FBB board. We wanted to ensure that our products are natural all the way through to the packaging, and that they comply with stringent quality requirements,” says Riitta Jänkälä, Founder and CEO of Flow Cosmetics. "It's also important to us that all our packaging boards are recyclable after use."

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. announced it will raise prices for paper-based tubes and cores by 7%. The increases will be applied individually and depending on product category, effective from shipments beginning on 18th, January 2021. “These adjustments are critical to manage continued increases in cost across the business. To date, we have absorbed these costs by further manufacturing footprint optimisation and supply chain activities, but with continued inflation, we must now pass this on to our customers. To secure materials, we must act quickly so we can maintain the strong supply chain our customers need and value from Sonoco,” said Karsten Kemmerling, Director of Sales and Marketing – Tubes and Cores, Europe.

First Quarter Highlights *Delivered sales of $4.2 billion, up 3.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis *Achieved operating margin of 15.8%, down 80 basis points *Generated $661 million in operating cash flow and returned $360 million to Grainger shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Grainger reported results for the first quarter of 2024 with sales of $4.2 billion, up 3.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis, and diluted EPS of $9.62, up 0.1% compared to the first quarter of 2023.