Total Packaging Papers shipments were 223,400 tons, 1.6 percent lower than October 2016. Bag & Sack shipments are up 3.3 percent year-to-date, while Food Wrapping shipments are down 7.1 percent over the same period. The operating rate for October 2017 was 85.5 percent, while the year-to-date rate was 88.3 percent. Inventories were 167,800 tons, down slightly since September.

Sonoco in partnership with Tellus Products, LLC, a company that produces USA grown and made, plant-based compostable packaging for foodservice products, today announced the receipt of a prequalified label, Check Locally for recyclability from How2Recycle for the Natrellis line of food packaging. Natrellis, a dual-ovenable package made with upcycled sugarcane fiber and other U.S. grown plant fibers features a highly engineered surface that delivers outstanding performance through the product’s full lifecycle, providing consumers a great product experience. This performance helps maintain the package strength during all phases of use, preventing loss of food moisture and eliminating wicking through the package to outside surfaces. Sonoco also provides custom rigid lidding and flexible lidding for these market solutions. The flexible lidding is customized for strong heat-seals around the perimeter of the fiber tray lip, preventing leakage prior to freezing and freezer burn while maintaining adhesion during cooking and easy to peel consumer use. The rigid lid is developed to include a click audible sound, ensuring the product is sealed tight for transportation but easy for consumer use.

Pactiv Evergreen Inc., a leading manufacturer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America, is excited to launch innovative Recycleware® Reduced-Density Polypropylene (RDPP) meat trays. Pactiv Evergreen’s Recycleware RDPP meat trays are the perfect solution for packer processors seeking alternatives to foam polystyrene. “Pactiv Evergreen is dedicated to producing innovative, quality packaging with a reduced environmental impact,” said Eric Wulf, President of Pactiv Evergreen’s Food and Beverage Merchandising business. “Our new Recycleware RDPP Meat Trays are vertically integrated, meaning they are extruded, thermoformed and padded at our facilities. They are processor grade and run well on existing overwrap equipment.” Pactiv Evergreen’s Recycleware RDPP meat trays have been recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as meeting the highest criteria in the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Additionally, they may be recycled in communities that accept polypropylene trays. The Recycleware RDPP meat trays are a sustainable alternative to foam polystyrene trays.