Smurfit Kappa is now working with 70% of leading European e-retail brands, the packaging solutions company said today as it announced the new name for its e-retail offering – eSmart. This is the culmination of years of experience helping e-retailers optimise opportunities in the online sales space. eSmart guides companies through 12 key areas relating to the optimisation of e-retail processes, supply chain efficiency and delivering a superior consumer experience. Edwin Goffard, COO Corrugated Europe, says: “As online sales grow and consumer expectations evolve in an increasingly digitalised world, the pressure is on for brand owners and e-retailers to stand out from the crowd. Packaging plays a vital role in helping businesses grow profitably, manage supply chain complexity, and deliver the right brand experience.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Packaging Corporation of America announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Sacramento Container Corporation, and 100% of the membership interests of Northern Sheets, LLC and Central California Sheets, LLC in a cash-free, debt-free transaction for a cash purchase price of $265 million. The Company has also announced that it will discontinue production of uncoated freesheet (UFS) and coated one-side (C1S) grades at its Wallula, Washington mill in the second quarter of 2018 to begin the conversion of its 200,000 ton-per-year No. 3 paper machine to a 400,000 ton-per-year high-performance 100% virgin kraft linerboard machine. The acquisition transaction is structured as a purchase of assets resulting in a full step-up of the assets to fair market value. Under the terms of the agreement, PCA will acquire full-line corrugated products and sheet feeder operations in McClellan, California and Kingsburg, California. Click Read More below for additional detail.

O-I Glass, Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Paddock Enterprises, LLC, has reached an agreement in principle for a consensual plan of reorganization under section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Paddock, the Official Committee of Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants, and the legal representative for the future asbestos personal injury claimants all agreed to accept the terms of a mediator’s proposal regarding a potential consensual plan of reorganization for Paddock. O-I Glass supports the agreement among Paddock, the ACC and the FCR that follows a successful court-approved mediation process conducted by Kenneth Feinberg and the Honorable Layn R. Phillips in connection with Paddock’s ongoing Chapter 11 case. “From the beginning of the Chapter 11 process, we have been committed to supporting a resolution of Paddock’s legacy asbestos liabilities in a manner that ensures claimants are treated fairly while providing finality and certainty for O-I Glass and Paddock. This agreement is a positive and significant step toward achieving those objectives. O-I Glass and Paddock look forward to working cooperatively with the ACC and FCR to implement the terms of the agreement. We believe this is the best path to not only equitably address Paddock’s legacy liabilities but also move expeditiously toward emergence,” said Andres Lopez, CEO of O-I Glass.