DS Smith introduce sustainable fibre-based packaging for distributor confectionary portfolio

Mondi Paper Bags, part of Mondi Group, a leading global packaging and paper manufacturer, has acquired the paper bag converting lines from National Bag and Egypt Sack, two subsidiaries of Lafarge Cement Egypt, a major cement producer in the country. The acquired production lines will increase Mondi’s capacity by around 150-180 million bags annually and strengthen Mondi's position in the Egyptian paper bag market. Mondi Paper Bags already operates two plants in Egypt and with this acquisition will become a key supplier of paper bags to Lafarge Cement Egypt. "Lafarge Cement Egypt is part of leading global building material company Holcim Group who has been a key global customer of Mondi Paper Bags for years. We are excited to have signed a long-term supply agreement with Lafarge Cement Egypt and to servicing them locally in Egypt. The collaboration will offer Lafarge access to our latest innovations, industry expertise, strong plant network and customer service. Thanks to Mondi’s vertical integration, Lafarge will further benefit from our high quality Kraft paper." Claudio Fedalto, Chief Operating Officer of Mondi Paper Bags

Packaging designs crafted from Metsä Board’s paperboard have won three Gold Awards at the European Carton Excellence Awards 2024. The awards, hosted by Pro Carton and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), were announced on 19 September in Berlin, Germany. In addition to the Gold Awards, two entries made of Metsä Board paperboard were recognized for the Innovation and Public Award categories. “Producing highly challenging print and structures demands exceptional material quality, and the winning packaging concepts clearly demonstrate the versatility and premium quality of Metsä Board's folding boxboard grades,” says Neil Fox, VP Sales FBB EMEA at Metsä Board. “On behalf of Metsä Board, I’d like to congratulate all winners and recipients of the European Carton Excellence Awards 2024.”

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