Sealed Air Announces Price Increase for Food Care Products in Europe, Middle East and Africa

AWPPW Local 675 and WestRock will be returning to the bargaining table November 6 and 7 to resume negotiations after union members rejected the Company's initial offer for a new Labor Agreement by 94%. Major items cited by the Union as causes for the overwhelming rejection by the membership include proposed seniority changes, increased medical cost, elimination of premium pay provisions and maintenance redesign. AWPPW Local President Bob Booth says "While the WestRock Covington mill consistently produces huge profits every year, WestRock refuses to treat the workforce fairly. No matter how dedicated and hardworking we all are and no matter how much money we make for WestRock the company wants concessions." Click Read More below for additional information.

Containerboard production was essentially flat compared to September 2016. The month-over-month average daily production compared to August 2017 was 3.8% lower. The containerboard operating rate for September decreased from 97.2% to 95.9%, which was 0.9 percentage points lower than September of last year. Year-to-date production of containerboard for export is up 2.2%, with the September volume falling 13.6% below the same month last year.

Sonoco in partnership with Tellus Products, LLC, a company that produces USA grown and made, plant-based compostable packaging for foodservice products, today announced the receipt of a prequalified label, Check Locally for recyclability from How2Recycle for the Natrellis line of food packaging. Natrellis, a dual-ovenable package made with upcycled sugarcane fiber and other U.S. grown plant fibers features a highly engineered surface that delivers outstanding performance through the product’s full lifecycle, providing consumers a great product experience. This performance helps maintain the package strength during all phases of use, preventing loss of food moisture and eliminating wicking through the package to outside surfaces. Sonoco also provides custom rigid lidding and flexible lidding for these market solutions. The flexible lidding is customized for strong heat-seals around the perimeter of the fiber tray lip, preventing leakage prior to freezing and freezer burn while maintaining adhesion during cooking and easy to peel consumer use. The rigid lid is developed to include a click audible sound, ensuring the product is sealed tight for transportation but easy for consumer use.