Graphic Packaging Holding Company Announces Second $250 Million Acquisition of International Paper’s Minority Partnership Interest

When Inland Packaging opened its third new 40,000 sq.-ft .manufacturing facility in La Crosse, WI, the domestic label and packaging manufacturer ensured that its $15 million equipment investments included a unique high speed, specially built press for the in-mold label market. To provide the finest service to its customers, management chose the pinnacle of premium offset press technology available on the market — its first Koenig & Bauer, a Rapida 106X UV LED nine color plus coater — as the centerpiece of its newest production facility. “Our state-of-the-art press and finishing equipment have opened additional capacity with increased productivity and efficiency,” says Amy Mashak, Director of Operations at Inland. “This additional capacity is allowing Inland to better serve growing markets and exceed customer demand.”

Pregis® is expanding its blown film operations at its Anderson, South Carolina facility by adding capacity for its ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier film options. Increased production of EVOH barrier films will allow the company to scale a variety of solutions, including its Pregis Renew™ Series sustainable portfolio. B-Series high-barrier polyethylene sealant film is the business’ most recent advancement within the Renew portfolio. This EVOH solution is engineered to be a critical replacement for metallized or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) films, offering the market an all-polyethylene, mono-material flexible packaging structure. Pregis also offers a metallized version of its film for enhanced barrier performance suitable for more demanding applications in snacks, confections, and pet treats. These solutions enable recyclability which can result in decreased landfill waste, and reduced carbon footprints by shifting from mixed-material laminations to mono-material structures. Pregis Performance Flexibles is hyper-focused on catering to this market through these latest innovations in barrier performance. “As brands seek packaging that delivers both barrier properties and recyclability, Pregis is investing in the infrastructure needed to stay ahead of that demand,” said Bob Gargione, President of Pregis Performance Flexibles. “This capacity expansion ensures our ability to support customers with high-quality, high-barrier structures that meet today’s performance standards while enabling store drop-off recyclability.”

Kimberly-Clark's U.S. Huggies® Brand and select Bright Horizons™ child care centers throughout Boston are teaming up on a new pilot program that aims to offset the environmental impact of used diapers and wipes going to landfill by turning it into electricity, heat or fuel through a process known as Waste-to-Energy. Based on preliminary estimates, over the next year, the pilot program is expected to result in thousands of pounds of trash being diverted from local landfills. "Huggies is passionate about providing innovative solutions to better serve consumers and communities," said Matt Barresi, North American Vice President of the Huggies Brand. "Whether it's having the original Leak Lock® blowout blocker since 1997, a 20% thicker baby wipe* or a solution to help keep diapers and wipes out of landfills, we're proud to partner on this breakthrough program to help create a more sustainable environment."