Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Decreased Two Percent in April 2022

Leading European thermoforming packaging specialist Waddington® Europe, a division of Novolex®, has introduced an innovative recyclable tray for meat, fish and poultry products. The container, called Piranha™, is sealed using a series of raised teeth that run around the sealing flange instead of applying a layer of polyethylene or adhesive, which are typically used to seal the lid of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The raised teeth maintain the seal’s integrity even if the flange becomes contaminated by animal fat, which can interfere with closure on traditional packaging for meat, fish and poultry (MFP) products.

The recyclable and fiber-based wood foam Fibrease™ by Stora Enso can replace e.g. polymer-based foams in packaging solutions. A partnership with Nefab has made it possible to scale up the production and broadly introduce Fibrease to the market, and it’s already being used by customers. We are all familiar with the polyurethane (PU) foam used for cushioning in packaging. It performs well when it comes to protecting products. It’s made of fossil raw materials and used frequently within a variety of industries worldwide. Now, after a successful collaboration between Stora Enso and Nefab, the fiber-based material Fibrease is ready to broadly replace polymer foams; offering brand owners sustainable packaging solutions. “We see a growing demand from eco-conscious companies to replace plastic-based foams with more sustainable alternatives. With Fibrease we can give them that,” says Johan Tegell, Product Manager, Fiber-based solutions at Nefab.

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