Leading European thermoforming packaging specialist Waddington® Europe, a division of Novolex®, has teamed up with Shabra, Ireland’s leading recycler and reprocessor of post-consumer waste (PCW), to purchase food-grade recycled PET (rPET) sourced from bottles, pots, tubs and trays to manufacture new rPET food packaging products at its Arklow production site. Not only does the agreement help to further secure Waddington Europe’s long-term source of rPET, but it also enables the company to expand its line of Eco Blend® products made with post-consumer recycled content sourced domestically in Ireland back into the Irish market. “Collectively, we hope these new agreements will advance our stake in localized plastics circularity in the Irish market,” said Eduardo Gomes, Managing Director of Waddington Europe. “We need to start moving to a more holistic and long-term view when it comes to the lifecycle and environmental impact of food-grade packaging. It’s just as important to consider the carbon footprint at its start of life as the environmental impact at the end of its life.”

Pactiv Evergreen Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pactiv Evergreen Group Holdings Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Fabri-Kal, a leading manufacturer of foodservice and consumer brand packaging solutions. The transaction, valued at approximately $380 million, subject to adjustments for cash, working capital and indebtedness, is expected to close late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of this year, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. “Combining these two complementary companies will further expand Pactiv Evergreen’s position in the Foodservice segment, broaden our sustainable packaging product offerings and customer base, and increase our manufacturing capacity and distribution capabilities,” said Mike King, Pactiv Evergreen CEO. “Fabri-Kal is well known for its high-quality products, longstanding customer relationships and sustainable packaging solutions. We look forward to the Fabri-Kal team joining Pactiv Evergreen and working together to drive increased value for our shareholders, customers and employees.”

The EU is seeking to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 as outlined in the European Green Deal. One of the deal’s key building blocks is the transition to the Circular Economy, which will reduce pressure on natural resources, create sustainable growth and jobs and help achieve the EU’s climate neutrality target. The metal packaging industry is already making significant contributions to the Circular Economy thanks to the format’s inherent sustainability credentials. At Crown, we have also prioritized resource efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and use of renewable energy to further drive down our environmental impact. Another key area of advancement lies in lightweighting. This process enables us to produce more cans with the same material and for resources to be used more efficiently, as energy consumption is reduced downstream in the supply chain.

The 12,000 square meter (130,000 square feet) plant will be cutting and slitting large master rolls of 100% recycled paper into smaller rolls and fan-folded stacks for use with Pregis EasyPack cushioned paper packaging machines and other e-commerce applications. “The demand for packaging solutions for e-commerce applications continues to grow at a rapid pace. Pregis’ investment in this new facility will provide additional output to support European fulfillment operations looking for a paper-based packaging solution,” said Pieter van Dongen Torman, commercial director, Pregis Europe.

Koehler Paper works together with CLARUS Films GmbH in the small roll business and as a service partner for the converting industry for flexible packaging papers Europe-wide. This partnership will especially play out in the area of functionally coated, unprinted barrier paper. Koehler Paper and Clarus will have their first joint appearance at Europe’s biggest packaging, technology, and processing trade show – Fachpack – in Nuremberg, Germany, from September 28 through September 30, 2021 at booth 119, Hall 4. Koehler and CLARUS are linked not only in terms of their location in Germany, but also in terms of how both have made it their mission to provide their customers with top-quality solutions. This partnership combines the know-how from the traditional world of paper with the know-how from the flexible packaging market.

ePac Flexible Packaging has launched in Australia, with its first manufacturing facility opening in Melbourne in the fourth quarter of 2021. Built entirely on breakthrough digital printing technology, ePac serves local brands of all sizes, with a particular focus on small and medium sized businesses producing snacks, confections, coffee, natural and organic foods, pet food, and nutritional supplements. ePac’s first production facility will open eight kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, at the new Newlands Road food manufacturing hub, located in the heart of Coburg’s thriving industrial district.

The MM (Mayr-Melnhof) Group has appointed Päivi Suutari (58, M.Sc.) as the new Managing Director of MM Kotkamills. She will start in her role on 1.10.2021. Päivi Suutari has worked for more than 30 years in the Cartonboard and Packaging industry (Stora Enso, Huhtamaki) and brings a wealth of experience leading businesses and people in several countries in Europe and Asia. She joined Kotkamills in 2019 as Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation and has played a key role in advancing the company’s development and innovation activities.

The annual Green Packaging Star Awards recognise environmentally-friendly packaging and recycling solutions, as well as packaging-related improvements in operational processes in production, logistics, and distribution. The award is presented by Kompack magazine and the Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology. The judges of these awards recognised the high standard of the following three Mondi products: 1. EcoVantage paper for Tesco shopping bags - Mondi's collaboration with the retailer aims to close the loop by working across the whole supply chain. The partnership involves Mondi recycling Tesco’s existing corrugated packaging waste and then transforming it into EcoVantage paper. 2. WalletPack Recyclable for well-known German deli meats - Working with Bell Germany, Mondi created packaging for the meat producer’s ‘Abraham’ range of sliced deli meats. WalletPack Recylable, a mono-material solution that helps prevent food waste and has been verified by the German institute cyclos-HTP as 93% recyclable. 3. Functional Barrier Paper substituting plastic packaging - Mondi’s barrier-coated functional papers aim to transform packaging for a range of products including food and toys where, until now, paper has been unimaginable as a sustainable alternative. An ideal replacement for plastic laminates, the barrier papers can be used for dry food, frozen food, secondary packaging, and flow pack applications.

Heinz has announced today that it is continuing its mission to remove plastic from supermarket shelves with the UK roll-out of the Heinz Eco-Friendly Sleeve Multipack, a new, convenient, super skinny paperboard sleeve for all its multipack canned products. Made with WestRock’s PEFC-certified CarrierKote® paperboard, the Heinz Eco-Friendly Sleeve is recyclable and comes from sustainably managed forests. The innovative wrap design uses no glue and 50 percent less material than a fully enclosed wraparound box and 10 percent less than a traditional paperboard sleeve design[2]. In addition to selecting renewable, responsibly sourced material and optimizing the design to minimize the footprint, Heinz is also advancing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the manufacturing and transport of this new innovative sleeve is 1carbon neutral. The Heinz Eco-Friendly Sleeve 4-pack design has a nearly 20% (18.7%) lower CO₂ footprint compared with the equivalent shrink-wrap design.[3] Following a successful trial on Heinz to Home, the Heinz Eco-Friendly Sleeve will be available across the whole Heinz multipack canned range, including Heinz Beanz, Heinz Soups and Heinz Pasta varieties, in major retailers in the UK from September 2021.

Sonoco announced tit has partnered with AMP Robotics, a pioneer in AI, robotics and infrastructure for the waste and recycling industry, to create a new material category within AMP’s neural network specific to rigid paperboard cans. The U.S. partnership will result in increased recycling rates for the spiral wound paper canister with steel bottom produced by Sonoco and other manufacturers. The use of recycled steel has a 45% lower environmental impact than producing the equivalent amount from virgin material, reducing the need to mine for virgin iron ore. Additionally, when compared to landfilling, recycling the paper container with steel bottom through the steel or other streams has a greater than 40% lower environmental impact than landfilling. Any materials recovery facility with an AMP Cortex™ intelligent robotics system can now accurately and efficiently sort Sonoco’s paper can to the desired stream.  

The winners of the Public Award and the General Packaging Platinum Award at the 2021 European Carton Excellence Awards were produced with paperboard from Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group. The results were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 8th September. The new 'Smarties Giant Hexatube' won the public voting. It is a plastic-free pack, comprised of a one-piece construction made entirely from recyclable paperboard with an integrated cartonboard lid. The carton was produced by WestRock on MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright lightweight paperboard. Yves Rocher’s luxurious New Year makeup calendar, produced by Durero Packaging, was presented with a Platinum Award, General Packaging, Virgin Fibre. The attractive heptagonal pack is made up of seven identical, linked cartonboard triangular cases, each containing an individual make-up gift. The calendar is made using MetsäBoard Prime FBB Bright lightweight paperboard.

Aptar Food + Beverage’s expertise is behind HiPP’s new infant formula packaging. Aptar’s solution features best-in-class technology with value-added benefits required by today’s parents and caregivers, including enhanced convenience and superior functionality. HiPP, the largest processor of organic-biological raw materials worldwide, and one of the leaders in the global infant food market, utilized Aptar’s breakthrough thinking to re-design their infant formula packaging for specific Asian markets, including China and Hong Kong. Aptar leveraged its expertise and history of innovation in the development of a customized version of their Neo™ closure, to maximize parents’ experience when selecting and using HiPP infant formula.

AptarGroup, Inc. announced that following the signature of a share purchase agreement on July 22, 2021 and the approval of the French Ministry of Economy under the foreign investment clearance regulations, it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Voluntis from the company’s reference shareholders and certain members of the management. The stake acquisition represents approximately 64.6% of the share capital of Voluntis, at a price of €8.70 per share. In accordance with applicable regulation, Aptar will launch a mandatory cash tender offer to acquire Voluntis’ remaining shares for the same price of €8.70 per share. Aptar intends to file the Tender Offer with the French Markets Authority in September 2021 and the Tender Offer will be subject to the regulatory clearance from the AMF.

Wikoff Color announces the opening of its 34th manufacturing location in Milwaukee, WI focused on the flexible packaging market. The newly constructed facility will be the main hub for the company’s solvent- and water-based gravure operations. In addition to manufacturing and warehouse space, Wikoff Color – Milwaukee will also boast a fully-equipped R&D department, a Training center and a Wikoff Graphics arm. The new location will feature leading-edge, energy-efficient milling technology and is expected to bring approximately 50 jobs to the greater Milwaukee area. Joe Kubasiak, Director of Flexible Packaging for Wikoff Color, will head up the new branch. “This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to provide an even greater level of service and support to our customers in the packaging market,” Joe commented. “Our investment in technology and increased manufacturing capacity will be integral to our growth in the flexible packaging space.” Joe has been with the company since 1992 and has held several management positions, including Plant Manager of the largest bulk manufacturing site in Fort Mill, SC.

The latest investment is being used to expand the current Grand Rapids facility by adding an additional 55,000 square feet for manufacturing, warehousing and office space. In total, the Grand Rapids facility will now have 205,000 square feet to meet increasing demand for high quality films and support services. Initially, the new structure will house additional custom Windmoeller & Hoelscher (W&H) blown film extrusion lines, with room to add equipment to meet future demands. The dedicated multilayer polyethylene lines are expected to be operational by the end of September. The investment is in addition to the previous $37 million capital expenditure put into that location between 2016 and 2020.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights include (all results compared to the third quarter of 2020 unless otherwise noted)(1): *Record net sales of $1,490.8 million, an increase of $407.8 million compared to net sales of $1,083.0 million. *Net income of $113.0 million or $1.89 per diluted Class A share increased compared to net income of $20.7 million or $0.35 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(2), of $115.9 million or $1.93 per diluted Class A share increased compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $50.1 million or $0.85 per diluted Class A share. *Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $40.1 million to a source of $94.9 million. Adjusted free cash flow(4) decreased by $42.5 million to a source of $64.1 million. *Total debt decreased by $370.0 million to $2,267.6 million.

Stora Enso’s winning designs are: Eco-friendly magazine packaging concept for Vogue Scandinavia - Vogue Scandinavia is disrupting the publishing industry in many ways. One of the unique features of Vogue Scandinavia is its sustainable packaging concept. There are two packaging versions: Normal Edition and the Collectors’ Item Limited Edition made from EnsocoatTM by Stora Enso. The package replaces the traditional single use plastic wrapping used in magazines. The magazine and packaging are carbon neutral, made with a renewable, low-carbon raw material, and energy efficient production. The remaining emissions are offset by using the CarbonZero service by Stora Enso, in collaboration with compensation partner South Pole. EcoFreshBox - The innovative berry container comes in several sizes and can be used for many other products too. It replaces plastic packaging – even the integrated lid is made from corrugated board. Half a million renewable berry containers can help cut out 4500 kilograms of fossil plastic. The packaging is cost-effective, easy to use, rigid, and effortless to flatten before recycling. Customer-specific images can be printed on the package to increase visibility and attractiveness. click read more below for the rest of the story

An innovative corrugated bin for face masks by Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been awarded a ScanStar in a Nordic packaging design competition organised by the Scandinavian Packaging Association. The mask bin, made of lightweight and durable corrugated board, helps to collect and dispose of used face masks easily and safely. Metsä Board developed the concept together with packaging design agency Futupack and corrugated board converter Capertum. The competition jury commented: “A simple but clever solution for a new problem – mask littering. The bin is made from corrugated material, and is easy to assemble even without the instructions which have been printed on the bin itself. The lid makes the light packaging more rigid and, if you turn the lid, it closes the package when it is full. Good printing supports the product. The bin is also accessible to those who have disabilities.” MetsäBoard Pro WKL 160 g/m2 coated white kraftliner was used as the top liner of the mask bin. The Finnish corrugated board converter Capertum printed the E-flute corrugated board in silk screen. Thanks to fresh fibre board the waste bin is strong but light, which reduces the carbon footprint.

Esko has announced it has delivered a world-first in connected packaging production, "supercharging" secure Variable Data Print (VDP) capabilities in terms of both speed and scale for a new collaboration with Scantrust and packaging company ePac Flexible Packaging. Esko Automation Engine is at the heart of the operation, with its VDP technology enabling the printing of serialized and secure QR codes on flexible packaging on a mass scale, unleashing the power of VDP for the new connected packaging and connected goods service, ePacConnect™. “Variable Data Printing has the ability to take the role of packaging to a whole new level,” says Esko product manager, Paul Land. “With opportunities for localization, serialization, personalization and traceability, the advances in automation mean it is now possible to further harness the technology to transform the prepress environment. With cloud deployment for 24/7 global access to data and new scalability capabilities, Automation Engine is enabling ePac to realize the power of VDP for an organization without the downsides. “By connecting the VDP module in Automation Engine with Scantrust, we have created a framework for codes that makes it easy for converters to use,” adds Land. “Not only is this implementation the first of its kind, but it also unlocks capabilities that were previously difficult to achieve.”

Oji Holdings announces that Oji Group's paper was adopted by Nestle in Malaysia as 3rd market for replacement of plastic package to paper package as a solution to reduce plastic for one of the biggest sustainability issues the world is facing today. We highly appreciate Nestle's considerate commitment towards creation of sustainable society. At the same time we will maintain supporting Nestle's action as a packaging material supplier. As environmental statements were made at G20 summit which was held in Osaka in June 2019, the need to replace plastic with paper for the purpose of environment protection is increasing all over the world. Oji Group would like to engage in SDGs by supply of environmental friendly products together with our clients' actions.

Following the recent news on Aptar Freyung receiving ISCC PLUS*- Certification, enabling the use of renewable feedstock material for closures production, Aptar Food + Beverage is excited to announce that the Neo™ closure solution for the infant formula market is now available in renewable feedstock material based on the mass-balance approach. This polypropylene (PP) closure is made using sustainably sourced renewable feedstock derived solely from vegetable oil waste and residue, such as used cooking oil and residues from oil processing. There are many sustainability benefits found in using recycled and bio-based materials. First, the reduction of fossil-based resins in food-grade products can reduce the carbon footprint of a closure. Another benefit, from a technical and manufacturing perspective, is that new quality or filling line evaluations are not required. As the resin’s characteristics of fossil-based and renewable feedstock are the same, the closures keep the same level of safety and convenience. In addition, it can help infant nutrition brands to achieve their sustainability goals related to the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the incorporation of recycled or bio-based content measured by the mass balance model.

Finding new ways to address our environmental challenges is reliant on our ability to foster innovation to find ways of driving systemic change. To support such innovation and progress towards circularity, Huhtamaki, a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, donated €600,000 to fund the development and piloting of a river waste collector, invented by the Finnish cleantech start-up RiverRecycle. The collector is an integral part of RiverRecycle’s solution to solve marine waste, one of the biggest global challenges of today. With Huhtamaki’s support, a prototype waste collector was built and tested in Finland. This was then transported to and assembled in Mumbai, where it is now operational and where it will be collecting waste from the Mithi River for the next 12 months. “We believe in protecting food, people and the planet. We also believe that cooperation across the value chain with key stakeholders is needed to address global sustainability challenges, for example such as in this case marine plastics. If we want to drive systemic change, we not only need to support the development and commercialization of innovation that can help stop waste from getting into the oceans, but we also need the monetization of waste and incentivization of local communities to improve their waste management practices,” says Thomasine Kamerling, Executive Vice President Sustainability and Communications at Huhtamaki.

Which Products Will Be Affected By Plastic Packaging Tax? A packaging product will be classified as ‘plastic packaging’ if plastic is the heaviest of its components. Then, if the packaging contains less than 30% recycled plastic, it will be subject to PPT. Even though the tax’s environmental aims are to promote and produce ‘greener’ plastics, packaging labelled as biodegradable and compostable will still be subject to the new tax laws. There are, however, some exemptions to these rules, which include: *If the plastic packaging contains licensed human medicines *If the packaging is used in aircraft shipping or railway stores for international journeys *If the packaging’s primary function is to secure the safe transit of goods and produce *Exported goods will also be exempt, as long as they are exported within 12 months

Aptar Food + Beverage announces its recyclable SimpliCycle valve will be launched within new Kraft Heinz Ketchup packaging. In addition to Heinz Ketchup, other Kraft Heinz brands including Heinz Mustard, Heinz Mashups, and Heinz BBQ Sauce, will convert to the SimpliCycle valve by the end of the year. Testing was coordinated and administered by both companies to ensure the consumer experience was equally matched in the conversion.

Cascades is pursuing its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and is once again innovating by becoming the first company in its category in Canada1 to launch 100% recycled plastic packaging that is also recyclable*, for the entire Cascades Fluff & Tuff® line. Creating this resistant, environmentally friendly packaging made from recycled materials has been a major project for the company, requiring several months of research and testing. Deployment of this new packaging will be completed by the end of 2021. In addition to all these attributes were the results of a life cycle analysis conducted by an independent firm of Cascades' polyfilm, confirming that the option containing 100% recycled resin reduces the impact on climate change by 76% compared with its virgin resin equivalent. These results clearly support the recycled option.

Smurfit Kappa has announced it is investing $22 million to expand its corrugated plant in Culiacan, North-West Mexico. It demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to the Mexican market with expanded capacity, capabilities and products offerings for local customers in the fresh produce segment. The investment will modernise and expand the plant, with the installation of high-tech state of the art machinery and the construction of a new 10,900m2 building that will include a new corrugator and an automatic Rotary Die Cutter (RDC) that will be fully operational by the end of 2021. The facility will produce corrugated boxes made with a moisture barrier that helps resist condensation. These new offerings will also result in more sustainable operations at the facility with reduced use of paper that is 100% recyclable and can be reused at Smurfit Kappa mills.

Sonoco ThermoSafe and Korean Air announced a global partnership agreement for the leasing of the new Pegasus ULD® temperature controlled bulk shipping container. The agreement enables pharmaceutical freight forwarders access to Pegasus ULD® containers directly from Korean Air. Korean Air and mutual clients will also have access to other Sonoco ThermoSafe containers as part of this agreement. Sonoco ThermoSafe will support this partnership by adding ICN airport to its global service network. Services including ground handling, repairs, and preconditioning of Pegasus ULDs at ICN will be provided through Sonoco ThermoSafe’s global partnership with Unilode. Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD® is the world’s first FAA and EASA-approved passive bulk temperature-controlled ULD container for pharmaceutical use, which enables it to speed through international air freight handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. With a focus on sustainability, the Pegasus is engineered with composite materials, offering a lighter solution that is also substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus ULD® contains a fully integrated, FAA-approved telemetry system, providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July decreased one percent compared to July 2020. They were up two percent when compared to the same seven months of 2020. The operating rate was 84.2 percent, down 1.5 points from July 2020 and up 4.0 points year-to-date. Mill inventories at the end of July increased 8,000 short tons from the previous month and were essentially flat (+672 short tons) compared to July 2020.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events * Total revenue increased by 8.7% to $51.8 million, from $47.7 million in the second quarter of 2020. * Envelope segment revenue was up 7.6% to $35.2 million, from $32.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. * Packaging and specialty products segment revenue increased by 11.1% to $16.6 million, from $14.9 million in the second quarter of 2020. * EBITDA1 at $8.6 million, up 24.1%, from $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2020. EBITDA margins stood at 16.5%, up from 14.5%. * Net Earnings at $3.4 million (or $0.12 per share), up from $1.9 million (or $0.07 per share) in the second quarter of 2020. * Recorded $0.8 million of assistance from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) program. * Purchased 488,100 shares for total consideration of $1.1 million as part of the Company’s Normal Course Issuer Bid (‘’NCIB’’). * Mary Chronopoulos was appointed CFO and Corporate Secretary effective May 31, 2021.

Amcor announced the launch of a proprietary healthcare lidding technology that will be utilized for combination products – those consisting of two or more regulated components (device, drug or biologic). This latest innovation from Amcor is based on a patented inert film development and laminate design. It provides a lidding solution that can withstand heat sterilization, the process of preserving and sterilizing items, while preventing drug uptake into the packaging. The packaging solution is ideal for combination healthcare products, such as devices with an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) that forms the basis of a medicine. It ensures machinability, integrity after sterilization, as well as a convenient peel opening for patients. The features of the new product complement Amcor’s existing healthcare portfolio, which range from lidding for demanding sterilization environments to high barrier overwraps protecting eye droppers and medications for the eye. Amcor collaborated with Johnson & Johnson Vision over the course of several years to develop the lidding technology for use with contact lenses. ch company contributed specific skills and perspective, notably Amcor’s expertise with film extrusion, lamination and conversion for healthcare, and J&J Vision’s expertise on ophthalmic device packaging requirements.

Sonoco announced it will raise the price for all paperboard tubes and cores by a minimum of 8 percent, effective with shipments in the United States and Canada, on or after September 10, 2021. “Significant market tightness and additional inflationary cost pressures to our primary raw materials (uncoated recycled paperboard and adhesives) make this increase necessary,” said Doug Schwartz, Division Vice President and General Manager, North America Tubes and Cores. “Despite these market and supply chain challenges, we remain committed to maintaining the quality and service that our customers have become accustomed to when working with Sonoco.”

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights (as compared to second quarter 2020): • Revenue increased 40.7% to $376.7 million primarily due to organic growth in certain film, woven, and tape products, including continued strength in products with significant e-commerce end-market exposure such as water-activated tape and dispensing machines. • Gross margin increased to 23.7% from 21.3% primarily due to a favourable product volume/mix and an increase in the spread between selling prices and combined raw material and freight costs. • Net earnings attributable to the Company shareholders decreased $0.1 million to $14.3 million primarily due to (i) an increase in finance costs mainly due to the 2018 Senior Unsecured Notes Redemption Charges(2) and the non-recurrence of a gain in the second quarter of 2020 resulting from a fair value adjustment to the Company's contingent consideration related to the Nortech Acquisition(3) and (ii) an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses mainly due to increases in both variable and share-based compensation. The unfavourable impacts were largely offset by an increase in gross profit. • Free cash flows(1) decreased by $28.8 million to $6.4 million primarily due to the decrease in cash flows from operating activities and an increase in capital expenditures as compared to minimal capital expenditures in 2020 as a precautionary measure given market uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

Cascades Sonoco, a joint venture between Cascades Inc. and Sonoco Products Company, announced its Birmingham facility has been certified SQF (Safe Quality Food), a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked certification standard. Widely applicable to nearly every stage of the food supply chain, SQF certification addresses not only farming and packhouses, but everything from food manufacturing to animal feed and pet food production. GFSI recognition has been considered the gold standard for food safety certification and harmonizes food safety standards under one umbrella to reduce risk to both producer and consumer while also managing costs, developing competencies and capacity and creating an international platform for collaboration, exchanging knowledge and networking.

Novolex® has acquired Vegware, a rapidly growing international provider of compostable foodservice packaging headquartered in Edinburgh, U.K. Vegware’s teams in both the U.K. and U.S. are expected to join the Novolex family. The Vegware brand will remain intact as part of Novolex’s Eco-Products portfolio of brands and will continue to sell its products under the Vegware label. “Vegware is an excellent company and its addition to Novolex is an exciting step to growing our global compostable products footprint,” said Stan Bikulege, Chairman and CEO of Novolex. “We are pleased to welcome the Vegware team to the Novolex family and maintain our momentum of supporting brands that meet society’s expectations for sustainable products.” Vegware was founded in Edinburgh in 2006 by Joe Frankel. Headquartered in Scotland, it has operations in the U.K., EU and the United States. The company sources renewable, plant-based materials to manufacture cups, cutlery, tableware and takeout packaging designed to be commercially composted with food waste. Sold in more than 70 countries, Vegware products are known for their quality, performance and design.

Second quarter 2021 net income from continuing operations was $20.7 million ($0.61 per diluted share) compared to net income from continuing operations of $14.3 million ($0.43 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020. Net income from ongoing operations, which excludes special items and discontinued operations, was $16.1 million ($0.48 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2021 compared with $16.0 million ($0.48 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020. *Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") from ongoing operations for Aluminum Extrusions of $19.7 million was $6.4 million higher than the second quarter of 2020 *EBITDA from ongoing operations for PE Films of $9.0 million was $6.5 million lower than the second quarter of 2020 *EBITDA from ongoing operations for Flexible Packaging Films of $8.3 million was $1.8 million higher than the second quarter of 2020

Sonoco announced it is implementing a price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning September 7, 2021. Sonoco said the price increase was in response to continued tight market conditions as strong demand across the Company’s U.S. and Canada mill network has resulted in order backlogs remaining at near historic highs as well as unprecedented inflationary pressures on papermaking.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group (MM) has completed the acquisition of the Kwidzyn plant, Poland, agreed in mid-February 2021, with the approval of all relevant competition authorities. The acquisition of Kwidzyn is part of MM's strategy to grow high-quality virgin fiber board (FBB) with innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient grades. In addition, MM diversifies the product portfolio by integrating an attractive pulp and paper production with a focus on uncoated fine paper (UWF) and packaging kraft papers. In line with the expanded product range, the MM Karton division is renamed MM Board & Paper. "I am pleased that we are entering two new core businesses with uncoated fine paper and packaging kraft paper. MM Kwidzyn will drive our innovations for more sustainable packaging solutions in the growing virgin fiber board market and also create attractive new perspectives through the integration of pulp and paper at a European location with cost advantages. We look forward to a successful collaboration with our new colleagues, ”comments Peter Oswald, CEO of the MM Group.

Berry Global Group, Inc. is again demonstrating its worldwide leadership in the design, development, and production of patient-centered healthcare solutions with the announcement of plans to establish a second manufacturing facility and global healthcare center of excellence in Bangalore, India. Planned for development near Berry’s existing Bangalore operation, the new facility will enable the company to extend its R&D expertise and scale up production in several key healthcare sectors: ophthalmic, nasal pumps, inhalation, and injectable administrations. The increased capacity will also enhance supply in India and throughout South Asia, addressing some of the fastest growing healthcare market geographies.

Highlights • Strong financial performance, good momentum ◦ Higher sales volumes, higher average selling prices and effective cost control ◦ Underlying EBITDA of €709 million, with margin of 19.5% ◦ Cash generated from operations of €552 million ◦ Balance sheet at 1.5x net debt to underlying EBITDA • Investing through-the-cycle ◦ Completed acquisition of Olmuksan, strengthening our position in the fast growing Turkish corrugated market (€88 million on an implied 100% EV basis) ◦ Good progress on capital investment projects, delivering growth, sustainability benefits and enhanced cost competitiveness (€286 million capital investments in the period) ◦ Approved €125 million upgrade and expansion of Kuopio containerboard mill (Finland) and further investment in corrugated plants to support strong growth in eCommerce • Launched Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), our sustainability framework for the next decade • Signed €750 million revolving credit facility aligning financing with MAP2030 and extending debt maturity profile • Interim dividend declared of 20.0 euro cents per share • Well-positioned for growth in packaging markets, with cost-advantaged asset base, strong financial position and unique portfolio of sustainable solutions

The net sales growth is primarily attributed to increased selling prices of $533 million due to the pass through of inflation, organic volume growth of 5%, and a $147 million favorable impact from foreign currency changes. These increases were partially offset by prior quarter divestiture sales of $62 million. The organic volume growth was primarily due to organic growth investments and continued recovery of certain markets that had previously been facing COVID-19 headwinds. The operating income decrease is primarily attributed to a $42 million unfavorable impact from price cost spread, and a $12 million increase in selling, general, and administrative expense, partially offset by a $24 million increase from the organic volume growth, and a $23 million favorable impact from foreign currency.

Notable items in the third quarter include: *Record net sales of $4.8 billion increased 14% compared to the prior year quarter *Net income of $250 million increased 40% compared to $179 million in the prior year quarter *Record third quarter North American per day box shipments increased 9% compared to the prior year quarter *Successfully implementing published price increases across all major paper grades; pricing realization outpaced inflation in the quarter *Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $751 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $554 million compared to $740 million and $508 million, respectively, in the prior year quarter *Reduced total debt by $270 million

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced that it has published its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and launched a new ESG website that is interactive and designed for real-time dissemination of information. In the most recent report, Graphic Packaging outlines the many initiatives underway at the Company to further drive sustainability across operations and innovation in product development with the end consumer in mind. "We continue to advance our ESG program while delivering innovative packaging in support of the move to a more circular economy," said President and CEO, Michael Doss. "Significant progress and positive developments across all facets of our operations and with our people were accomplished over the past year. Our Diversity & Inclusion strategy continues to drive robust conversation, and we have implemented new programs to ensure continual progress. Employees are engaged as we grow as a workforce and provide new learning and development opportunities. Our efforts to limit impacts of our operations on the environment are driving results. We achieved further progress towards our environmental goals in 2020."

Last year, the e-commerce industry grew nearly three times more than in 2019 — and this record-breaking order volume remains strong in 2021. Since March 2020, fulfillment centers have continued to work past capacity, as consumers increase their expectations surrounding lightning-fast and damage-free home deliveries. In February, Digital Commerce 360 and Bizrate found that 68 percent of consumers would be more inclined to place an order if fast shipping was available. And it’s not just e-commerce companies affected by demand — retailers are bearing the brunt, too. The same survey reported that 26 percent of shoppers ordered online for same-day delivery from major brick-and-mortar stores, almost double the rate from August 2020. As fulfillment managers look at every possible solution to meet demand, automation solutions like Pregis’ Sharp bagging systems are taking center stage, thanks to their benefits in reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and sustainability.

Net sales approximated $1.7 billion in the second quarter of 2021 which represented a $242 million increase from the prior year period. Higher average selling prices contributed $27 million to net sales. Adjusted for divestitures, shipments in tons increased 18 percent as higher sales volumes and favorable mix boosted revenues $255 million. Net sales benefited $79 million from favorable foreign currency translation. Recent divestitures reduced net sales by $111 million and revenue from technical services declined $8 million reflecting lower engineering project activity. Segment operating profit was $232 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $99 million in the prior year period.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced its new commercial-scale clean room for blown film, supporting its growing healthcare business in rigorous healthcare and pharmaceutical applications. The ISO 7 class clean room can produce nine-layer blown films. The new installation fully encloses commercial-scale production of Berry’s proprietary nine-layer blown film from extrusion to packaging, a first in the United States. The addition further enhances Berry’s ability to supply more sensitive applications such as sterile intravenous solution bags, pharmaceutical packaging, medical equipment manufacturing, and microchip packaging. Installed in Berry’s existing Dalton, Georgia, facility, the clean room provides a controlled environment, complete with FDA-approved lubricants and contact surfaces, and a 100 percent inspection system for real-time defect detection for quality assurance.

Amcor plans to invest over $10 million in MSU’s School of Packaging – the largest investment in the history of the university’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), under which the School of Packaging sits. The funding, which forms part of Amcor’s commitment to supporting the next generation of responsible packaging talent, will be used to help the school further its high academic standards and enable facility modernization upgrades that ensure students have access to state-of-the-art technology. The partnership between these two leading organizations will also support the creation of an Endowed Chair of Packaging Sustainability to drive forward further research and innovation in the topic. Ron Delia, Amcor CEO, said, “This is an important investment in the future of the packaging industry, which will be defined by responsible, sustainable packaging solutions. MSU already attracts the greatest talent in the industry and Amcor is committed to fostering the boldest thinkers as they make ground-breaking advancements in more sustainable packaging solutions.”

David Timm, president of Pregis’ performance flexible operations, has established several pivotal roles focused on creating a whole new customer experience model. These include: Russ Joseph, vice president of sales; Beth Scherpenberg, vice president of sales operations; Chad Perre, vice president of technology, and Jonathan Quinn, director of market development and sustainable flexible packaging. In their respective positions, the team will be responsible for delivering operational excellence, gold standard customer service and performance-oriented, customer-driven solutions with sustainability at the forefront.

Interfor Corporation announced that it is expecting production disruptions at its B.C. Interior sawmills during the third quarter of 2021 due to the ongoing impacts of wildfires and other factors on log supply. “The wildfires in the B.C. Interior and the related provincial state of emergency and governmentmandated curtailment of all forest harvesting activities are expected to have a significant impact on Interfor’s operations in the next several weeks or more. This is an active situation, and we are closely monitoring the implications for our operations. We are also doing what we can to help, working cooperatively with the provincial wildfire service and local communities to support the firefighting efforts. At this time there are over 230 Interfor staff and contractors and over 90 pieces of contractorowned heavy equipment dedicated to assisting the B.C. Wildfire Service in their efforts,” said Andrew Horahan, Senior Vice President of Western Operations at Interfor. Based on current information, Interfor is expecting to curtail a minimum of 50 million board feet of production across its B.C. Interior operations in August, with the possibility of further downtime in September and beyond, depending on evolving weather conditions.

Georgia-Pacific is expanding its manufacturing footprint for curbside recyclable paper padded mailers to support growing demand for more sustainable shipping envelopes. The new locations in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and McDonough, Georgia, will expand availability of the mailers in the Northeast and Southeast to customers including Amazon. GP is also adding a third production line at its first mailer manufacturing site that opened in the Phoenix area in 2020. Georgia-Pacific’s expertise in paper making and paper-based packaging, and support from its research and development team, have contributed to the company’s success in its first manufacturing location and served as drivers in the expansion plans.

Second Quarter 2021 U.S. GAAP Summary: Net sales of $1.3 billion increased 15% as reported. Currency contributed $46 million, or approximately 4%, to net sales growth, as compared to second quarter 2020. Net earnings in second quarter 2021 were $109 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $100 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in second quarter 2020. The effective tax rate in second quarter 2021 was 29.7%, as compared to 30.8% in second quarter 2020.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group (MM) has completed the acquisition of Kotkamills, Finland, agreed in December 2020, with the approval of all relevant competition authorities. With the acquisition, MM strengthens its position on the virgin fiber board (FBB) market with an attractive range of barrier board solutions that can replace PE (polyethylene) -coated board. MM is also entering the growing market for cardboard for paper cups (cup stock). The acquisition complements MM's established market position in recycled cardboard. In addition, MM is diversifying its product range with Saturating Kraft Paper / Impregnation paper, in which Kotkamills is one of the world's leading producers. "MM Kotkamills will play a strong and dynamic role within MM as an innovator in cardboard for modern paper cups, the water-dispersion-based coating of which is already carried out on-line in the cardboard machine. Our medium-term goal is to bring the sales volume to a capacity of around 400,000 t of carton per year. We look forward to a successful collaboration with our new colleagues, "comments Peter Oswald, CEO of the MM Group.

Mondi is rolling out a comprehensive portfolio of corrugated packaging solutions for the online grocery market across Central Europe. Using its wealth of experience in eCommerce packaging, Mondi has created clever new solutions for the diverse needs of grocery retailers who can now deliver a variety of goods, from perishable food to wine bottles in fit-for-purpose packaging. All boxes in the eGrocery portfolio are fully recyclable and meet customers' requirements of sustainability, cost efficiency and product protection. Mondi’s latest eGrocery packaging solutions include: Pick&ShipBox – a one-pack solution for all channels. It adapts to multiple requirements and offers convenience features such as easy lifting and opening. PantryBox – for quick and easy filling and closing. It is strong, stackable, and suitable for carrier shipping or click & collect. RecipeBox – for doorstep delivery of fresh produce and groceries. It has an integrated lid and optional holes for better ventilation. EatsBox – for smaller local deliveries by bike or scooter. It is lightweight and offers a quick filling option. Click&LoadBox – for click & collect of mixed grocery orders. It has handles for loading into cars and carrying home. Click&EnjoyBox – for holiday, gift or seasonal promotion packs. It has compartments for tall products like bottles, with an easy handle carrier. Click&CarryBox – for heavier mixed orders, providing strength and stability. It has an integrated handle for easy carrying.

Pratt Industries announced it would invest $400 million in a new 100% recycled paper mill in Henderson, Kentucky. This represents the largest single investment by the company in its history and will create more than 320 full time jobs plus an additional 700 in the construction phase. “It will be the world’s most advanced, environmentally-friendly 100% recycled paper mill,” said company owner and executive chairman Anthony Pratt. “And it means Pratt Industries will have built 6 of the last 8 paper mills in the United States.” Construction on the 450,000 sq ft mill would begin next March with a startup date scheduled for Fall 2023.

pladis, the global snack company behind some of the UK’s most loved and iconic brands, has been on a mission to substantially reduce its environmental impact by updating the packaging of various products to more ecological alternatives. This is part of the company’s sustainability agenda, which reflects its commitment to making all its packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Most recently, pladis has made steps forward to move toward more paper-based solutions – its Mini Cheddars and Cheeselets ranges now use Sonoco’s EnviroCanTM with paperboard end. Cracker Crisps and Mini Twiglets are also set to use EnviroCanTM later this year. “Sonoco’s EnviroCan™ with paperboard end meets the recycling requirements of the UK, which is great for our brand and the consumer, who can have peace of mind when disposing of the packaging in household waste recycling bins,” says Christopher Owen, Marketing Controller at pladis UK&I.

Greif, Inc. announced that it is expanding its CorrChoice – Concord sheet feeder operations. The company plans to acquire and install by the spring of 2022 an Engico Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer from Haire Group that converts corrugated scored sheets into boxes. The three color, 188” machine offers flexibility with 66” and 99” die cut cylinders and will be the third jumbo press in Greif’s CorrChoice sheet feeder network. This investment enables Greif to continue its growth with new and existing strategic customers throughout the southeastern United States while enhancing customer service through diminished lead times. The expansion is also expected to create up to 30 new jobs in Cabarrus County where the CorrChoice – Concord sheet feeder is located

Huhtamaki, a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, has achieved an important technology breakthrough in developing next generation sustainable tube laminates. Working in partnership with LyondellBasell, Plastuni Lisses (Groupe Somater) and Groupe Rocher, Huhtamaki is launching a tube laminate with more than 40% recycled content from renewable based plastics. The laminate is primarily suitable for product applications in the cosmetics, personal care, oral care, and food sectors. The new laminate makes a significant contribution to fully circular flexible packaging solutions for these sectors. Working across the value chain where every partner has its own responsibility, LyondellBasell as the resin supplier, Huhtamaki as the laminate manufacturer, Plastuni Lisses as the tube maker and the leading cosmetics, home care and apparel company Groupe Rocher as the brand owner, Huhtamaki has successfully developed its next generation of tube laminates. For this innovative project, Huhtamaki focused on facilitating the incorporation and use of recycled materials creating recyclable products which increase the circularity of laminated tubes. To this end, it used resins from LyondellBasell’s innovative CirculenRenew polymers that are produced with renewable feedstock from bio-based sources from waste and residues such as used cooking oil, using a mass balance approach. These are certified under the ISCC PLUS standard.

Second Quarter 2021 Summary *Reported sales grew 16% driven by strong core sales growth and positive currency effects *Core sales (excluding currency effects) increased 10% mainly on double digit core growth in Beauty + Home and Food + Beverage, driven by increased demand for our innovative dispensing solutions along with price adjustments related to rising input costs *Reported earnings per share totaled $0.81 (an increase of 29% compared to the prior year) *Reported net income totaled $55 million for the second quarter (an increase of 32% compared to the prior year) and $139 million year-to-date (an increase of 43% compared to the prior year) *Cash flow from operations was $176 million in the first half of 2021 (a decrease of 23% compared to the prior year)

*Second quarter net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper of $432 million ($1.09 per diluted share), compared with $349 million ($0.88 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2021 and $266 million ($0.67 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020 *Second quarter cash provided by operations of $766 million and year-to-date of $1.3 billion compared with $1.5 billion year-to-date in the same period of 2020 *Ilim equity earnings of $101 million, bringing year-to-date to $150 million *Share repurchases of $57 million, bringing year-to-date to $186 million *Debt reduction of $796 million, bringing year-to-date to $904 million *Monetized remaining investment in Graphic Packaging for approximately $400 million

*Revenue growth of 11% *EBITDA of €781 million with an EBITDA margin of 16.7% *Corrugated growth of over 10% and over 9% versus 2020 and 2019 respectively *Accelerating investment plans to meet customer needs and capitalise on growth *Agreement to acquire 600,000 tonne recycled containerboard mill *Strong and progressive corrugated price recovery offsetting significant input cost increases *Interim dividend increased by 5% to 29.3 cent per share. Tony Smurfit, Group CEO, commented: “I am pleased to report a strong first half performance with revenue growth of 11%, EBITDA of €781 million and an EBITDA margin of 16.7%. Growth in corrugated was over 10% against the same period in 2020 and over 9% on 2019 and we continue to see strong demand for our core products.

BillerudKorsnäs is in a process with the aim of divesting the paper mill in Beetham, UK. The process is ongoing and no binding agreement to divest the mill has yet been entered into. Since BillerudKorsnäs’ machine glazed (MG) paper business has primarily been focused in Skärblacka, the strategic importance of Beetham to the rest of the group has been reduced. Beetham produces kraft paper for packaging of medical equipment, food packaging and other types of industrial applications and has a capacity of around 45 000 tonnes per year. In 2020, the facility had sales of around SEK 480 million.

Metsä Board invests EUR 210 million in increasing folding boxboard capacity at its Husum mill in Sweden. The company is responding to growing demand for sustainably produced packaging materials that support the circular economy. The investment strengthens Metsä Board's position as the leading producer of folding boxboard in Europe. Metsä Board has made an investment decision to increase the annual folding boxboard capacity by 200,000 tonnes at its Husum integrated mill in Sweden. At present, the annual folding boxboard capacity of the paperboard machine BM1 is 400,000 tonnes, and after the investment it will rise to 600,000 tonnes. Additional capacity will enter the market during 2024–2025. The investment value is approximately EUR 210 million, divided in 2021–2024 and mainly in 2022–2023.

January–June 2021 (compared with 1–6/2020) • Sales were EUR 1,049.5 million (945.2). • Comparable operating result was EUR 191.3 million (94.2) or 18.2% (10.0) of sales. Operating result was EUR 185.6 million (100.3). • Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.42 (0.19), and earnings per share were EUR 0.41 (0.21). • Comparable return on capital employed was 19.3% (10.7). • Net cash flow from operations was EUR 150.7 mil-lion (152.3). METSÄ BOARD’S CEO MIKA JOUKIO: “The year 2021 has been very good for Metsä Board. Demand for our fresh fibre paperboards has been strong in all our products and in all our main markets. Sales prices have risen during the first half of the year and we see the same trend continuing in the third quarter. The order books for paperboards remain at an exceptionally high level, which also supports the outlook for the rest of the year.

Huhtamaki and Syntegon, the German processing and packaging technology provider, announce a breakthrough innovation for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. Push Tab® paper, the first paper-based tablet packaging, is made from renewable FSC™ certified paper and is designed to meet the stringent safety requirements of regulated pharmaceutical packaging. It provides customers a more sustainable alternative to traditional push-through packaging made of thermoformed PVC and aluminium and also helps to reduce environmental impact throughout the value chain. Push Tab® paper tablet packaging has more than 75% paper-based material sourced from FSC™ certified suppliers in Europe. Combining it with advanced barrier coating technology, Huhtamaki successfully makes the sustainable paper packaging sealable without compromising the safety, functionality, or protective properties compared to traditional mono PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) blisters. A special mechanical treatment allows consumers to push the tablet through easily without damaging the product inside. The material is further processed and formed with Syntegon's unique paper shaping technology and machinery.

Net income for the first six months of 2021 was $167.8 million as compared to net income of $135.8 million for the first six months of 2020. Net sales for the first six months of 2021 increased $380.0 million, or 17.2 percent, to $2.59 billion as compared to $2.21 billion for the first six months of 2020. This increase was primarily a result of higher unit volumes in each of the Dispensing and Specialty Closures and Metal Container segments, the pass through of higher raw material costs, the impact of favorable foreign currency translation and a more favorable mix of products sold in the Dispensing and Specialty Closures and Custom Container segments, partially offset by lower volumes in the Custom Container segment and a higher percentage of smaller cans sold in the Metal Container segment.

Smurfit Kappa Group plc agrees to acquire Verzuolo, a containerboard business in Northern Italy, for a cash consideration of €360 million. The Verzuolo mill owned by the Burgo Group, is situated close to the port of Savona in the northwest of Italy. The PM9 machine was newly constructed in 2002 and converted into a 600,000 tonne capacity recycled containerboard machine in 2019. Verzuolo is highly complementary to SKG’s existing business and is strategically positioned to serve both the Southern European region and other markets ensuring we continue to provide the best service to our corrugated customers. The acquisition will deliver significant synergistic benefits including technical and production optimisation, and increased containerboard integration within the Group. The cash consideration will be funded from the Group’s existing resources. It is expected that the acquisition will complete during the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approval.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company reported Net Income for second quarter 2021 of $38 million. This compares to second quarter 2020 Net Income of $52 million. Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "Strong demand continued across our markets in the second quarter as consumer preferences are driving conversions to our fiber-based packaging solutions. Increased consumer mobility and consumption outside of the home resulted in higher sales in our Foodservice markets up 22% year over year, while Food, Beverage and Consumer markets continued to show healthy growth of 4%. Our teams worked tirelessly to meet customer demand, and we swiftly implemented pricing actions to offset rising commodity input costs which impacted our results in the quarter. We expect to generate significantly higher Adjusted EBITDA in the second half of 2021 driven by price-cost recovery from the successful execution of approximately $400 million of implemented and recognized pricing actions, and continued momentum from organic sales growth and strong productivity. As we address the near-term inflationary headwinds, we remain unwavering in our commitment to introduce new and innovative packaging solutions across global markets supportive of the move to a more circular economy." Net Sales increased 8% to $1,737 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $1,611 million in the prior year period.

Packaging Corporation of America reported second quarter 2021 net income of $207 million, excluding special items. Second quarter net sales were $1.9 billion in 2021 and $1.5 billion in 2020. Commenting on reported results, Mark W. Kowlzan, Chairman and CEO, said, “Demand in our Packaging segment remained very strong. Our mills and plants continued to do an outstanding job of meeting our customers’ needs while managing through certain material and chemical availability issues, a tight labor market, various freight and logistics challenges, as well as the planned maintenance outages at four of our mills during the second quarter. The mills executed the planned outages extremely well and, with the help of the No. 3 machine at the Jackson Mill, provided our plants the necessary containerboard to achieve an all-time record for total box shipments. We were also able to build some much-needed inventory; however, our weeks-of-inventory supply was at a new low for this time of year ahead of an expected very busy second half. The sales groups in both the Packaging and Paper segments are doing a great job of implementing our previously announced price increases, and we continue to deliver on the numerous initiatives and capital projects to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across all of our mills and corrugated products plants. These efforts are extremely important as we continue to experience significant cost inflation across the Company as well as logistics challenges with both our inbound and outbound freight needs.”

Timm will be responsible for delivering operational excellence and growth of Pregis’ blown film and converting operations in the new Anderson, South Carolina facility, as well as the Grand Rapids, Michigan location. The company recently announced a $80 million investment in the new South Carolina operation which will be serving food, CPG, medical, and converter market segments with engineered, customer-focused flexible packaging solutions tailored to the dynamic needs of brand owners and suppliers. “We view growth in specialty films as one of our top strategic imperatives. As the leader of this business, Dave will be charged with delivering on our aggressive goals through organic business growth and strategic expansion. He will oversee the significant investments we’ve made in our operations and build out a center of excellence with the vision of being the first choice in the market. As we look to the future, Dave will reinforce the Pregis Purpose to ‘Protect, Preserve, Inspyre’ by innovating, providing manufacturing excellence and delivering flexible packaging solutions that are driven by our Pregis 2K30 sustainability plan,” said Kevin Baudhuin, president and CEO, Pregis.

Sales of $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2021 increased 2 percent versus the prior year. Organic sales decreased 3 percent as volumes declined 4 percent while the combined impact of changes in net selling prices and product mix increased sales approximately 1 percent. In North America, organic sales decreased 11 percent in consumer products and 4 percent in K-C Professional. Second quarter operating profit was $613 million in 2021 and $925 million in 2020. Results were impacted by lower sales volumes and $345 million of higher input costs, driven by pulp, other materials and distribution costs. Other manufacturing costs were higher, including inefficiencies from lower production volumes. Results benefited from higher net selling prices, $115 million of cost savings from the company's FORCE (Focused On Reducing Costs Everywhere) program, $30 million of cost savings from the 2018 Global Restructuring Program and lower marketing, research and general expense.

Q2 2021 in brief: *Net sales increased 10% to EUR 877 million (EUR 797 million) *Reported EBIT was EUR 75 million (EUR 70 million) *Reported EPS was EUR 0.50 (EUR 0.44) *Comparable net sales growth was 14% at Group level and 20% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements was EUR -35 million on the Group’s net sales and EUR -4 million on EBIT. H1 2021 in brief: *Net sales increased 2% to EUR 1,679 million (EUR 1,642 million) *Reported EBIT was EUR 147 million (EUR 153 million) *Comparable net sales growth was 6% at Group level and 13% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements was EUR -81 million on the Group’s net sales and EUR -8 million on EBIT

Net sales for the second quarter of 2021 were $1.38 billion, up 11.0 percent from last year's second quarter sales of $1.25 billion. This growth was driven by an improvement in volume/mix, higher selling prices mostly implemented to offset inflation and a favorable impact from foreign exchange. GAAP net loss attributable to Sonoco in the second quarter of 2021 was $(334.1) million, or $(3.34) per diluted share, a decrease of $389.3 million, compared with income of $55.2 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in 2020. Gross profit was $262.7 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $248.0 million in the same period in 2020. Quarterly gross profit as a percentage of sales declined 92 basis points year over year to 19.0 percent.

Flint Group Packaging Inks, one of the largest ink and coatings suppliers to the global print and packaging industry, has enhanced its solvent-based range of inks and coatings for European customers. The new ONECode range is designed simplify the flexible packaging printing process, reducing process waste and increasing ease in doing business. "Under the ONECode brand, we have built a new product hierarchy including six new brands," says Kim Melander, Vice President & General Manager for Packaging Inks Europe, "These ink systems, developed to unlock the complex landscape of flexible package printing, to connect, clarify, and bring transparency to the flexible packaging printing industry.” Mr. Melander continues, “Flint Group Packaging Inks’ ONECode range will guarantee printers and converters innovative, reliable, and sustainable ink solutions that deliver the highest performance possible from your most simple to your most demanding applications.”

Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes – Kimberly-Clark Professional's pre-saturated wipes with a patented formulation – has been named the winner of the 2021 World of Wipes (WOW) Innovation Award at the WOW International Conference. A team of technical specialists from The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry ( INDA ) chose Scott® 24 over 23 submissions. The product was honored for its innovation across the entire wipes value chain. Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for disinfecting against numerous strains of bacteria and viruses – including SARS-CoV-2[1]. These pre-saturated wipes quickly disinfect and maintain surface sanitization against bacteria for a full 24 hours, even after multiple touches.[2]

The two companies will partner to provide circular solutions to the market. The investment in a complete recycling solution is set to significantly improve recycling throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The partnership, that follows a comprehensive feasibility study, sees the introduction of a large-scale carton repulping line at Stora Enso’s Ostrołęka production unit in Poland. The line will triple the annual recycling capacity of used beverage cartons in Poland from 25 000 to 75 000 tonnes. This will allow recycling of the entire volume of beverage cartons sold in the country and the ones coming from neighbouring countries, including Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The total investment is EUR 29.1 million. Stora Enso will invest EUR 17 million into a new repulping line that will recover the carton fibers. Tetra Pak along with Plastigram will invest a total of EUR 12.1 million to build an additional line. It will recover and separately recycle the polymers and the aluminium, using a patented separation technology. Both lines will be operational in the beginning of 2023.

Pregis is announcing a $80 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art blown film extrusion facility in Anderson, South Carolina. Headed by industry veterans, the 168,000 square foot facility will feature multiple newly-installed lines that will be producing the latest engineered films to be used downstream to manufacture performance-oriented, packaging solutions for food, CPG and medical applications. The plant will also include a world-class film laboratory to develop and test materials. In keeping with Pregis’ previously announced 2K30 environmental goals, the Anderson facility will also feature the latest in energy-efficiency in manufacturing and other plant functions.

DS Smith has proposed sale of its De Hoop paper mill in the Netherlands to De Jong Packaging for a cash consideration of €50 million (c. £43 million). The mill produces c.370k tonnes of mainly heavier grades of recycled paper per annum. The sale supports our strategy to have a “short paper” position in Northern Europe where there is a greater amount of external paper capacity available to the Group and also further aligns our internal paper production with our priorities in light-weight fibre-based packaging solutions for FMCG and e-commerce customers.

Unilever, together with Mondi, have developed a new high barrier paper-based packaging material for Unilever’s Colman’s dry Meal Maker and Sauces range by reducing plastic, increasing paper content, and consequently ensuring recyclability in the existing UK paper waste stream. By replacing the previous unrecyclable multi-material laminate with recyclable paper packaging, Mondi supports Unilever in its sustainability targets. The aluminium, as well as all unnecessary plastic layers of the previous material, were eliminated. This resulted in a new packaging solution with paper content of 85% and an ultra-thin functional plastic layer that seals the packaging, and provides barrier protection for the food. Mondi and Unilever’s R&D teams identified this layer as the minimum acceptable protection needed to ensure a long shelf life while maintaining high quality and reducing food waste.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, is joining forces with Pulpex Limited and its global consortium partners to collaborate on the ongoing evolution of the Pulpex eco-friendly paper bottle. Pulpex is a new world-leading sustainable packaging technology company established by venture management firm Pilot Lite and spirits producer Diageo. The company has developed the world’s first widely recyclable PET-free paper bottle made from sustainably sourced pulp. As a technology partner, Solenis will provide chemical solutions to optimize the PET-free paper bottle, including surface treatments to enhance its functional and visual properties. The Pulpex technology allows for embossing, debossing, labeling and direct printing with food-safe colored pigments and dyes to fit brand needs.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased three percent compared to June 2020. They were up two percent when compared to the same six months of 2020. The operating rate was 90.2 percent, up 1.6 points from June 2020 and up 5.0 points year-to-date. Mill inventories at the end of June decreased 17,000 short tons from the previous month and were down 9,000 short tons compared to June 2020.

Total containerboard production in June increased nine percent compared to June 2020. It was up five percent when compared to the same six months of 2020. June 2021 production of containerboard for export decreased 15 percent compared to the same month last year; it was down 25 percent year-to-date. The containerboard operating rate was 92.7 percent, up 1.4 points from June 2020 and up 1.4 points year-to-date. Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of June decreased 74,000 short tons from the previous month and were down 76,000 short tons compared to June 2020.

Total boxboard production in June remained essentially flat (-0.1 percent) compared to June 2020. It was also essentially flat (-0.2 percent) when compared to the same six months of 2020. The boxboard operating rate was 92.7 percent, down 1.0 points from June 2020 and essentially flat (+0.4 pts.) year-to-date. Solid Bleached Boxboard production in June decreased eight percent compared to June 2020. It was down four percent when compared to the same six months of 2020. Recycled Boxboard production in June increased five percent compared to June 2020. It was down one percent when compared to the same six months of 2020. Unbleached Kraft & Gypsum production in June increased five percent compared to June 2020. It was up six percent when compared to the same six months of 2020.

Every barista knows that serving the perfect take-away coffee is not just about the coffee, but also about the entire customer experience. Packaging plays an essential role in delivering the best experience for consumers. “We have been observing take-away coffee aficionados and have focused on developing innovative sustainable packaging solutions to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of the ultimate experience. Whether your coffee is hot or cold, we have figured it out. Let me tell you how,” says Neal McCone, Category Director, Quick Service Restaurants and Specialty Coffee, Fiber and Foodservice Packaging at Huhtamaki.

With the rise of e-commerce, many brands are experiencing leakages, costly returns and brand reputation damage when trying to force traditional brick-and-mortar liquid packaging formats through the rigors of the online fulfilment supply chain. Liquibox and WestRock, two leaders in sustainable packaging, present a Ships In Own Container (SIOC) bag-in-box solution for Amazon that delights consumers, reduces waste and ensures products arrive undamaged. The combination of Liquibox's first-to-market recycle-ready Liquipure™ flexible packaging, its wide portfolio of dispensing taps and fitments and WestRock's high impact Meta® box designs, means the most optimal e-commerce liquid format is now within reach for beverage, liquid food and home care brands that want to grow in online retail. Through this partnership, customers have access to a turn-key solution to start selling online in no time that covers everything from packaging, service and testing needs to the filling and mandrel case forming equipment. Bag-in-box is one of the fastest growing segments in the liquid packaging market, expected to reach over 2 billion liters of global volume annually by the year 2024 (source: GlobalData).

Paperboard production at the Metsä Board Husum mill has resumed to normal production levels following a fire at the pulp mill's wood chip conveyor on 18 June. The mill's folding boxboard line (BM1) and white kraftliner production line (BM2) have reached full production levels. The paperboard production was run at lower-than-normal capacity during the pulp mill’s standstill. Production at Husum pulp mill's hardwood pulp line has restarted this past weekend and production at the softwood pulp line is currently estimated to restart by the end of this week. Normal pulp production levels are expected to be resumed within the next week.

Aptar Food + Beverage’s Freyung site in Germany is excited to announce the achievement of the ISCC* PLUS Certification, a chain of custody certifications based on the mass balance model, that enables the use of resin from recycled mixed plastics feedstock or bio-based renewable feedstock. Consumer Product Goods (CPG’s) companies around the globe are increasingly searching for recycled polypropylene (rPP) materials for food products, but currently, rPP is not approved for food-grade products in Europe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK. However, for companies in Europe who want access to recycled content polyolefins for food packaging, there is a solution that involves the ISCC PLUS ‘mass balance approach’. Aptar’s approach verifies, along the entire supply chain, the flow of materials.

Huhtamaki, a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions, is launching Futuro, the first 100% plastic free egg carton for cooked colored eggs, across markets in Europe. This innovation is especially relevant to the German market, where hard-boiled eggs or “Bunte Eier” remain a popular snack and an addition to lunch or dinner, with more than 80 million packs sold yearly. Hard-boiled eggs are currently regularly packed and sold in plastic packaging for sale in supermarkets. “This is a step forward in helping our customers meet their sustainability targets and drive a circular economy. By simply switching to our fiber based Futuro cartons, Germany could eliminate almost 2,400 metric tons of plastic from packaging for eggs yearly”, says Hilbrand van Dijk, Sales & Marketing Manager at Huhtamaki.

Sonoco provided a progress report on Project Horizon, its $115 million investment to transform its corrugated medium machine in Hartsville, S.C. to a state-of-the-art uncoated recycled paperboard operation with annual production capacity of 180,000 tons. “The conversion of our corrugated medium machine (#10 machine) to URB is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2022, and there are a number of significant construction projects underway that will modernize the infrastructure of the entire Hartsville Mill Complex and allow for more efficient and safe handling of raw materials and finished goods,” said Tim Davis, Division Vice President and General Manager, Paper & Adhesives, U.S./Canada. A key element of Project Horizon is construction of a new stock prep system to provide approximately 650 tons per day of recycled fiber to the rebuilt #10 machine and other Hartsville cylinder machines.

Aptar will leverage YAT’s expansive market insight database, focused on specific consumer skincare needs and skincare profiles, and will use YAT’s in-depth experience in customized turnkey solutions as well as online product distribution and promotion to bring new solutions to market. The collaboration will significantly bolster Aptar’s product and service offerings in China, along with innovation capabilities, by combining Aptar’s expertise in innovative, sustainable and quality manufacturing of packaging solutions together with YAT’s profound understanding of the Chinese consumer, concept design and development expertise, digital marketing capabilities and ingredient based influencer pool, which are increasingly essential in accelerating new product launches that are well received by the market.

Marco Hilty, (49), Ph.D. in Business Administration from University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), has been appointed President, Flexible Packaging and a member of the Global Executive Team at Huhtamaki as of September 1, 2021. He will report to President and CEO Charles Héaulmé and will be based in Ronsberg, Germany. Marco joins Huhtamaki from Rubicon, a software platform that provides smart waste and recycling solutions for businesses and governments worldwide. Prior to Rubicon, he held several leadership roles with Amcor in Switzerland and in the United States, covering Group Sales and Commercial Excellence, lastly as Vice President for Amcor Flexibles in North America. Prior to Amcor, Marco worked as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in the United States and Switzerland.

PawPrint™ Pet Food Packaging Papers offer sustainable alternatives for flexible pet food packaging needs. PawPrint™ papers provide pet food brand owners functional yet visually attractive pet food packaging – inside and out- to help them eliminate the need for single-use plastic with a more sustainable alternative. “The marketplace is constantly moving to more sustainable, recyclable and chemical-free options for packaging, including pet food packaging,” said Jeff Murphy, V¬ice President of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Food Packaging business. “Our FluoroFree® technology, in addition to our other continuous innovations, are best positioned to help brand owners meet these goals.”

ePac Flexible Packaging announced they have entered into a global agreement with Scantrust to bring smart, connected packaging solutions to brands of all sizes, including small and medium-sized businesses. Through ePacConnect, which was announced in October of 2020, ePac and Scantrust together offer secure, serialized QR codes on all of its packaging and provide access to a suite of Scantrust applications for consumer engagement, brand protection, and track and trace. With ePacConnect, all packaging can be born digital, each with a unique digital identity. When scanned by a simple smartphone camera, every package becomes a gateway to 2-way communication between brands and consumers. The companies expect billions of pouches to be produced with ePacConnect over the coming years.

Tetra Pak has today been recognised as one of the world’s 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders. The leading food processing and packaging solutions company has been acknowledged for its commitment to pioneer a sustainable future, with a documentary showcasing its fascinating journey. The video features interviews with members of Tetra Pak’s Global Leadership Team, highlighting how the role of food sector in tackling climate change is becoming even more imperative. They explain why accelerating de-carbonisation and collaborations is critical to lead the sustainability transformation of the food packaging industry – addressing complex and multi-faceted challenges such as global warming, circularity and biodiversity. Food is a critical but often overlooked element of the climate issue. The global food system accounts for 26% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions1, while 8% of total emissions are caused by food waste2.

The CANPACK Group is proud to announce that it was awarded a ‘White CSR Leaf’ by POLITYKA weekly, an award that had been assessed in cooperation with Deloitte and the Responsible Business Forum. In addition to receiving this accolade, CANPACK was also recognised as a ‘best practice’ organisation when it came to reducing its carbon footprint. The prestigious ‘White CSR Leaf’ accolade from POLITYKA weekly is awarded to companies that have been the most socially engaged over the last ten years. This year’s jubilee edition focused on company projects that reduced a business’s impact on the natural environment and climate, as well as initiatives to counter the economic and social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every year, the ranking is also accompanied by a review of initiatives supporting the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Out of over 100 initiatives supporting sustainable development, the most up-to-date practices that brought measurable and significant effects were recognised.

The new 298,000 square foot facility will be located in McDonough, Georgia and is the latest in a series of investments in protective packaging manufacturing facilities to support e-commerce demand. Pregis recently announced two manufacturing facilities in Texas, one in Bethel, Pennsylvania, in addition to an existing facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The McDonough facility will be producing the recently rebranded Pregis EverTec™ mailer which features lightweight, recyclable all-paper cushioned construction. Pregis is currently looking to fill 80 new manufacturing positions there, with room to expand production and employment opportunities in the future. In total, the new EverTec manufacturing locations are expected to create approximately 450 new jobs.

Smurfit Kappa Group, one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products with operations in Europe and the Americas, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Cartonbox, a folding carton company located in Monterrey, in the north-east of Mexico. The acquisition represents an important milestone for the Company as it strengthens its participation in the paper packaging solutions business in Mexico, expands its footprint to four folding carton locations in the country, and reaffirms its commitment to paper-based packaging as the core strategic business for the Company.

BillerudKorsnäs is introducing two new low grammages of their flagship cartonboard product, CrownBoard Prestige®. Made at KM7, the world’s most modern board machine, the two new low grammages are particularly interesting for the graphical industry. CrownBoard Prestige® 170 and 200 gsm combine an excellent printing surface with strength and shapeability. The technical properties of the board are due to the capabilities of KM7, including advanced coating technology and state-of-the-art online quality monitoring. Despite the low basis weights, it is a strong board, made of 100% primary wood fibres built up in a 3-ply structure. Thanks to the strength, it is possible to choose a light grammage to reduce packaging weight. With CrownBoard Prestige®, this can be done without compromising packaging performance.

Novolex, an industry leader in packaging choice, innovation, and sustainability, announced it has acquired the business of Flexo Converters USA, Inc. and certain of its affiliates. The intention to acquire was originally announced May 17. Flexo is a manufacturer of stock, custom and recycled paper bags, and sacks. A family-owned business, Flexo was founded in 1994. It is headquartered and has a manufacturing facility in Meriden, CT and an additional plant in Monroe, GA. Flexo products will be sold under the Novolex Duro Bag® brand. The addition of Flexo products to the Novolex portfolio will enable Duro to support customer demand through Flexo’s production capacity. Novolex has seen a significant increase in demand for paper bags and sacks as consumer purchasing patterns have shifted.

Silgan Holdings Inc. announced that, as part of the continuation of its long-term succession planning, its Board of Directors has appointed Adam J. Greenlee as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective September 1, 2021. Mr. Greenlee will also continue as President of the Company. Mr. Greenlee joined Silgan in 2005 and ran its North American Closures operations prior to being appointed Executive Vice President of the Company in October 2007. Mr. Greenlee was named Chief Operating Officer of the Company in 2009 and was appointed President of the Company in April 2019. Tony Allott has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 2006, only its second CEO since its founding in 1987. Mr. Allott will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Company. “Adam and I have worked closely together on every major activity of Silgan for the past decade and he has been responsible for the oversight of each of our operating businesses in recent years. Just as importantly, Adam understands and personifies the unique culture of our Company and has consistently shown his ability to deliver results as Silgan has continued on its path of growth and success. While I am sure his leadership will explore new ideas and opportunities, I am equally confident it will be founded on the ideals and principles that have served us so well in the past,” said Tony Allott, Chairman and CEO.

Sonoco announced it has entered into a new five-year $750 million revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The Credit Agreement replaces an existing credit facility entered into on July 20, 2017, and reflects substantially the same terms and conditions. “We are pleased to upsize our prior $500 million committed credit facility with a new $750 million revolver and extend the maturity date for an additional five years. This new credit facility provides us with additional financial flexibility and reflects our strong credit profile. It also illustrates the solid relationships with our commercial banks,” said Julie Albrecht, Sonoco Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nuevopak Global Limited (“Nuevopak”) for approximately $43.8 million in total cash consideration, consisting of $34.8 million to be paid at closing and the remaining amount, subject to certain post-closing adjustments and potential contingent consideration, to be paid within three years from the date of closing. All amounts are in US dollars. Nuevopak designs and develops a range of machines to provide void-fill and cushioning protective packaging solutions. Nuevopak currently supplies IPG with paper dispensing machines and converted paper for protective packaging distribution in North America. Nuevopak is a privately held company headquartered in Hong Kong with subsidiaries in Jiangmen, China and Scheden, Germany that serve customers around the world, providing protective packaging solutions using a combination of world-class innovation and specialized industry experience. This acquisition is expected to further enhance IPG’s protective packaging business and strengthen its product bundle, thereby supporting IPG’s vision to be a global leader in packaging and protective solutions. The acquisition is also expected to enable IPG to secure dispensing machine supply, vertically integrate its paper converting operation, and expand market share in this growing, sustainability-focused market.

Sonoco Protective Solutions announced the expansion of its proprietary Sonopost® packaging technology into Europe. Utilizing current manufacturing infrastructure, strategically located to support this growing opportunity, Sonoco Protective Solutions will expand with a new Sonopost manufacturing operation in Sochaczew, Poland this summer. The Sonopost manufacturing platform uses corner posts made from 100% recycled paperboard to provide a more sustainable packaging solution for large appliances, HVAC units and similar products requiring superior unit protection and exceptional stacking capability. After use, the 100% recyclable corner posts can be bailed with existing paper scrap and recycled in the paper stream, allowing manufacturers to reduce or completely eliminate their plastic packaging waste.

The two companies are strengthening their partnership by developing a 100% recyclable corrugated board solution. Reducing plastic packaging is a major issue in the CSR approach of La Coopérative Agricole de Noirmoutier, a group of producers of high quality potatoes located on the island of Noirmoutier (Atlantic coast). It is with the ambition to replace the plastic bags wrapping its potatoes that the Cooperative contacted DS Smith. With its experience and collaborative spirit, it is with enthusiasm that DS Smith organized several workshops bringing together members of the two companies. The main difficulty was to keep the potatoes in good condition despite the elimination of plastic. Thanks to the expertise of its designers, DS Smith has succeeded in developing a 100% recyclable corrugated board solution that guarantees the conservation and visibility of the potatoes.

Smurfit Kappa has announced the opening of a new International Safe Transfer Association (ISTA) certified lab at its new eCommerce packaging facility in Northampton, UK. This brings with it an expansion of Smurfit Kappa’s network of packaging testing labs and centres that support retailers and producers to develop, test and launch disruptive packaging solutions for eCommerce at minimal risk and with reliable implementation. ISTA certification is often required by online selling platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba or eBay. From its ISTA lab in the Netherlands, Smurfit Kappa has over 14 years of experience and data from testing new and innovative packaging solutions to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the challenges of the eCommerce supply chain. Most recently, Smurfit Kappa was the first to secure Amazon’s ‘Frustration-Free Packaging’ pre-certification for a three litre Bag-in-Box solution. All this expertise is now also extended into the UK market.

Tetra Pak announces an ambitious investment program dedicated to its factory in Châteaubriant, specialised in the production of caps. Spanning across a three-year period (late 2021-2023), this €100 million project will support the plant’s transition to the production of tethered caps by 2024. Tethered caps help to minimise litter, as the cap will stay attached to the package. This step – that is in addition to the company’s commitment to invest approximately €100 million per year over the next 5-10 years to develop more sustainable packaging solutions - is key to ensuring that Tetra Pak’s customers in Europe will be ready to comply with the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, an integral part of the wider approach announced in the Plastics Strategy and an important element of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.

Taking inspiration from nature, Lecta presents EraCup Natural, a totally recyclable, biodegradable and polyethylene-free paper-based solution for single-use cups. EraCup Natural is the first product in Lecta’s new range of functional papers for nature-friendly packaging aligned with responsible consumption habits in which each decision matters. Manufactured under the most rigorous environmental and food safety certifications, Lecta’s new paper-based EraCup Natural solution is based on a proprietary process that is both polyethylene and bioplastic free. Its unique composition allows the paper to be recycled in standard paper recycling circuits after having been converted and used.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, is increasing capacity for their paper-based MailerBAG range to further replace plastic packaging in eCommerce with a recyclable solution made of responsibly sourced renewable materials. The innovative MailerBAG is now available in three designs, with the flat bottom version complementing the existing range of pinch and folded bottom bags, as each one offers consumers user-friendly packaging with multiple advantages. This includes easy closing for packing, expandability for bulkier goods, and easy resealing functionality for returns. The bags are made from kraft paper, a renewable material, and are completely re-usable and recyclable. MailerBAGs protect products without transporting too much air, meaning less space in storage and transit due to their flexible properties. The bags can be used and shipped worldwide.

Amcor’s Flexibles North America business today announced the installation of a seven-layer blown film line. Amcor’s new machine will produce the company’s recently launched proprietary AmPrima™ PE Plus ultra-clear and heat resistance films. The AmPrima line uses machine-direction orientation technology to produce films that can run at speeds that competitors are unable to match in a recycle-ready solution. These films enable customers to shift to recycle-ready solutions without compromise on performance, product appearance or manufacturing throughput. AmPrima is part of Amcor’s growing portfolio of responsible packaging solutions. In the U.S., when clean and dry, AmPrima can be collected for recycling curbside where available or through existing in-store drop-off locations. These solutions also are prequalified for the How2Recycle® label, which saves customers time, cost and reduces risk in development. The AmPrima line represents another meaningful step forward against Amcor’s effort to make all its products recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, is proud to have been awarded again the Platinum level rating by EcoVadis for the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility. With a top score of 83/100 Metsä Board is among the highest 1% of companies assessed in the manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and containers of paper and paperboard. EcoVadis assesses companies covering four themes: Metsä Board was in the top 1% of companies for Environment, Labour & Human Rights and Sustainable Procurement and in the top 4% for Ethics.

Leading global packaging and paper group Mondi has partnered with German manufacturer VPF, an expert in self-adhesive materials and coatings, to create the world’s first sustainable release liner range made from recycled paper. VPF committed to make their labels more sustainable by producing them from recycled materials. In a next step, they wanted their release liners to also be made of recycled materials and collaborated with Mondi to make this possible. Mondi used their customer-centric EcoSolutions approach to support VPF’s sustainability commitment, and with Mondi’s EverLiner M R, all the components of VPF’s label laminates are now made from recycled materials. Mondi’s EverLiner M R was launched in February and is the first machine-glazed release liner with 70% recycled content on the market. As well as using less fresh fibres, it is available with FSC® or PEFC-certified paper and significantly reduces the CO2e footprint compared to standard liners. This means EverLiner M R is a more responsible release liner solution for labels, tapes, envelopes, and industrial applications.

Tredegar Surface Protection announced that it will implement a resin index based pricing plan that will apply to all products and customers, in response to unprecedented price increases and supply issues for polyethylene and polypropylene resin. This bilateral pricing model, which allows for decreases if resin prices fall in the future, will be effective on all shipments beginning July 1, 2021. Citing growing cost pressures, Dr. Bapi DasGupta, president of Tredegar Surface Protection, said, “While we are seeing cost inflation in many areas, the increase in the cost of our primary raw material is the most challenging, given that resin prices have doubled over the past year. In addition, resin supply continues to be tight as a result of recent force majeure events and issues associated with COVID-19 conditions, including supply chain delays. We continue to focus on cost-control measures across our business and remain fully committed to delivering industry-leading product quality and supply reliability to our customers.”

Sonoco announced it will raise the price for all paperboard tubes and cores by a minimum of 6 percent, effective with shipments in the United States and Canada, on or after July 26, 2021. “This price increase is necessary due to continued increases in costs for uncoated recycled paperboard (URB), our primary raw material which remains in very tight supply. Additionally, we continue to experience significant inflationary pressures in adhesives, packaging and logistics costs,” said Mike Thompson, Director of Sales and Marketing for Sonoco’s North America Tubes and Cores Division.

Sealed Air Corporation has dedicated more than $30 million in capital to expand global production capacity and invest in new equipment systems to meet the accelerating demand for Automated Packaging Systems (APS) AUTOBAG® brand solutions, an acquisition Sealed Air closed in 2019. The investment is for capacity expansion, “touchless” automation, and proprietary digital printing technologies primarily in SEE’s APS facilities in Streetsboro and Bedford Heights, Ohio and Keyser, West Virginia, and will be completed in 2021. The company will also expand capacity and install new equipment at APS sites in Malvern, UK; Cavite, Philippines; and Qingpu, China.

AptarGroup, Inc. announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with respect to a potential acquisition of all outstanding shares of Voluntis (ENXTPA: ALVTX), a pioneer in digital therapeutics. This acquisition would complement Aptar’s existing digital health portfolio of connected devices by adding digital therapeutic solutions and broadening its digital health services across multiple chronic conditions and diseases. Digital therapeutics (DTx) help patients and caregivers treat, manage, or prevent a disorder or disease through evidence-based interventions that are driven by high quality software solutions. Supported by the trend toward personalized healthcare, DTx are used independently or in connection with medications, devices or other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. By acquiring Voluntis, Aptar would have immediate access to an established proprietary platform and algorithms that would drive future digital solutions provided to pharmaceutical and biotech customers as well as other healthcare stakeholders including payers and providers.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group ("MM") and a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Management, LP's advisory funds have reached a firm memorandum of understanding to transfer MM's virgin fiber board plants in Eerbeek, the Netherlands, and Baiersbronn, Germany, to Oaktree an equity value of EUR 104.6 million plus net debt according to the final invoice. Eerbeek and Baiersbronn together have an annual capacity of around 245kt virgin fiber board (FBB), which is produced on two board machines, and employ around 400 people. Sales in 2020 reached EUR 195 million. The sale corresponds to and is part of MM's strategy to focus on new acquisitions and growth investments.

SCA increases prices on brown and white kraftliner by € 50 per tonne in Europe. The new prices are valid from August, 1, 2021. “Driven by the continued strong market for transport packaging, the global demand for kraftliner remains high”, says Mikael Frölander, VP Sales & Marketing Containerboard.

Huhtamaki introduces Smilepack, a 100% plastic free molded fiber egg carton, in the United States and Brazil. Smilepack cartons are Huhtamaki’s first product designed especially for the U.S. egg industry, providing a sustainable and functional alternative to traditional polystyrene foam or plastic packaging for eggs. In the United States, the egg packaging market is expected to reach $405 MN at a CAGR of 4.38% by 2025*. The Smilepack egg cartons are made with fiber recovered from recycled paper, which can be reused up to seven times. The cartons can be recycled in regular paper stream and they are home and industrially compostable. Smilepack is already in use in the U.S. by a prominent producer and distributor of free-range eggs, whose products are sold in retail stores across the country. It is estimated that by switching to fiber packaging, this company will eliminate around 4.6 million plastic egg cartons, or around 200 metric tons of plastic annually.

ePac Holdings Europe is proud to announce that the company is expanding its European operations into Austria to serve local and regional businesses. Building on the current locations in Silverstone (England) and Lyon (France), ePac Innsbruck (Austria), will be located in Landeck (Tyrol) and will serve Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Orders can be placed effective immediately, and will be fulfilled by ePac Silverstone or Lyon until the production facility in Austria is completed. Christian Bischofberger, John Peat and Nick Monk become the Managing Partners for ePac Innsbruck. Christian will lead the operation and is a proven specialist in the printing and packaging industry with more than 20 years of experience. He will be supported by John and Nick (Managing Partners of ePac UK Silverstone), who have already gained a lot of experience with the ePac business model through the successful establishment and operation in Silverstone.

Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning July 15, 2021. Sonoco said the price increase was in response to continuing strong demand across its U.S. and Canada mill network which has driven order backlogs to near historical levels as well as stepped up inflationary pressures from energy, freight, papermaking chemicals and packaging materials.

Smurfit Kappa has announced it will invest €24 million to expand its corrugated plant in Rethel, North-East France, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to its French customer market. The new investment will facilitate the consolidation of two existing facilities at that plant and the installation of a new state-of-the-art corrugator and conversion equipment. This investment will result in environmental improvements at the plant including a reduction in CO2 emissions, with a saving of at least 150 tonnes annually. Phase one of the project, including installation of the new corrugator, is due to be completed in the first half of 2022, with full completion of the investment project expected in 2023. The investment will help to modernise and expand the plant, which will include a new 8200m2 building designed specifically for the installation of the new high-tech corrugator.

Packaging manufacturer PackageMedia, operating in Inkeroinen, Kouvola, created a unique, local cup series called “Images from Kouvola” and “Images from Kotka” for Prisma stores in the Kymenlaakso region; the cups are made from Kotkamills' plastic-free and easy-to-recycle cupstock. The images depict the local attractions, nature, and other sources of pride of these two cities. The Kouvola-themed cups can be purchased in a 25-cup retail package at Prisma in Kouvola, and the Kotka-themed cups are available at the Sutela Prisma in Kotka. It's easy to grab some cups while doing your regular grocery shopping, and a package of cups is always a welcomed and practical gift to bring when visiting a summer cabin. Each city series of cups contains six different images, the number of which varies in the consumer packages, so each family member can choose their own image and use the cup they selected multiple times throughout the summer day without mixing it up with a cup used by someone else. After use, the plastic-free cup is easy to recycle with other cardboard packaging.

The aim of the rebuild is to increase production as well as improve quality and the ecological footprint. Start-up is scheduled for 2023. The scope of supply comprises: *Rebuild of the wire section, including major modifications to the approach flow systems with new pumps, upgrade of three existing headboxes and the hybrid former, as well as a new 2-layer PrimeFlow AT headbox with the latest state-of-the art dilution water CD profiling for better high-end product quality *New press section with two PrimePress X shoe presses for gentle, energy-efficient dewatering and bulk savings at higher dryness *Rebuild of the pre-dryer section with PrimeRun web stabilizers for improved runability *Upgrade of two under-machine pulpers in the area of the press and pre-dryer section *Complete adaptation of the automation system to accommodate the scope of supply *Machine clothings for the complete scope of supply *Assembly, start-up and production assistance. The board machine KM3 has a design speed of 800 m/min and a wire width of 5 m. It produces folding boxboard (chromo duplex quality) with 230–450 gsm.

When award-winning ethical jewellery brand Yala was looking for packaging materials compatible with its values and Certified B Corporation status, it selected Invercote Duo from Antalis. Founded by Kenyan-born Audrey Migot-Adholla, Yala takes the inspiration for its jewellery from modern Africa, combining traditional craft with 21st-century values. It is the first jewellery brand in the UK to be a Certified B Corporation, committed to treating people, communities and the environment respectfully, sustainably and ethically. It is important to Yala that every aspect of the packaging is as low impact and sustainable as possible, which is why they selected FSC®-certified Invercote Duo. Due to its strength, toughness and thickness, Invercote Duo is especially suitable for wine and spirits packaging and point of sale displays and is ideal for the packaging of luxury products such as Yala jewellery. Invercote Duo is manufactured by Iggesund at its mill in Sweden, which has been awarded Platinum for sustainability by Ecovadis, putting it in the top 1% off all 65,000 companies rated by Ecovadis.

Novolex® announced that it has launched a new Chattanooga, Tenn. production line to manufacture compostable cold beverage cups made from a plant-based plastic. The clear cups are made using polylactic acid (PLA), a plastics polymer created from starch-based plants such as corn, sugarcane and wheat straw. The cups will be available from Novolex brand Eco-Products®, a leading provider of foodservice packaging made from renewable and recycled resources. “PLA looks, acts and performs like a traditional clear plastic, yet it is 100% compostable in commercial compost facilities,” said Adrianne Tipton, Chief Technology Officer of Novolex. “It is one more sustainable choice that we are proud to offer our customers.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in May increased five percent compared to May 2020. They were up two percent when compared to the same five months of 2020. The operating rate was 87.6 percent, up 7.3 points from May 2020 and up 5.6 points year-to-date. Mill inventories at the end of May decreased 2,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 3,000 short tons compared to May 2020.

Sonoco announced it is expanding recovery and recycling of scrap materials from the production of its iconic EnviroCan™ paper containers in the U.S. to be used as raw material at three of its uncoated recycled paperboard mills to produce new paperboard. According to Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco’s staff vice president of Sustainability, Sonoco expects to divert from landfills approximately 3,300 tons of scrap materials annually from four of its U.S. paper container operations in West Chicago, Ill., Greenville, Wisc., Jackson, Tenn., and Norwalk, Calif. This material, which is projected to equal approximately 165 truckloads, will be sent to Sonoco paper mills in Menasha, Wisc., Newport, Tenn., and City of Industry, Calif., where it will be used as raw material to produce 100 percent recycled paperboard, with up to 85 percent post-consumer fiber.

Mondi collaborated with the Italian machine producer ACMI to create a new wrapping system for pallets that uses paper instead of plastic. By transforming the way pallets are wrapped, Advantage StretchWrap reduces the supply chain’s reliance on plastic, moving to a renewable and fully recyclable material. Advantage StretchWrap (patent-pending) is a brand new lightweight paper grade from Mondi made specially for wrapping pallets. It is able to stretch and resist punctures, providing robust protection for goods during transit. The current industry standard for pallet wrapping is a multi-layer plastic material with low recycling rates. The Advantage StretchWrap paper, along with ACMI’s Rocket E-500 wrapping system, makes it possible to switch to a fully recyclable pallet wrapping solution. The paper’s impressive stretchability and high-tensile strength makes it a reliable alternative for transport. Acceleration tests to simulate transportation with ESTL equipment (performed according to EUMOS 40509(1)) and real life transportation trials confirmed that pallets wrapped with Advantage StretchWrap are safe.

WestRock Company has announced an expansion of its produce packaging offerings with the launch of its EverGrow™ Collection. WestRock has achieved a proprietary approach for a produce packaging collection made using sustainably sourced wood fiber. WestRock EverGrow packaging is curbside recyclable when emptied and flattened, supporting the company’s ambition to reduce waste and build a 100 percent reusable, recyclable and compostable product portfolio. “WestRock’s new EverGrow Collection is an excellent example of how we are innovating to improve the sustainability of our products while helping our customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Patrick Kivits, president of Consumer Packaging at WestRock. “We’ve leveraged our material science, structural design and packaging automation expertise to develop a collection of truly differentiated packaging solutions for our produce customers that are functional, recyclable and eye-catching.”

In May of 2016, ePac was founded in Madison, Wisconsin to utilize new digital printing technologies to primarily focus on the growth of small to medium brands, thereby helping to rebuild local communities. In these past 5 years ePac has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 80%, operates 20 facilities globally with a capacity of about $500,000,000 and serves over 5,000 customers. The underlying strategy was to deconstruct and then reconstruct a simple replicable business model that could provide RotoGravure quality, short lead times, and no sku limitations at a competitive price. The last point basically dispels the notion that digital printing is only for short runs. During the last five years, the average order size across all ePacs has stayed constant at less than 10,000 linear feet, however, ePac today regularly handles runs exceeding 100,000 linear feet per SKU across its global virtual network.

Amcor announced its support for the launch of the U.S. Plastics Pact’s Roadmap to 2025, an aggressive national strategy for how the U.S. Pact, Amcor and other signatory organizations – known as Activators – will achieve four 2025 targets. Launched today, the plan delineates specific actions, responsibilities and timeframes necessary to realize a circular economy for plastics in the United States. As a U.S. Pact Activator, Amcor joins others in the plastics value chain to drive progress through systemic change toward the 2025 targets: *Define a list of packaging to be designated as problematic or unnecessary by 2021 and take measures to eliminate them by 2025. *100% of plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. *By 2025, undertake ambitious actions to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging. *By 2025, the average recycled content or responsibly sourced bio-based content in plastic packaging will be 30%.

As we mark the end of one chapter of sustainability and embark on another, we are eager to share the positive impact we have made to date in our industry through our 2020 Interim Sustainability Report. Titled, “Enduring Values, Continuous Progress,” our latest report demonstrates the responsibilities and commitments we maintain with our environments, communities and stakeholders as we dig into a new decade of action. Click into our report to understand more about this pivotal period for our business—a year in which we both concluded our first set of formal sustainability goals (surpassing our targets for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions levels and decreasing our energy consumption) and also elevated our efforts with the launch of our comprehensive Twentyby30 sustainability program.

Kotkamills' family of ISLA® Consumer Boards are complemented by the freshest members of the family. ISLA® Ice and ISLA® Cream broaden the use of non-plastic solutions in the food industry with the expansion to ice cream packaging. Easily recyclable ISLA® Ice and ISLA® Cream barrier boards are especially suited for take-away and retail ice cream cups, bowls, and containers. ISLA® Ice and ISLA® Cream are a combination of innovative products that have been developed in parallel to work tightly together as raw materials for ice cream packaging. Ice cream packaging has commonly relied Heavily on solutions based on plastics and plastic coatings. As an innovative Forerunner Kotkamills is among the first to provide a plastic-free and recyclable alternative for ice cream manufacturers, packaging converters, retailers, and consumers.

The four coaters for the white cardboard and folding boxboard production line have a design speed of 1,000 m/min and a maximum web-width of 5,660 mm. They feature a jet nozzle to apply the coating color to the paper web. Dispensing methods can be either bent blade, stiff blade or doctor blade. The advanced nozzle geometry ensures uniform application of the coating color to the paper web, even at high speeds and high viscosities or solid contents. The four PrimeCoat Jet coaters are of very compact design, taking up very little space and providing perfect access for operation and maintenance. They enable a large operating window regarding coating weight and viscosity and can be used for pre-coating, middle- or final top-coating. The nozzle beam can be opened easily, thus reducing cleaning time and extending cleaning intervals. The redesign of the color feed system with optimized flow guidance also makes a significant contribution to this. Dead zones and the resulting color deposits are significantly reduced.

Huhtamaki has completed the acquisition of Jiangsu Hihio-Art Packaging Co. Ltd.’s assets. Jiangsu Hihio-Art Packaging is a privately owned manufacturer of paper bags, wraps and folding carton packaging in China. The acquisition strengthens Huhtamaki’s position as the leading foodservice packaging provider in Asia and expands its product portfolio allowing it to better serve both existing and new customers in China. Huhtamaki now has approximately 850 employees across four manufacturing units in China, with Hihio-Art Packaging Co. Ltd.’s approximately 200 employees joining as Huhtamaki employees at the newly established Huhtamaki Foodservice (Xuzhou) Limited. The net sales of the acquired business were approximately EUR 20 million in 2020. The debt free purchase price was EUR 27 million. The acquired business is incorporated into and reports as part of the Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania reporting segment as of June 11, 2021.

Waddington Europe, a division of Novolex®, has joined forces with its longstanding packaging distribution partner Produce Packaging to introduce containers made with 100% recycled material that are also 100% recyclable after use. Produce Packaging’s new containers will be made with Waddington Europe’s Eco Blend™ 100 material that consists entirely of a combination of post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled PET (rPET). The new containers will be available to all Produce Packaging customers, including growers, packers and importers that supply major retail outlets. The switch to Eco Blend 100 reflects the decision by Produce Packaging to focus increasingly on packaging that is environmentally sustainable.

Mondi has once again won the prestigious EUROSAC Grand Prix Sack of the Year award, this year for its revolutionary EcoWicketBag. EUROSAC, the European Federation of Multiwall Paper Sack Manufacturers, chose Mondi’s EcoWicketBag for its potential to reduce plastic packaging waste in the global hygiene industry. Mondi’s EcoWicketBag design is a paper-based packaging solution that provides an alternative to traditional plastic packaging, replacing it with renewable, recyclable paper. Created from strong virgin kraft paper sourced from sustainably managed forests, it is the first paper wicket bag that runs on existing equipment. It is available in a variety of sizes, is strong enough to handle the filling process and protect the product throughout the supply chain. EcoWicketBag’s design and printability ensure great on-shelf appeal, it is also easy to open and end-consumers know how to dispose of paper correctly.

The papermaking industry has a reputation for being energy hungry. But another investment in innovation at our Kemsley mill has cut the power consumption of our paper machines. These two papermaking machines at Kemsley mill account for over half of the mill’s average annual production capacity of over 840,000-tonnes. At the ‘wet end’ of the papermaking machine, water is removed by a series of foils and suction boxes. We’ve partnered with Runtech Systems to make this production stage more power-efficient and have now replaced the old liquid ring pumps with a new RunEco paper machine vacuum system. At the heart of the system are three EP600 Turbo Blower units with titanium blades that run at 10,000 rpm – the equivalent speed of a jet engine. They have the potential to cut PM3’s power consumption by two-thirds, providing annual power savings of 1,500 kw. Combined with previously installed turbos on PM6 this investment has the power saving potential of 2,626kw a year.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights: *Net income of $149.8 million compared to net income of $11.4 million. *Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $52.5 million to a source of $152.3 million. *Total debt decreased by $368.9 million to $2,313.4 million. Strategic Actions and Announcements: *Completed the sale of approximately 69,200 acres of timberlands in southwest Alabama to Weyerhaeuser Company for approximately $149.0 million in cash. *Achieved record Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) volume, reflecting strong market demand. *Published Greif's 12th consecutive sustainability report highlighting the Company's commitments to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and key metrics.

Smurfit Kappa’s Bag-in-Box division has announced the completion of a significant €12 million investment in a new flexible material production facility at its plant in Ibi, Spain. The new state-of-the-art production facility commenced operations, on a phased basis, earlier this year and will be one of the most advanced Bag-in-Box manufacturing plants in Europe. The investment has resulted in the addition of an extra 4,300 m2 production area which will be equipped with high-tech and advanced machinery which allows for more specialisation in the manufacture of film. The new machinery will allow the plant to complete the full production cycle of Bag-in-Box packaging solutions, from start to finish. This integrated production model means not only quicker and more efficient service to customers, but also a considerable reduction of the environmental impact – up to 21% less estimated CO2 emissions for the current flexible materials portfolio.

The Twin Rivers Paper Company has received FSSC 22000 Certification for Food Packaging, for its New York-based, Lyonsdale, Mohawk Valley, and Mill Street mills. FSSC 22000 is a GSI recognized, food safety certification developed to improve consistency and integrity throughout all aspects of the food safety supply chain. Twin Rivers’ compliance to the requirements of this internationally recognized standard is another assurance that its food packaging products meet the food safety requirements its customers require. “With the passing of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011, many of our customers are already certified or are in the process of becoming certified and statistics show that approximately one out of four companies are asking their suppliers to achieve certification. Achieving this industry-wide, recognizable, and auditable standard tells our customers that we have the proper systems in place to ensure food-safe packaging. It’s something that is quickly becoming a necessary part of doing business,” said Jeff Hederick, Chief Commercial Officer.

With physical stores closed during the pandemic, the boom in online shopping resulted in record numbers of packages arriving on consumers’ doorsteps. Along with all that merchandise came a growing awareness of the materials used to package and ship products, and the impact those materials have on the environment. A new survey commissioned by Two Sides North America and conducted by international research firm Toluna found that U.S. consumers believe paper-based packaging is better for the environment than other packaging materials. Survey respondents were asked to rank their preferred packaging material (paper/cardboard, plastic, glass and metal) based on 15 environmental, aesthetic and practical attributes. Overall, paper/cardboard packaging was preferred for 10 of the 15 attributes, with half of respondents saying paper/cardboard is better for the environment. Consumers also preferred paper/cardboard packaging on other environmental attributes, including being home compostable (65%) and easier to recycle (44%).

The need for easily understandable information regarding sustainability issues is constantly increasing. By creating the ‘Sustainability Unfolded’ platform, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, aims to provide a consumer-oriented and fresh way to open up and address sustainability topics, especially in the context of packaging sustainability. The targets are clear: increase understanding, challenge myths, and help make the right everyday choices. When talking about sustainability, themes like deforestation, climate change, recycling and greenwashing are crucial topics that deserve attention. In the era of information overload, corporations have to find ways to democratise sustainability information and make it more accessible and understandable. Metsä Board decided to tackle this in a new way. “The way ‘Sustainability Unfolded’ talks about these complex issues is somewhat unconventional for the industrial B2B-sector. The goal is to stimulate and engage the reader, and encourage everyone to look at the topics from a wider viewpoint. We built an editorial platform to make the subject matter more engaging to consume, with intriguing headlines and content that people will want to explore further,” states Marjo Halonen, VP Communications at Metsä Board.

Today we announce a series of ambitious climate targets. This includes a science-based target which requires at least a 40% reduction of CO2 emissions per tonne of product by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, and a commitment to reach Net Zero* emissions by 2050. These targets will be validated by the Science Based Targets initiative** as being in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. To further underline our ambition and commitment, we are also announcing our membership of the UN’s Race to Zero. "I’m delighted DS Smith has joined the UN’s Race to Zero. It is great to see a company with an ambitious 2030 target and commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. DS Smith is making great progress against its previous carbon reduction targets, tackling the challenges associated with decarbonising the paper and packaging sector. Business plays a key role in driving the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy, with over 40 of the FTSE100 now signed up to the UN’s Race to Zero, I hope this announcement inspires other companies in the sector to take action." — Andrew Griffith MP, former business advisor to the PM and current UK Net Zero Business Champion

VPK France is a subsidiary of VPK Group – a family-owned business that is now turning into an international privately-owned packaging supplier, with over 65 plants across 20 countries. With a huge focus on sustainability and a strong existing relationship with Sun Chemical, the company recently made a strategic decision to switch ten of its French sites’ printing operations to Sun Chemical’s SunVisto AquaGreen renewable inks. While the first of VPK France’s site (based in Lille) has already made the switch to Sun Chemical’s SunVisto AquaGreen range, the remaining sites are planned to be converted sequentially by mid-2021. The inks are being used across many industries, including food, dairy, automotive, e-commerce, cosmetics and wine packaging. “Sun Chemical have been our trusted supplier for many years.” explains Philippe Tran, Managing Director of VPK France. “After a short break, VPK renewed this partnership in 2019, with the focus on SunVisto AquaGreen ink technology, which we intend to deploy across all of our corrugated packaging applications throughout our French sites. Our previous supplier did an adequate job, but the relationship was not as strong and we did not get the same sense of having such a solid shared vision – particularly around issues of productivity, sustainability and environmental responsibility. With Sun Chemical, we are able to communicate openly and with a high level of trust and transparency to get the best deals, both technically and economically. Working with a market leading company such as Sun Chemical also enables us to collaborate to form innovations that truly meet the specific needs of the market today.”

Aptar Food + Beverage, a global leader in elastomeric flow solutions for more than 25 years, has received Critical Guidance Recognition from The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for its SimpliCycle™ recyclable valve technology. APR Critical Guidance Recognition acknowledges technologies or packaging components that solve long-standing problems in sustainable package design. The recognition applies to both specific package design components and packages incorporating the component. SimpliCycle™ passed the required APR Critical Guidance test protocol performed by an independent, third-party testing laboratory.

The lives of consumers around the world were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Norms around work, school, travel and socialization changed virtually overnight. Eating habits also became fundamentally different, with a greater number of consumers cooking from home and eating healthier. The ability to physically visit retail stores also changed beyond recognition, and as a result e-commerce and direct-to-consumer models – which were already gaining huge traction pre-pandemic – accelerated rapidly in terms of sales. According to Euromonitor, online grocery is one of the most significant trends to emerge in the packaged food industry due to stay-at-home rules. Many major brands are prioritizing this channel within their corporate strategies having recognized the fact that its forward momentum is unlikely to ease. E-commerce is set to be the fastest growing channel as we continue to battle with COVID-19, and metal packaging is perfectly suited to the needs of both the consumer and the supply chain. *Retail value sales of the packaged food industry grew by 4.6% in 2020, compared to 1.7% in 2019 *The imposed stay-at-home rules, resulted in food sales from foodservice and institutional channels shifting to the home with a benefit to the retail channel *This, together with the essential nature of the food industry, has meant strong performance in 2020. [1]

Balcan Plastics, a Quebec-based manufacturer of flexible packaging and technical films, has bought a roughly 215,000-square-foot facility in Pleasant Prairie’s LakeView Corporate Park. A village official said the company is planning an operation there with 60 employees. An affiliate of the company paid $13 million to acquire the 50-acre property at 7201 108th St. from Mondi Akrosil LLC. The property was assessed at $9.14 million for 2020, according to Kenosha County records. “We are pleased to see Balcan Plastics invest here in Pleasant Prairie,” said Nathan Thiel, village administrator of Pleasant Prairie. “The company had several options around the nation, but ultimately selected on our community, which will result in manufacturing jobs and enhance the use of an existing building.” Mondi Akrosil, a division of London and Vienna-based international packaging and paper company Mondi plc, informed state officials last year the company planned to close the facility by July 1 of this year, a move that eliminated 108 jobs.

Pregis’ new Phantom Mask protective film solution offers unparalleled protection for plastic sheeting while eliminating adhesive transference and decreasing waste. Plastic is a part of our future. Everything, from kitchen utensils to complex scientific instruments, is made of the stuff. It’s found in equipment exploring the bottom of our oceans, and in technology probing the outer bounds of our solar system. Plastics technology is driving innovation in automobiles and airplanes, and home goods and healthcare. But while the things we make out of plastic grow, evolve, and improve, many parts of the plastics manufacturing chain are mired in “yesterday’s approaches.”

Sappi Europe announces a price increase for all its containerboard grades by 8 - 10% for deliveries from 1 July 2021. The ongoing sharp rise in raw material costs, particularly pulp, chemicals and energy in combination with high freight rates make price adjustments unavoidable.

Amcor introduced ACT2100™ heat seal coating for medical grade DuPont™ Tyvek®2 and paper packaging applications. This next generation coating technology delivers enhanced performance features for healthcare applications and will be produced in multiple locations worldwide to offer customers increased flexibility to be supplied from the most suitable location for the manufacturing and packaging of their devices. Customers choosing ACT2100 will benefit from the solution’s broader seal range in combination with numerous materials, allowing for a wider operating window in their manufacturing operations, as well as enhanced seal strength for more robust package integrity through distribution. Consumers will enjoy speedier ethylene oxide sterilization cycles thanks to the material’s improved porosity, a fiber-free peel, and a bright, white adhesive that does not yellow. In addition, documentation and data will be available to support healthcare packaging regulatory requirements in all regulated markets.

Smurfit Kappa Group is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Cartones del Pacifico, a leading paper-based packaging company in Peru. The acquisition represents an important milestone for the Company as it expands its footprint in the Americas from 12 to 13 countries, and builds on the Group’s leadership position as the largest pan-regional supplier in Latin America. As part of the transaction Emusa Group has acquired Smurfit Kappa’s flexible packaging business in El Salvador.

The movement to save the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests from ending up as take-out containers, shoe boxes, or other paper packaging just got kicked up a notch. Crown Van Gelder is thrilled to join a cadre of companies in the Pack4Good [and Canopy Planet] in committing to eliminate controversial forest fibre from our packaging, while exploring Next Generation Solutions for packaging made from alternative sources. Crown Van Gelder’s papers are 99% bio based; pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests, sugar beet pulp, starch, natural pigments and surface water. Only a few auxiliary materials, colouring agents and glues are not bio based; natural gas is used as an energy source in the manufacturing process. After two years of research in 2020 Crown Van Gelder developed Crown Native with the Dutch agricultural cooperative Cosun Beet Company as a strategic partner. The agricultural process residue from Cosun’s production process, beet pulp, forms a valuable resource for the paper and Crown Van Gelder succeeded in creating paper with 20% beet pulp, thus achieving environmental gains in several areas.

Ensuring that vaccine vials and their potentially life-changing contents remain safe, sterile and identifiable throughout their tightly controlled supply chain is no easy task, and taking risks is not an option. With the new extended 360 Service offering, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is testing the paperboards and simulating packaging designs used by pharma manufacturers to package and protect vaccine doses, providing absolute confidence that the materials are up to the task. COVID-19 and other vaccines are typically stored and transported in extremely cold conditions, which can be as low as -70 degrees Celsius, before being thawed out ready for administration. The secondary paperboard packaging must be able to withstand these temperature extremes and protect the vials throughout the entire process. When a converter is producing packages for cold-chain transportation they have to be 100% certain that the materials they are using are appropriate. This is where Metsä Board’s in-depth testing and simulation capabilities are extremely valuable for the pharma industry.

SWAPP® to paper packaging for a sustainable future! SWAPP® with an extra P for paper is a range of fibre-based packaging materials from BillerudKorsnäs to enable transition from plastic to paper and meet new consumer demands through better sustainability performance for people and the planet. BillerudKorsnäs’ SWAPP® is an opportunity for companies to grow business by meeting new consumer and regulatory demands through renewable and innovative paper applications. SWAPP® is a collaborative and seamless process where the BillerudKorsnäs guides brand owners and retailers through the transformation towards sustainable paper packaging solutions. “The FMCG packaging market is in a transformation phase – immense change will have to take place if brand owners and retailers are to meet directives and fulfil corporate commitments by 2025. With the SWAPP® offering BillerudKorsnäs provides sustainable paper alternatives to resolve some of the most imminent challenges: driving plastic reduction, CO2 reduction, and increasing recycling rates”, says Patrik Bosander, Director Packaging Solutions at BillerudKorsnäs.

Food production is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, but today it is estimated that approximately one third of all food produced globally is wasted. This significant number represents 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.1 Packaging helps protect food from damage and spoilage from transport to storage and from stores to our homes. Packaging therefore ensures that the resources used to produce food, and the carbon footprint created, are not wasted. Food packaging is integral to the product it contains. With the demand of food on the rise, the need for sustainable packaging solutions also increases for consumers around Europe and the world. Food packaging is essential for food protection and availability. Crucially, it is part of the solution to enable sustainable food systems, which the EU Green Deal seeks to achieve.

Tetra Pak showcases its new UHT 2.0 heating portfolio and Tetra Pak® E3/Speed Hyper packaging equipment on World Milk Day in support of this year’s theme of sustainability and Dairy’s commitment to innovation to reduce environmental footprint. Tetra Pak’s new UHT 2.0 portfolio with OneStep technology and Tetra Pak® E3/Speed Hyper reduce water and steam consumption, creating less wastewater and therefore also lowering the cost of its removal for Dairy manufacturers. Adding a Tetra Pak® Water Filtering Station to Tetra Pak® E3/Speed Hyper helps recover 5500 litres of water per filling machine running hour (up to 95%), while contributing to lower water consumption1. With water scarcity on the rise, wastewater is increasingly becoming a pressing industry concern. Up to a fifth of Tetra Pak’s customers are based in high or extremely high-risk water areas and the company is prioritising action to address this. The combination of UHT 2.0 with OneStep technology and Tetra Pak® E3/Speed Hyper scores highly across industry benchmarks for sustainability, with a 0.8 GHG Index score, a 0.3 Water Index score and a Product Losses Index score of 0.72. When compared to a conventional line solution3 this optimal integrated solution reduces GHG emissions by 20%, water usage by 70% and product losses by 30%.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Nine Dragons Paper Industries to supply two complete OCC lines with a capacity of 2,000 bdmt/d each to their mills in China. The lines feature the following technological highlights: *FibreFlow Drum pulping systems, ensuring premium accept quality thanks to gentle slushing and efficient removal of coarse contaminants with minimum fiber loss *PrimeScreen F fine screens and fractionators with newly developed PrimeFoils for increased efficiency and lower power consumption *PrimeFilter D disc filters – the latest ANDRITZ innovation in thickening and fiber recovery – enabling the system to handle higher feed consistencies and higher-freeness pulp, even in the most demanding applications, and in parallel offering significant improvements in terms of energy consumption and maintenance *Ultra-high dispersing, allowing dispersion at a consistency of up to 40% to achieve substantial savings in steam consumption and superior fiber strength development.

Further to the announcement made on 5 January 2021, Mondi confirms that all conditions have been satisfied and it has completed the acquisition of 90.38% of the outstanding shares in Olmuksan International Paper Ambalaj Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş from International Paper for a total consideration of €66 million. The implied enterprise value on a 100% basis would amount to around €88 million. Olmuksan is a leading and well-established corrugated packaging player in Turkey, listed on the Istanbul stock exchange. Its network of five plants provides a diverse customer base with high-quality sustainable packaging for food, beverage, agriculture and industrial applications. "We are delighted to have completed this acquisition, which significantly strengthens our position in the fast-growing Turkish corrugated market and expands our offering to existing and new customers in the region. We look forward to welcoming the Olmuksan team to Mondi." Andrew King, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mondi.

AptarGroup, Inc. announces the launch of the company’s first fully recyclable mono-material pump for the beauty and personal care industries, called Future. In order to facilitate recycling, Future was designed using polyethylene (PE) mono-material only. Future is certified by Cyclos-HTP, the institute for Recyclability and Product Responsibility *. The innovation is also recognized “A” by RecyClass – a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to establish a harmonized recycling approach and traceability in Europe*. “Today we are pleased to launch our latest sustainable innovation, Future, a game changing dispensing solution. Following more than two years of design, engineering and testing, I am very proud of our team’s mono-material design and it truly reflects our commitment to a more circular economy,” said Marc Prieur, President, Aptar Beauty + Home.

Neenah, Inc. announces an ultra-lightweight addition to their single-use sterile packaging offering. This innovative, high-performance solution introduces the market to a durable, cost-saving alternative to kraft and synthetic-based medical packaging traditionally used for nasal swabs, syringes, and other single-use applications. “This ultra-lightweight addition brings new opportunities closer in reach with our global sterile supply chain partners,” says Valerie Henderson, Medical Packaging Product Manager for Neenah. Single-use medical devices are gaining popularity as they help lower costs, increase efficiency, and reduce the spread of infection. Most single-use devices have a shelf life of 3-5 years, making it imperative that the sterilization process remain intact from supplier to opening at the final destination. Kraft-based medical packaging, used for single-use devices, can tear or burst due to packing or transportation style. It is essential that medical packaging be durable, especially if it is lightweight.

Huhtamaki is setting up a new manufacturing unit in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa to serve its existing and new egg packaging customers in the KwaZulu-Natal area with a broad range of locally produced packaging solutions. The new facility will be located close to one of South Africa’s main export ports, enabling competitive exports of egg packaging for customers across East Africa. “The addition of a unit in KwaZulu-Natal is an important addition to our fiber packaging footprint in South Africa not only providing efficiencies in our service to customers in South Africa but an additional benefit in terms of proximity to a major port which will drive access to markets across East Africa. The new facility sets us up to better meet the growth of the fiber packaging sector and future demand for sustainable packaging. It also strengthens our position in the region significantly,” says Eric Le Lay, President, Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania.

World-class paper and board packaging manufacturer Detpak has partnered with U.S.-based Eco-Products® to provide industry-leading sustainable packaging solutions in Australia and New Zealand. The partnership brings together a wealth of experience, with Eco-Products bringing a more than 30-year history in compostable foodservice products to complement a leading range of sustainable packaging solutions from Detpak. “It is my pleasure to announce that Detpak will partner with Eco-Products,” Alf said. “Detpak has long been an innovator of paper and board products and is an industry leader in the development of recyclable product solutions.

Global packaging manufacturer CANPACK announced it will build its second U.S.-based, state-of-the-art aluminum beverage can body manufacturing plant in Muncie, creating over time approximately 345 high-paying, local jobs by 2023. The proposed project, which represents a $380 million investment in Delaware County and the State of Indiana with the potential to expand to 425 jobs and $490 million by 2025, will be located on 139 acres of land on the southwest corner of South Cowan and West Fuson Roads in Monroe Township in Muncie. Officials from CANPACK and its owner Giorgi Global Holdings, Inc. jointly announced the new facility with state and local elected officials and economic development leaders following the Delaware County Council’s approval of the project earlier today, with economic development incentives provided by both the state and local governments. Construction of the 862,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin in mid-2021. Plant operation is slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Consumer concerns and tightening regulations have intensified the drive for more sustainable and safe packaging. At the same time, improving performance and efficiency are important. To answer the demand Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has introduced a collaborative 360 Service approach to deliver measurable benefits throughout the packaging value chain, from easy recyclability to brand impact, production and supply chain efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and beyond, complementing its premium paperboard offering. The Metsä Board 360 Service approach is based on the extensive paperboard and packaging expertise gained from decades of collaboration with leading global technology providers, research institutes, brand owners, converters, printers, corrugators, and logistics and IT providers. The new Metsä Board 360 Services consist of five entities: • Sustainability Service to ensure the compliance and maximise the sustainability of paperboard packaging. • Packaging Design Service to provide better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. • Technical Service uses Metsä Board’s in-depth technical expertise to help improve converting efficiency and packaging performance. • R&D Service offers extensive testing capabilities and possibilities to explore new opportunities in joint R&D projects. • Supply Chain and Digital Service enables responsive, sustainable and reliable paperboard supply across the globe.

Amcor has taken another step towards its goal to provide more sustainable packaging solutions by producing the first designed to be recycled plastic packaging for powdered chocolate in Latin America. Compared to the previous packaging, this new solution reduces the package’s carbon footprint by 53% and water consumption by 84% when it is recycled. The new sachet has a high-barrier feature to protect against humidity and will be available to consumers in its 25g sachet format in Colombia this month. Working closely with the customer, Amcor has leveraged its global and local R&D resources to develop this packaging solution which meets sustainability criteria while maintaining product protection, shelf life and aesthetic appeal. Amcor was the first global packaging company to pledge to develop all its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025.

New data shows that 44% of Brits admit to hoarding cardboard boxes – with a massive 135m believed to be sitting in our sheds, garages, and wardrobes. Over half of Brits (52%) say the amount of cardboard packaging in their homes has increased since the pandemic, with two thirds (66%) of those blaming more online shopping, and more than a quarter (28%) holding on to boxes without any clear motive - simply because “they might be useful in the future.” But the hoarding habit, while seemingly harmless, is actually keeping raw materials out of the hands of recycling companies and causing paper prices to rise. "Since the pandemic begun there’s been a major shift in consumer shopping habits and we’ve seen a huge rise in people ordering more items online, accumulating more boxes as a result. But while some put these boxes to good use – re-using them for storage, arts and crafts, or to ship other items - many boxes are sitting unused and not finding their way back into recycling streams. It means that materials are at best getting delayed in reaching recyclers, and at worse not getting to them at all." — Rogier Gerritsen, Head of Recycling at DS Smith

Nine Dragons Paper, the biggest manufacturer of packaging paper in China, has commissioned Voith to build and deliver three XcelLine paper machines for the production of high performance testliner and white top testliner. The three lines will further strengthen the paper manufacturer’s leading position in the packaging paper segment. The commissioning of the machines is planned for 2022 and 2023. “We are delighted to have received the orders from China’s largest packaging paper manufacturer Nine Dragons and we look forward to our renewed collaboration on a partnership basis,” says Hanson Zhao, Vice President Sales & Application Asia at Voith Paper. The planned daily production volume of the three identical paper machines is especially high: approximately 2,400 metric tons each, at production speeds of 1,400 m/min. In order to meet these requirements, the components must be extremely high-performing and robust. The elaborate former design of the machines, which are equipped with a DuoFormer DII E, allows for the required speed with high basis weights at the same time.

UPM Specialty Papers is strengthening its already comprehensive selection of sustainable and recyclable packaging papers. Known for its high expertise in technically demanding papers, UPM Specialty Papers now introduces an advanced fibre-based barrier paper – UPM AsendoTM Pro. The latest example of cutting-edge packaging solutions is UPM Asendo Pro – a barrier paper made from renewable materials. UPM Asendo Pro is a two-side coated paper that provides multiple advantages as an easily recyclable monomaterial. UPM Asendo Pro’s print side provides an excellent basis for high-quality visuals. Also, in addition to advanced grease resistance and good moisture resistance, its mineral oil barrier properties keep products safe. UPM Asendo Pro is suitable for dry, greasy and frozen foods as well as wrappings where excellent print properties are vital. End-use purposes vary from non-food wrapping to food end-uses and can be easily further converted for additional barrier properties and sealability to open up even more demanding end-uses.

Novolex®, an industry leader in packaging choice, innovation and sustainability, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Flexo Converters USA, Inc. and certain of its affiliates. The transaction is expected to close within the next 60 days. Flexo is a manufacturer of stock, custom and recycled paper bags and sacks. It is headquartered and has a manufacturing facility in Meriden, Conn. and an additional plant in Monroe, Ga. Flexo’s eligible full-time employees are expected to join Novolex. Flexo products will be sold under the Novolex Duro® Bag brand. The addition of Flexo products to the Novolex portfolio will enable Duro to support customer demand through Flexo’s production capacity. Novolex has seen a significant increase in demand for paper bags as consumer purchasing patterns have shifted.

Leading European thermoforming packaging specialists Waddington Europe, a division of Novolex®, is augmenting its revolutionary TamperVisible® range of protective packaging products to include a pioneering Hot Fill option. The TamperVisible range of products is designed for consumer peace of mind, reassuring the end user that the food inside is as safe as the day it was prepared. A snap mechanism on the corner of the pack must physically be broken to access the lid opening making an attempt to open the package visible to a consumer. The packaging line is also ideal for storage optimisation and increased shelf life as they easily fit inside most refrigerator door shelves. And now, TamperVisible Hot Fill can withstand temperatures of up to 185 F° (85°C), making it a convenient packaging option for sauces, soups, noodles, pate, ready meals and desserts such as steamed puddings, while also being microwavable. Made from high clarity rPET (recycled PET), the TamperVisible Hot Fill line offers superior shelf appeal and a clearer view of the contents unlike thicker polypropylene and crystallized PET (cPET) hot fill containers, which are typically opaque. Additionally, TamperVisible Hot Fill is available in four recycled content blends, from a minimum of 30% to Waddington Europe’s full Eco Blend™ 100 packaging made from 100% recycled content and which is also 100% recyclable. Branding and recycling information are displayed via a patented ‘clip on’ decoration, making for easy and correct separation and recycling.

Smurfit Kappa is substantially expanding its converting capacity at four manufacturing plants across the Czech Republic and Slovakia with a significant €20 million investment. The investment further highlights Smurfit Kappa’s commitment to its customers and operations in Eastern Europe. The investment consists of four major projects, three undertaken in the Czech Republic, at Smurfit Kappa facilities in Žebrák, Žimrovice, and Olomouc, and one in Slovakia at Smurfit Kappa Štúrovo. All four projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in April increased four percent compared to April 2020. They were up one percent when compared to the same four months of 2020. The operating rate was 95.1 percent, up 9.6 points from April 2020 and up 5.2 points year-to-date. Mill inventories at the end of April increased 9,000 short tons from the previous month and were up 20,000 short tons compared to April 2020.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced the conclusion of its successful partnership with International Paper Company. The final tranche of the membership interests held by International Paper in Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC (the "Partnership") were exchanged for an equivalent number of shares of Graphic Packaging common stock. As a result, Graphic Packaging now owns 100% of the Partnership. Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO, said, "The partnership with International Paper played an important role as we established our leadership position in fiber-based consumer packaging across all three paperboard substrates. The highly integrated model we have built enables us to serve a broad set of global customers with new and innovative packaging solutions, positioning us to achieve the ambitious growth and return goals established in Vision 2025. Through the combination with International Paper's consumer packaging business, along with our other organic and inorganic growth initiatives, we have built scale across all three paperboard substrates, and have unique flexibility to quickly meet changing demand patterns for sustainable packaging solutions and deliver value for all stakeholders."

Aptar CSP Technologies announced that its proprietary Activ-Film™ technology was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use within a recently launched Rechargeable Implantable Neurostimulator (INS) that treats urinary and bowel dysfunction. The Activ-Film™ material is integrated into the medical device to control humidity, improve the accuracy of readings, and extend use life. Aptar CSP’s Activ-Film™ material leverages the company’s patented 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ platform technology to manage the device’s internal atmosphere, adsorbing moisture that could otherwise accumulate and affect the implant’s stability and performance. Controlling the humidity within the device protects the battery and enables it to have little to no degradation during its use life.

The Felix Schoeller Group is expanding its Facestock product portfolio. With PrimePaper F005 and F026, the company is launching two new product types for direct contact with food that are free of harmful substances and FSC certified. The speciality paper manufacturer with headquarters in Osnabrück has also produced a free report on the subject of inkjet printing. Interested parties can find valuable information on the growth trend in digital label printing and the interaction between ink and paper. "We are delighted to introduce two new label solutions for food use to our customers," says Senta Becker, Global Product Manager Label Printing at the Felix Schoeller Group about the new Facestock products PrimePaper F005 and PrimePaper F026. "Both products are free of harmful substances and FSC-certified," Mrs Becker continues on the expansion of the product range of the Osnabrück-based speciality paper manufacturer, which offers Facestock materials for a wide range of applications, including labels for bottle labelling or packaging from the health & personal care and cosmetics sectors.

Several Koehler flexible packaging paper have been certified by the environmental services provider Interseroh and awarded the „Made for Recycling“ seal. This includes Koehler NexPlus® Advanced, Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure and Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure MOB. Among other things, the after-life aspects of collection, sorting and recovery were analyzed. With this seal, the environmental services provider Interseroh certifies that the paper has a very good recycling capability. With Koehler NexPlus®, Koehler Paper is meeting the rapidly growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions - and this extends beyond just the food industry. Koehler NexPlus® paper has a barrier coating with various capabilities and characteristics. In particular, these include barriers for odors, greases, oils, water vapor, or gases, which combine with the paper's inherent capabilities, such as high strength properties and a natural feel, to create a strong overall concept. The advantage of Koehler’s NexPlus® barrier paper is that it is manufactured from sustainable raw materials. After use, it is classified as wastepaper and is thus a sought-after recycled raw material.

Stora Enso arranged a virtual inauguration ceremony to celebrate the successful conversion of the Oulu Mill which was transformed from paper production into high-quality kraftliner production. The Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, inaugurated the mill. Oulu is Stora Enso’s second successful conversion, following Varkaus Mill, inaugurated in 2016. The EUR 350 million conversion project proceeded according to plan, from the investment decision made in May 2019 to the start of the commercial deliveries in the first quarter of 2021. The current ramp-up phase is proceeding ahead of plan, and the customer feedback has been positive. The new machine is estimated to reach its designed annual production capacity of 450 000 tonnes by the end of the June 2021. “Stora Enso has a long and proud history of being able to transform, innovate and embrace the future. Today’s inauguration celebrates a successfully completed project. Packaging already today represents more than 40% of our total sales. The additional kraftliner capacity in Oulu enables us to further strengthen Stora Enso’s offering in the global markets with significant room for growth,” says Annica Bresky, Stora Enso’s President and CEO. The product, AvantForteTM by Stora Enso, has three fibre layers, making it the strongest kraftliner in Stora Enso’s portfolio.

2K30 includes real, measurable goals, close cooperation with Pregis partners, vendors and customers worldwide, and an open invitation for like-minded companies and individuals to join the company in doing better. The goal is to contribute to protecting and preserving the planet for generations to come. Working hand in hand with its network and forming new alliances, by the year 2030, Pregis will: *Reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 25% *Eliminate 1 million customer reshipments *Save 15 million new trees from harvest *Make 100% of Pregis products recyclable, reusable, or with a minimum 30% reduced reliance on new fossil-based ingredients *Achieve 100% product and process waste reduction at Pregis facilities globally *Invest $15 million in circular, scalable, and sustainable material, process and waste solutions globally *Make a positive impact on 25 million lives

Sonoco ThermoSafe and Cathay Pacific Cargo announced an expanded global partnership agreement for the leasing of the new Pegasus ULD® temperature controlled bulk shipping container. The agreement enables pharmaceutical freight forwarders to lease Pegasus ULD® containers directly from Cathay Pacific Cargo. Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD® is the world’s first FAA and EASA-approved passive bulk temperature-controlled ULD container for pharmaceutical use, which enables it to speed through international air freight handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. With a focus on sustainability, the Pegasus is engineered with composite materials, offering a lighter solution that is also substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus ULD® contains a fully integrated, FAA-approved telemetry system, providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location.

Aptar Food + Beverage leveraged the benefits of two high-performance products, PolkaLite, a lighter version of the Polka closure (-1.3g), and the award-winning SimpliCycle recyclable valve to bring to manufacturers and consumers the highest levels of performance, convenience and sustainability in a closure that is reliable throughout the product life cycle. PolkaLite is a recyclable closure designed to use less raw materials. It not only helps brands in complying with packaging regulations and potentially achieve eco-taxes reduction, but it also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers who are committed to using products that are recyclable. PolkaLite, when paired with SimpliCycle, is a dispensing solution that is recyclable at the end of use, without compromising on performance. SimpliCycle, recently awarded the Best CSR/Sustainability Initiative at the World Food Innovation Awards ceremony in March 2021, is easily separated from the PET recycling stream and has the ability of being recycled with both PE and PP.

Last year BillerudKorsnäs and Haver & Boecker published a total of nine sack packaging norms. These norms cover the basics and some of the most critical factors that need to be taken into account when powdered goods are packed. The reactions in the market show that the norms support the work of bulk goods manufacturers. They provide a helpful guideline for determining the optimal packaging process and the perfect sack packaging for products to be filled. BillerudKorsnäs and Haver & Boecker have decided to jointly develop further norms after receiving positive feedback worldwide. The sack packaging norms contain recommendations for the development and use of packaging solutions and processes and define basic standard know-how or standard procedures. They provide orientation for questions that manufacturers of bulk materials are confronted with on a daily basis.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced investment in renewable energy through the use of a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) aligned to provide the equivalent electricity requirements of the Company’s Spanish operations. In its Impact 2025 sustainability strategy, Berry commits to minimizing its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25 percent by 2025 vs. a 2019 baseline. This target was validated as being in line with the Paris Agreement and limiting warming to 1.5°C by the Science Based Targets initiative earlier this year. Agreements in renewable energy are a prioritized strategy to support its operational goals while additionally investing in reducing overall energy demand. The VPPA investment will support the construction of a solar park in Guadalajara, which will greatly reduce the Company’s carbon footprint in Spain with a reduction of approximately 20,000 tons per year. Sites benefitting from the agreement include Tarragona, Madrid, Pamplona, La Caniza, and two in Barcelona. Tarragona is the primary site, with 70 percent of Berry’s energy consumption for the country. Achieving this broader impact comes with partnership across the value chain, including Berry’s chosen VPPA partnership with renewable energy leader Axpo Iberia.

ePac is excited to announce the launch of Certified Child Resistant (CR) Resealable pouches made with Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials. This was made possible due to an innovative collaboration between ePac, Presto, and Charter NEX. Virag Patel, ePac’s COO commented: “The teamwork between Charter, Presto, an ePac has been phenomenal, and the key to being able to bring this innovation to market. With Presto’s focus on child safety, Charter’s GreenArrow™ film engineered for sustainability, and ePac’s focus on child resistant pouches and sustainability, we’re proud to announce its commercial availability”.

The Group's consolidated sales amounted to EUR 641.3 million in the first three months of 2021 and thus almost reached the previous year's level (Q1 2020: EUR 646.6 million). At EUR 61.2 million, the operating result was 5.2% or EUR 3.4 million below the previous year's figure (Q1 2020: EUR 64.6 million). An increase in the packaging division was offset by a decline in the cartonboard division. Financial income of EUR 0.5 million (Q1 2020: EUR 0.4 million) was offset by financial expenses of EUR -3.6 million (Q1 2020: EUR -2.1 million). The “other financial result - net” was EUR 0.5 million (Q1 2020: EUR -0.1 million). The profit for the period fell slightly from EUR 45.1 million to EUR 43.9 million.

In the ongoing work to challenge conventional packaging, BillerudKorsnäs and Aisa are today launching a collaboration that opens up outstanding new possibilities in tube packaging made of paper. With BillerudKorsnäs FibreForm® you can replace plastics on tube shoulder and sleeve without compromising on user experience. BillerudKorsnäs FibreForm® is a unique low-carbon material that allows the tube to keep its shape when squeezed, without traces, and that makes it unique compared to tubes made of other fibre material. FibreForm ® allows for up to ten times deeper embossing than regular paper, resulting in unique 3D effects and a memorable tactile experience. “We will never compromise with user experience. FibreForm® is a unique material and this collaboration is another application where we can help brand owners on their journey towards sustainable packaging”, says Lovisa Westergren, Sales Director FibreForm ® at BillerudKorsnäs.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company and CVC Capital Partners Fund VI announced a definitive agreement under which Graphic Packaging will acquire AR Packaging Group AB, Europe's second largest producer of fiber-based consumer packaging, for approximately $1.45 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments. The combination enhances Graphic Packaging's global scale, innovation capabilities, and value proposition for customers throughout Europe and bordering regions. With a broad set of industry-leading packaging solutions, design expertise, and expanded geographic reach, the combined company will be uniquely positioned to capture continued organic growth opportunities across existing and new global customers and markets. The proposed acquisition of AR Packaging is expected to add $1.1 billion in annual sales and $160 million in annual Adjusted EBITDA.

Highlights - Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 •GAAP Net Income of $684 million, up 58%; GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 43.8 cents per share, up 63%; •$55 million Bemis cost synergies year to date; expect approximately $70 million in FY21 and well positioned todeliver at least $180 million by end of fiscal 2022; •Quarterly dividend higher than this quarter last year at 11.75 cents per share; •Approximately 2% of outstanding shares repurchased year to date;

Mondi has partnered with SILBO, a Polish leading producer of compostable packaging, to create a paper-based high-strength packaging for the Irish farm potato business Meade Farm Group. The innovative bags replace hard-to-recycle plastic with paper, a renewable resource enhanced with a bio-based coating and are certified as compostable2. Working closely for two years, SILBO, Meade and Mondi developed the FSC®-certified bag using speciality kraft paper to ensure strength in handling while providing barrier properties to keep the produce fresh. The bag has multiple sustainability features: a corn starch-based netting for a small cut-out window, water-based ink and Mondi’s biodegradable Sustainex® coating, which provides heat sealing and moisture barrier protection. The packaging has been launched across Ireland, Poland, France and Germany, winning the silver Fruit Logistica Innovation Award. The new solution helps Meade to achieve its sustaina-bility goals: using packaging that is reusable, recyclable, renewable or compostable wherever possible.

Second Quarter Highlights (all comparisons made to the March 2020 quarter) *Net sales of $3.4 billion, a 13 percent increase *5 percent organic volume growth *Operating income up 17 percent to $333 million *Operating EBITDA up 9 percent to $590 million *Net income per diluted share up 40 percent to $1.32 *Raising fiscal 2021 operating EBITDA guidance from prior mid-point by $50 million to $2.25 billion *Increasing fiscal 2021 organic volume growth assumption from 4 percent to now 5 percent

Net sales of $1.3 billion increased 8% as reported. Currency contributed $25 million, or approximately 2%, to net sales as compared to first quarter 2020. Net earnings in first quarter 2021 were $106 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $115 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in first quarter 2020. The effective tax rate in first quarter 2021 was 34.0%, as compared to 22.2% in first quarter 2020. The current year effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by legislative and administrative changes to enacted foreign statutes.

What makes a packaging concept not only functional and visually appealing, but also able to interact with our senses when it comes to sound, touch, taste, or smell? That’s the challenge for this year’s design students in BillerudKorsnäs’ Packaging Impact Design Award, PIDA. A competition aiming to highlight young talents and their ideas – but also to push the development of packaging design even further. This year PIDA offers a new, modern, and digital format, that enables a larger audience to be part of this exciting event. PIDA stands for innovation, creativity, and youthful curiosity. This is where we meet the packaging designers of tomorrow, who challenge the conventional and truly awaken the senses. This year’s event is the 16th event since the start of the competition back in 2005 and the competition has engaged thousands of students throughout the years. This year we are not only developing the competition into a modern, digital event, but we are also expanding geographically by including design schools in the USA in the competition. During May and June, BillerudKorsnäs will host the competition at four events: Sweden, France, Germany, and a joint event for the UK and the USA. In September, an international winner will be selected in a Grand Finale at Luxe Pack Monaco.

Sonoco announced it is increasing prices for all rigid paper containers and closures sold in North America by 9.5 percent, effective with shipments on, and after, June 3 , 2021. According to Ernest Haynes, Division Vice President and General Manager, Rigid Paper and Closures, North America, this price increase is necessary to recover rapidly rising costs for key raw materials used to produce rigid paper containers and closures. “Due to the rising inflationary cost of adhesives, laminate structures, recovered paper and steel, we are experiencing input cost pressures that simply cannot be absorbed,” Haynes said. “These inflationary cost increases have been compounded by the after-effects of Winter Storm Uri on the adhesives industry along with incredible demand in the steel marketplace."

Pregis is launching Phantom Mask, a new temporary protective surface film as part of the Pregis PolyMask™ solutions portfolio, that has been engineered to eliminate costly and labor-intensive adhesive transfer problems on plastic sheets, parts and products. The product will be available from the Pregis PolyMask business unit across North America, Europe and other geographic markets. High clarity Phantom Mask protective film is ideal for appliances (hot tubs, shower enclosures), medical products (face shields, PPE), foodservice (sneeze guards, partitions), signage, construction materials, automotive, recreational products and more. Unlike traditional protective film structures, which apply the adhesive via a coating process, Phantom Mask uses a proprietary process that integrates the adhesive into the polyethylene-based coextrusion. The end result is a highly-engineered, heat-resistant material which doesn’t leave adhesive behind when it is removed. The material mitigates ghosting, making it a true workhorse in the protective film category.

Earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were in line with the preceding quarter and represent a significant improvement on the year-earlier quarter. Higher selling prices in all product areas had a positive impact on earnings. During the quarter, SCA discontinued its remaining publication paper operations consisting of three paper machines at the Ortviken site. Following the discontinuation of publication paper operations, SCA is focused on growth in all product areas. The supply of wood to SCA’s industries was stable during the quarter. The price of pulpwood fell slightly while the price of sawlogs remained stable compared with the preceding period.

Corrugated volume growth in the first quarter was up approximately 7% in both Europe and the Americas. This demonstrates SKG’s exposure to high-growth markets, sectors and channels including innovative and sustainable packaging solutions and e-commerce. Containerboard prices have increased in the first quarter and again at the start of the second quarter as a result of strong demand and higher recovered fibre and other costs. SKG’s recovered fibre cost has increased by approximately €90 million versus the first quarter of last year. We are progressively recovering these input costs through our corrugated box system. In addition to cost pressures, the industry is experiencing supply disruptions and shortages of packaging papers globally. Against this market backdrop, our integrated business model is again, proving a key differentiator with continuity of supply to our customer base.

First Quarter 2021 Results *Reported Results: For the first quarter 2021, the company recorded a loss of $0.62 per share compared to earnings of $0.32 per share (diluted) in the prior year. The current year loss before income taxes was $65 million, compared to earnings before income taxes of $81 million in the first quarter of 2020. Both periods include items management considers not representative of ongoing operations. In the first quarter of 2021, this included a $154 million adjustment to the company’s Paddock support agreement liability primarily to reflect the subsidiary’s agreement in principle for a consensual plan of reorganization. *Segment Operating Profit1: First quarter 2021 segment operating profit was $175 million compared to $176 million in the prior year period. These results were in-line with the prior year period despite the July 2020 divestiture of the company’s Australia and New Zealand (“ANZ”) business, which contributed $12 million of segment operating profit in the first quarter of 2020. Sales volume was stable with prior year levels on a comparable basis, excluding the impact from recent divestitures. Continued strong operating performance and the benefit of margin enhancement initiatives offset the significant impact of severe weather.

Q1 Highlights *First quarter net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper of $349 million ($0.88 per diluted share), compared with $153 million ($0.39 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $(141) million ($(0.36) per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020. First quarter 2020 net earnings included an after-tax charge of $337 million ($0.85 per diluted share) for the impairment of the net assets and write-off of foreign currency translation adjustment following the announcement of the sale of our Brazil Packaging business. *First quarter adjusted operating earnings* (non-GAAP) of $299 million ($0.76 per diluted share) compared with $296 million ($0.75 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $226 million ($0.57 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2020. First quarter 2021 adjusted operating earnings* include a pre-tax earnings impact of $(80) million ($(0.15) per diluted share) related to the winter storm in the U.S. *First quarter cash provided by operations of $512 million compared with $649 million in the same period of 2020 *Returned $331 million to shareholders through dividends of $202 million and share repurchases of $129 million *Reduced debt by $108 million *Monetized approximately $400 million of investment in Graphic Packaging bringing our ownership to 7.4%

Building on its recent track record of breakthrough innovations to deliver recyclable packaging, Amcor is today announcing customer trials of the world’s first recyclable* Polyethylene-based thermoform blister packaging. The new packaging is designed to meet the stringent requirements of highly specialized and regulated pharmaceutical packaging and creates a more sustainable alternative for the most in-demand healthcare packaging type. This innovation also benefits from up to 70% reduction in its carbon footprint, when compared to packaging alternatives on the market today.** AmSky™ eliminates PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) from the packaging by using a mono-material Polyethylene (PE) thermoform blister and lidding film. PVC can make packaging recycling more difficult or contaminate other materials if consumers attempt to recycle it. By removing PVC – whilst retaining all the benefits of pre-existing blister packaging – Amcor has created a new, recyclable solution that benefits the entire recycling process. Amcor is currently working with several leading pharmaceutical companies to bring AmSky™ to market globally. The company expects AmSky™ to be available in the healthcare market by the second half of 2022.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, has launched its new Envi Performance Board portfolio, a comprehensive collection of sustainably advantaged packaging materials. Envi Performance Board features five distinct portfolio offerings with a range of caliper and coating options: Envi PC 100 Performance Board is available uncoated in a bright white smooth or vellum finish; or coated in a cool white shade on one or both sides. Envi PC 100 Performance Board is crafted with 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled fiber. Hemp Envi® Performance Board is available in a bright white smooth finish or coated in a cool white shade on one or both sides, a blend of 30 percent renewable hemp fiber and 70 percent PCW recycled fiber. Envi 96 Performance Board is a brilliant white vellum board crafted with virgin fiber from FSC-certified suppliers. Cotton Envi Performance Board is a bright white toothy vellum board made from reclaimed cotton linters. Kona Envi Performance Board is made with fiber from reclaimed coffee bean bags and post-consumer waste recycled fiber. It can be made in a variety of custom shades.

January–March 2021 (compared to 1–3/2020) • Sales were EUR 493.7 million (472.1). • Comparable operating result was EUR 88.8 million (33.8) or 18.0% (7.2) of sales. Operating result was EUR 82.0 million (33.8). • Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.20 (0.06), and earnings per share were EUR 0.18 (0.06). • Comparable return on capital employed was 18.3% (7.6). • Net cash flow from operations was EUR 16.8 million (80.0).

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced its continued leading investments in access to circular polyolefins from advanced recycling to support customer sustainability goals. These polyolefins are obtained by advanced recycling, enabled by the adoption of new chemical recycling technologies, of post-consumer plastic waste not suitable for traditional recycling. In this agreement, Berry collaborates with a leading supplier of polyolefin solutions, Borealis, for access to its first volumes of the in-demand circular polyolefins made from chemical recycling. This announcement adds to Berry’s access to the 600 million pounds of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content by 2025, allowing Berry to further support customers with unmatched access to circular polyolefins. Innovative processes like chemical recycling make it possible for material that would otherwise be discarded as waste and destined for incineration or landfill to be used as feedstock for production of polyolefins that fulfill the most stringent quality requirements. Continually increasing the demand for these processes is a critical component in the economics of achieving a circular economy, while just last month, Berry announced its access to another 300 million pounds of chemical recycled material.