Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning May 30, 2022. Sonoco said the price change reflects continued tight market conditions and inflationary pressures on manufacturing costs, including energy, freight, chemicals, packaging materials and labor. “Unfortunately, the conditions that challenged us in 2021 have not dissipated in 2022. We continue to be challenged by strong demand, increasing backlogs and inflating costs,” said Tim Davis, Division Vice President and General Manager, Paper – U.S. and Canada.

Amcor has been recognized for its AmSky™ and AmPrima™ more sustainable packaging solutions, earning a place on Walmart’s ‘Circular Connector’ platform. Circular Connector, established by retail giant Walmart, is a platform that makes it easier for sourcing teams and brands to quickly find more sustainable packaging solutions for the products they put on Walmart shelves. Being able to easily source more sustainable packaging solutions will enable the brands, and Walmart, to achieve their sustainability goals while driving a circular packaging economy. AmSky offers a world’s-first, recycle-ready blister pack for pharmaceuticals. AmPrima is a portfolio of recycle-ready packaging solutions with a low carbon footprint, applicable in different packaging formats from bags to packs and pouches, for both solid and liquid content.

Smurfit Kappa’s Bag-in-Box division has announced the completion of a significant €12 million investment in a new flexible material production facility at its plant in Ibi, Spain. The new state-of-the-art production facility commenced operations, on a phased basis, earlier this year and will be one of the most advanced Bag-in-Box manufacturing plants in Europe. The investment has resulted in the addition of an extra 4,300 m2 production area which will be equipped with high-tech and advanced machinery which allows for more specialisation in the manufacture of film. The new machinery will allow the plant to complete the full production cycle of Bag-in-Box packaging solutions, from start to finish. This integrated production model means not only quicker and more efficient service to customers, but also a considerable reduction of the environmental impact – up to 21% less estimated CO2 emissions for the current flexible materials portfolio.