"Crown delivered strong results in the fourth quarter, with segment income advancing 12% compared to the prior year," stated Timothy J. Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Combined global beverage can segment income improved 17%, driven by global volume growth of 4%, led by shipment increases in Europe and North America, which grew 8% and 7%, respectively. The North American food can business also generated increased income during the quarter as a result of increased volumes while Transit Packaging saw lower volume and profitability as industrial activity remains sluggish. "2024 was an excellent year overall, exceeding previous expectations. Segment income advanced nearly $100 million or 6% over the prior year, following a 7% improvement in 2023. Combined global beverage can segment income expanded 19% over the prior year, reflecting robust volume growth – 10% in Brazil and 7% in both North America and Europe – and excellent manufacturing performance."

Greif’s Paper Packaging and Services (PPS) business has announced two significant investments in its recycling operations to support its growth strategy in sustainable paper packaging solutions. A new 81,000-square-foot paper recycling facility for collecting, processing, and baling has opened in Florence, Kentucky, bringing Greif’s total number of recycling facilities across North America to 19. In addition, Greif has more than doubled the size of its paper fiber recycling plant in Nashville, Tennessee, to enhance efficiency and support accelerated growth. The expanded facility covers a floor space of 72,000 square feet. Both plants are located in areas where demand for a collection of waste fiber and the supply of recycled paper and board is experiencing continued growth.

Sustainable recycling management is becoming increasingly important in trade and industry. Colorful recycled paper from Koehler makes PresentFill® boxes and fill material more environmentally friendly. A product’s packaging is crucial for 70 percent of consumers in their decision to buy. The circular economy is thus increasingly becoming a strategic topic in the sustainability efforts of trade and industry. In addition to transport containers, packaging includes fill material to protect the packed goods. The fact that packaging is increasingly being considered with regard to environmental protection and recyclability has been conducive to the success of the Bavarian company PresentFill®. Company founder Gerald Göbel started producing filling and padding material in 2013. The “raw material” in the form of recycled paper has been delivered ever since by the Koehler Paper Group from their factory in Greiz, Thuringia. There, the family company produces recycled paper from 100% secondary fiber material, proving, through the use of brilliant colors, that sustainability can be colorful.