First Quarter Highlights *GAAP: Net sales of $2.9 billion; Operating income of $157 million; Earnings per share of $0.50 *Fiscal 2024 outlook: Reaffirmed adjusted EPS guidance of $7.35 - $7.85 and free cash flow of $800 - $900 million *Announced plans for a tax-free spin-off and merger of the majority of our HH&S segment to include its global nonwovens and films business with Glatfelter, creating a global specialty materials leader, in a transaction expected to be valued at $3.6 billion

Berry Global Group, Inc. and Glatfelter Corporation announced they have entered into definitive agreements for Berry to spin-off and merge the majority of its Health, Hygiene and Specialties segment to include its Global Nonwovens and Films business (“HHNF”) with Glatfelter, to create a leading, publicly-traded company in the specialty materials industry. The Boards of Directors of Berry and Glatfelter have unanimously approved the transaction. The new combined company (“NewCo”) will become a global leader in the growing specialty materials industry, serving the world’s largest brand owners across global end markets with favorable long-term growth dynamics. HHNF brings an extensive portfolio of proprietary technologies, with a strong focus on healthcare, hygiene, and specialty end markets, while Glatfelter provides a broad range of innovation capabilities and sustainability solutions. Together, the combined company will offer a highly complementary product suite, including both polymer-based and fiber-based solutions, supported by strong innovation capabilities, with significant geographic diversification and a presence in all major markets.

IPG® has introduced ExlfilmPlus® PCR, a revolutionary polyolefin shrink film that contains 35% total recycled content and is prequalified to be recycled at store drop-off locations. ExlfilmPlus PCR is designed to meet the growing demand for more sustainable and circular packaging solutions, while delivering superior performance and quality. ExlfilmPlus PCR is a polyolefin shrink film that contains, at minimum, 10% certified postconsumer recycled content and 25% certified post-industrial recycled content. The new film contains certified mechanical post-consumer recycled content, which is derived from plastic waste collected from consumers and recycled into new resin. Additionally, ExlfilmPlus PCR has been prequalified by HOW2RECYCLE for store drop-off and is approved for some direct food contact applications. Available in gauges thinner than many traditional products, it offers a material usage reduction of up to 9%. By minimizing the environmental footprint of their packaging, customers can attain their sustainability objectives with the help of ExlfilmPlus PCR. It supports the circular economy by using recycled materials and enabling recyclability of the end product.

Metsä Group announces its plans for a significant investment program in its tissue paper business in the Mänttä mill to develop the sustainability of the operations and to modernize and extend the lifecycle of the mill. The investment plans are part of its tissue paper business’ Future mill strategy program aiming at world-class efficiency and environmental performance in tissue production. The planned program amounts to approximately EUR 100 million euros and the related investments are to be carried out over the period of next five years. The company aims to develop the mill’s production and environmental efficiency by investing in paper machine and converting line modernizations as well as improving the energy and water efficiency. Their aim is long term continuation of the efficient local manufacturing operations in Mänttä and they support the company’s target of all products and manufacturing sites to be fully fossil free by 2030. The investments will be communicated when the planning proceeds.

Highlights - Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 • Net sales of $6,694 million; • GAAP Net income of $286 million; GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 19.8 cps; • Continued strong cash returns to shareholders: Quarterly dividend increased to 12.5 cents per share and $30million of shares repurchased; and • Reaffirming fiscal 2024 outlook: Adjusted EPS of 67-71 cents per share and adjusted Free Cash Flow of$850-950 million.

Q4 2023 in brief: *Net sales decreased 6% to EUR 1,033 million (EUR 1,104 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -3% and -5% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements on the Group's net sales was EUR -44 million and EUR -5 million on EBIT. Q1-Q4 2023 in brief: *Net sales decreased 7% to EUR 4,169 million (EUR 4,479 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -2% and -4% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements on the Group's net sales was EUR -153 million and EUR -15 million on EBIT *Capital expenditure was EUR 319 million (EUR 318 million)

January–December 2023 (compared to 1–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 1,941.9 million (2,479.6). *The comparable operating result was EUR 122.2 million (520.7), or 6.3% of sales (21.0). Operating result was EUR 120.8 million (531.5) *Comparable return on capital employed was 5.1% (20.9). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 342.8 million (232.0). October–December 2023 (compared to 10–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 422.6 million (599.8). *The comparable operating result was EUR 0.7 million (100.8), or 0.2% (16.8) of sales. *Operating result was EUR -0.2 million (94.7). *Comparable return on capital employed was 0.4% (15.5). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 124.3 million (70.2).

January–December 2023 (1–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 6.110 million (6.980). *Operating result was EUR 498 million (1.302). Com-parable operating result was EUR 488 million (1.276). *Result before taxes was EUR 488 million (1.270). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 482 million (1.240). *Comparable return on capital employed was 7.2% (19.5). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 926 million (1.227). October–December 2023 (10–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 1.486 million (1.741). *Operating result was EUR 55 million (316). Comparable operating result was EUR 57 million (311). *Result before taxes was EUR 50 million (309). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 51 million (306). *Comparable return on capital employed was 3.9% (18.).*Net cash flow from operations was EUR 439 million (399).

*Revenue of €11.3 billion *EBITDA of €2,080 million and an EBITDA margin of 18.5% *Return on capital employed of 17.1% *Free cash flow of €628 million *Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.4x *Announced combination with WestRock to create a global leader in sustainable packaging

Amcor signed a deal with Cadbury to source ~1,000 tons of post-consumer recycled plastic to wrap its core Cadbury chocolate range, accelerating Cadbury’s ambitions to reduce its virgin plastic needs. In 2022, Cadbury announced it had sourced ~30% (on a mass balance basis^) of the plastic needed to wrap its 160g to 185g Cadbury Dairy Milk family blocks produced in Australia from recycled materials. With its latest purchase, Cadbury aims to use ~50%# (on a mass balance basis^) recycled plastic for its wrappers across its chocolate blocks, bars and pieces range produced in Australia. This will be equivalent to halving its virgin plastic needs to wrap those products. The rollout of recycled material is expected to begin in Q1 of 2024, starting with blocks and expanding into bar lines such as Cherry Ripe, Crunchie and Twirl as well as pieces wraps for Roses and Favourites.

Net sales in the fourth quarter were $2,858 million compared to $3,012 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting higher beverage can volumes in Americas Beverage and favorable foreign currency translation of $42 million, offset by the pass through of $145 million in lower material costs and lower volumes across most other businesses. Income from operations was $259 million in the fourth quarter compared to $229 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Segment income in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $382 million compared to $292 million in the prior year fourth quarter reflecting higher beverage can volumes in Americas Beverage and the contractual recovery of prior years' inflationary cost increases in European Beverage, both more than offsetting the under-absorption of fixed costs.

Due to the continued weak and uncertain market environment, Stora Enso plans to initiate a new profit improvement programme targeting annualised EUR 80 million improvement of the operational EBIT. This could lead to a potential reduction of approximately 1,000 employees. Local change negotiations in line with the local legislations will start as soon as country specific plans are further detailed. The profit improvement programme is designed to improve Stora Enso’s long-term competitiveness by focusing on core business activities that can drive the Group’s strategy supported by a decentralised operating model. The profit improvement programme would be implemented without any new production site closures.

Q4/2023 (year-on-year) • Sales decreased by 24% to EUR 2,174 (2,864) million. • Operational EBIT decreased to EUR 51 (355) million. • Operational EBIT margin decreased to 2.3% (12.4%). Full year 2023 (year-on-year) • Sales were EUR 9,396 (11,680) million. • Operational EBIT was EUR 342 (1,891) million. • Operating result (IFRS) was EUR -322 (2,009) million. • Operational ROCE (last 12 months) excluding the Forest division decreased to 1.0% (20.4%), the target being above 13%.

First Quarter Highlights and other notable items: *Net sales of $4.6 billion; Corrugated Packaging segment sales increased 3.5% compared to the prior year quarter *Global Paper containerboard shipments increased 21.9% compared to the prior year quarter *Net loss of $22 million; net loss included $66 million of restructuring and other costs *Achieved over $200 million in cost savings; expect to significantly exceed previously announced fiscal 2024 target of $300 to $400 million

*Full-year net earnings (loss) of $288 million ($0.82 per diluted share); Fourth quarter net earnings (loss) of $(284) million ($(0.82) per diluted share); Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of $540 million related to mill strategic actions *Full-year earnings benefit from Building a Better IP initiatives of $260 million, exceeding annual target *Full-year capital investments of $1.1 billion, including investments in packaging for future growth

Amcor announced a significant expansion of its North American thermoforming capabilities for the healthcare market. The addition of automated, state-of-the art thermoforming equipment at Amcor’s world-class healthcare manufacturing plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin will support increasing demand from customers in the medical, pharmaceutical, and consumer health sectors. The additional capacity will provide an efficient option for companies looking to partner with Amcor to support their growth ambitions. The expansion also will allow customers to source thermoforms and companion die-cut lids from a single location, helping streamline product manufacturing and distribution.

NBi FlexPack, an NBi Technologies company based in Wisconsin has announced its launch as a flexible packaging manufacturer producing high-quality custom solutions. NBi products are made in the USA, which allows for quick turnaround times for shipping anywhere in the US. Expert, personal service is an added convenience. “When we say NBi FlexPack is ‘Customized packaging. Personalized service. Made in the USA’, we back it up,” says Rick Nerenhausen, general manager, NBi Technologies, the parent company of NBi FlexPack. “We nurture customer care and are proud to provide top quality products made in our nation with options to meet every customer’s needs.” The packaging manufacturer is dedicated to reducing environmental impact and offers sustainable solutions including compostable and recyclable flexible packaging. Other benefits include: • Personal service with 25+ years of print expertise • Low MOQs • Special orders available upon request

Smurfit Kappa will invest €54 million to double the capacity of its Ibi Bag-in-Box plant in Alicante, Spain. Smurfit Kappa’s latest investment is set to strengthen the sustainability of both the plant’s operations and its product portfolio, with enhanced waste management systems and significant savings in energy consumption. Bag-in-Box Ibi has got a strong track record when it comes to recycling with several state-of-the-art systems to identify and separate by-products. Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Europe, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to the Bag-in-Box division and forms part of our multi-country expansion plan. We have invested €90 million in the Ibi plant throughout the last decade which has significantly enhanced our offering.

Sonoco Products Company announced that certain of its subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Protective Solutions business to Black Diamond Capital Management, LLC (“Black Diamond”) for an estimated $80 million in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024. This sale is the result of Sonoco’s continuing evaluation of its business portfolio and is consistent with its strategic and investment priorities. Sonoco’s Protective Solutions business is one of North America’s premier manufacturers of molded expanded polypropylene and expanded polystyrene foam components and integrated material solutions serving the automotive, power sports, impact surfaces, HVAC, electronics/technology, appliances, and various other industrial end markets. The business operates nine manufacturing facilities and has approximately 900 employees. Net sales were approximately $170 million in 2023. Financial results for Protective Solutions are reported in Sonoco’s All Other Businesses reporting segment.

American Packaging Corporation announces five APC Centers of Excellence achieved International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS. APC's Columbus, Wisconsin, Deforest, Wisconsin, Story City, Iowa, Chili, New York and Rochester, New York plants all achieved the certification, allowing APC to source and convert advanced recycled resins and films, often called circular content. These circular content resins and films are used to manufacture packaging products requiring recycled content and tracks the usage through a mass-balance accounting process, a methodology that looks at all inputs and outputs of a particular process. ISCC PLUS certification plays a crucial role in the development of the circular economy by ensuring the traceability of advanced recycled plastics along the entire supply chain in compliance with the ISCC PLUS standards. Unlike traditional mechanically recycled content, the advanced recycled process converts materials to the molecular level, offering a feedstock that can be used to produce new plastic materials with properties equal to virgin plastic. The result is eco-friendly materials that are highly sought-after by environmentally conscious consumers. This certification provides an additional and complementary option to mechanically recycled materials for those customers wishing to utilize recycled content.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $1.3 billion, a decrease of $115.3 million, or 8%, as compared to the same period in the prior year predominantly as a result of lower volumes. Income before interest and income taxes (EBIT) for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $126.1 million, an increase of $45.0 million as compared to $81.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 principally due to $66.6 million of rationalization charges in the prior year period.

In its continuing pursuit to develop packaging materials that meet the sustainability goals of its customers, global packaging solutions provider SEE (NYSE: SEE) has developed the first biobased, industrial compostable tray for protein packaging that has been successfully tested to meet the demands of existing food processing equipment. SEE's new CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray is made from biobased, food-contact grade resin, which is USDA-certified as having 54% biobased content chemically derived from renewable wood cellulose. The tray, which will break down into organic material without leaving toxic residue, was created as an alternative to those made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), which are traditionally used to package fresh poultry and red meat for consumer purchase but are not biodegradable or recyclable.

Revolution Sustainable Solutions LLC, Little Rock, Arkansas, has acquired PolyAg Recycling Ltd., a Canada-based mechanical recycler of agricultural films. Established in 2019, PolyAg offers local recycling of used agricultural film through its recycling facility in Bashaw, Alberta. This acquisition aligns with Revolution’s growth in the agricultural film space, having invested more than $20 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, by 36,000 square feet in 2020. The expansion supports the production of various polyethylene products made from recycled materials, including construction film, agricultural film and geomembrane film, by adding two blown film lines. As previously reported by Recycling Today, the film lines are able to produce more than 40 million pounds of film products annually.

What does it take to persuade consumers to choose your product over similar products on store shelves? One key factor is understanding consumers’ non-negotiable packaging priorities, such as hygiene, convenience, and sustainability. When introducing new reusable packaging or recyclable fiber-based solutions, conveying the right message about the package is vital to overcoming these obstacles getting your product chosen. Consumers are open to reuse systems. We recently conducted a survey of European consumers and found that 77% hold a positive view of reusable packaging; however, only 30% have a clear understanding of what reusable packaging means. This highlights the first challenge for brand owners: how to efficiently explain to consumers how the reuse system works while also addressing their priorities. Consumers rightly prioritize their health, questioning the hygiene and safety of reusable containers, particularly in the cases of food. Our survey showed that 78% of consumers raise this issue, making it one of the most common obstacles to adoption.

Ahlstrom recently received the FDA 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Reliance® Fusion, a next-generation sterilization wrap that helps increase efficiency in the sterilization of surgical equipment trays at hospitals. FDA 510(k) clearance is needed to market and sell medical devices in the U.S. Sterilization wraps are extensively used in healthcare facilities worldwide to help maintain the sterility of surgical instruments. Ahlstrom single-use sterilization wraps help to prevent microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, spores) from easily gaining access to the tray contents, allow sterilization, provide physical protection, and maintain sterility of surgical instruments up to the point of use. They thus play a crucial role in infection prevention and patients’ safety. The sterilization process is often time-consuming, requires the use of expensive processing aids such as tray liners, and involves longer drying cycles and stocking multiple weights of sterilization wrap to ensure all moisture has been eliminated.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has achieved home compostability certification for all its white kraftliners and folding boxboards (excluding PE-coated grades). The certification was issued by DIN CERTCO based on the compliance with standard NF T 51-800. “All our paperboards can be recycled, which is the preferable option when the packaging or food service container has served its purpose. But sometimes the packaging material can be stained by food, and then composting with biowaste is a good choice,” says Helena Moring-Vepsäläinen, Product Safety Manager at Metsä Board. “Our paperboards have had industrial compostability certification for several years now, and home compostability is one step further which is certainly welcomed by consumers.”

Packaging Corporation of America reported fourth quarter 2023 net income of $189 million, or $2.10 per share, and net income of $192 million, or $2.13 per share, excluding special items. Fourth quarter net sales were $1.94 billion in 2023 and $1.98 billion in 2022. Full year 2023 net income was $765 million, or $8.48 per share, and net income of $784 million, or $8.70 per share, excluding special items. Full year net sales were $7.8 billion in 2023 and $8.5 billion in 2022.

Supported by Sugar Land Economic Development, Accredo Packaging, Inc., a sustainable package solutions firm, has completed its fourth expansion at its Sugar Land headquarters, representing a $10 million investment. This expansion added 83,000 square feet of office space to the company's 650,000-square-foot LEED-certified campus, which is 100 percent powered by wind energy. Located at 12682 Cardinal Meadow Drive, the project added 30 jobs, and the company has pledged to maintain at least 525 jobs in Sugar Land through 2031. Opened in 2009, Accredo Packaging is the first and only flexible packaging manufacturing facility in North America with LEED Silver certification. Previous expansions took place in 2013 and 2021, and now, in 2024, the company has more than tripled in size.

To grow the Packaging Automation business in the packaging sector, Stora Enso has partnered with Radpak, a Polish packaging machinery manufacturer focusing on packaging automation for primary and secondary packaging. Packaging Automation is expanding their business outside of Gothenburg, Sweden where Stora Enso has its current factory. Radpak’s factory is located in Włocławek, Poland, which strengthens Packaging Automation’s growth strategy in Central and Northern Europe and gives a local presence with service and aftermarket. The partnership will grow the portfolios of the two companies which means Stora Enso can offer both primary and secondary packaging, one point of contact for the customer.

C-P Flexible Packaging (C-P), a leader in the flexible packaging industry, is proud to introduce Intelligraphix Systems—a new division specializing in prepress, platemaking and color management services designed specifically for flexographic printers. To ensure precision and efficiency from design to print, Intelligraphix Systems offers a comprehensive suite of prepress services, including art file optimization, extended gamut preparation, flexographic platemaking and optimization, color management, press profiling, file management and advanced quality check systems.

Smurfit Kappa has created a sustainable packaging solution to transport bees for Biobest, a world leader in biological crop protection and pollination. Biobest began back in 1987 when veterinarian Roland De Jonghe began breeding bumble bees in his garage to organically pollinate tomatoes. Tomato growers were quick to see the advantage of using bumble bees over chemical pesticides and the company flourished. Biobest approached the packaging giant to design an insulated and weather-resistant box to replace the EPS pack it was using to transport live bumble bees. It also had to be robust enough to withstand long periods outdoors as the boxes are used for outdoor pollination of fruit and vegetables.

Fourth quarter sales of $5.0 billion were in line with prior year, with organic sales up 3 percent, driven by a 2 percent increase in price from ongoing revenue growth management programs and a 1 percent favorable product mix, with volumes in line with the prior year period and volume trends improving for the fourth consecutive quarter. In North America, organic sales increased 3 percent over last year, including increases of 5 percent in Personal Care and 3 percent in Consumer Tissue that were partially offset by a 3 percent decrease in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales were up 5 percent in developing and emerging (D&E) markets. Organic sales in developed markets (Australia, South Korea and Western/Central Europe) grew 1 percent versus prior year. Gross margin improved by 210 basis points to 34.9 percent, with higher net revenue realization, cost savings and favorable input costs partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts and higher other manufacturing costs. Fourth quarter operating profit was $670 million compared to $712 million last year, resulting in an operating margin of 13.5 percent.

In autumn 2023, Finnish cosmetics company Lumene launched a moisturiser packaged in a bio-attributed* jar. The jar utilises a wood-based plastic raw material made from crude tall oil, a residue from pulp production. It is reportedly the first cosmetics jar that includes renewable materials in both the packaging and label. In the first phase, Lumene's Nordic-C [Valo] range of moisturisers will be packaged in this new type of jar. In the future, Lumene's entire range of 50 ml moisturisers will be packaged in a new bio-attributed jar. These are also the company's best-selling products. Reducing the dependency on fossil raw materials is a global challenge across many industries. For example, every year, the global cosmetics industry produces more than 120 billion containers. Many consumers are on the hunt for products with the lowest possible environmental impact, and industries are searching for raw materials to fulfil that need.

WestRock Company announced plans to build a new corrugated box plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, to meet growing demand from customers in the Great Lakes region. The Company intends to close its existing plant in North Chicago when construction of the new facility is completed. This investment will position WestRock to increase its production capabilities and improve its cost profile in the Great Lakes region. Construction is estimated to cost approximately $140 million and is expected to be partially offset by property sales. “Investing in a new state-of-the-art corrugated converting facility elevates our production capabilities and better supports our end market strategy and margin improvement targets,” said David B. Sewell, chief executive officer, WestRock.

As consumers increasingly voice their environmental concerns, industries worldwide are actively seeking sustainable alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint. Not surprisingly, corrugated cardboard packaging has emerged as an environmentally sustainable choice, boasting benefits that other packaging materials simply can’t match. Reports and surveys, including a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) recently published by the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) and the 2023 US Trend Tracker Survey commissioned by Two Sides North America, shed light on the environmental impact of cardboard packaging and illustrate why it is fast becoming the preferred choice of brands and consumers around the globe.

Two Sides Packaging Webinar: 15th February 2024, 9:25 – 13:00 GMT (10:25 – 14:00 CET). With 10 expert thought leaders, this webinar is focused on the sustainability of paper packaging. Register to the packaging webinar here: ttps://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W9MgIT28Qdu6Si1cyje-NA After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Mondi has brought together industry leaders in an expert round table to discuss how to improve the circularity of used paper bags in the construction industry. The event looked at how to build systems that will prevent the disposal of used paper bags, working towards implementing a process of efficient collection, sorting, and recycling that can be managed on an industrial scale. The partners attending were representatives from different parts of the value chain, namely Mondi, Envalora, Neinor Homes, OHLA, Arpada, Macotran, RCD Asociacion, S. Solís, Uder, Alier, Saint-Gobain and CoCircular. These like-minded industry leaders share a vision of boosting the circularity of paper bags used in the construction industry and see collaboration and stakeholder dialogue as a critical activity to achieve this.

Greif, Inc. and IonKraft, a barrier technology company specializing in plasma-based coatings, are pleased to announce a new pilot-project partnership. The collaboration aims to revolutionize the challenges of recyclability and sustainability in plastic jerrycan packaging that requires an additional barrier solution. Industrial plastic packaging is highly recyclable, but certain applications that require barrier solutions can make recycling more challenging. IonKraft has developed a game-changing coating that utilizes a plasma-enhanced vapor deposition process to create a strong barrier that is non-reactive, chemically inert, and 100% recyclable. Beyond recyclability, the IonKraft barrier technology offers a sustainable alternative to fluorination.

Tetra Pak has announced a collaboration with Absolicon, a Swedish solar thermal company, to offer a standardised solution for industrial equipment powered by renewable thermal energy (heat)1. Absolicon has designed a scalable solar thermal module that can be integrated with current and new UHT lines and enable a range of decarbonisation options, including a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions2, based on the customer requirement and location.

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced that it has had to temporarily suspend its operations in Lewiston, Idaho due to uncertainty in natural gas supply and damage caused by extreme cold weather. The company is restarting equipment and production at the facility as weather conditions permit. “We are focused on the safety of our employees and protecting our assets during this period of extremely cold temperatures in the region,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “We are in the process of repairing equipment and resuming our overall operations.” The company expects to provide an update on the anticipated impacts of the outage in a future announcement.

As the industry leader in flow control dispensing solutions for over 25 years, Aptar Closures is pleased to offer a line of fully recyclable flow control dispensing solutions suitable for a wide range of products, most notably food and beverage applications such as condiments and sauces. The company’s SimpliCycle™ valve is designed for brand owners seeking to enhance packaging sustainability without sacrificing precise, hygienic product dispensing and consistent consumer satisfaction. True to its name, SimpliCycle provides ease and function by streamlining mechanical recycling. Comprised of low-density thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the valves float during the recycling sorting process, separating them from the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) stream; from there, they are recycled in the polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) stream. When assembled into a compatible Aptar closure, SimpliCycle creates a fully recyclable solution for use with PET, PE or PP containers.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been selected as one of the winners of 2024 WorldStar awards for their ultralight pizza box concept developed together with Adara Pakkaus and other industry experts. A total of 435 entries from 41 countries were included in this year’s competition. An expert panel of international judges compared the entries to similar solutions from around the world and awarded the ones that were superior in their category and market and were better in execution or innovation, in comparison to others. The awarded ultralight pizza box solution, made of MetsäBoard Natural WKL Bright, uses considerably less material than traditional solutions without compromising rigidity, function or print quality. The pizza box was about 38 per cent lighter and according to the life cycle analysis the pizza box’s carbon footprint was up to 50 per cent lower than those of traditional solutions made of recycled fibre. The environmental impact comparison was carried out on material and its production.*

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ announced the availability of new Kimtech™ Polaris™ Nitrile Exam Gloves for use in laboratory settings that afford users the highest level of protection, durability and comfort from a glove in the Kimtech portfolio. Featuring a new dark magenta color unique to Kimberly-Clark Professional and a proprietary high-quality nitrile formulation, Kimtech Polaris Nitrile Exam Gloves have one of the lowest acceptable quality levels (AQL) for pinholes at 0.65, when compared to leading competitors. The average tensile strength is 31 megapascal (MPa) after aging, more than double the strength of the industry standard. The gloves also have been tested against some of the harshest chemicals used in labs and industrial work environments,1 meeting and exceeding the industry standards for exam gloves.

Amcor has once again been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI): Australia Index (DJSI Australia), recognizing the company’s commitment to delivering innovative and more sustainable packaging solutions. Amcor ranked within the 91st percentile of the packaging and containers industry in the 2023 S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment, which forms the basis for inclusion in the DJSI. The listing reaffirms Amcor’s leadership position in the industry. "This recognition is significant to Amcor, not just because we’re being honored in the country of our founding, but because it acknowledges our ability to deliver responsible packaging benefitting our customers and the planet,” said Amcor’s Global Head of Investor Relations, Tracey Whitehead. “We remain committed to continually innovating more sustainable packaging solutions across a wide range of materials, while enabling our customers to meet their own sustainability goals.”

Hood Container Corporation announced that it has acquired the corrugated packaging business of Sumter, SC based Sumter Packaging Corporation. This includes all of Sumter’s design, manufacturing, assembly and fulfillment operations in Sumter, SC as well as the business manufactured and serviced from the Statesville, NC facility. Benjamin DeSollar, CEO of Sumter Packaging Corporation stated, “Our roots in packaging go back over 100 years. Sumter Packaging was founded by Ed Fienning with traditions of family values, delighting our customers and being a strong community partner. The fantastic team at Sumter Packaging has built on those traditions and expanded on them to deliver world class quality, customer service, design and graphics. We are excited to be joining a family-owned company in Hood with strong values, vision, and the capability to further improve on the strengths we already have with its national network and the ability to offer vertical supply chain integration.”

The global furniture retailer XXXLutz Group is taking pioneering steps towards the goal of climate neutrality and sustainability. Teaming up with Stora Enso they are exploring game-changing alternatives to conventional packaging materials: Papira® and Fibrease® by Stora Enso. The collaboration is a milestone in the quest for eco-conscious packaging solutions and is a part of Stora Enso´s strategy to partner up with market leaders. By substituting traditional polymeric foams with lightweight wood-based alternatives, significant reductions in CO₂ emissions are possible. Similar to other used materials, like paper and cardboard, the foam materials are recyclable and can be disposed with paper and thus returned to the cycle. “Fibrease and Papira are the result of years of relentless research by a dedicated team. We believe that our renewable resource, the forest, is the solution to many of the environmental challenges facing us today. Producing a sustainable and recyclable packaging foam is a giant leap towards a greener future. Many industries today look towards lowering the CO2 footprint and Stora Enso´s dedication to innovation provides tangible solutions to this issue for companies and consumers alike”, says Ivan Christensen, Business Development Manager Biofoams.

Diversified Labeling Solutions (DLS) has expanded its RFID label offerings to help its distributor customers meet demand. DLS’ RFID expansion includes: • In-house RFID label conversion capabilities • Ready-to-ship stock RFID labels • Service bureau RFID label encoding/printing services • Dedicated RFID Product Manager • RFID label training. Driving DLS’ RFID label expansion is the significant increase in demand, largely due to RFID label mandates from major retailers, including Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Macy’s.

Hood Container Corporation announced that it has acquired the corrugated packaging business of Sumter, SC based Sumter Packaging Corporation. This includes all of Sumter’s design, manufacturing, assembly and fulfillment operations in Sumter, SC as well as the business manufactured and serviced from the Statesville, NC facility. Benjamin DeSollar, CEO of Sumter Packaging Corporation stated, “Our roots in packaging go back over 100 years. Sumter Packaging was founded by Ed Fienning with traditions of family values, delighting our customers and being a strong community partner.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, will be exhibiting its future-ready premium paperboards, innovative new packaging solutions and services for co-creation to the beauty industry at the 2024 Paris Packaging Week in January. During January 17 – 18, the PCD event will gather packaging developers, designers and suppliers shaping future of packaging for the beauty market to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. At Metsä Board’s booth (L60), visitors will have the opportunity to challenge a team of experts with their specific needs and hear more about how to lower the carbon footprint of their packaging or boost packaging design innovation through introduction of a unique co-creation concept hosted by the company’s state-of-the-art Excellence Centre.

With effect from January 2, 2024, SÜDPACK has acquired additional shares of CARBOLIQ GmbH and appointed Dirk Hardow as Managing Director. By doing so, SÜDPACK is demonstrating its commitment to a closed-loop system for plastics and to chemical recycling as a complementary recycling technology. Dirk Hardow, who as Manager of the BU FF&C is responsible for matters such as the development and implementation of closed-loop models, will lead the company as its managing director in the future. The acquisition of a majority stake in CARBOLIQ was signed on December 15. For Erik Bouts, CEO of SÜDPACK, this is “the logical next step. We regard CARBOLIQ technology as an indispensable building block in our industry’s process of transformation towards a circular economy.” With the acquisition, the film manufacturer is simultaneously substantiating its leading position in terms of a circular economy in the industry for flexible packaging. Because so far, SÜDPACK is the only manufacturer of flexible films with direct access to capacities for chemical recycling.

On December 30, Trioworld Group signed an agreement to acquire the German company Wentus GmbH (Wentus), a leading player in solutions for high-performance food-, consumer- and hygiene packaging, from Egeria Group. “We are very pleased and excited to welcome Wentus into the Trioworld group. The acquisition will give us the opportunity to grow an even stronger position in the market for advanced food-, consumer- and hygiene packaging, in Europe and in North America. Wentus has a proven track record of supplying the market with premium products and superior support, to maximize value for customers. “We have great confidence in the capabilities of the Wentus organization and management and look forward to joining forces and continuing the successful journey” says Andreas Malmberg, CEO of the Trioworld Group.

MM Kwidzyn has completed the consultation process with trade unions and works councils. The company has taken the decision on the closure of the packaging kraft paper machine (PM3). As a result of this decision, the production of packaging kraft paper IPACK ESSENTIAL, IPACK BROWN, IPACK ULTRA will be discontinued. The last production run on PM3 will take place early January 2024.

When we think about corrugated packaging, boxes used for shipping goods are probably what comes to mind for most adults. However, when given to children, those same boxes bring to life a world of wonder and creativity. What child doesn’t gravitate to empty boxes for play? From castles and robots to forts and rocket ships, corrugated boxes inspire a child’s imagination and help them understand how the world around them works. We asked employees to share some creative ways they and their children have used corrugated boxes. While moving homes, six-year-old twins put extra corrugated packaging to good use building a private fort and backdrop for their toys. “I was worried the boys would have nothing to do while we packed up the last of our house,” said Mary Beth Sharp, Vice President of Marketing. “But they came home from school and were super excited when they saw the extra boxes. They each made their own space and were content long enough for us to finish loading the moving truck.”

Amcor announced Web-Based Intelligent Packaging Evaluation (WIPE) as the winning student and faculty team of the latest Amcor Lift-Off pitch competition, hosted in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU). WIPE competed for an investment and collaboration opportunity as part of Amcor’s Lift-Off program, an open-call initiative aimed at supporting early-stage start-ups focused on innovative packaging solutions and related technologies. WIPE, developed by the research group of Dr. Euihark Lee at MSU’s School of Packaging, is an AI-based digital tool designed to leverage information mined from online customer reviews to assess the journey of a package throughout the distribution process. Once collected, the data is categorized for sentiment and key metrics, providing analysis that helps manufacturers identify critical issues during distribution and the consumer experience.

With their business going through a high rate of growth, the founders of an Austrian candle company Looops felt that the brand’s look and feel had reached its limits. A rebranding — including a redesign of the packaging — was the next logical step. The business started small but has since grown into new heights. As production volumes grew, the founders could no longer sustain making the glass containers out of recycled wine bottles themselves. As new types of containers were needed for the candles, rebranding the whole product line became relevant. As the outer packaging is the first thing the consumer sees, it too had to communicate the quality of the product and its brand values: pure, reduced and authentic – just like the fragrances used in the candles themselves. “We wanted the new brand design to be more than just a visual impression. We wanted it to reflect Looops’ journey, the experiences we have gained over the years and how they have improved the quality of our products. The packaging as a whole — from the material, to the visuals and the tactile feel — had to illustrate this as well,” explains one of the co-founders Julia Schliefsteiner.

As one of the policies under the EU Green Deal, the European Commission in November 2022 proposed a new regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) that will repeal the present directive (PPWD). One of the objectives is to make all packaging in the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. But already now recyclable packaging is being encouraged through the implementation of eco-modulated fees in the different national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. Sign up for the webinar at: https://triowor.webinargeek.com/how-to-ensure-recyclability-in-your-value-chain Key takeaways: After watching this webinar, you will have the latest updates regarding recyclability in the coming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and you will be aware of the standards that are being developed by request from the European Commission to support the regulation. You will also understand the difference between “design for recycling” and “recyclable” and know the coming steps in the legislation process and how it might affect your business. You will have seen concrete examples of adjustments made in flexible plastic packaging to meet coming EU legislation as well as requirements from national EPR schemes.

Moelven Wood and Billerud are joining forces to examine the possibility of developing a new sustainable packaging solution for Moelven's interior panels. The goal is to create a paper-based solution to replace the current plastic shrink wrap. The collaboration stems from an innovation competition organized by Paper Province. "Billerud's team presented a sharp and concrete solution that conveys sustainability, reflects the content, and visually stands out in stores. We are confident that we together can develop a packaging with good technical properties, that can add value to our products and have an achievable implementation in the factory.", says Tjalling Chaudron, Product Development Manager at Moelven Wood. Replacing the current shrink wrap packaging with one made from renewable materials is a step towards reducing Moelven Wood's carbon footprint. "The packaging solution that we presented offers a modern and attractive packaging for a modern and attractive panel.", says Björn Larsson, Business Development Manager at Billerud.

Novolex® announced that two of its brands, Eco-Products® and Vegware™, have earned coveted awards for their innovative solutions in compostable packaging. Eco-Products and Vegware were each honored with the Foodservice Packaging Award for Innovation in Manufacturing, tying for first place. Eco-Products earned the award for making high-quality digital print a reality on molded fiber packaging. Vegware was recognized for creating a compostable paper cutlery solution for markets that need fiber solutions across all packaging categories. “We are extraordinarily proud of our brands for their tireless commitment to innovation, creating new products that redefine excellence as we lead the way to a more sustainable future,” said Adrianne Tipton, PhD, Chief Technology Officer of Novolex.

Georgia-Pacific reinvested approximately $2 billion back into its business and operations in 2023. These capital improvement projects include launching and completing new facilities and enhancing existing operations. Each investment helps Georgia-Pacific better serve customers, and increase productivity and efficiency, while also creating greater economic opportunities for each facility's local economy. Georgia-Pacific made several investments large and small across its businesses. The projects listed below are large initiatives valued at approximately $100 million and up. For an overview of the projects, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATZglG3C5m4

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from Papel Prensa S.A. to supply a complete old corrugated containers (OCC) line including a reject handling system to its mill in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In its initial production phase, the new line will process 180 t/d of local OCC. The line's processing capacity can be easily increased through a minor adjustment to configuration to support the expected rise in pulp demand for the production of corrugated paper. The new line will provide high pulp quality at cost-efficient and resource-saving operation, with the latest technology available.

Work has begun on Saica Group’s new corrugated board factory in Barcelona, which will start operating in the spring of 2025. Located in the municipality of Sant Esteve Sesrovires, the plant will combine the operations currently carried out at Saica Pack El Prat and Saica Pack Barcelona. The new project involves an investment of more than Euro 100 million and aims to increase the current joint production of the two factories by up to 45%. The new factory will be equipped with the latest technology, seamlessly combining flexography and offset processes. It will offer significant advances through the digitalisation of customer services, enabling Saica to deliver the high-quality standards and service that set them apart from the market.

SCA is Europe’s largest private forest owner; and in addition to producing wood, the company’s 2.7 million hectares of land offer considerable wind power production capacity. This provides the company with excellent opportunities to produce renewable electricity with land-based wind power. More than 20 per cent of Sweden’s installed wind power is currently on SCA land in northern Sweden. By investing in its own wind power capacity, SCA is striving to become fully self-sufficient in electricity. In order to achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency at the lowest possible risk, the company has actively chosen not to enter into so-called Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). “We want to be able to produce renewable electricity and have a high degree of self-sufficiency to meet our own needs. We want to do this at low risk and have therefore waived PPA, for example regarding production at Skogberget,” says Mikael Källgren, President Renewable Energy at SCA.

Rottneros AB, one of the world's leading suppliers of first-class market pulp, is now investing in Blue Ocean Closures and becomes a co-owner of the Swedish start-up, developing proprietary fiber-based packaging materials. Since just two years, Blue Ocean Closures AB has developed technology to produce fiber-based closures for consumer packaging at large scale, aiming to replace current plastic solutions on a global market. The innovative technology and material have potential for many more high volume use cases and making an impact in terms of reducing plastic pollution and its climate effects.

Five small timber growers in KwaZulu-Natal, have made history by becoming the first participants in the Sappi Khulisa programme to achieve forest certification through the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in the Sappi Group Scheme for small growers. The five timber growers, with a total 8,143 hectares of timber area, have been successfully audited and awarded a PEFC Group Scheme certificate. The recipients of this significant award and founding members of the Sappi PEFC Group Scheme are the iMfume Cluster, consisting of more than 20l individual small growers from the Mfume district near Scottburgh, Sobengwe Trading from Ixopo, MG Farming from Richmond, Mclean M from Underberg, and Braecroft Timbers (Pty) Ltd from Underberg.

She will take office during the first half of 2024 and will be part of the Rottneros group management. The background is that Rottneros Packaging is now entering the next phase as the leading supplier of high-quality fiber-based packaging. This involves an increased focus on developing market position and reaching the right customers with full force, as well as increasing production capacity. So far, the main focus has been on developing the product and production process. Interest and demand are growing strongly for molded fiber trays as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based packaging. As part of Rottneros' commitment, the organization needs to evolve with both more people and new skills to maintain the pace of business development and enhance the group's leading market position.

Our durable packaging material can be recycled up to 25 times, and still do an important job in society. They also play an essential role in the global loop of paper recycling, which requires long fiber to be constantly added in order to work. With the ability to be born again and again – first as strong packaging, later as egg cartons or tissue. After six cycles the paper material can continue its journey, being recycled up to 25 times* into various everyday applications such as egg cartons and tissue. With an estimated shelf time of two years a single batch of our paper could potentially remain in use for about 50 years. Our durable paper is an important element in the recycling loop. By choosing our paper, you are not just selecting a product; you are participating in a cycle of environmental responsibility.

Stora Enso will record non-cash impairments of approximately EUR 514 million in its IFRS operating result in the fourth quarter of 2023. The impairments will be reported as an item affecting comparability (IAC). Including the estimated positive tax effect of EUR 65 million, the net result impact will be approximately EUR 449 million negative. The fixed asset impairments in the Packaging Materials division mainly relate to the Business Unit Containerboard and in the Biomaterials division to the Nordic production units. The impairments are mainly a consequence of Stora Enso's predictions of a weaker outlook compared to previous estimates.

RM Machinery announces the installation of a second press from the RMGT 10-Series line to Relevant Packaging of Omaha, Nebraska—the RMGT 1060TP-8 (7/1)+DD+LD. The installation, which took place in September 2023, coincided with the folding carton company’s milestone of achieving 40 million impressions on its RMGT 1050LX-6+CC+LD, a press purchased from RM Machinery in November 2022. The two RMGT presses from the 10-Series line are now predominantly responsible for Relevant Packaging’s folding carton production. Prior to purchasing the RMGT 1060TP, Relevant Packaging operated an offset press from another manufacturer that required multiple passes during production over the course of seven days. With the 1060TP, Relevant Packaging was able to cut its production time to four days thanks to the press’s ability to print seven colors on one side and an eighth on the other using UV ink in a single pass.

Cortec® is pleased to announce that its Cortec® Coated Products (CCP) division in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has won the Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Award! CCP is one of 11 organizations that received the award this year from the Wisconsin DNR (Department of Natural Resources) in recognition of outstanding efforts to recycle and reduce waste. CCP’s award falls under the category of “Projects and Initiatives” that have led to the recycling of more material and/or better recycling cost-effectiveness. In addition to sourcing most of its paper rolls from recycled content, CCP’s specialty is to apply a corrosion inhibiting coating that still allows the paper to be recycled after use. This is an important environmental benefit for manufacturers and distributors that use Cortec® VpCI® Paper to package and protect metal parts in a variety of industries.

Mondi has introduced its Advantage StretchWrap, a paper wrapping solution that replaces plastic stretch film and enables a more efficient logistics process, to Sentrex, a European manufacturer of paper bags. Advantage StretchWrap is a fully recyclable kraft paper that is made from responsibly sourced materials. Mondi developed it to stretch and resist punctures, making it ideal for replacing the plastic stretch film that has traditionally been used for pallet wrapping and transportation. Advantage StretchWrap has 62% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to virgin plastic stretch film, and 49% lower GHG emissions when compared to plastic film made with 50% recycled content, according to a peer-reviewed independent life cycle assessment.* By switching to Mondi’s kraft paper solution and using EW Technology’s fully automated machinery, Sentrex was able to increase efficiency in the wrapping process: The production of the paper bags requires a drying process to remove moisture from the bags before they can be wrapped in plastic stretch film, to avoid condensation within the packaging. Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap is breathable and can therefore be used to wrap and pack products immediately after paper bag production within one in-line process.

Elopak has announced plans to build its first U.S. production plant with the latest state-of-the-art technology for better and more efficient production. The plant will produce Pure-Pak® cartons for liquid dairy, juices, plant-based products and liquid eggs. The new production facility will be located in Little Rock, Arkansas and is expected to start production in H1, 2025. It represents a significant investment for the region of around USD 70 million including the land, the building and the equipment. The new plant will create more than 100 permanent jobs in the region for engineers, printers, operators, logistics specialists and other support groups.

The newest products made with at least 10% PCR include: • Signature dessert cups: Designed to enhance dessert presentations, these transparent cups are available in three sizes and come with a universal lid. All are made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a strong, lightweight and recyclable plastic. • CakePak™ bases and lids: These clear containers offer the patented EZ Release™ system that features easy-to-use lift tabs, making the containers simple to open and seal. They offer different bases to fit various cake designs, with customization options available. • BreakAway™ tamper-evident containers: These clear containers keep food safe and secure with a tamper-evident feature indicating when the top has been removed. They also are stackable and available in various popular sizes and shapes. • Multi-use clamshells: These clear containers provide optimal product visibility and enhance food presentation. They also feature a secure closure that provides a tight seal to keep food fresh. The clamshells come in a variety of custom shapes and sizes, making them ideal for loaf cakes, cookies and more.

UPM Raflatac has released the findings of a new neuromarketing study. Results show the power of different label materials and finishes to shape consumer perceptions and drive purchasing. Focused on white wine labels, the research carried out in collaboration with partners in the packaging value chain, ARGEA, SenseCatch, Kurz, and Krämer Druck, shows that label material and finishes all have a significant part to play in consumer purchasing behavior and post-purchase enjoyment. The research has been summarized in a book, which also features a foreword by Uwe Melichari, a sustainable packaging expert, designer, and Pentawards jury member. The book is available in three languages and as a digital version. A wine’s label plays a pivotal role in the consumer’s decision to buy it or not. In fact, according to a study on the wine sector conducted by wine.net, it was found that 82% of a sample of 2000 consumers relied primarily on the label to choose their favorite wine. Many other studies have also commented on the link between the perceived taste of wine and expectations, and how these are influenced by the label’s color, shape, paper, printing technique, and overall design.

Aptar Pharma, a global leader in drug delivery systems, services and active material science solutions, today announced the opening of its new Aptar Mumbai site, which will increase manufacturing capabilities in South East Asia. An inauguration ceremony held on December 1, 2023, marked the official opening of the new Aptar Mumbai production facility in the Palava Industrial and Logistics Park at Taloja, Mumbai. Members of Aptar’s Executive Committee and Aptar Pharma’s Global Leadership Team welcomed more than 100 key customers and Aptar employees from the Mumbai and Hyderabad, India sites to this momentous occasion, which included a ribbon cutting and tree-planting ceremony. Manufacturing capabilities at Aptar Mumbai, which began in 2012 with the assembly and supply of metered dose valves and pumps, have now been expanded to offer more innovative product solutions and ensure increased manufacturing capacity to pharma customers in South East Asia.

A 100 per cent recycling target by 2050 for the world’s aluminium drinks cans has been set by industry leaders at COP 28. Aluminium producers, recyclers, rolling mills, can makers and industry associations have set the target having stressed the need for enhanced recycling to support the IEAs Net Zero 2050 goal. Currently more than 70 per cent of aluminium beverage cans are recycled into new products but this figure falls short of making the complete contribution necessary for achieving the 1.5-degree target.

Fourth Quarter Results Include (all results compared to the fourth quarter 2022 unless otherwise noted): *Net income of $67.8 million or $1.16 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $99.5 million or $1.67 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(1), of $90.9 million or $1.56 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $109.0 million or $1.83 per diluted Class A share. *Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $83.1 million to $203.5 million. Adjusted free cash flow(3) decreased by $98.3 million to $136.2 million. Fiscal Year Results Include (all results compared to the fiscal year 2022 unless otherwise noted): *Net income of $359.2 million or $6.15 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $376.7 million or $6.30 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $358.7 million or $6.14 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $471.2 million or $7.87 per diluted Class A share. *Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $8.0 million to $649.5 million. Adjusted free cash flow decreased by $25.1 million to $481.2 million.

Paper production in Laakirchen and Steyrermühl is undergoing radical changes. The two sites - in future both part of the HEINZEL GROUP - are to grow together into a center for sustainable packaging papers, renewable energy and wood processing. Several key projects are planned and the projects are being presented at a press conference of Laakirchen Papier AG on Wednesday, December 6th: from the conversion of the paper machines to the production of sustainable packaging papers to the conversion of the energy supply to renewable energy sources through the use of existing recyclable and residual materials to the expansion of district heating. The HEINZEL GROUP is pursuing ambitious climate targets, focusing even more on the circular economy and planning to significantly reduce its consumption of fossil natural gas.

Mondi has expanded its range of saturating kraft paper and increased capacity, in order to improve and enhance its service to manufacturers of internal and external building panels, worktops, furniture and technical films. With the previously announced investment in a new paper machine at its Štĕtí plant in the Czech Republic and further increases in production efficiency, Mondi will optimise capacity across its mill network, providing increased production of its saturating kraft, Advantage MF Boost, at Mondi Frantschach in Austria and Mondi Dynäs in Sweden. Both Frantschach and Dynäs mills are ideally placed to deliver short lead times across Europe and provide customers with reassurance of good service and production back-up. These changes signal Mondi's commitment to increase the availability of Advantage MF Boost – the kraft paper that is used in laminated applications.

Global packaging leader Sonoco is pleased to announce the expansion of its flexible packaging service operations with the acquisition of Inapel Embalagens Ltda. in Brazil. Inapel has been an industry leading flexible packaging manufacturer for over 50 years. The company currently operates two facilities in São Paulo – one in Jundiai and the other in Guarulhos – with approximately 500 employees companywide. Production capabilities range from rotogravure printing, adhesive and extrusion laminations, specialty coatings, cold seal, pouching and cylinder engraving. Inapel will add to Sonoco’s existing flexible packaging operation in Pinhais, Brazil. The Sonoco Graffo site has been a top producer of high-quality rotogravure printing and sophisticated lamination for eight years and is one of the largest converters of foil-based flexibles packaging.

Georgia-Pacific seeks to grow its retail consumer tissue business through a $150 million investment in its facility in Halsey, Oregon. Investments at Halsey, which started in 2022, will increase production capacity for high quality bath tissue, with initial production expected in 2025. When the work at this facility is complete, Georgia-Pacific will have invested more than $200 million in paper machine and converting assets. “This truly is an investment in our customers and consumers who appreciate the quality of our products,” said Vivek Joshi, president of the retail tissue, towel, and napkin business for Georgia-Pacific. “It is a clear indication of Georgia-Pacific’s focus on growing our premium tissue business and creating products that consumers value.” The Halsey facility makes both bath tissue and paper towels for the consumer market, and the improvements will support Georgia-Pacific’s premium tissue offerings, such as Quilted Northern Ultra Plush® tissue, as well as customer branded tissue.

Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, a local Coca-Cola bottler serving Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City, and WestRock will collaborate to implement a paperboard carrier that replaces plastic rings for its multipack bottled beverages. WestRock’s PETCollar™ Shield Plus paper-based packaging will be used at Liberty’s Philadelphia production facility to package Coca-Cola’s top brands in multipacks. The 12 ounce (355 millileter) and 16.9 ounce (500 milliliter) products packaged with the durable, easy-to-hold carriers will be distributed throughout Liberty’s multi-state territory. Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages will be the first bottler in the world to implement the PETCollar Shield Plus bottle clip solution. “We’ve made it our mission to invest in technology that produces recyclable beverage containers that can return to our system while significantly reducing the need for secondary plastic packaging,” said Fran McGorry, co-owner of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages. “We know the most valuable change to reduce plastic waste occurs when bottlers and packaging producers work together. We are proud to partner with WestRock to make this change.”

Huhtamaki accelerates strategy implementation by starting a program which is expected to materially support the profitability of Huhtamaki with efficiency improvements leading to savings of approximately EUR 100 million over the next three years. All cost levers will be addressed including potential restructuring to a more optimal manufacturing footprint, reducing input costs at an accelerated pace, and improving productivity globally. The costs of the program are expected to be approximately EUR 80 million, which upon materialization will be treated as items affecting comparability. The program’s performance will be monitored and communicated on a regular basis. Huhtamaki’s updated 2030 growth strategy was announced in March 2023. It is focused on scaling the profitable core for growth, innovating in sustainable packaging solutions for additional growth, and delivering world-class operational performance. With this updated strategy the Company raised its long-term financial ambition to grow 5-6% p.a., reach 10-12% adjusted EBIT%, and deliver 13-15% adjusted ROI.

CANPACK Group and BA Glass announce that on November 28th they have entered a definitive agreement whereby CANPACK Group will transfer its CP Glass operations in Poland to BA Glass. Consequently, the CP Glass plant located in Orzesze will be incorporated into the existing glass operations of BA Glass in Poland where BA operates two plants located in Sierakow and Jedlice. The parties are committed to ensure a smooth transition of the CP Glass operations and employees into the BA Glass organization in Poland. This agreement, which is pending customary merger control approval from the Polish competition authority and other customary closing formalities, is anticipated to be completed during the first half of 2024. Marius Croitoru, CANPACK Group CEO stated: “CP Glass is a strong niche manufacturer of glass bottles for beverages, and we are confident that our CP Glass operations and team will find a new home with BA Glass, one of the world leaders in the manufacture of glass packaging. With this sale, CANPACK Group will continue to focus its resources on its core businesses.”

Smurfit Kappa has launched its new SupplySmart digital solution, which helps businesses to intelligently adapt their packaging to increase efficiency and reduce emissions across their supply chains. SupplySmart has evolved to tackle increased supply chain complexities and uncertainty in a world which has seen one supply chain disruption after another. Using insights from the analysis of over 100,000 supply chains, it identifies opportunities for optimisation across the entire length of the supply chain. Its new digital twin feature also allows businesses to test their updated packaging in a virtual environment to eliminate risks ahead of implementation. Leading German consumer goods company Henkel partnered with Smurfit Kappa to launch a compact and sustainable paper-based alternative to plastic packaging. SupplySmart was used to build a digital model of Henkel’s supply chain to achieve the company’s goals of reducing CO2 emissions while introducing a more user-friendly and compact pack.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a SEK 1.3 billion (approximately €110 million) loan agreement with Swedish company Billerud, a world-leading paper and packaging materials supplier. The loan supports investments in the modernisation and upgrade of a bioproduct mill, including the replacement of a recovery boiler. The upgrades are well anchored in Billerud’s sustainability strategy and will secure high environmental performance for the mill, with increased energy and resource efficiency. Materials made at Frövi mill are used in various packaging applications, with a particular focus on food and beverage packaging — an area that has strict requirements in terms of durability and hygiene standards. Fibre-based packaging has the advantage of being fossil-free, recyclable, and biodegradable — features that set it apart from fossil-based types of packaging. Materials produced by Billerud can be recycled many times and made into recycled board, before finally being used for energy production.

With the ongoing development of the United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution, governments from over 170 nations are working toward policy measures to combat the negative environmental impacts of hard-to-recycle plastics. The introduction of bans, levies, and increased disposal fees for EPS packaging materials will continue to be on trend for the foreseeable future, especially in regions lacking recycling infrastructure. Corrugated packaging solutions are 100% recyclable and 100% compostable, making them the ideal packaging material. What’s more, Mondi’s corrugated packaging solutions includes a wide portfolio of corrugated boxes made of recycled fibres. Paper-based packaging boasts an impressive 82.5% recycling rate in Europe, outperforming the combined recycling rates of all other packaging materials.7 The recycling value of corrugated packaging has enormous potential worldwide. Paper fibre can be recycled with good quality many times, keeping fibres in circulation.8,9

The project to expand folding boxboard production capacity has been completed at the Husum integrated pulp and paperboard mill in Sweden. With the modernisation of the board machine 1 (BM1), the annual production capacity of folding boxboard (FBB) will be increased by 200,000 tons to reach 600,000 tons. This will make the Husum BM1 the largest, and most modern, paperboard machine in Europe and further strengthen Metsä Board’s position as the leading European supplier of folding boxboards. The expansion of folding boxboard capacity is in response to the growing demand for packaging materials made of renewable resources. The BM1 produces folding boxboards that are lightweight, without sacrificing strength properties, which saves on raw materials usage and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging.

Due to uncompetitive wood prices from the Polish State Forestry Monopoly and significantly reduced market demand for paper and cardboard products, the company has decided to significantly reduce the planned multi-year strategic investment project at MM Kwidzyn with a focus on energy, further pulp integration and product portfolio, which was announced at the end of April 2023 . MM Kwidzyn will instead focus investments on further increasing its already high share of renewable energy from the current 69%. In addition, discussions were started with employee representatives about a possible closure of the small paper machine (PM 3) for packaging kraft paper and about restructuring, which could lead to a reduction in the workforce of around 110 employees. MM Kwidzyn will continue pulp and virgin fiber board production unchanged. In the paper sector, the PM 1 and PM 2 paper machines will continue to produce up to 360,000tpa of uncoated fine paper and 40-80,000tpa of “IPACK TM Strong Pro” (packaging kraft paper). Since one of the fine paper machines has not been converted, no sack kraft paper will be produced in Kwidzyn.

The third-party certification verifies mass balance chain of custody and traceability from raw materials to finished products. Given this, Pregis can produce films classified as advanced recycled (circular, bio-circular and/or bio-based). Ryan Wolcott, chief sustainability officer, explains the significance of this achievement, "Obtaining ISCC PLUS certifications for two additional facilities is a pivotal step in furthering our circular economy goals. This certification validates our ongoing investments in product development and our commitment to sustainability and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This step represents one more path toward overcoming plastic waste and our goals of incorporating recycled content into our products through both mechanically recycled and advanced recycled sources."

TC Transcontinental announced that it will be phasing out operations at its Tomah (WI) packaging plant in anticipation of the complete closure of the facility in early February 2024. Operations will gradually be transferred to TC Transcontinental Packaging’s plants in Battle Creek (MI), Clinton (MO), Elgin (IL), Lenexa (KS) and Spartanburg (SC) to ensure a smooth transition for customers and maintain high-quality service. “In line with our priority of optimizing the return on our assets, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency, we have made the decision, after thorough consideration, to close our Tomah, Wisconsin, plant. Servicing our customers in the most competitive manner is something we are constantly evaluating and taking action on,” said Jeff Lasley, Senior Vice President, Dairy, Protein and Pet Food (DPP), Latin America and New Zealand, TC Transcontinental Packaging.

Pactiv Evergreen Inc. released its latest Environmental, Social and Governance Report, 'Packaging a Better Future,' sharing progress toward the Company’s ambitious goals in 2021 and 2022. The report highlights advancements across the Company's three strategic ESG pillars – Protect Our Planet’s Resources, Deliver Sustainable Products Essential to Consumers and Value Our People and Communities, supported by strong ESG governance practices. “Our commitment to sustainability is foundational to our Purpose of Packaging a Better Future and is guided by our Value to Do What’s Right to deliver sustainably manufactured products with ethics and integrity,” said Mike King, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pactiv Evergreen. “Every day we strive to operate with respect for the environment and are dedicated to sustainability across our product portfolio, manufacturing and supply chains.”

Matrix Pack, a leading global provider of fiber-based food packaging products and solutions, partnered with Stora Enso’s Fiber as a Service (FaaS) to successfully accelerate the time-to-market of their molded fiber range. Fiber as a Service helps converters broaden their offering, assisting them with everything needed from education to support, tools, recipes, and a broad network of suppliers. To help converters broaden their offerings with molded fiber products, Stora Enso has launched Fiber as a Service. Also called: FaaS, an all-in-one service to help converters with wet and dry molding of, for example, cup lids, bowls, cutlery, and other similar products. Whether it is about getting started or scaling up production, FaaS by Stora Enso can help with material supply, consultancy, and tooling. The idea is to support converters produce molded fiber products to meet regulations and serve consumer demand.

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced a collaboration with Charter Next Generation (CNG) for an early-to-market initiative to include advanced recycled polyethylene in Clearwater Paper's private label tissue packaging offerings. Advanced recycling includes difficult-to-recycle waste plastics converted into new plastics that perform like virgin materials. The purchase of this material in the place of traditional resins helps to give new life to some plastics otherwise headed to landfills. "CNG is providing a competitive edge and is leading the way in transforming waste plastics into useful products. This advancement is critical to our success in meeting and exceeding sustainability goals for Clearwater Paper," said Mike Urlick, senior vice president and general manager, consumer products at Clearwater Paper.

Fourth Quarter Highlights *GAAP: Net sales of $3.1 billion; Operating income of $301 million; Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.55 *Returned $216 million to shareholders ($185 million via share repurchases and $31 million in dividends). Fiscal Year Highlights *GAAP: Net sales of $12.7 billion; Operating income of $1.1 billion; EPS of $4.95 *Cash flow from operations of $1.6 billion; Free cash flow of $926 million *Returned $728 million to shareholders ($601 million via share repurchases and $127 million in dividends)

Eco-Products® announced today that it has been recertified as a B Corporation, once again achieving the coveted distinction for meeting “high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.” This is the third time the company has gone through the rigorous certification and verification process. To achieve this distinction, Eco-Products met score requirements of the B Impact Assessment, which rates business factors such as employee benefits, civic engagement, DE&I initiatives, product environmental benefits and the impacts of business operations.

Vegware™, a leading provider of compostable foodservice packaging solutions, is thrilled to announce its first certification as a B Corporation. This prestigious recognition reflects Vegware’s commitment to ethical and responsible business practices that benefit both society and the environment. The certification is a testament to Vegware’s dedication to fostering positive change. By meeting rigorous social and environmental performance standards, Vegware has joined a global community of businesses that prioritises environment, people, community and also purpose.

Following successful commercial consumer testing in 2022, Tetra Pak and Lactogal have now launched an aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier. This is part of a large-scale technology validation, involving around 25 million packages and currently ongoing in Portugal. Made of approximately 80% paperboard, the package increases the renewable content to 90%, reduces its carbon footprint by one third (33%1) and has been certified as Carbon Neutral by the Carbon Trust™.2 Greenhouse gas emissions, food waste and plastic littering are cited as the top three environmental sustainability concerns facing food and beverage (F&B) businesses today, and this is expected to remain the case over the next five years.3 Packaging solutions like these, that expand the amount of paper and lower the carbon footprint, while ensuring food safety, can help the industry overcome these challenges.

Trioworld launched the first ever Post-Consumer Recyclates (PCR) based bale wrap in Agritechnica 2019, the world’s largest agricultural exhibition. With more than five million bales successfully wrapped in high-performance bale wrap made of recycled content since then, Trioworld now displays a full assortment of premium products for baled silage with recycled content at Agritechnica 2023. “We believe that this is the bale wrap of the future”, says Anders Larsson, Product manager Agricultural stretch films at Trioworld. “The performance is just as we want it. Silage quality and wrapping performance have proven to be on equal level as with our premium products without PCR. The fact that five million bales have been successfully wrapped with our bale wrap containing recycled material is just additional proof that it really does work”, he continues.

Norske Skog announced that the start-up of the rebuilt PM 1 at its Golbey mill in France will we delayed and has been again postponed from Q2 2024 to the second half of next year due to delivery delays. In addition, the net investment amount for the conversion project will increase from €265m to €300m, primarily due to increased purchase prices for goods and services as well as somewhat delayed deliveries of equipment. In July this year, the company had postponed the start-up to Q2 2024 in order to align it with the commissioning of the new biomass boiler. The Golbey project is to convert PM 1 from newsprint to recycled containerboard production. The rebuilt paper machine will have an output capacity of 550,000 tpy, and Norske Skog expects the machine to run at 95 per cent of full capacity within two to three years after start-up. PM 1 formerly produced up to 250,000 tpy of newsprint and was stopped in the fourth quarter of 2022 to commence the rebuild.

Smurfit Kappa has developed a recyclable film to replace the nylon which is commonly used in bag-in-box products, particularly in the US. Nylon bags are often used in bag-in-box packaging which requires extra protection, for example motor oil or detergents or large industrial-use food bags. Nylon is also sometimes chosen when there is particularly long or complex supply chain. Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box has developed a polyethylene film which has similar properties to nylon, in terms of strength and resilience but, unlike nylon, is recyclable. Massimiliano Bianchi, COO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box, commented: “Our new Lx polyethylene film is much better for the planet because polyethylene is the most developed recyclability stream in the flexible packaging sector.

Trioworld, a leading producer of innovative, high-performance plastic packaging solutions in Europe and North America with its head office in Sweden, is proud to announce that it has once again received the EcoVadis Platinum medal, the highest-level of recognition from EcoVadis, a leading provider of business sustainability ratings. “I am again truly honoured by this third consecutive EcoVadis Platinum medal”, says Andreas Malmberg, CEO of Trioworld Group. “This acknowledgement of our ambitious sustainability agenda and performance is of great value to us as well as to our customers. Cooperation and credibility are essential components if we are to achieve sustainable value chains, that include flexible plastic packaging, to accelerate the journey towards a circular economy for plastics.” continues Andreas Malmberg. “The EcoVadis Platinum medal helps us to provide our stakeholders with a deeper understanding of our ESG practices by demonstrating our sustainability performance through a scorecard. And it encourages us to continuously improve our processes and performance,” says Andreas Malmberg.

Paper and paper-based packaging manufacturers in the United States have renewed their commitment to sharing the industry’s successful sustainability story by continuing support for the Paper and Packaging Board program. In a recent referendum, 53 percent of domestic manufacturers and importers — who represented 53 percent of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging voting in the referendum — voted in favor of continuing the Paper and Packaging Board program. The decision comes in time for America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, another opportunity to highlight paper’s unmatched recycling record.

“Being acknowledged by AF&PA and receiving this award for PawPrint® Pet Food Packaging is a great achievement. It demonstrates how we are living up to our purpose to purify and protect with every fiber for a sustainable world by innovating more sustainable solutions,“ says Mark Ushpol, Executive Vice President for Ahlstrom’s Food and Consumer Packaging division. Ahlstrom’s PawPrint® papers provide pet food brand owners functional and visually appealing pet food packaging, eliminating plastic and using fiber-based materials, while helping pet food manufactures achieve their sustainability metrics. They are made from renewable materials and are recyclable and compostable. What makes the product truly unique is that it is produced with Ahlstrom’s FluoroFree® proprietary technology, making it fully grease-resistant without the use of PFAS compounds. Ahlstrom’s next generation of PawPrint® packaging solutions additionally ensure pet food shelf-life requirements are met while achieving pet-palatability test results for the most distinguished of pet consumers.

*Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from ongoing operations for Aluminum Extrusions was $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2023 versus $12.1 million in the third quarter of last year due to sluggish market conditions. EBITDA from ongoing operations during the last four quarters has been weak, in a range of $5.1 million to $14.6 million. -Sales volume of 32.5 million pounds in the third quarter of 2023 declined significantly versus 45.5 million pounds in the third quarter of last year. -Open orders at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were approximately 17 million pounds (versus 20 million pounds at the end of the second quarter of 2023), which is below the quarterly range of 21 to 27 million pounds in 2019 before pandemic-related disruptions that resulted in excessive open orders, which peaked in the first quarter of 2022 at approximately 100 million pounds. *EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films was $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 versus $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. EBITDA from ongoing operations during the last four quarters has been low with a range of negative $2.6 million to positive $4.0 million. *EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films (also referred to as "Terphane") was $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2023 versus $7.8 million in the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower sales volume and lower margins that the Company believes were driven by customer inventory corrections earlier in the year and now are being driven by global excess capacity and competition in Brazil from imports. See the Status of Current Corporate Strategic Initiatives section of this report for information on the sale of Terphane.

Huhtamaki’s subsidiary in India has recently consolidated five manufacturing sites into larger local units. Following the reorganization, the company has sold its real estate in Thane, India, from where a manufacturing facility and offices have been transferred. The real estate was sold to Phoenix Group, a large real estate developer, for EUR 47 million. Huhtamaki will book a gain of approximately EUR 44 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and it will be treated as an item affecting comparability.

Lacerta Group, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable thermoformed packaging solutions, announced today the appointment of Paul Young as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective November 6, 2023. Mr. Young previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Tekni-Plex, a global leader in the consumer and healthcare packaging sector, where he led the successful turnaround of the business. Through operational excellence, customer responsiveness and strategic growth investments, its revenue grew to more than $1 billion while earnings quadrupled. Prior to joining Tekni-Plex, Mr. Young held various general management and manufacturing roles for Graham Packaging, Owens-Illinois and Continental PET Technologies. Mr. Young holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo.

Amcor announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading sustainable polyethylene producer NOVA Chemicals Corporation for the purchase of mechanically recycled polyethylene resin (rPE) for use in flexible packaging films. Increasing the use of rPE in flexible packaging applications is an important element of Amcor’s commitment to support packaging circularity. The supply agreement would enable Amcor to purchase SYNDIGO™ rPE resin, manufactured at NOVA Chemicals’ first mechanical recycling facility in Connersville, Indiana, which is projected to be in operation as early as 2025. The recycling facility was announced in July as a significant expansion of NOVA Chemicals’ Circular Solutions business.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has collaborated with Skånemejerier to create a mono-material, polypropylene (PP) based packaging for, among others, ICA’s Hushållsost cheese. The new packaging comprises a mono-material base web and lidding film, all of which is produced and printed by Mondi before being converted for 1kg and 2kg blocks of cheese by Skånemejerier. It will be sold in leading Swedish supermarket ICA and now comes in packaging that is designed for recycling. Mondi’s mono-material solution provides high barriers against oxygen and water vapours, keeping the product fresh on the supermarket shelf. It offers high puncture resistance protecting the cheese, and great printability so that the brand and recycling messages can be communicated well on-pack.

Virox Technologies Inc., a leading innovator of patented, sustainable disinfectant chemistries, today announces that it has finalized multi-year licensing and supply agreements with Diversey, A Solenis Company, to bring its latest patented disinfectant technology, Citr-IQTM, to the healthcare sector and others. Diversey is a leading provider of hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning products, and technology, and will add multiple disinfectant products, powered by Virox’s Citr-IQ, to its lineup of professional offerings. Under the terms of the agreements, Virox will receive undisclosed license fees and royalties for the use of the formulas covered under the patented Citr-IQ disinfectant platform, as well as manufacture products containing the Citr-IQ formulas for Diversey’s North American markets. These Citr-IQ products will be produced in Virox’s LEED® Gold Certified manufacturing facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Diversey has previously licensed chemical disinfectant technology from Virox with the patented Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® (AHP®) platform, which Diversey fully acquired from Virox in 2019. AHP was created by Virox in 1998, and successfully transformed disinfection with a safe, effective, and sustainable patented chemistry. AHP is used across the globe in human and animal health sectors and is the active ingredient in multiple brands, including Diversey’s Oxivir® and Accel® infection prevention platforms.

Fourth Quarter Highlights and other notable items: *Net sales of $5.0 billion *Net income of $110 million, net income included $344 million ($239 million of which was non-cash) of restructuring and other costs, net and a $239 million gain on sale of the Company’s interior partitions converting operations and Chattanooga, Tennessee uncoated recycled paperboard mill *Results negatively impacted by $64 million due to economic downtime and a $40 million increase in non-cash pension costs, each compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022; WestRock’s U.S. qualified and non-qualified pension plans remain overfunded *Announced 10% dividend increase in October 2023 *Announced proposed business combination with Smurfit Kappa Group plc to create a global leader in sustainable packaging (the “Transaction”)

Billerud’s European production of packaging materials is the first to be third-party assessed as 100% recyclable, according to EU legislation proposed for 2030. This reinforces Billerud as a world leader in sustainable packaging. The standards proposed by the coming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are high, but Billerud has been meeting high standards for many years. This is why we reached the goal seven years in advance and are the first in the world to do so. Whatever type of 100% recyclable paper or packaging material you need, contact our team to achieve your sustainability goals. Together, we will customize a solution with tomorrow in mind!

UPM Specialty Papers is responding to the growing pet food market’s need to transform traditional packaging solutions by offering paper-based alternatives for plastics and packages that contain soon to be phased out PFAS chemicals. “As PFAS chemicals are expected to be banned in the EU, UPM Specialty Papers can support converters and brand owners in this change. UPM’s barrier papers can achieve excellent grease resistance without the use of PFAS chemicals,” says Kalle Luomi, Senior Manager, Product Stewardship, UPM Specialty Papers. Depending on customer requirements, the company offers a wide range of packaging papers for pet food packaging. One example is the UPM Asendo™ Pro barrier paper that combines recyclability and grease resistance with excellent print properties.

*Operating result in Q3 above the previous quarter but significantly below the previous year *Solid performance at MM Packaging *A decline in volume caused by the market and renovations continued to weigh on MM Board & Paper's earnings *General conditions remain tense due to inflation-related consumer restraint and the overall economic slowdown *No immediate recovery apparent *The profit and cash protection program that has been initiated is beginning to take effect

*Net Revenues of $1,379 million for the third quarter of 2023 were down 14% compared to $1,609 million in the third quarter of 2022 and down 3% compared to $1,426 million in the second quarter of 2023. *Net Income from continuing operations of $28 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $175 million in the third quarter of 2022, a net loss from continuing operations of $139 million in the second quarter of 2023 and a net loss from continuing operations of $217 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2023.

*Net sales of $1.38 billion, down 1% as reported; flat at constant currency *Net earnings of $58 million, down 57% *Cash flow from operations (YTD) of $193 million

WestRock Company earned 10 awards for packaging design excellence during the 80th annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. The competition, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), is widely known as one of the premier competitions for manufacturers in the packaging industry. WestRock earned the prestigious Package of the Year award for its WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBank rigid box with folding carton sleeve. The sleek and sturdy packaging displayed a pig-shaped bottle, leading to a unique “reveal” of the product. Due to its upscale look and limited-edition status, the carton quickly became a collector’s item celebrating WhistlePig’s premium standard. WestRock was recognized for its “commitment to detail and structural innovation in delivering premium packaging that offered a memorable unboxing experience.” Grounded World collaborated on the design.

*Sonoco achieved fully diluted earnings per share of $1.32 *Continued near record results in the flexible packaging and the rigid paper container businesses in the Consumer Packaging (“Consumer”) and Industrial Paper Packaging (“Industrial”) segments *Inflationary pricing pressures continue to impact year-over-year demand in the Consumer segment *Generated $617 million of operating cash flow in the first nine months of 2023 due to strong GAAP Net Income and disciplined working capital management *Lowered full-year operating cash flow and free cash flow guidance based on lowered operating cash flow and lower capital expenses

• Net sales of $3,443 million; • GAAP Net income of $152 million; GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 10.5 cps; • Increased cash returns to shareholders: Quarterly dividend increased to 12.5 cents per share and $30 million of shares repurchased

Greif, Inc. announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire I PACKCHEM Group SAS, a global leader in premium barrier and non-barrier jerrycans and small plastic containers, from an affiliate of SK Capital Partners, in a cash transaction valued at $538 million. The planned transaction would be funded through available capacity in Greif’s existing credit facilities and would be expected to close by the end of the second quarter of Greif’s 2024 fiscal year, subject to prior completion of the information-consultation processes under French law and closing conditions, including regulatory clearances.

*EBITDA of €1,625 million with an EBITDA margin of 19.0% *ROCE of 18.0% reflecting the ongoing benefit of capital plans and operating excellence *Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.4x *Announced transaction to combine Smurfit Kappa and WestRock, creating a global leader in sustainable fibre based packaging

*Net Sales were $2,349 million, a decrease of 4% versus the prior year quarter. *Net Income was $170 million, a decrease of 12% versus the prior year quarter. *Continued progress of multi-year coated recycled paperboard (CRB) system transformation. *Completed acquisition and commenced integration of Bell Incorporated in September. *Published 2022 ESG Report demonstrating progress on Vision 2025 ESG goals.

TIME featured 200 innovations this year in its annual list of the best inventions, and Cruz Cool is featured in the Reuse & Recycle category. Cruz Cool is a curbside-recyclable cold-chain cooler from Cruz Foam, a circular materials company. This modern take on cold-chain packaging replaces traditional EPS foam coolers and is perfect for protecting temperature-sensitive products for up to 48 hours. Cruz Foam is made from chitin, a material derived from shrimp shells and sustainably sourced from naturally occurring waste streams in the seafood industry. Whether it’s meal kits, fish packaging, or frozen-food packaging, it has the same temperature control performance as its non-sustainable predecessors. Cruz Foam, which forms the inner insulation layer of Cruz Cool, is home compostable, and the entire unit is certified through Western Michigan University (WMU) as curbside recyclable. The Cruz Foam is washed out and separated from the cardboard during the recycling process, eliminating any impact on the cardboard recovery.

The certification underpins Mondi’s MAP2030 (Mondi Action Plan 2030) sustainability commitment to make 100% of its packaging and paper products reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, ensuring a sustainable end-of-life for all paper and packaging products. While recyclability remains Mondi’s focus to keep fibres in circulation, composting can be a viable end-of-life option for certain applications, such as those disposed in the biowaste stream. Mondi’s kraft papers are made from renewable and certified sources, which can support customers to achieve their own sustainability targets. Customers can benefit from a comprehensive product range to meet requirements for industrial packaging, shopping bags for retailers and attractive food packaging for supermarket shelves. An example of Mondi’s compostable kraft papers is Advantage MF EcoComp, which is specifically designed for household and agricultural use and is used for paper bags for wet organic household waste. Another example is Mondi’s EcoVantage kraft paper, which combines fresh and recycled fibres for sustainable and food compliant shopping packaging.

UPM Specialty Papers and adhesive tape specialist Lohmann have partnered to promote recycling of paper liners in the tape industry. Until now, liner recycling in the tape industry has proven to be very difficult. As part of its own sustainability strategy of driving forward sustainable adhesive technologies, Lohmann saw the opportunity to spearhead design for recycling in the tapes industry. The collaboration builds on UPM LinerLoop, which is the pioneering closed-loop paper liner recycling solution launched in 2018. For adhesive tape liners, the greatest technical barrier to high-yield recycling is that the industry has traditionally used siliconized release liners with a darker brown shade. As the typical shade of glassine is white or some other light shade, recycling darker coloured glassine grades in the same stream would contaminate the recycled pulp. Darker shades are comparatively small in volume so recycling them separately is not economically viable.

A.J. Plast Vietnam Co has inaugurated a 70,000sq.m biaxially oriented plastic film production plant in the southern province of Bình Dương. The factory's core products include biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and biaxially oriented polyethylene trephthalate (BOPET) firms, both serving as essential raw materials for flexible packaging industry in a wide range of applications such as household products, agriculture, and pet food. Prasan Onwong, General Director of A.J. Plast Vietnam, said that the packaging sector in Việt Nam boasted considerable growth prospects, particularly in the domain of flexible packaging, which predominantly utilises BOPP and BOPET films. In terms of production capacity, the initial BOPP production line is geared to deliver 30,000 tonnes annually.

January–September 2023 compared with January–September 2022 *Net sales decreased to SEK 13,697m (15,921). The decline was mainly related to lower selling prices, which was partly offset by positive exchange rate effects and higher delivery volumes. *EBITDA amounted to SEK 5,172m (8,213). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. A strong result in the Forest segment and good growth in the Renewable Energy segment had a positive impact on earnings. EBITDA margin was 37.8% (51.6). *Operating profit declined to SEK 3,738m (7,052). *Operating cash flow was SEK 3,040m (4,958).

*Reported sales increased 7% and net income increased 55% to $84 million *Core sales increased 2% and adjusted EBITDA of $193 million increased 26% from the prior year *Pharma proprietary drug delivery systems had double-digit growth across multiple therapeutic applications *Beauty’s prestige and mass fragrance dispensing technologies had double-digit sales growth *Reported earnings per share increased about 56% to $1.26 compared to $0.81 in the prior year *Adjusted earnings per share increased 39% to $1.39 compared to $1.00 in the prior year (including comparable exchange rates) *Margins continued to expand across all three segments *Cash flow from operations was $173 million and free cash flow was $97 million, up from $55 million in 2022, a 76% increase

*Net earnings of $165 million ($0.47 per diluted share); Adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $224 million ($0.64 per diluted share) *$75 million of earnings achieved from Building a Better IP initiatives, bringing year-to-date to $195 million, exceeding full-year targets *Cash provided by operations of $468 million, bringing year-to-date to $1.3 billion *Returned $160 million to shareholders in dividends, bringing year-to-date to $679 million in share repurchases and dividends *Completed the sale of our Ilim Joint Venture interest for $508 million

January–September 2023 (compared to 1–9/2022) *Sales were EUR 1,519.2 million (1,879.7). *The comparable operating result was EUR 121.5 million 420.0), or 8.0% of sales (22.3). Operating result was EUR 121.0 million (436.8). *Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.26 (0.90), and earnings per share were EUR 0.26 (0.94). *Comparable return on capital employed was 6.7% (23.0). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 218.6 million (161.7). July–September 2023 (compared to 7–9/2022) *Sales were EUR 479.0 million (647.3). *The comparable operating result was EUR 5.5 million (152.5), or 1.1% (23.6) of sales. Operating result was EUR 3.1 million (153.4). *Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.02 (0.33), and earnings per share were EUR 0.01 (0.33). *Comparable return on capital employed was 1.3% (24.7). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 76.6 million (66.4).

Mondi plc provides an update on trading for the three months to 30 September 2023. In the third quarter of 2023 the challenging market conditions continued as expected in light of the ongoing weak macro-economic environment. Market demand has remained soft with lower average selling prices largely mitigated by lower input costs and tight fixed cost control. A much-reduced forestry fair value gain resulted in a lower underlying EBITDA of €261 million when compared to Q2 2023. In Corrugated Packaging, containerboard prices were stable with our order books improving. Flexible Packaging saw further price and volume declines in kraft paper, which is traditionally later cycle. Our converting network delivered a resilient performance. Uncoated Fine Paper pricing continued to decline in Europe on ongoing weakness in demand. Southern Africa markets remain stable. The forestry fair value gain, accounted for within uncoated fine paper, was €14 million in Q3 2023, significantly lower than Q2 2023 of €72 million.

Silgan Holdings Inc., a leading supplier of sustainable rigid packaging solutions for the world's essential consumer goods products, reported third quarter 2023 net sales of $1.80 billion and net income of $110.6 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, as compared to record third quarter 2022 net sales of $1.97 billion and net income of $138.7 million, or $1.25 per diluted share. "Our third quarter results continued to display the strength and breadth of our diverse portfolio, as we delivered our second highest quarterly earnings amidst challenging market conditions. Our high value dispensing business posted another record quarter, and trends in the third quarter developed largely as we expected," said Adam Greenlee, President and CEO.

Smurfit Kappa recently published its second annual Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report which provides details on the use of proceeds of its inaugural €1 billion dual-tranche Green Bond issued in September 2021. Circular economy adapted products, production technologies and processes and/or certified eco-efficient projects (96%) contributing to: *6.8m tonnes of primarily post-consumer waste recycled in 2022 *76% recycled fibres in global production *100% recycled fibres from certified FSC, PEFC or SFI sustainable sources *4% reduction in waste sent to landfill versus 2020 *8% reduction in water intake versus 2020

Consumers are now actively considering the environment alongside their individual health when buying food, according to Tetra Pak’s Index 2023. These environmentally conscious consumers labelled 'Climatarians’ are willing to alter their eating habits to protect the planet. The market for healthy foods is already well established, as consumers actively seek products that will have a positive impact on their physical wellbeing. But a significant majority now take a more holistic view: 70% say that healthy products should not harm the environment, while another 54% are willing to take responsibility for the planet and change their diet to contribute to a better world. This dual focus is reflected in the rising number of consumers consciously reducing the amount of meat they eat, known as 'flexitarians', with nearly half of all consumers saying they are reducing meat intake or excluding meat altogether.

Stora Enso appoints Ad Smit as Executive Vice President of the Packaging Solutions division and a member of the Group Leadership Team. He will start on 1 December 2023 and report to Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Stora Enso. Ad Smit is a Dutch citizen and will be based in the Netherlands. He has led the Business Unit Western Europe within Stora Enso’s Packaging Solutions division since January 2023. He has over 30 years of business leadership experience in the packaging industry. From 2012, Ad was the CEO of De Jong Packaging Group, which Stora Enso acquired in January 2023. Prior to that he held various Managing Director positions leading packaging divisions and units at Smurfit Kappa Group for over 20 years. “I’m delighted to welcome Ad Smit to Stora Enso’s leadership team. Ad has extensive experience and a successful track record in the packaging business. He is well placed to both lead the Packaging Solutions division and to optimise the integration and synergies with De Jong Packaging Group,” says Hans Sohlström.

Q3/2023 (year-on-year) • Sales decreased by 28% to EUR 2,127 (2,963) million. • Operational EBIT decreased to EUR 21 (527) million. • Operating profit (IFRS) was EUR -1 (511) million. • Cash flow from operations amounted to EUR 231 (639) million. Cash flow after investing activities was EUR 38 (489) million. • The net debt to operational EBITDA ratio (last 12 months) was 2.4 (0.8). The target is to keep the ratio below 2.0. • Operational ROCE excluding the Forest division (last 12 months) decreased to 4.7% (22.1%), the target being above 13%.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) today reported third quarter 2023 net income of $183 million, or $2.03 per share, and net income of $185 million, or $2.05 per share, excluding special items. Third quarter net sales were $1.9 billion in 2023 and $2.1 billion in 2022. Reported earnings in the third quarter of 2023 include special items primarily for certain costs at the Jackson, AL mill for paper-to-containerboard conversion related activities. Results were $.17 above third quarter guidance of $1.88 per share primarily due to higher volume in the Packaging and Paper segments and lower operating and converting costs.

SEE announced that its Board of Directors and Ted Doheny have mutually agreed to transition SEE’s leadership. Mr. Doheny has stepped down as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. He will continue to serve SEE in an advisory capacity to assist in the transition. Effective immediately, Emile Chammas, Chief Operating Officer, and Dustin Semach, Chief Financial Officer, are appointed Interim Co-Presidents and Co-CEOs, in addition to their current roles. The Board is undertaking a comprehensive search, internally and externally, with the assistance of a leading executive search firm to identify SEE’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Nearly half of all new plastic waste entering the ocean each year comes from one ubiquitous source: thin-film plastic made from fossil fuels, that are extracted from the ground, releasing harmful carbon into the atmosphere and displacing wildlife and people from their homes. These flexible films are not readily degradable and difficult to recycle — they can often end up in the ocean, where they can be ingested by sea life. In 2020, Lonely Whale, a nonprofit whose mission is to keep plastic out of oceans, unveiled “Unwrap the Future,” a three phase, multi-year program to vet and scale viable, marine-safe solutions to traditional thin-film plastic. For phase one of the program, the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize was created in partnership with Lonely Whale and TOM FORD, a luxury fashion house.

Net sales in the third quarter were $3,069 million compared to $3,259 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflecting higher beverage can volumes in North America and favorable foreign currency translation of $60 million, offset by lower volumes across most other businesses and the pass through of $187 million in lower material costs. Income from operations was $374 million in the third quarter compared to $297 million in the third quarter of 2022. Segment income in the third quarter of 2023 was $430 million compared to $336 million in the prior year third quarter reflecting the benefits from higher beverage can volumes in North America, the contractual recovery of prior years' inflationary cost increases in Europe and the successful implementation of cost reduction programs in Transit Packaging.

Quarter Highlights *Delivered net sales of $5.1 billion, up 2 percent, with organic sales growth of 5 percent. *Gross margin was 35.8 percent, up 530 basis points versus the prior year, driven by favorable net revenue realization and productivity. *Raised 2023 outlook for organic growth to 4% - 5%, and for adjusted earnings per share growth of 15% - 17%, with adjusted operating margin up 170 basis points at the midpoint versus last year.

Metsä Group is conducting a pre-study related to the construction of a first commercial mill for producing Muoto™ packaging products on its Rauma mill site, Finland. The goal is to determine the mill’s technical feasibility and economic profitability. It is envisioned that the mill will produce Muoto fibre-based packaging tailored to various uses in people’s daily lives. Muoto is a wood-based alternative to plastics and aluminium in food packaging, for example. In addition to being easy to mould in different shapes, Muoto is lightweight, strong and recyclable. Muoto products have been developed at the joint demo plant of Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring and Valmet in Äänekoski, Finland, since May 2022. The demo plant has conducted parallel development of the fibre-based packaging and an entirely new production method that converts wood fibre into safe packaging while saving raw material, energy and water.

Q3 2023 in brief *Net sales decreased 12% to EUR 1,037 million (EUR 1,178 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -4% and -7% in emerging markets. Q1-Q3 2023 in brief *Net sales decreased 7% to EUR 3,136 million (EUR 3,375 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -1% and -3% in emerging markets *Capital expenditure was EUR 204 million (EUR 185 million) *Free cash flow was EUR 193 million (EUR -60 million)

Crawford Packaging is pleased to announce its new partnership and distribution agreement in Central Mexico with StePacPPC, a global leader in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) solutions for shelf-life extension of fresh produce. StePacPPC’s products are revolutionizing fresh produce packaging by naturally altering gas composition and controlling moisture within the packaging, creating an environment that extends the produce shelf life, preserves freshness, and reduces spoilage in the supply chain. The partnership between Crawford Packaging and StePacPPC builds upon an already well-established cooperation between the two companies in Canada. This joint collaboration in the Central Mexican market is a testament to their shared dedication to bringing value-added solutions to the produce marketplace.

Tetra Pak and Lund University have announced the launch of Biotech Heights, a new research hub that will explore food and materials production using bioprocessing to create useful products from living cells or cell components. Biotech Heights will establish an open innovation environment, in which all participating organisations will have access to world leading laboratories and equipment for both commercial and academic purposes. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to work alongside several faculties at the University to address both the technical and non-technical challenges facing producers, brands, and manufacturers operating in this space. This, combined with Tetra Pak’s experience supporting food and beverage brands with product development, will make Biotech Heights a space to nurture and test ideas, and collaborate to share knowledge on best practices and consumer trends.

Supremex Inc., a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of envelopes and a growing provider of paper-based packaging solutions, announced optimization initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and achieving synergies within its Packaging and Specialty Products segment. These initiatives are expected to result in annual cost savings of approximately $1.5 million once all measures are implemented. First, the Company is closing its Saint-Hyacinthe facility, acquired as part of the Impression Paragraph Inc. transaction completed earlier this year. Production of packaging products carried out in Saint-Hyacinthe will be transferred to existing packaging facilities in the Montreal area. Supremex also announces the departure of Simon Provencher, President of the Packaging segment. Following his departure, the Company revamped its Packaging management structure under which three general managers will be responsible, respectively, for folding carton, e-commerce, and the commercial printing activities.

The role of food packaging in improving resource circularity has become more vital than ever as the emphasis on sustainability increases across the globe, especially in Europe. With that, many brands are facing the challenge of providing more sustainable packaging solutions without compromising consumers’ convenience and product safety. Consumer and market expertise are critical to staying up to date with new and upcoming sustainability requirements and having the ability to leverage breakthrough innovations to incorporate them in the development of new solutions. Aptar’s SimpliCycle, a fully recyclable valve for use in dispensing closures, is a recent demonstration of Aptar’s commitment to sustainability without compromising performance. Like other flow control valves that we have brought to market over the past 30 years, the SimpliCycle valve results in a clean and controlled product dispensing throughout the life of the package. With SimpliCycle, consumers get a cleaner and more convenient product squeeze while brand owners benefit from a fully recyclable closure.

UPM Specialty Papers, Lantmännen Unibake and Adara have co-created a new fibre-based packaging that replaces plastic bags as primary packaging for frozen baked goods. To minimize the use of fossil-based materials, the companies joined forces to create a solution where the plastic bags were eliminated by using UPM Asendo™ barrier paper as an inner liner in the corrugated cardboard box; the barrier paper layer ensures food safety and freshness. “The partnership with Lantmännen Unibake and Adara opened the opportunity to unite our expertise across the food packaging value network to create a renewable and recyclable packaging solution for frozen bread. Lantmännen Unibake and a third-party food industry development company conducted thorough testing and analysis on the impact of packaging materials on the taste of the frozen bread; as a result UPM Asendo was chosen as the inner liner for the cardboard box. The food safe UPM Asendo barrier paper layer has proven to offer the grease and moisture resistance needed while ensuring food safety,” says Kirsi Lahtela, Product Manager, UPM Specialty Papers.

International technology group ANDRITZ will rebuild a paper machine at Holmen Paper’s Braviken mill in Sweden to provide maximum production flexibility. Start-up is planned for autumn 2024. This order follows Holmen Paper’s recent successful entry into the packaging market with an innovative lightweight corrugated board product. The rebuild of PM52 will enable Holmen Paper to increase the production of fluting for corrugated boxes. ANDRITZ will implement a sophisticated technology concept allowing to easily switch production between the different paper grades.

Mester Grønn has together with Stora Enso developed a plastic-free transportation tray for plants. The new PureFiber™ Horti tray is made from formed fiber and reduces CO2 emissions compared to the plastic alternatives. Mester Grønn is hoping the new tray will have a positive effect on the entire industry’s environmental impact. With an ambition to replace plastic where they can, Mester Grønn set sight on the single use plastic trays used for transporting plants from growers to flower shops. They discussed with Stora Enso about finding a new sustainable option. It should be plastic-free but still had to meet three criteria: 1. Stiffness and Resilience: The tray needed to retain its rigidity in both dry and humid conditions. 2. Efficiency in Logistics: It needed to follow industry standards to fit the existing logistical chain. 3. Water Resistance: The new material had to be able to withstand exposure to water.

Sonopress, a manufacturer of storage media that is part of Bertelsmann Marketing Services, has developed a revolutionary new form of vinyl LP that drastically reduces the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. The product is being launched in collaboration with Warner Music, a long-term client of Sonopress. This new vinyl is produced using recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as its base material, which can also be made from 100% recycled PET, rather than polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Pressing the discs requires neither natural gas nor steam, and a test operation saw energy savings of up to 85 percent compared to the traditional process. A first production line for the innovative LPs – dubbed Eco Record – was put into operation by Sonopress on Thursday at its plant in Gütersloh, Germany, following a series of tests last year.

The Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland has given public notice of the environmental permit application filed for the Kaskinen paperboard mill of Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, on 6 October 2023 The permit applications will be available for public statements and comments for 37 days at https://ylupa.avi.fi/fi-FI The mill project’s environmental impact assessment process ended on 22 September 2023 when the South Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment issued its reasoned conclusion. Metsä Board initiated pre-engineering for the new paperboard mill in Kaskinen in the autumn of 2022. Planning is based on fossil free production and world-class resource, production and environmental efficiency. Metsä Board estimates that any investment decision will be made in 2024 at the earliest.

As sustainability efforts and initiatives continue to take the spotlight, a recent life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted for the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) shows that the corrugated packaging industry has achieved substantial reductions in the environmental impacts of corrugated cardboard boxes. A release from Fibre Box Association (FBA) revealed the details. “Reducing carbon emissions is the most important thing we can do for a more sustainable future,” said CPA Executive Director Bob McIlvaine. “Additional improvements in land, air, and water indicators highlight the industry’s progress and reaffirm our longstanding commitment to sustainable manufacturing across operations.” CPA is a corrugated industry initiative jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), AICC – The Independent Packaging Association, FBA, and TAPPI, a release explained. Its recent LCA shows a 50 percent per unit reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2020 for the corrugated packaging industry, showcasing its commitment to tackling climate change.

Amcor has been recognized for its AmSky™ and AmPrima™ more sustainable packaging solutions, earning a place on Walmart’s ‘Circular Connector’ platform. Circular Connector, established by retail giant Walmart, is a platform that makes it easier for sourcing teams and brands to quickly find more sustainable packaging solutions for the products they put on Walmart shelves. Being able to easily source more sustainable packaging solutions will enable the brands, and Walmart, to achieve their sustainability goals while driving a circular packaging economy. AmSky offers a world’s-first, recycle-ready blister pack for pharmaceuticals. AmPrima is a portfolio of recycle-ready packaging solutions with a low carbon footprint, applicable in different packaging formats from bags to packs and pouches, for both solid and liquid content.

As market demand for high-performance, sustainable building materials is increasing, Ahlstrom continues to grow its glass fiber tissue business and strengthen its manufacturing platform globally by completing a major investment at its plant in Madisonville, KY, U.S. Ahlstrom’s product portfolio for the construction industry, FibRoc®, offers carriers, facings, and backing solutions protecting against fire, flame spread, moisture, and water. All of Ahlstrom’s glass fiber tissue solutions are fluorocarbon-free and have formaldehyde-free options.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced it will permanently decommission the K3 coated recycled paperboard (CRB) machine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The K3 machine is one of three CRB machines at the Kalamazoo facility and is the company's longest-running machine. K3 ceased operation on July 1 and today's announcement reflects the decision to permanently shut down the 125,000-tons per annum machine. Removing higher-cost, less efficient production capacity is part of Graphic Packaging's CRB optimization plan first announced in 2019 alongside the transformational investment in a new, state-of-the-art K2 CRB machine. Permanently decommissioning the older machine is the company's next step of network optimization. With K2 reaching expected quality, cost improvement and volume commitments ahead of schedule, the permanent decommissioning of K3 supports more efficient resource use and margin enhancement goals for the CRB network, while continuing to service increased customer demand for high quality coated recycled paperboard.

We’re excited to announce Canopy™, a sustainability program that provides a curbside-recyclable alternative to PE shrink film for tray bundling! We are collaboratively bringing this program to market with WestRock and just displayed Canopy™ with working demos during PACK EXPO 2023. Canopy™ Wrap has passed rigorous ISTA 3 Series testing, is coated for moisture and abrasion resistance, and provides a printable surface for showcasing branding. Canopy™ Equipment can be retrofitted to existing bundling machinery or installed as a dedicated high-speed bundler.

Greif, Inc. announced it has acquired Reliance Products, Ltd., a leading producer of high-performance barrier and conventional blow molded jerrycans and small plastic containers in Canada. The all-cash transaction, which reflects approximately 6.75x proforma adjusted EBITDA, was funded through Greif's existing credit facility. With a single operating location in Winnipeg, Canada, Reliance's operations are strategically located to serve the primary agriculture markets in North America. Reliance products utilize a unique in-mold fluorination barrier (IMF) process which provides a compelling additional capability to the Greif portfolio of barrier technologies.

Mactac® Engineered Tapes & Laminates announces it will have a leading presence at the 2023 Tape and Functional Film (TFF) Expo, showcasing a wide variety of bonding and laminating tapes for diverse applications. “Mactac has been providing specially engineered, high-quality adhesive tapes for bonding, mounting and fastening applications for more than 60 years and we are excited to show expo attendees what Mactac tapes are made of,” said Janet Page, General Manager, Mactac Engineered Tapes & Laminates, and TFF advisory board member. “Our products are constructed for high-performance long-term applications, economical temporary applications, and everything in between. They are formulated in-house, and they are cleaner and greener than other pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) on the market.” Mactac tapes feature attributes such as high strength, excellent tack and peel, superior shear performance, near-immediate adhesion, ease of product handling and die-cutting, and chemical and UV resistance. Mactac leads the industry in sustainable manufacturing practices as one of the first manufacturers to specialize in 100% solids adhesive technology.

Conwed, a Mativ brand and globally recognized netting manufacturer, unveiled its newly refreshed branding and a contemporary website that more distinctly features its innovative extruded, oriented, and multilayer netting offering for agriculture, packaging and consumer goods, filtration, industrial, medical, erosion control, energy applications, and more. The new look honors Conwed’s legacy and credibility while advancing the brand as modern and innovative. The visual identity pays homage to the original Conwed logo and includes a globe representing how Conwed often “hold the world together.” “Conwed is well-known for its innovative products and industry leading quality. Our new visual identity reintroduces customers to the idea that Conwed is an essential partner of leading manufacturers in a variety of markets,” says Vishal Rao, President, Industrials business unit, Mativ.

Ahlstrom is extending its product range of pressure-sensitive adhesive packaging tape applications. MasterTape® Pack supplements the fiber-based product offering supporting megatrends like e-commerce and the global need for more sustainable packaging solutions. There are approximately 30 billion square meters of packaging tape worldwide, and the numbers are growing with the expansion of e-commerce. Ahlstrom's MasterTape® WAT and MasterTape® Pack offer a high-quality product range for packaging tape applications. They address the need for high-quality performance packaging tape backings while providing customers with a sustainability-driven tape solution that protects and secures packages with the utmost care.

Selecting the right protective packaging can significantly impact business operations. With considerations such as minimizing damage rates, improving throughput and aligning with environmental initiatives, it's essential to evaluate your options carefully. The most effective solution is not one-size-fits-all. A customized approach is essential whether you are in the consumer-centric world of e-commerce or the vast landscape of third-party logistics (3PL). Click Read More below to explore ways tailored protective packaging solutions can meet the nuanced needs of each industry.

The flexible “Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure 40 gsm” packaging paper from Koehler Paper is the final piece in the games manufacturer’s quest to offer its customers 100% recyclable and sustainable products, entirely free from plastics, for both games and puzzles. The card decks for the board games “CATAN“ and “Halli Galli”, which were originally wrapped in cellophane, switched to flexible packaging paper from Koehler Paper back in 2022. Like all other Koehler NexPlus® papers, “Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure” is also heat-sealable, and its sturdiness characteristics make it ideally suited for further processing on all commercially available packaging machines. “We can produce approx. 120,000 puzzles per week — from puzzles for small children to puzzles for adults with 6000 pieces. The stability of the packaging paper from Koehler Paper enables us to pack the products at the same speed as plastic film, for example“, says Marcel Riehle, Director Of Operations at Ludo Fact, explaining the decision to switch to paper. Ludo Fact produces up to 17 million units per year for around 200 games publishing companies worldwide. The company is the first manufacturer on the market that has been able to introduce sustainable paper packaging for its products in large runs and at optimal costs.

Pactiv Evergreen Inc. and ExxonMobil are teaming up to provide certified-circular packaging solutions to major food brands and foodservice providers. Pactiv Evergreen will soon offer its customers certified-circular polypropylene (PP) packaging products leveraging ExxonMobil’s Exxtend™ technology for advanced recycling. These innovative products will meet all regulatory requirements and specifications for food contact applications.

In today’s market, consumers are continuously seeking safe, innovative and convenient packaging that aligns with their different lifestyles and environmental values. To remain competitive and increase market share, brands around the world are searching for attractive and highly functional packaging solutions that enable them to stand out and attract consumers while helping them reach their sustainability targets. At Aptar Closures, we are dedicated to partnering with brands to provide innovative, high-performing and sustainable dispensing closures for a range of applications and markets around the world. We use our exceptional in-house expertise, consumer insights and industry partnerships to design, manufacture and commercialize solutions that improve consumers’ experience while unlocking growth opportunities for brands. In addition to creating memorable consumer experiences, Aptar Closures’ is committed to designing innovative solutions to help brands achieve their sustainability targets without compromising on quality or performance.

We are increasing our footprint in the Romanian market with an investment of over €13 million in our Ghimbav production site. Work at Ghimbav is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and will support customers’ sustainability goals as well as reducing our carbon emissions on site. This investment will support ongoing plastic replacement with customers, increase capacity by over 20%, and significantly boost productivity. With a continued focus on innovation, the investment will further differentiate our offering in the market by supporting customers to reach environmental targets. 

Thomasine Kamerling, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Communications, and a member of Huhtamaki Global Executive Team has decided to leave Huhtamaki to pursue other career opportunities. “I want to thank Thomasine for her contribution during the last three and a half years, standing up our sustainability strategy, and paving the path to our 2030 ESG commitments to become first choice in our industry. Thomasine has also engaged actively with important stakeholders, particularly in the context of the evolving regulatory environment” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki.

Continuing a rapid development journey of sustainable and fiber-based packaging innovations, Ahlstrom passes Western Michigan Recyclability Certification for several food packaging base papers that utilize Ahlstrom’s proprietary FluoroFree® technology. “We are proud that our food packaging products passed Western Michigan University’s testing protocol for recyclability,” says Travis Dahlke, Vice President, Food Packaging Americas. “Achieving this certification offers our customers and the marketplace yet another fiber-based solution to reduce traditional non-renewable materials in packaging engineering and creates a positive end-of-life scenario that consumers are demanding.”

Mondi is bringing paper-packed dry rice to the UK for the first time, by collaborating with award-winning rice supplier Veetee. Veetee’s new rice packaging has been created using Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper, providing a safe, secure and strong alternative to the industry standard plastic packs. Veetee and Mondi are the first in the UK to launch a paper-based alternative for dry rice, customised in direct response to consumer demands for more sustainable packaging. Mondi uses its customer-centric approach to evaluate the needs of the product, customer and consumer to deliver a fit-for-purpose solution - using paper where possible and plastic when useful. The company provided a full in-house solution for Veetee - sourcing certified renewable material, producing the certified kraft paper, add barrier functionality and printing it before delivering the final paper-based reels to Veetee for conversion and filling.

UPM Raflatac has achieved global approvals for its OptiCut™ Direct Thermal (DT) Linerless RL50 on Star Micronics mC-Label3 printers. These approvals further expand the label materials' proven performance in the hospitality environment. Extensive testing and approval processes have confirmed the exceptional efficiency and performance of the mC-Label3 printers when paired with OptiCut label materials. This synergy brings tangible benefits to quick service and fast casual kitchens, as well as other types of businesses in the hospitality sector.

The just released Paper and Packaging Board’s (P+PB) 9th annual State of the Campaign report details the positive impact of its sustainability campaign on the paper and packaging industry’s reputation and consumer preference. The national consumer campaign addresses consumers’ concerns about the use of forests to make products, showcases product innovations and plastic substitutions, educates why using paper products is a smart choice for the environment and reminds how to recycle properly. “The campaign is making an impact with consumers,” says Mary Anne Hansan, P+PB President. Learning the facts about the paper industry’s sustainability practices and product benefits dramatically improves whether our core audience sees the industry as part of the environmental solution or problem,” says Hansan. “After hearing our messaging, consumers' perceptions of our industry tend to increase based on our Attitudes and Usage Tracking Survey. When people feel like they are part of the environmental solution by choosing paper products, their likelihood of consuming more paper and packaging increases.”

Klabin, the largest producer and exporter of packaging paper and sustainable paper packaging solutions in Brazil , held, today (21/9), the inauguration ceremony of Puma II, a project that marked the expansion of the Puma Unit, in Ortigueira (PR). This is the largest investment in the Company's history and the largest private investment ever made in the State of Paraná. With an investment of R$12.9 billion for the installation of two new paper machines, the MP27 and MP28, both in operation and with a total production capacity of 910 thousand tons of paper per year, Puma II reinforces the integrated business model , diversified and flexible company. Announced in 2019, the Puma II Project is part of Klabin's biggest growth cycle in its 124-year history. The first phase, completed in August 2021, included the construction and start-up of Paper Machine 27 (MP27), which manufactures the innovative Eukaliner®, the world's first kraftliner paper made 100% with eucalyptus fiber.

The development programme for Metsä Board's white kraftliner mill in Kemi has been completed in parallel with Metsä Fibre's new bioproduct mill. Metsä Board and Metsä Fibre are part of Metsä Group. In addition to increasing the mill’s capacity by 40,000 tonnes per year, the development programme will reduce the mill's energy consumption by 5% and water consumption by around 40% per tonne produced. The Kemi paperboard mill is the world's largest producer of coated white top kraftliner and its products are used as a surface material for corrugated packaging worldwide. The development programme will increase Kemi’s annual production capacity of white kraftliners to 465,000 tonnes, with the majority being sold in Europe and North America.

SCA's new facility in Obbola, outside Umeå, has now been inaugurated. This means that the paper mill has the world's largest machine for kraftliner and with it a significantly increased capacity to produce climate-smart packaging material. “This is very good for SCA’s and Obbola's competitiveness and gives us a better ability to deliver in a market that needs to grow as fossil packaging materials are phased out,” says Gustaf Nygren, Mill manager at SCA Obbola. Capacity for kraftliner production is increasing, from 450,000 tons to 725,000 tons annually. The most visible change at the facility is the addition of the world's largest machine, supplied by German Voith, for the production of kraftliner. The machine is 250 meters long and is estimated to weigh around 11,000 tonnes.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company published its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, demonstrating progress on all pillars in the company's ESG Vision 2025. The company achieved its climate intensity goals three years early and advanced decarbonization by seeking to set new, science-based climate targets to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions. Ethnic diversity reported among the company's U.S. employee base was more than double the industry benchmark, underscoring its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Graphic Packaging is aggressively pursuing a future fueled by renewable resources. Packaging solutions from the 27-country operation are made primarily with fibers from sustainably sourced trees or recycled materials. Nearly 65 percent of its energy is derived from renewable sources. Most of the company's packaging today is designed to be recyclable, promoting a circular economy.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced a five-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with multinational renewable energy leader ACCIONA Energía to power all four of its facilities in Mexico with wind and solar power. Procuring nearly 100,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of cost-effective, renewable energy annually, this agreement is projected to avoid around 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or CO2e, annually – equivalent to taking over 15,000 cars off the road. This not only helps Berry meet its climate goals, it also helps Berry’s customers advance their ambitious sustainability goals by providing lower-carbon solutions. Utilizing a breakdown of around 70% wind and 30% solar, Berry’s San Luis Potosi, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Atlacomulco, and Tlanepantla sites across Mexico will consume 100% renewable energy thanks to this deal. San Luis Potosi is the largest site powered through the agreement, accounting for roughly two-thirds of Berry’s total energy consumption in the country..

The largest investment of the forest industry in Finland – the new Kemi bioproduct mill and the paperboard mill expansion – came into operation as planned on Wednesday 20 September 2023. The operations will start department by department. Pulp deliveries from the new mill to customers will begin in October 2023. “Metsä Group’s products replace fossil materials in people’s daily lives. Pulp and paperboard are used as raw materials for numerous consumer goods, and we are able to produce them in Kemi with considerably lower emissions. Finland needs sustainable investment that creates employment, income and a strong belief in the future,” says Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group. The Kemi bioproduct mill produces 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp annually. It uses zero fossil fuels and will be completely waste-free by 2030.

WestRock Company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary WRKCo Inc. commenced a consent solicitation through which it is soliciting consents from registered holders of the Notes to amend certain terms of the indentures governing the respective Notes. The terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation are set forth in a consent solicitation statement dated as of September 20, 2023. Adoption of the proposed amendments with respect to the applicable Indenture for each series of Notes requires the Consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series. The purpose of the Consent Solicitation is to obtain Consents from the Holders to (i) amend the definition of “Change of Control” applicable for the relevant series of the Notes under the Indentures to add an exception for the previously disclosed proposed business combination of WestRock and the Smurfit Kappa group announced by WestRock on September 12, 2023, pursuant to the transaction agreement entered into on September 12, 2023, by and among, inter alios, Smurfit Kappa Group plc, a public limited company incorporated in Ireland, and WestRock; and (ii) make any other changes of a technical or conforming nature to the Indentures necessary or desirable for the implementation of the proposed amendment above.

The Board of Directors of Stora Enso Oyj has appointed Hans Sohlström (58), M.Sc. (tech.) and M.Sc. (econ.), as the new President and CEO of Stora Enso as of today. Hans Sohlström is currently a member of Stora Enso’s Board of Directors from which position he is stepping down today. Stora Enso’s Board of Directors will now have eight members. Hans Sohlström has over 30 years of experience in business leadership, including over 10 years as CEO predominantly in the forest and renewable materials industries. Most recently he led Ahlstrom Corporation, Ahlström Capital and Rettig Group. Prior to that, for over 20 years, he held several leadership positions at UPM-Kymmene Corporation, such as Mill Director, Business Unit Vice President and was a member of the Group Executive Team responsible for Marketing, New Businesses and Biofuels, and Corporate Relations and Development.

International Paper announced that it has completed the sale of its 50% interest in Ilim SA, the holding company for its Ilim joint venture (JV), to its JV partners for $484MM (USD) in cash. In addition, the Company completed the sale of its outstanding shares in JSC Ilim Group to its JV partners for $24MM (USD) in cash and is divesting other non-material residual interests associated with Ilim. With the completion of these transactions, International Paper has divested all of its ownership interests in Ilim.

UPM Specialty Papers now offers a compostable solution for paper-based food stickers. UPM LabelCoatTM and UPM LabelCoatTM Prime label face papers are certified as both industrially (EN13432:2000) and home compostable (NFT51-800:2015), helping customers and brand owners meet EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal (PPWR) requirements. PPWR aims to ensure that all packaging in the EU must be reusable or recyclable by 2030. It also sets out the requirements that sticky labels attached to fruits and vegetables need to be compostable in industrially controlled conditions.

International Paper celebrated the opening of its newest state-of-the-art corrugated packaging facility in Atglen, PA. The new $100 million facility is providing more than 100 manufacturing jobs to Atglen and the surrounding communities. The new facility will produce corrugated packaging for produce, processed food, beverage, shipping, distribution and e-commerce customers. "Our corrugated packaging business is an important part of International Paper. This strategic investment will add local jobs and help us better serve our customers," said Tom Hamic, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, International Paper.

IPG® has launched the new Tishma® brand AMS (Auto Mailer Machine) in partnership with Garrido Printing Equipment out of Miami, FL. The AMS is a revolutionary design that automatically creates a right sized, paper mailable package around each order. This high speed, inline system adjusts the creation of the mailer length to the product need, at a rate of 30 mailers per minute in random, or up to 80 per minute in a batched mode.

Pratt Industries, Inc. officially opened its $700 million 100% recycled paper mill and corrugated box factory in Henderson, Kentucky. It is the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly paper mill ever built and will save the equivalent of 25,000 trees every day – more trees than are in New York City’s Central Park. “This is a very proud day for our company because this investment represents a major part of my recent pledge to the United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, to invest $5 billion in recycling and clean energy infrastructure in the U.S. over the next 10 years,” said Pratt Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt.

DS Smith PLC and Coca Cola HBC Austria have collaborated to replace plastic handles for 1.5 litre PET soft drink multi-packs with cardboard based outer packaging. This new plastic replacement solution will be delivered to supermarkets in Austria as of September 2023. The innovative packaging solution, DS Smith Lift Up, is a 100% recyclable corrugated handle which improves carry functionality for consumers and is designed to contribute together with other partners to the kraft paper and cardboard based solution that reduces around 200 tonnes of plastic each year for Coca-Cola HBC Austria.

IPG® (Intertape Polymer Group®) a leading manufacturer of packaging and protective solutions, is excited to introduce the new 170e water based acrylic pressure-sensitive carton sealing tape, designed with 30% recycled film. This construction is a significant step in reducing the consumption of new virgin raw materials, thereby providing an overall lower carbon footprint. 170e maintains the performance characteristics and reliability of the carton closure product line. It’s superior tack, UV resistance and broad application temperature performance mirror those of its non-recycled content counterparts and is ideal for both manual and automated applications. 170e is one of several new product launches that support and contribute to IPG’s sustainability and circularity goals. IPG continues to embrace sustainability as a key strategy for achieving the company vision and mission, and as a primary driver of operational excellence.

SCA has been nominated for the German National Sustainability Award, Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis, which is presented in collaboration with the German federal government and several prominent organizations. “It's gratifying that our systematic climate and sustainability efforts are being recognized and proposed for such a prestigious honor. We are, of course, proud of this recognition. We have put a lot of effort into developing sustainability throughout the entire value chain,” says Hans Djurberg, Head of Sustainability, SCA. SCA has been nominated for the German Sustainability in two different categories: raw materials and agriculture and forestry.

Berry Global Group, Inc. earned an “A” environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating from international ratings agency MSCI for its progress managing ESG risks and opportunities, including improvements in Carbon Emissions, Labor Management, and Packaging Material and Waste. “We are honored to receive such high recognition from MSCI for our continued efforts to increase transparency and prioritize key environmental and social issues across our global business, while strengthening Berry’s resilience to long-term ESG risks,” said Tom Salmon, CEO of Berry Global. “This improved 'A' rating reflects our ongoing investments in our workforce as well as our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of packaging and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Following the announcement of a possible combination dated 7 September 2023, the Boards of Smurfit Kappa, a FTSE 100 company, and WestRock are pleased to announce the signing of a definitive transaction agreement to create Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. The Boards of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock see compelling strategic, commercial and financial rationale for combining Smurfit Kappa and WestRock’s highly complementary paper-based packaging companies to create a global leader in sustainable packaging. The Combination will enhance Smurfit Kappa and WestRock’s existing offerings by creating the global “Go-To” packaging partner of choice and bringing together: *Smurfit Kappa’s industry-leading operational execution and innovation as a European leader in corrugated and containerboard as well as its large-scale pan-regional Americas presence that delivers best-in-class performance and returns; and *WestRock’s leadership in the United States as well as its strong footprint in Brazil and Mexico, across corrugated and consumer packaging delivering a broad portfolio of packaging solutions serving diverse, growing end-markets.

Tetra Pak is pleased to announce the first Custom Printing collaboration. The launch follows the successful validation of the Tetra Pak® Custom Printing solution, encompassing over 100 million packages, and is set to unleash new business and marketing opportunities with increased flexibility and customization, all within the package in the consumer’s hand. Flow Beverage Corp. (TSX:FLOW; OTCQX:FLWBF) (“Flow” or the “Company”), distributing a naturally alkaline spring water across U.S. and Canada, is the first brand to leverage this unique technology to create one-of-a-kind designs, for a truly immersive and engaging consumer experience. "In today’s world, brands need the ability to quickly activate marketing efforts and capitalize on consumer trends. Tetra Pak® Custom Printing allows brands greater agility than ever before to create impactful, unique campaigns that diversify their advertising strategies in a cost-effective way,” said Pedro Gonçalves, Marketing Director U.S. and Canada, Tetra Pak. “We are prou

Mondi has partnered with Robopac, a world-leading manufacturer of pallet-wrapping machinery, to offer a seamless and more sustainable paper wrapping solution for pallet storage and transportation. The two organisations collaborated closely to develop the solution, combining Mondi’s expertise in packaging and paper with Robopac’s know-how about wrapping machines. Robopac’s new paper wrapping machine uses Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap which is 100% kraft paper, delivering excellent protection for palletised goods due to high strength, puncture resistance and tension absorption. The paper is created with responsibly sourced, renewable materials, containing no plastic or coating making it fully recyclable in existing waste streams across Europe. Robopac’s semi-automated and fully automated machines can both take Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap, allowing customers to replace unnecessary plastic which is currently the industry standard for pallet wrapping.

Sonoco Products Company announced the completion of its acquisition of the remaining equity interest in RTS Packaging, LLC (“RTS”) from joint venture partner WestRock (NYSE:WRK) and one WestRock paper mill in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The acquisition, originally announced on November 9, 2022, will further strengthen and expand Sonoco’s 100% recycled fiber-based packaging solutions to serve growing consumer wine, spirits, food, beauty and healthcare markets. Prior to closing the transaction, Sonoco was a 35% owner in the joint venture with WestRock. With this acquisition, Sonoco adds a network of 15 operations and 1,100 employees in the U.S., Mexico, and South America. The purchase price for this acquisition was $330 million, subject to customary price adjustments. The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings under its existing credit facilities and cash on hand. After the transaction, the Company’s net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio is less than 2.9x. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced that it has initiated a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives for its Health, Hygiene and Specialties segment (“HH&S”). HH&S is a leading provider of nonwovens, specialty films, and tapes for a broad range of end markets, including healthcare, hygiene, consumer, building and construction, and industrials. The segment is well-positioned in its core businesses, providing value-added products to many of the world’s leading brand owners. The Company is considering a wide range of available alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including, but not limited to, a sale, strategic partnership or joint venture, spin-off to shareholders, or other separation transaction for some or all of the businesses within HH&S. Importantly, the Company expects current members of the HH&S leadership team will continue to lead the business in any anticipated outcome.

IPG® has launched the new Tishma brand SafeSeal-AI™ Vision Inspection System which offers a reliable, repeatable, and precise inline seal and product inspection process. “We have harnessed the power of A.I. to offer an unbelievably easy to use in-line heat seal inspection system for the food and medical industries,” explains Micah Ordway, IPG Product Manager - Machinery. “We applied our deep-learning A.I. vision tools to thermal images to find sealing, product or packaging defects - including those that are almost impossible to find with rules-based vision tools or even standard vacuum-check inspections.” This PC-based, turnkey inspection system includes everything needed to reliably inspect heat sealed trays, bags, or packaged products at a rate of 300 scans/minute and includes 20 TB of data storage.

Colbert Packaging announces its new robotic solution for product palletization operations. Designed for fully automated and integrated labeling, orientation and palletization, the new customized system is expected to streamline the current manual processes. Colbert partnered with RōBEX, an industrial robot integration provider, to assess operational challenges and identify a solution. The RōBEX team, with expertise in automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, and palletizing, worked alongside the Colbert team to design the new system. Developing this system was a complex task, given Colbert’s diverse needs. The solution needed the capability to pick and palletize multiple case variations and pallet configurations. Colbert also needed to manage multiple tier sheets and pallet types. RōBEX’s extensive expertise and innovative design approach led to the creation of a unique End-of-Arm Tool (EOAT) that proficiently handles all requirements. The RōBEX solution included a design blueprint, integration plan and meticulous cycle time calculations before final implementation.

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, has sold its investment in Soteria Flexibles Holdings LLC to TJC LP (TJC). With the Ardian North America Fund team’s support, today Soteria Flexibles is a North American leader in short-run, custom flexible packaging manufacturing serving the healthcare, fresh food, industrial, foodservice, janitorial/sanitation and commercial markets. Led by CEO Brad Herbolsheimer and headquartered in Carol Stream, IL, Soteria Flexibles was created in 2019 following Ardian’s platform acquisition of Colonial Bag, a family-owned company based outside Chicago. It provides customized high-quality packaging products in relatively small volumes to specialized businesses in underserved, high-growth sub-segments that need tailored specifications.

Inteplast Group’s BOPP Films and Engineered Films (IEF) have developed a film portfolio of recyclable, mono-material flexible packaging featuring cutting edge biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) films and low seal initiation temperature (SIT) sealant webs. The portfolio will be exhibited at this September’s Pack Expo in Las Vegas. When used in tandem, these BOPE films and low-SIT sealant webs support the industry-wide shift toward flexible packaging that is recycle-ready and circular economy friendly. Potential applications include stand-up pouches, fresh-cut produce packaging, cold-seal packaging, and vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal.

Smurfit Kappa Group confirms that the boards of directors of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company are discussing the key terms of a potential combination to create Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. The Potential Combination would be expected to involve the creation of a new holding company, Smurfit WestRock. Smurfit WestRock would be incorporated and domiciled in Ireland with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and North and South American operations headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Potential Combination would be effected through an Irish scheme of arrangement involving Smurfit Kappa and a merger of a subsidiary with WestRock. Any such combination would result in WestRock shareholders receiving consideration consisting primarily of shares of the Combined Group.

Mondi is delighted to launch a new more sustainable sleeve packaging, created to replace conventional plastic shrink wrap around 1.5 litre sparkling soft drink multipacks produced by Coca-Cola HBC in Austria and keep them secure. Mondi’s Hug-IT, which keeps six bottles together during transportation, is made of Mondi’s Advantage SpringPack Plus, crowned by Guinness World Records as the strongest paper in the world.¹ The Hug-IT sleeve has high tensile strength and incomparable stretchability, so it can be trusted to wrap around the six bottles tightly, keeping them upright and held together during transit – from factory site, to retailer, to the consumer’s home. It will secure 1.5-liter PET multi-packs of the Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Mezzo Mix brands and will be sold in retail outlets throughout Austria. Hug-IT is an innovative solution, and Advantage SpringPack Plus is currently the only paper on the market offering such unique capabilities, being strong enough holding the bottle bundles together as final Hug-IT solution.

Tredegar Corporation announced that it has agreed to sell its flexible packaging films business to affiliates of Oben Group for net debt-free base consideration of $116 million. Terphane, which solely comprises the flexible packaging segment reported by Tredegar, has approximately 500 employees with manufacturing sites located in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Brazil and Bloomfield, New York, and headquarters located in São Paulo, Brazil, and exports to 29 countries. Tredegar expects to realize after-tax cash proceeds from completion of the transaction of $85 million after deducting projected Brazil withholding taxes, escrw funds, US capital gains taxes and transaction costs. Actual after-tax proceeds may differ from estimates due to possible changes in deductions during the potentially lengthy interim period (expected to be between 8 and 14 months) to the closing date. For the 12 months ended June 30, 2023, net sales and EBITDA from ongoing operations for Terphane were $152 million and $16.4 million, respectively.

IPG (Intertape Polymer Group), a leading manufacturer of highly automated packaging machinery and turnkey solutions, has launched the new Tishma brand HYDRA™2, a fully automatic random case erector and bottom sealer. The HYDRA2 is a random case erector that offers manual box selection or seamless data connectivity with your Warehouse Management System for superior operational management and control.