Weekly News Roundup

UP Paper, a producer of recycled kraft paper, has agreed to be sold to ProAmpac, a global producer of flexible packaging. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Lars Dannberg, UP Paper president and CEO, says in a statement that the companies will build a strong portfolio of paper products. UP Paper was established in […]

Ohio-based ProAmpac recently announced it is buying Gelpac, a producer of multiwall paper and poly-woven packaging products. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close over the next few weeks, were not disclosed. It is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, according to a ProAmpac news release. Canada-based Gelpac, founded in 1956, will […]

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) is opposing a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiative in Tennessee as the proposal is currently written. The bill, TN Senate Bill (SB) 573, directs the state Department of Environment and Conservation to establish an EPR program, which FPA finds to be concerning for several reasons, including the overall costs […]

The boards of Mondi PLC and DS Smith PLC have agreed in principle on the key financial terms of a possible merger. “The combination is an exciting opportunity to create a pan-European industry leader in paper-based sustainable packaging solutions, with complementary geographic footprints, leading customer relationships, a strong balance sheet and cash flow profile, and […]

Brook + Whittle recently announced that it has bought PouchIt, a flexible packaging manufacturer based in Atlanta. PouchIt specializes in short-run stand-up pouches, lay-flat pouches, and rollstock film. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Brook + Whittle, which makes flexible packaging and other products, says in a statement that the deal expands its footprint […]

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has formed a political action committee (PAC) called FlexPAC™ that will hold its first event next month. The PAC’s inaugural event will take place Friday, March 22, in conjunction with FPA’s Annual Meeting, which is being held from March 20 to 22 in Tucson, Arizona. George Khalaf, president of Data […]

Berry Global Group Inc., based in Evansville, Indiana, has agreed to spin off and merge most of its health, hygiene, and specialties segment—to include its global nonwovens and films business—with Glatfelter based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The deal, which was approved unanimously by the boards of both companies, will create a new publicly traded company […]

Davis-Standard recently completed the previously announced acquisition of Extrusion Technology Group (ETG). Through the acquisition, three brands—battenfeld-cincinnati, Exelliq, and Simplas—officially become part of Davis-Standard, the company said in a news release. “This strategic acquisition reinforces our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions and comprehensive support to our customers across various industries,” said Giovanni Spitale, CEO of […]

AMERIPEN—the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment will hold a series of webinars starting later this month called “Are You Prepared?” that will help participants navigate extender producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. “This webinar series will help prepare companies across the packaging value chain to engage in the final stages of state-specific program development and […]

AmerCareRoyal (ACR), a supplier of disposable food service supplies and other items, recently purchased Thermosource Tooling and Manufacturing (TTM) based in El Segundo, California. Founded in 2004, TTM supplies thermoformed and flexible packaging solutions for food service, food production, and grocery applications. ACR, which has offices in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas, provides packaging and […]

A shortage of skilled labor is leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to invest in warehouse automation, according to a report released this past month by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The report—“Packaging and Automation in the Warehouses of the Future”—also says growing e-commerce activity and rising direct-to-consumer demands mean many CPG […]

Eco Flexibles, a specialist in recyclable monopolymer flexible packaging, recently appointed a new general manager in an expansion of its operations team. As general manager, David Smith joins the senior management team and will oversee day-to-day operations. Smith has more than two decades of experience in the paper-based and flexible packaging industries, according to a […]

The Flexible Packaging Association’s Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC®) will hold Sterile Packaging Day 2024 on February 7 during the Medical Design & Manufacturing West conference in Anaheim, California, and online via LinkedIn. “Opening Possibilities” is the theme of the day and will honor nurses and clinicians, organizers say. The in-person event will center around the […]

Siegwerk has established a group executive committee and has added an executive from its offices in Asia, a move the company says should help bolster its ability to respond to its expanding international business operations. Ashish Pradhan, president of the company’s Asia operations, is now part of the newly created group executive committee that formally […]

South Carolina-based Sonoco recently reported that it will expand its flexible packaging service operations with the acquisition of Inapel Embalagens Ltda. in Brazil. Inapel operates two facilities in São Paulo with approximately 500 employees companywide. Production capabilities include rotogravure printing, adhesive and extrusion laminations, specialty coatings, cold seal, pouching, and cylinder engraving. Inapel will add […]

Wisconsin-based American Packaging Corporation (APC) recently announced changes in its leadership structure in what the company says is a rare move in its 121-year history. APC, which the Schottland family purchased from the Kardon family in 1986, says the following changes will be effective January 1, 2024: • Peter Schottland, current CEO and co-chairman of […]

The International Converting Exhibition and Conference USA (ICEC USA) is planned for January 9–11, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event is expected to attract thousands of converting industry professionals from around the world, while also bringing in suppliers of machinery, systems, materials, and accessories, according to organizers. The programs […]

TC Transcontinental says it will close its Tomah, Wisconsin, packaging plant in early February, moving some of those operations to other plants in its network in the U.S. “In line with our priority of optimizing the return on our assets, reducing costs, and improving operational efficiency, we have made the decision, after thorough consideration, to […]

Amcor and Nova Chemicals Corp. have signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of mechanically recycled polyethylene resin (rPE) for use in Amcor’s flexible packaging films. “Increasing the use of rPE in flexible packaging applications is an important element of Amcor’s commitment to support packaging circularity,” Amcor said in a news release, adding that […]

Davis-Standard, LLC has agreed to buy the Extrusion Technology Group (ETG) from entities controlled by the Dutch investor Nimbus. Terms of the deal, which is contingent on closing conditions, were not disclosed. Davis-Standard has been majority owned by funds affiliated with Gamut Capital Management, L.P. since December 2021. Davis-Standard serves the global infrastructure and packaging […]