Huhtamaki, a global leader in sustainable food packaging solutions, is proud to announce the development of the recyclable single coated paper cups ProDairy, specifically designed for yogurt and dairy products. Yogurt is a product with high food safety requirements. This highly functional and innovative packaging solution meets all the requirements and delivers a lower polymer content than traditional alternative products. With less than 10% plastic content across its full product range, it is fully recyclable in Europe.   "Dairy products are an important part of our daily life and creating recyclable packaging for something as important as your morning yogurt has been a challenge, especially while maintaining the high-performance standards required for dairy products. I am proud of our team and excited that we can now offer this solution to our customers at scale. Our solution is highly functional in terms of product performance and barrier properties, and it is a cost-efficient solution which meets customer and consumer expectations regarding our innovation in food packaging. These recyclable single coated paper cups help our customers address consumer demands for reduced plastic in packaging", says Fredrik Davidsson, President of Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania at Huhtamaki. 

Net income attributable to equity holders of the Company (Earnings) for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $36.6 million increased by 5.1 percent from the $34.8 million recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2023. The improvement in gross profit was a key factor, elevating Earnings by $9.0 million. Conversely, higher operating expenses led to a contraction in Earnings of $2.4 million. In addition, foreign exchange lowered Earnings by $1.9 million. Furthermore, income taxes subtracted $1.1 million from Earnings. In combination, all other factors reduced Earnings by $1.8 million. For the year ended December 29, 2024, Earnings advanced by 0.9 percent to $149.5 million from the comparable 2023 result of $148.1 million. The sizeable expansion in gross profit enhanced Earnings by $20.7 million. Operating expenses reduced Earnings by $10.8 million. Additionally, foreign exchange and income taxes dampened Earnings by $4.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. In total, all remaining items lowered Earnings by $0.9 million.

Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Hénaff said: “I would like first of all to thank Arkema’s teams who were able to adapt to a demanding macroeconomic and geopolitical context last year. The Group thus once again achieved a solid financial performance in 2024 and continued to implement its innovation strategy for more sustainable solutions and the execution of large-scale projects in Asia and North America which will have a strong contribution in the future. 2024 was also a year of progress in terms of CSR, notably in the areas of safety, climate and diversity, with several achievements ahead of long-term objectives. We are also pleased to have finalized the acquisition of Dow's flexible packaging adhesives last December, a new step in the growth strategy of our Adhesive Solutions segment in high value-added technologies.”

Tim Nicholls has been named Executive Vice President and President of DS Smith, an International Paper company, reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail. Tim has more than 30 years of industry experience including a variety of business and finance leadership roles. He has served as the CFO of International Paper since 2018 and also held the CFO role from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, Lance Loeffler will join International Paper as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reporting to Silvernail. Throughout his more than 25-year career, he has worked in finance, strategy and business leadership roles at UBS Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank Securities and Halliburton.

Commentary from CEO Ole Rosgaard: “Greif is actively managing a historical period of industrial activity contraction while simultaneously transforming our internal processes and our portfolio mix for optimal alignment to long-term profitable earnings growth.” said Ole Rosgaard, Chief Executive Officer of Greif, “This quarter highlights the resilience of our new business model amid multiple headwinds and demonstrates our willingness to invest in the long-term future of Greif while managing the present. We’re excited for what the future holds and for accelerating our growth in both the near and long-term. Our announcement to seek the sale of our Soterra land management holdings demonstrates our commitment to constantly assessing our business portfolio for maximum value creation and taking decisive action to pursue long-term sustainable earnings growth.” Strategic Actions and Announcements: Intend to divest our approximately 176,000 acres of timberland in the Southeastern United States. Proceeds will be applied towards debt reduction. Announced closure of A1 uncoated recycled paperboard machine in Austell, GA as well as the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard mill in Fitchburg, MA. Progress on announced cost optimization project proceeding on target, with $13.0 million of annual run-rate savings achieved through the end of first quarter 2025.

ND Paper is excited to announce plans to re-start PM 25 at our Biron, WI mill. This machine was idled in April of 2023. With the successful conversion of PM 26 at Biron to recycled packaging and the growing demand for ND Paper’s packaging products, we are pleased to add the capacity of PM 25 back to our portfolio. The machine was rebuilt in 2019 and will be capable of making recycled containerboard and recycled kraft paper. This will add additional capacity to the existing recycled packaging product portfolio when the machine starts up in the 2nd half of 2025. ND Paper currently offers 30# – 70# recycled kraft, 23# – 35# Recycled Liner and recycled medium. The 100% recycled furnish is supplied by a newly built 1,400-ton OCC pulping facility and a newly build 700-ton OCC pulping facility.

Fedrigoni has acquired a stake in Papkot, a cutting-edge company specializing in the development of fiber-based solutions with high barrier properties that are fully recyclable and biodegradable on an industrial scale. This investment is part of our corporate venture capital program, aimed at identifying innovative startups to accelerate the innovation process, acquire new technologies, and support our customers on their path toward sustainability. Marco Nespolo commented: “This deal has enormous potential for Fedrigoni. We have the opportunity to acquire disruptive technology in the Plastic-to-Fiber sector, enabling us to further support our customers in developing mono-material and fully recyclable packaging solutions. Fedrigoni will play a key role in accelerating the industrialization phase, which is essential for scaling Papkot’s business model.”

This approval satisfies the shareholder vote condition for the combination, originally announced in November 2024. Together, Amcor and Berry will be among the global leaders in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions with the combined material science and innovation capabilities required to revolutionize product development and better solve customers’ needs and consumers’ sustainability aspirations. These two highly complementary businesses are expected to grow faster together in attractive categories and opportunities to further refine the portfolio. With faster growth and $650 million of identified synergies, this combination is expected to drive significant near- and long-term value for all shareholders. Amcor CEO Peter Konieczny commented, “The resounding support from both companies’ shareholders marks another important milestone in bringing Amcor and Berry together. Our combined company will be positioned to serve customers better, grow faster and operate globally in a way neither company could accomplish alone. Together, we have an exciting and unique opportunity to truly transform the future of packaging.” Berry CEO Kevin Kwilinski added, “We are excited to take another important step toward finalizing this combination between Berry and Amcor and are pleased the shareholders of both companies clearly recognize the significant opportunities we will have as one company to deliver enhanced value for all stakeholders.”

Distinguished by contactless, leak-free dispensing, Aptar’s SureSnap two-in-one pre-assembled valve and retaining ring is an attractive option for reusable beverage container brand owners – including those offering water bottles, thermoses, and children’s sip cups – seeking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market. In consumer packaging, the “Three R’s” – reduce, reuse, and recycle, are commonly deployed strategies to reduce waste and conserve resources. While there is a heavy focus today on recyclability and material reduction in the consumer beverage market, Aptar’s SureSnap addresses the “Third R” – reuse, an area long ripe for innovation in reusable beverage containers. This category historically utilizes underperforming or insufficiently robust closures. For example, conventional push-pull closures typically require fingers or teeth to open and shut; in addition to potentially compromised hygiene and safety, this approach can allow fluid leakage or foreign particle ingress when the closure is left in the open position.

State leaders on Monday announced that First Quality Tissue, a manufacturer of hygiene, paper and packaging products, will invest $984 million to build an ultra-premium towel and tissue production facility in Defiance County. The project, announced by Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef, marks the largest single investment and job-creation initiative in the county's history.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, collaborated with Sherwin-Williams, a global leader in paints and coatings, to introduce re/cycle SpoutedPouch as a refill option for its concentrated paint, sold on the UK market. Leveraging the expertise in its Halle/Steinfeld plant in Germany, Mondi introduced a wider spout for easier filling and pouring, while ensuring the mono-material pouch is designed to protect its contents. The paint concentrate was developed to replace the traditional 5-litre pre-mixed paint in rigid plastic tubs. Consumers are encouraged to reuse these tubs to mix the paint concentrate and then recycle the refill’s packaging. It comes in a lightweight 950ml spouted pouch with instructions for mixing clearly printed on the side. The spout offers excellent pourability to make it easy to mix with water and create the needed amount of paint. The pouch can be tightly closed after usage, preserving any unused concentrate.

Diversey, a Solenis company and leading player in professional cleaning and hygiene solutions, has opened a new European headquarters and shared operating company (OpCo) office for Solenis and Diversey in Breukelen, the Netherlands. The new facility reflects the shared vision of both companies to enhance collaboration, drive innovation and deliver value to customers across the region. An integrated research and development (R&D) center at the new site stands out as a hub for innovation, focused on creating breakthrough cleaning and hygiene solutions to solidify Diversey’s industry leadership. Additionally, the new building will house the Dutch OpCo for both Solenis and Diversey, consolidating operations to enable greater synergy and efficiency. Solenis’ European headquarters remains in Switzerland.

"During the fourth quarter, we completed the reorganization into two market-focused businesses, Food and Protective, and had a strong finish to the year," said Dustin Semach, Sealed Air's President and CEO. "We exceeded our expectations across Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS and Free Cash Flow, reflecting improved discipline in fundamentals. I want to express my deep gratitude to our 16,400 plus Sealed Air team members for their commitment to our transformation and their tireless efforts in solving our customers' most critical packaging challenges.""With the foundation now firmly in place, we are focused on maximizing the potential of each business based on their respective end-markets and portfolios. We are accelerating the momentum in Food by expanding further into higher growth end-markets with our case ready and fluids solutions and continuing to stabilize Protective. In parallel, we are continuing to streamline our operations and drive further productivity across the company. As a result, we are targeting growth and margin expansion in 2025. We are focused on accelerating the pace of execution to improve the outcomes for our customers and maximize value for our shareholders," said Semach.

Hugues Simon, President and CEO, commented: "Our fourth quarter 2024 performance was in line with expectations. Favourable average selling prices and raw material costs in the Containerboard business drove stronger sequential results, offsetting the impact of usual lower seasonal volumes. Specialty Products continued to perform well despite slightly lower volume sequentially. In Tissue, average selling prices and raw material costs were advantageous, and fully offset slightly higher operational costs. Broadly, the depreciation of the Canadian dollar benefited quarterly results, but led to higher reported debt levels at the end of the year given the company's $1.3 billion of US denominated debts." Discussing near-term outlook, Mr. Simon commented, "Operationally, raw material costs remain a tailwind for our businesses in the first quarter, and we are currently seeing steady seasonal demand levels. We will not be providing an outlook for near-term financial or business-specific performance given the lack of clarity regarding the implementation of bilateral tariffs between Canada and the United States. The continued risk has resulted in significant near-term macro-economic uncertainty, and may disrupt or negatively impact future demand levels, customer buying patterns and the economic performance of both countries."

Inland Packaging, a family-owned label and packaging manufacturer, has been named a finalist for the 36th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award in the Large Manufacturer Category. “Inland is honored to be named a finalist for the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award,” says Inland COO Scott Roob. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit of our entire team. With deep roots in Wisconsin and more than 80 years of manufacturing excellence, we are proud to be part of the state’s rich manufacturing tradition.” Roob emphasizes the importance of Inland’s employees, adding, “Our team members are the heart of our success. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions drive everything we do.”

How many rolls of bubble cushioning does it take to package a personalized outdoor landscape stone with rough edges and an atypical shape? It’s not a question looking for a punchline, it’s the kind of question packaging engineers at Pregis can more easily tackle on behalf of customers because of deep knowledge and the Pregis IQ. In this case, the answer is zero. They were able to do it with Pregis AirSpeed® Hybrid Cushioning (HC) and cut waste by more than half. A small ecommerce business was using bubble cushioning to protect its customized stone product inside a corrugated box that was then shipped to the customer. The bubble cushioning monopolized a significant amount of the customer’s warehouse footprint. To add to the company’s challenges, there were inconsistencies in the amount of material being utilized per box, and the bubble cushioning was inconveniently located outside of the reach of the packers. Both of these challenges contributed to unpredictable material costs, and reduced throughput via an inefficient packing workflow, which posed ergonomic challenges for packers.

The packaging paper product from Koehler Paper provides ideal protection for “einpott” ready-to-eat meals thanks to its extraordinary oxygen, mineral oil, and grease barrier properties. pack&satt products are available in three flavors: “Tomate Linse” (lentils and tomato), “Curry Linse” (lentil curry), and “Rote Bete Kartoffel” (red beet and potato). pack&satt ready-to-eat meals were originally bottled in returnable jars. However, customer feedback, coupled with a general overhaul of the product, led the company to look for alternative packaging options: “Our customers frequently told us that if they had an electric kettle, that meant that they also had bowls or cups available, making the jars redundant. And on top of that, we found out that using paper instead of glass to hold dry product would improve our environmental footprint! Given all that, we were tremendously happy when we found Koehler and saw that they offered the right packaging material for our needs,” explains pack&satt founder Sophie Gnest.

“2024 was a milestone year for Sonoco in achieving our strategy to globally scale our metal packaging platform through the acquisition of Eviosys and to transform our portfolio to comprise more sustainable Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses through the announced divestiture of TFP and strategic review of some of our other resin-based diversified businesses,” said Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our fourth-quarter results were within our expectations as we benefited from strong productivity improvements that more than offset price/cost headwinds that persisted across most of our businesses. Overall, we achieved the second best operating cash flow in our history and maintained solid operating performance due to the focused execution of our global team.” Commenting on the Company’s outlook, Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker, said, “As we enter the new year, we are focused on successfully integrating Eviosys into Sonoco Metal Packaging and achieving our two-year $100 million synergy target. We have announced the divestiture of TFP and intend to continue pursuing strategic alternatives for our remaining temperature-assured cold-chain packaging business. We intend to use proceeds from divestitures, along with projected strong free cash flow, to lower leverage to 3.0X to 3.3X Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2026. We will continue to invest in our global Consumer and Industrial packaging businesses while maintaining our focus on profitability and productivity. Finally, we expect to achieve an extraordinary 100 consecutive years of returning cash to our shareholders in the form of dividends. By transforming into a simpler, stronger and more sustainable company, we have positioned Sonoco to grow projected adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco by approximately 20% year over year and adjusted EBITDA by approximately 30% year over year in 2025.”

India’s flexible packaging solutions provider UFlex is investing over $86.35m to establish a woven polypropylene bags (WPP) manufacturing unit in Mexico and a new recycling facility in Noida, India. These operations are expected to commence within financial year 2025-26 (FY25-26). The board of UFlex has sanctioned the construction of the WPP manufacturing plant in Mexico with a $50m investment. This facility aims to serve the North and South American pet food markets. The Mexican plant is projected to produce 80 million bags annually, with the capacity addition planned for FY25-26. This expansion is a strategic move to tap into the growing demand in the Americas for high-quality packaging solutions.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January increased 4% compared to January 2024. The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 81.4%, up 3.3 points from January 2024. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack – were 104,800 short tons for the month of January, down 1.6% from the same month last year.

Mondi announced the results of its sixth annual eCommerce trend report “Sustainability and its impact on packaging and online shopping choices”. This comprehensive study examines trends, attitudes and expectations regarding eCommerce and the impact packaging has on the consumer experience. The report presents data from around 6,000 consumers across Czechia, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Türkiye, collected via an online survey in October and November 2024. The findings offer eCommerce brands valuable insights on meeting consumer needs, including country-specific results from each of the six markets. The survey was conducted by RetailX, who also co-authored the whitepaper. "This year’s findings confirm that sustainability is no longer just a trend, it’s a business imperative. Consumers are demanding tangible action from retailers to reduce their environmental impact. At Mondi, we are proud to support customers with innovative, sustainable eCommerce packaging and paper solutions that meet consumer expectations and help our partners to build trust, loyalty, and long-term value in the eCommerce space." Armand Schoonbrood - Mondi Group eCommerce COO

Sealed Air Corporation announced that Dustin Semach has been appointed to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Semach will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. The Board of Directors and Patrick Kivits have mutually agreed to transition Sealed Air's leadership. Mr. Kivits has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Semach most recently served as the Company's President and Chief Financial Officer. Veronika "Roni" Johnson, currently the Chief Accounting Officer, has been appointed the Interim Chief Financial Officer.

IPG announced the launch of its new American® brand Plastic Sheeting, available in both Ultra and Performance films. This high-performance, tear-resistant, and easily workable plastic sheeting film is designed to provide superior surface protection in a variety of applications. The transparent, high-density film clings to substrates, helping maintain a clean work environment and protecting surfaces from overspray and other potential contaminants during repairs and renovations. The American brand Plastic Sheeting offers several key features and benefits, including: • Tear-resistant construction for reliable protection • Static cling for easy application and secure hold • Helps maintain a clean work environment • Transparent plastic for clear visibility • Easy-to-dispense box for convenient use • Cost-effective solution for surface protection

Mondi Group is proud to announce a three-year extension to its partnership with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organisation providing food assistance to those recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Over the past few years, Mondi’s technical expertise, R&D infrastructure, and financial contribution have supported WFP in improving and optimising packaging solutions to withstand difficult transport, storage and handling conditions in crisis-affected regions. Between 2024-2027, the partnership aims to find more sustainable alternatives to existing packaging materials, supporting WFP food manufacturers in working with sustainable fibre – both virgin and recycled, optimising material use, and enhancing packaging quality. These initiatives will support the fight against hunger by addressing packaging-related food losses across WFP operations. They will also contribute to global efforts to curb food loss and waste, which is vital considering every year one-fifth of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted1.

Amcor is partnering with leading Australian bread manufacturer Tip Top Bakeries to introduce new bread bags that are made with 30% recycled plastic using the ISCC mass balance approach.* These innovative bags, which began rolling out in September 2024, are now available across Tip Top The One, Tip Top The One Gluten Free, and Tip Top 9 Grain loaves in major retailers across Australia. This industry-first initiative for the Australian sliced packaged bread aisle will help remove 160 tons of virgin plastic by December 2025. It builds on Tip Top’s commitment to sustainable packaging, following its introduction of 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard bread tags in 2020, which eliminated 140 million pieces of single-use plastic annually. Richard Smith, director of Sustainability for Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, commented, "At Amcor, we are dedicated to pioneering advanced packaging solutions that reduce reliance on virgin plastics while maintaining the quality and safety consumers expect. This partnership not only underscores Tip Top's leadership in the bakery aisle but also demonstrates the impact that collaboration across the value chain and innovation can have on driving the circular economy forward in Australia."

Huhtamaki is separating the Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment into two distinct business segments, Fiber Packaging and Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. The change is expected to take effect as of April 1, 2025, at the latest. “We are separating our Fiber Foodservice business into two distinct business segments to empower our teams to serve our customers more efficiently. This strategic move positions us for profitable growth by giving accountability to the businesses and increasing speed of execution in a changing business landscape. It will support our goal of being the first choice in sustainable packaging", says Ralf K. Wunderlich, President and CEO of Huhtamaki. The business segments were integrated in 2020. In external reporting the businesses have continued to be reported separately, and this change will not impact external reporting.​ Combining the businesses in 2020 has achieved the initially projected synergies and built foundations for growth by seizing promising market opportunities.

Sara Engber (56), has been appointed President, Fiber Packaging and member of the Global Executive Team at Huhtamaki. She will report to President and CEO Ralf K. Wunderlich and be based in Espoo, Finland. The appointment is following the decision in which Huhtamaki has decided to separate the Fiber Foodservice business segment into two distinct business segments, Fiber Packaging and Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. Sara Engber has worked at Huhtamaki since 2009 in multiple positions, most recently as Senior Vice President, Operations, North America. Fredrik Davidsson will continue as a member of Global Executive Team as President, Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. Both changes will become effective as of April 1, 2025, at the latest.

For Huhtamaki, 2024 was a solid year, with improved safety performance and increased profitability. In the first half of the year, demand was muted in many markets. The second half saw gradual recovery, with variations across categories and regions. Demand for pre-packed food, especially egg packaging, increased, and flexible packaging saw gains in a volatile market. Food on-the-go volumes remained subdued, particularly for coffee chains, due to high prices caused by inflation. The North American foodservice market performed better than other regions. The ongoing Middle East conflict affected global brands in some Middle Eastern and Asian markets throughout the year. In Q4, comparable net sales increased by 3%. Sales volumes growth was supported by customers’ promotional activities. We improved our profitability as the adjusted EBIT margin reached 10.4% and adjusted EBIT grew by 3% to EUR 110 million. For the full year 2024, comparable net sales remained at the previous year’s level. Sales prices decreased due to a pass-through of lower raw material prices, while volumes increased slightly.

International Paper announced the permanent closure of the company's Red River containerboard mill in Campti, La., recycling plant in Phoenix, Az., box plant in Hazleton, Pa., and sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Mo. All facilities will cease operations by the end of April 2025. The Red River containerboard mill closure is expected to reduce the company's containerboard capacity by approximately 800,000 tons on an annualized basis. In total, 495 hourly employees and 179 salaried employees will be affected. The company will work to minimize the impact on employees by using attrition, retirements and current vacancies at other International Paper locations. Team members at these locations will receive outplacement assistance, access to mental health support resources and where possible, severance benefits. "The decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities," said Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president, North American Packaging Solutions, International Paper. "We greatly appreciate the contributions from our departing team members and will do all we can to support them."

Inteplast Engineered Films (IEF), manufacturer of blown polyethylene (PE) films, and MTI Polyexe, manufacturer of specialty silicone coated films and release liners, will be collaboratively exhibiting at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) in San Antonio, TX, February 19-21, to offer customers the signature Inteplast Group one-stop-shop experience. IEF Sales Manager Angela McQueen said the partnership simplifies sourcing for both companies’ customers. The product offering between the two Inteplast Group companies caters to the unique and sometimes overlapping supply needs within building materials and construction markets. “Our building materials and construction customers have established long-time relationships with Inteplast Engineered Films and MTI Polyexe separately, not having known that we are sister companies within Inteplast Group. With so many mutual current and potential partners, it made sense to take a joint, simplified approach to the market for our customers. This unified approach provides our customers with a one-stop-shop experience,” McQueen said.

Tony Smurfit, President and CEO, commented: “I am pleased to report a strong fourth quarter performance with Net Income of $146 million, Adjusted EBITDA1 of $1,166 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 15.5%. For the full year, in line with our stated guidance, we have delivered a Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA1 of $4,706 million. “While we are at the beginning of our journey, I am immensely proud of what our teams have achieved in our first six months as Smurfit Westrock. The operational and financial expertise that are hallmarks of this management team are already being applied as we transform the combined business. “Our synergy program of $400 million is on track and will be completed by the end of this year. Moreover, there are significant operational and commercial opportunities, at least equating to that synergy target.

Metalvac papers provide light, moisture, water vapor, water, grease and oxygen barriers. They are characterized by excellent runnability and adaptability to different packaging equipment, allowing for maximum performance in the production process. In addition, their low aluminum content (0.08 g/m²) increases barrier efficiency without compromising recyclability in the standard paper circuit, making Metalvac a more sustainable option for flexible packaging. Metalvac GP PFAS-free is Lecta's new 75 g/m² metallized paper, designed to deliver more natural, efficient packaging for a wide range of foods, particularly butter, margarine, cheese and other fatty products. PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) free, it complies with the latest regulation and avoids the use of any chemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment. In addition to the characteristics of the Metalvac range, it provides a barrier to vegetable oils such as sunflower and palm oil, as well as mineral oils. It folds and processes easily for efficient and versatile production and complies with CEPI V2 and ATICELCA recyclability standards (level B test results). Metalvac GP PFAS-free represents a more environment-friendly, high-performance alternative to metallized films and other traditional greaseproof papers. Its properties make it an ideal choice for companies seeking more natural, quality packaging for their fatty products.

Mondi’s internal product impact assessment indicates that the new solution has significantly lower CO2 emissions from cradle to gate compared with the previous plastic solution1. The flexible stand-up pouches contain 20 water soluble dishwashing tabs. Created using Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, the new solution is a paper-based alternative to replace the previously used plastic solution. As part of Mondi’s re/cycle portfolio, the paper-based pouches are designed to meet the recyclability requirements for Spain and Portugal. The entire packaging solution, including the zipper, contains more than 85% paper share, meaning the packaging can be conveniently disposed of by the end consumer in the paper recycling streams across both countries. The paper-based re/cycle StandUpPouch is manufactured in-house at Mondi: first the kraft paper is made from responsibly sourced fibres, then it’s coated to provide the barrier properties needed to protect the tabs inside, and finally it’s printed, slit and converted to the final pouch, ready for filling and sealing.

Owned and operated by Caroline Fournier and Marilène Fournier, Imprimerie Ste-Julie (ISJ) has cultivated a strong reputation across Quebec, serving businesses that seek customized, creative and sustainable label solutions to enhance their products. ISJ is a trusted partner to customers in the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, natural products and cosmetics markets, and meet their strict delivery, quality, and sustainability goals. "Joining the Resource Label Group family is an exciting new chapter for Imprimerie Ste-Julie,” stated Co-President Caroline Fournier. “For nearly 50 years, we have been committed to delivering exceptional quality and service to our customers. RLG will allow us to expand our capabilities, introduce new innovations, and continue offering the personalized experience our clients expect. We are thrilled to join a network that shares our dedication to excellence and growth."

The corrugated packaging industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability, driven by brand owners' ambitious environmental goals and changing consumer preferences. In an era dominated by conversations about eco-conscious printing and a circular economy in packaging, it's worth considering what 'more sustainable' corrugated packaging means. Brand owners are setting ambitious sustainability goals which are directly impacting converters. Many businesses are seeing increased demand for packaging with higher recycled content or a push for fully recyclable or compostable packaging solutions. Furthermore, brands are increasingly asking their suppliers to help reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain, prioritising those that can actively demonstrate they are making a difference with more eco-conscious packaging designs.

Together with Italian pasta company Astrabio, Koehler Paper has now packed pasta in one of its flexible packaging paper for the first time ever. “Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure,” a heat-sealable paper, maximizes shelf life, protects the product inside it, and features extraordinary strength properties that make it perfect for further processing on standard packaging machines. The brand IRIS Bio stands for high-quality food and a sustainable agricultural model. Koehler Paper accordingly offers a sustainable packaging alternative with its flexible packaging paper. “With ‘Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure,’ we offer a packaging paper with a significantly reduced carbon footprint in comparison to conventional plastic packaging, not to mention that it also boasts the significant benefit of being recyclable and conserving valuable resources as a result,” says Mauro Moretti, Flexible Packaging Paper Sales Manager at Koehler Italia, while going over this new application for the paper. This is also corroborated by positive feedback from customers, which shows that the two companies made the right decision.

Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "In 2024, we demonstrated the value of the Graphic Packaging business model, generating a level of consistency and profitability in line with other leading consumer packaging companies. We delivered strong and steady margins and significant new consumer packaging innovations. Our strategic investments in capabilities, innovation, and competitive advantage have positioned the company for long-term value creation. In 2025, we will build on that success, driving competitive advantage in recycled paperboard across all of North America, and expanding our innovation capabilities into new markets and new product categories around the world. "The past two years have presented unusual volume challenges for the industry and our customers. Customer destocking is largely over, but consumers are stretched and searching for value in their everyday purchases. Across grocery, convenience, e-commerce and mass retail, Graphic Packaging is responding to our customers' evolving needs by creating the more circular, more functional, and more convenient packaging that consumers prefer. As the last of our major asset investments comes to completion in 2025, capital spending will decline significantly, and we will deploy excess cash to create substantial value for our stockholders. Consistent with our capital allocation priorities, today we are announcing a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend, to $0.11 per common share, effective for the first quarter 2025."

Sonoco Products Company has received pre-qualification to carry the How2Recycle® ‘Check Locally’ label for its EnviroCan® Metal Bottom rigid paper container. The EnviroCan paper container body is made of 100% recycled fiber, 90% of which comes from post-consumer resources, a design that balances responsible materials sourcing with product and food safety. The metal bottom end is made of steel, one of the world’s most recycled materials. The widely recognized How2Recycle on-pack label guides consumers with clear instructions for recycling at their location and demonstrates Sonoco’s ongoing efforts to develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for customers and consumers worldwide. “Securing the pre-qualification for the EnviroCan Metal Bottom is the result of years of data and evidence collection as well as collaboration with recyclers,” said Sabrina Dixon-Ridges, Director of Global Operational Sustainability at Sonoco.

CEO Peter Konieczny said: "Amcor delivered a solid second quarter result aligned with the expectations we set out in October, giving us the confidence to again reaffirm our guidance for the fiscal year. We continued to execute well on our underlying business, delivering our fourth consecutive quarter of sequential volume improvement. Margins continued to expand, supporting adjusted EBIT and EPS growth of 5% on a comparable basis for the quarter." “We also announced the next transformational step for Amcor, agreeing to combine with Berry Global. Bringing these two companies together will deliver on our strategy to become an even stronger company with accelerated volume-driven organic growth achieved through an unwavering focus on our customers, sustainability and portfolio mix. The combined company will have enhanced positions in attractive categories, the material science and innovation capabilities required to further revolutionize product development and a broader, more complete portfolio of primary packaging solutions for consumer and healthcare customers. With faster growth and $650 million of identified synergies, this combination will drive significant near and long term value for all shareholders. The path to completion is well advanced and we remain on track to close in mid calendar year 2025.”

AptarGroup, Inc. reported strong fourth quarter results due to solid operational performance driven by top and bottom line improvements. Results were driven by sales growth in pharma solutions, increased demand for closures technologies and productivity gains across the company. Reported sales increased by 1% and core sales increased by 2% due to a negative currency effect. Aptar reported net income of $101 million for the quarter, a 62% increase from the prior year. In addition, the quarterly results benefited from a lower effective tax rate. “Aptar achieved another strong quarter and year, delivering back-to-back years of double-digit earnings per share growth. For the full year, our pharma franchise grew sales 8%, propelled by brisk demand for our proprietary drug delivery systems, which grew 9% in 2024. Our closures segment also finished the year strong with solid performance and good momentum. Net income for full year 2024 grew 32% over the prior year and we ended 2024 solidly in the middle of our long-term adjusted EBITDA margin range, with significant margin expansion in our pharma and closures segments. Our beauty segment was able to improve its margin even with a challenged top line, driven by increased productivity and cost management efforts. In 2024, net cash provided by operations increased 12% along with lower capital expenditures, which generated a free cash flow increase of 40%,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO.

"Crown delivered strong results in the fourth quarter, with segment income advancing 12% compared to the prior year," stated Timothy J. Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Combined global beverage can segment income improved 17%, driven by global volume growth of 4%, led by shipment increases in Europe and North America, which grew 8% and 7%, respectively. The North American food can business also generated increased income during the quarter as a result of increased volumes while Transit Packaging saw lower volume and profitability as industrial activity remains sluggish. "2024 was an excellent year overall, exceeding previous expectations. Segment income advanced nearly $100 million or 6% over the prior year, following a 7% improvement in 2023. Combined global beverage can segment income expanded 19% over the prior year, reflecting robust volume growth – 10% in Brazil and 7% in both North America and Europe – and excellent manufacturing performance."

The combination brings together the best of both companies to accelerate growth, improve profitability and serve customers all over the world from operations in more than 30 countries. Together with DS Smith, International Paper will be a great place to work with colleagues who value excellence, ethics and safety above all else. "With a stronger portfolio of sustainable packaging solutions, the combination of International Paper and DS Smith enhances our offerings, increases innovation and expands our geographic reach," said Andy Silvernail, International Paper Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We will bring together the capabilities and expertise of two experienced teams, with similar cultures to create the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions."

Metsä Board’s CEO Mika Joukio: “In October–December, demand for paperboards was lower than expected, and our delivery volumes decreased from the previous quarter. We adjusted production to match the low demand at several of our mills. Our profitability was also burdened by the repair shut-down at Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill, which lasted for about a month. Our sales in October–December amounted to EUR 446 million, and our comparable operating result was EUR -3.6 million. We had a positive start to 2024, with paperboard demand picking up clearly from the previous year’s record low level. However, activity faded towards the end of the year, and our paperboard deliveries, amounting to approximately 1.5 million tonnes, remained below our capacity level. Demand is still constrained by cautious purchasing behaviour and consumption focusing more on services than products. In addition, market balance has been influenced by the strong growth in Asian paperboard capacity and increasing paperboard imports especially to Turkey, the Middle East and South America.

Packaging Corporation of America reported fourth quarter 2024 net income of $221 million, or $2.45 per share, and net income of $222 million, or $2.47 per share, excluding special items. Fourth quarter net sales were $2.1 billion in 2024 and $1.9 billion in 2023. Full year 2024 net income was $805 million, or $8.93 per share, and net income of $814 million, or $9.04 per share, excluding special items. Full year net sales were $8.4 billion in 2024 and $7.8 billion in 2023. Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “As we have seen throughout the year, demand in our Packaging segment during the quarter remained very strong. Our corrugated products plants delivered record fourth quarter total shipments and an all-time record shipments per day. The plants also set new annual records for total shipments and shipments per day. Excellent operations throughout our mill containerboard system set new quarterly and annual production records as well. This allowed us to meet our customer’s demand needs in a timely manner as well as achieve year-end inventory targets ahead of the mill outages scheduled for the first half of 2025. Although seasonally slower, volume and price/mix in the Paper segment were above last year’s levels. Throughout the Company, our employees together with the benefits of our capital spending program continued to do a great job to lessen the inflationary impact across most of our cost structure.”

Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the U.S., is leveraging Atlantic Packaging’s MUST Stretch Film Management System to optimize its stretch wrapping operations. With 65 production lines across 16 manufacturing plants, nearly 700 SKUs, and more than 100 packaging sizes, consistency, efficiency, and sustainability are top priorities. “…It helps us consistently wrap the pallets the same, making sure that we’re wrapping certain pallets the right way,” says Melanie Sabella, Coca-Cola Consolidated Vice President of Technical Services.

Greif announced it will permanently cease production on the Number 1 Paperboard Machine (A1) in Austell, GA and permanently close the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mill in Fitchburg, MA. “Decisions like these are extremely difficult because of the impact it has on our colleagues and their families, as well as the larger community,” said President and CEO Ole Rosgaard. “We are grateful to our colleagues in Austell and Fitchburg for their contributions to the company and are committed to helping them navigate next steps by providing severance benefits and outplacement assistance.” In total, approximately 140 positions will be impacted. Ceasing production at A1 – a non-integrated URB asset for the company - is a result of increased cost and declining demand in its major end use markets of furniture, books, and binders. The combination of high operating costs and the need for significant capital investment were the determining factors in the decision to close the Fitchburg mill. Together, these actions will reduce the containerboard capacity of Greif’s mill network by 100,000 tons, and URB capacity by 90,000 tons.

International Paper reported full-year 2024 net earnings of $557 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, and adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $400 million, or $1.13 per diluted share. Full-year net sales were $18.6 billion in 2024 and $18.9 billion in 2023. The reported fourth quarter net loss was $147 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, and adjusted operating loss (non-GAAP) was $7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Fourth quarter net sales were $4.6 billion in 2024 and 2023. Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of $395 million for accelerated depreciation and restructuring charges, including $334 million related to the previously announced closure of the Company's Georgetown, S.C. pulp mill. "During 2024, we initiated our strategy to deliver profitable growth as the low-cost, most reliable and innovative sustainable packaging solutions provider for our customers," said Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail. "Through a disciplined 80/20 approach, we have restructured our corporate organization, added resources to the business, reduced structural costs through footprint actions and successfully piloted regional box plant optimization. In the quarter, our earnings have stabilized and we intend to accelerate earnings improvement in 2025."

Silgan Holdings Inc. reported full year 2024 net sales of $5.9 billion and net income of $276.4 million, or $2.58 per diluted share, as compared to full year 2023 net sales of $6.0 billion and net income of $326.0 million, or $2.98 per diluted share. For the fourth quarter of 2024, Silgan reported net income of $45.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, as compared to $64.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023. "The Silgan team delivered another year of strong results, with record fourth quarter adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBIT and double digit free cash flow growth, and made significant progress on several important long-term strategic objectives that will benefit our Company in 2025 and beyond." said Adam Greenlee, President and CEO.

Amcor plc and Berry Global Group, Inc. announce that an important milestone towards the completion of their previously announced all-stock transaction has been reached, with filing of the definitive joint proxy statement (“the Joint Proxy Statement’) with the U.S. SEC. The Joint Proxy Statement includes notices of Amcor and Berry shareholder meetings that will both take place on Tuesday 25 February, 2025. This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses to create a global leader in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions, uniquely positioned to accelerate growth across a broader and scaled flexible film, containers, closures and dispensing packaging portfolio. The combined company will have significant opportunities to further refine the portfolio and leverage differentiated material science and innovation capabilities to revolutionize product development, and solve customers’ and consumers’ sustainability needs.

Smurfit Westrock has once again demonstrated its prowess in designing innovative and sustainable packaging by picking up 10 awards in WorldStar 2025. The latest accolade is testament to the packaging leader’s ability to create products that outperform on every level. Solutions that stood out for the judges in this year’s awards include: an eCommerce pack for South America’s biggest egg provider, a paper-based tray for plant-based meals and a bag-in-box solution for cleaning products. Sustainability was front and centre in each submission and illustrated how the company goes the extra mile in every project.

In the future packaging will be at least one of these things: made of renewable materials, recyclable, possibly reusable, and optimised to protect the product while avoiding overpacking. These three trends will change packaging for good. 1. Tailored minimalism - In the future packaging design, less is more. There is a growing demand for solutions that address the problem of overpackaging. This is demonstrated by the actions and opinions of consumers, environmental groups, and legislators. 2. Return of the reusable packaging - It would be an understatement to call recyclability a packaging trend as it is the main driver in packaging design at the moment. In addition to recyclable and recycled packaging materials, there will be more and more reusable packages in the future. 3. Going beyond fossils - With companies’ ambitious climate targets and EU regulation, it’s no wonder that replacing fossil-based materials in packaging remains a growing trend. Packaging designers are increasingly looking for alternative packaging materials that minimise environmental harm while maintaining functionality and performance.

We are revising the PEFC Project Certification requirements to respond to stakeholder needs, add value to companies, and align them with the latest version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard, and we are looking for your feedback! Project certification provides independent verification of the use of certified timber in construction and other projects with a defined time and site. This survey aims to gather your valuable feedback to help improve these requirements. It is part of a broader effort to increase global demand for PEFC project certification and the procurement of PEFC-certified materials.

The Lemu Group and paper manufacturer Koehler Paper introduce fully paper-based mailers for a sustainable future.The result is a mailer that is completely made of paper and makes it possible to safely ship goods without the need for plastic bubble wrap. “Koehler Eco® Paper” recycled paper, which is used in these innovative mailers, is available in grammages of 120 to 350 gsm. Its extraordinary running properties make it ideal for further processing on standard converting systems. Within this context, the collaborative efforts between Koehler Paper and the Lemu Group have focused on developing cutting-edge sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce. “We’re extremely happy that we’re now able to produce a lightweight, versatile, and fully recyclable paper mailer on our machines after our tests with Koehler’s Eco® Paper recycled paper delivered excellent results,” says Jean-Claude Jaufret, director of the Paper Bags and Envelopes division from the Lemu Group.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 13% compared to December 2023. They were up 11% when compared to the same 12 months of 2023. The operating rate for unbleached packaging papers was 87.5%, up 12.5 points from December 2023 and up 6.4 points year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in bleached packaging papers – food wrapping – were 23.6 thousand short tons for the month of December, down 0.6% from the same month last year and down 0.5% year-to-date.

Greenville Distribution is the first Atlantic distribution-only facility to obtain a TRUE Zero Waste certification, with a waste diversion rate of 93.9% over the last 12 months. Why it Matters: Atlantic Packaging’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, is now TRUE Zero Waste Certified, making it the first distribution-only site in the company to achieve this milestone. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to sustainability — both for ourselves and our valued customers. How We Got Here: *Teamwork: Every employee played a role in reducing waste through recycling, composting, and innovative problem-solving. *Precision: Our warehouse manager weighed dumpsters before and after hauls for four weeks to ensure accurate data. *Engagement: Employees embraced deeper waste stream analysis, found outlets for challenging materials, and explored sustainable options such as low-waste catering.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Eagle Flexible Packaging, a Batavia, IL-based firm, announced plans to construct a new $5 million, 52,000 square foot facility in the Waupun Industrial Park. At the January 14, 2025 meeting of the Waupun Common Council, Waupun’s elected officials approved a developer’s agreement to sell city owned land to the company, paving the way for the proposed expansion to begin in early 2025. Eagle Flexible Packaging began operations in the City of Waupun in 2021, after acquiring a formerly shuttered production facility located at 4 Taylor St. The company has added 65 jobs in Waupun since opening the Taylor St facility three and a half years ago. In 2024, Eagle Flexible Packaging acquired 1208 Wilson Drive in the Waupun Industrial Park and has invested more than $3 million in that facility, including facility improvements and the addition of state-of-the-art graphics equipment to support continued growth in Waupun.

Due to the prolonged weak profitability, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, plans to close its Tako mill as well as to improve the efficiency of its Kyro mill, and launches change negotiations at both mills and related operations. The negotiations will involve a total of approximately 360 employees and may lead to a reduction of up to 215 employees. The negotiations are expected to last at least six weeks. If the plan is implemented, production at Tako mill would end in 2025. The aim of the change negotiations at the Kyro mill is to improve the profitability of the mill and safeguard its operational conditions. Any decisions on personnel reductions and mill closure will only be taken after the change negotiations have been concluded. In recent years, the production of folding boxboard at Tako and Kyro mills has remained well below capacity due to the market situation, and the mills have had to implement several temporary layoffs. Due to weak market situation and rapidly rising costs, both mills have been loss-making in 2023 and 2024. The cost competitiveness of Tako board mill is particularly weakened by its high energy costs and the small size of its production lines. The development of the mill is limited by its exceptional location in the centre of the city of Tampere.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is proud that 10 of its innovative products have received WorldStar Packaging Awards in 2025. The awards, organised annually by the World Packaging Organisation, celebrate outstanding achievements in packaging design and technology across the globe. "We are proud to mark a milestone in 2025 with Mondi receiving more WorldStar awards than ever before. This broad recognition across our regions highlights the strength of partnerships with our customers and the creativity and collaborative efforts of our teams. These awards inspire us to keep pushing boundaries and deliver even more innovative solutions." Markus Gärtner, CEO Corrugated Packaging

Phenix Label, a leader in prime labels and flexible packaging, today announced the company has doubled production capacity of RFID-enabled packaging for hard-to-tag retail items. With this increased capacity, Phenix Label enables its clients to significantly ramp up production volume, including packaging for water-based food items that have not been previously tracked using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Phenix Label's breakthrough packaging design substantially improves reliability of RFID scanning for liquid-filled consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food items, empowering more accurate inventory management and traceability for grocery and nutraceutical brands. In fact, RFID now accounts for 32% of the food traceability market and is growing at nearly 10% per year because it enables reliable, real-time tracking throughout the supply chain, helping food retailers meet strict food standards, particularly in the event of a product recall.

Spanning over 50 years Victory Packaging has built a legacy providing packaging and related services across North America, first as an independent company then as the integrated distribution arm for two successive packaging companies. Decades of experience, a zest for continuous improvement, and a focus on customer service have grown the business into a comprehensive packaging solutions provider, which today began operating as Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions. The business provides engineering, supply chain, kitting and assembly, automation, digital and logistics solutions that help customers reduce total costs, improve their sustainability footprint, mitigate risk, and grow sales. “Our new brand reflects our service-driven approach to solving business challenges, delivering value to our customers and signals our ability to tap into extensive capabilities and resources as part of one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies,” said Scott MacDonald, president, Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions.