Global Plastic Packaging News

Related Packaging Materials Industry News

• October 2024: Mondi Group, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper production, has acquired Schumacher Packaging's corrugated converting and solid board operations in Germany, Benelux, and the UK. This move will bolster Mondi’s corrugated presence in Western Europe and introduce complementary fiber-based products, particularly in eCommerce and FMCG, enhancing its offerings to existing customers.
• January 2024: WestRock Company has unveiled plans to establish a new corrugated box plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, catering to the surging demand from clients in the Great Lakes region. This strategic move will enable WestRock to bolster its production capabilities and enhance its cost efficiency in the Great Lakes area. The construction, projected at around USD 140 million, is anticipated to see some financial relief through property sales.

• September 2024: Berlin Packaging, a United States-based company, acquired Nissho Jitsugyo Co., Ltd. This Japanese company supplies packaging products and services to a variety of markets across the country. With this acquisition, Berlin Packaging aims to bolster its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and enhance its ability to serve customers in Japan using its global packaging solutions.
• June 2024: Takemoto Yohki Co. Ltd., a Japan-based company, expanded its lineup of hot fill-compatible PET bottles. In addition to its existing 720 ml and 900 ml bottles, the company has rolled out a new 500 ml variant. These bottles boast a uniquely designed panel with smooth, elegant curves for better handling. Designed to endure hot fills of up to 90°C, they're perfect for juices, soft drinks, and sweet beverages.

• April 2024: BloomPack entered a strategic partnership with Valmet, a prominent Finnish firm known for its expertise in process technologies, automation, and services, and Omya, a global leader in industrial mineral production and chemical product distribution. Through this partnership, BloomPack plans to spearhead innovations in paper production, notably crafting advanced coated white top liner grades that set new benchmarks in the industry.
• October 2023: International technology group ANDRITZ announced that it would supply a complete fiber preparation line for a greenfield plant in the Toshka area in the south of Egypt. The pioneering and eco-friendly plant will produce high-density and medium-density fiberboard (HDF/MDF) from date palm fronds, a material normally considered farm waste.

• May 2024: Kraftpal reported that its Saudi Arabian mega factory project, aligned with the nation's Vision 2030 initiative, will be completed during the forecast period. Once operational, this facility would be a mega-plant wholly focused on producing corrugated pallets, with a staggering annual output capacity of 10 million pallets. Leveraging advanced technology, the factory would address the surging demand for innovative and eco-friendly pallet solutions and aim to reduce pallet costs and carbon emissions in global logistics. KraftPal's lightweight corrugated pallets present a greener substitute to traditional wooden pallets, further diminishing the carbon footprint.
• January 2024: Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), finalized its investment in the Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO), headquartered in Jeddah. Through a capital increase and subscription to new shares, PIF has secured a 23.08% stake in MEPCO. This investment underscores the kingdom's and PIF's commitment to sustainability. It empowers MEPCO to enhance its production capacity, improve operational efficiency, and champion environmental sustainability with its recyclable offerings, including paper goods.

• January 2024 - The Fedrigoni group, a speciality paper manufacturer for luxury packaging and other creative applications, self-adhesive labels and materials, and RFID and connectivity solutions acquired Arjowiggins China. The paper factory in Quzhou manufactures transparent papers sold under the Gateway and Sylvicta brands for applications such as industrial design and graphics for food, consumer electronics, or luxury packaging located in the Zhejiang Province.
• December 2023 - The State Bank of India invested in the paper packaging industry by injecting INR 49.99 crore (USD 6.04 million) into Canpac Trends Private Limited, a company based in Ahmedabad specialising in paper-based packaging solutions. SBI invested in Canpac Trends with a view to capital appreciation, highlighting the growth and profitability potential of the paper packaging industry.

• June 2024: Georgia-Pacific, a prominent consumer product manufacturer, unveiled the reimagined ARIA brand. The centerpiece of this relaunch is 100% recycled, three-ply bath tissue, which aligns with the increasing consumer demand for sustainability while ensuring high standards of quality and softness.
• April 2024: Georgia-Pacific announced a USD 150 million investment to upgrade a paper machine at its Wauna, Oregon mill. This initiative will convert a 1965-era machine into a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to producing paper for Angel Soft and select private-label bath tissue brands. This strategic modernization effort enhances the mill's and the company's competitive position in the market.

• March 2024: Sealed Air developed a new paper bottom web to meet the needs of food processors, retailers, and consumers looking to reduce plastic consumption and meet paper packaging demand. CRYOVAC’s new barrier formable paper, branded under Sealed Air, is made of 90% fibers certified by the FSC. According to SEE, this paper bottom web can reduce plastic by 77% when replacing PET/PE bottom web packaging.
• January 2024: The new product, Sunfeast Farmlite Digestive Biscuit Family pack in 100% outer paper packaging, was launched by ITC Sunfeast Farmlite, a range of healthy biscuits from ITC Foods. It is the first brand to embrace 100% outer paper packaging. Ergonomic design aspects have been carefully selected, making paper packaging consumer-friendly, visually attractive, and comfortable.

• February 2024: Metsä Group invested in three new converting lines for Mariestad’s tissue paper mill in Sweden. The expansion is centered on sustainable fresh fiber production, with 80% of the total fresh fiber production coming from the mill after the expansion in the second half of 2025.
• January 2024: Ontex Group launched a baby swim pants line for retailers based on its growing baby pants manufacturing platform, HappyFit. These swim pants have been designed to remain comfortable in the water without swelling and stay in place due to side elastics and soft and colorful material.

• March 2024: Repsol launched its lubricant containers, integrating 60% mechanically recycled post-consumer plastic. This new material, a Repsol Reciclex series of eco-friendly polyolefins components, will be utilized in all 1-liter, 4-liter, and 5-liter lubricant containers.
• October 2023: PAC Worldwide opened a larger manufacturing facility in Mexico. Formerly situated in Pedro Escobedo, the company's operations have transitioned to an 83,000-square-foot Vistha San Juan Del Rio plant. This new facility serves as a hub for flexible packaging solutions.
• August 2023: GPA Global, one of the innovative packaging companies, announced the combination of Foli de Mexico, one of Mexico’s packaging, display, and commercial printing companies. This strategic alliance strengthens GPA Global’s position as a global leader in packaging. It marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to provide customers with innovative solutions and sustainable business practices worldwide.

• January 2024: Coca-Cola India and Reliance Retail, the retail arm of India-based conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), launched a new polyethylene terephthalate (PET) collection and recycling initiative. The initiative, called 'Bhool na Jana, Plastic Bottles Lautana,' will feature reverse vending machines and collection bins in Coca-Cola India's and Reliance Retail's stores in Mumbai and Delhi, with plans to roll it out nationwide. The initiative, part of the Indian government's larger 'Swachh Bharat' Mission, started with 36 stores, including those in Mumbai, Delhi's Smart Bazaar, and Sahara Bhandar.
• October 2023: Coca-Cola India launched 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)-made bottles in the carbonated beverage category. The new bottles are being manufactured by Coca-Cola bottling partners, Moon Beverages and SLMG Beverages.