Packaging designer and manufacturer PakTech has commissioned a study including 500 packaging experts from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. The company identifies a “clear gap” between the industry’s perception and reality of plastic use. Over 85% of respondents said that plastic remains essential for the CPG sectors. However, 67% also shared that their companies are taking steps to reduce plastic use or are transitioning to “more sustainable” plastic options. “We commissioned this research to gain deeper insight into the real-world challenges facing European manufacturers and co-packers,” says Gary Panknin, sustainability officer and supply chain manager at PakTech. “What emerges is that while companies are not eliminating plastic packaging entirely, they are actively seeking to move away from virgin and single-use plastics. The real sustainability challenge lies in helping brands overcome barriers to reducing their environmental footprint by using more recycled plastics and making informed, data-driven material choices.”

Pregis®, a global leader in protective packaging, mailing & bagging, and flexible packaging solutions, introduces Pregis EasyPack® Strata, a high-speed on-demand paper system designed to produce structured paper pads for enhanced void fill, light cushioning and full cushioning packing applications. The system expands the Pregis on-demand paper portfolio with a solution built to meet the pace, variability and throughput demands of modern fulfillment operations. Strata forms structured paper pads that optimize space within the box, enabling more uniform packing and reducing unnecessary material use. In enhanced void fill applications, these pads maintain a more consistent form than traditional void fill, improving material efficiency. The system also supports higher productivity in fast-paced packing environments, delivering dispensing speeds of up to 60 inches per second. “Fulfillment operations need packaging systems that will keep up with throughput demands without adding complexity,” explains Joey Phister, President of Protective Products at Pregis. “EasyPack Strata was developed to give operators the ability to adjust protection levels in real time, improving throughput, reducing waste and creating a faster, more intuitive packing process.”

“Our third-quarter results were within expectations from seasonally higher Consumer Packaging demand and continued strong productivity,” said Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker. “Consumer and Industrial volumes were higher year-over-year and price/cost headwinds were persistent across both segments. Overall, we achieved strong prot margin and operating cash ow in the quarter from the solid execution of our global team.” Summary: *Achieved GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco of $51 million *Generated productivity improvements of $39 million during the third quarter of 2024 *Generated $438 million of operating cash flow and $171 million of Free Cash Flow during the first nine months of 2024 *Entered into an agreement on June 24, 2024, to acquire Eviosys for approximately €3.6 billion