In a recent supplier award ceremony, Ahlstrom was recognized specifically for their packaging contributions to the Taco Bell® brand. “We are extremely humbled to have received this recognition from our Taco Bell® partners,” commented Travis Dahlke, Vice President of Ahlstrom’s North American Food business. Dahlke and members of his team accepted the award during the event. “This is a result of strong collaboration through our entire value chain – from Taco Bell® through our converting partners.” The S.T.A.R. awards (Supplier – Tracking – Assessment – Recognition) uses company-wide audits built to qualify supplier performance in several categories, including Packaging. Ahlstrom leveraged both its FluoroFree® and trulyNatural® technologies in the development of sustainable packaging solutions for Taco Bell.

Amcor announced its 2025 Bottles of the Year, in celebration of National Packaging Design Day. Annually, Amcor Rigid Packaging Bottles of the Year recognizes the best in innovative and responsible conceptual packaging designs that meet the latest trends in consumer preferences in the beverage, spirits & wine, food & dairy, home & personal care and healthcare segments. “The Bottles of the Year program celebrates the best in packaging design,” said Terry Patcheak, Vice President of R&D, Sustainability and Project Management at Amcor Rigid Packaging. “Our designers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with packaging, and we are proud to highlight that thinking through this program. With Bottles of the Year, our goal is to illustrate how evolving consumer trends and the latest technology in PET plastic packaging can drive advancements in eye-catching designs, improved consumer experience and responsible packaging choices that meet new minimum PCR standards.” A collection of five bottle designs, the Bottles of the Year are ready to be refined for commercialization. The designs highlight stand-out innovative packaging opportunities for brands in the beverage, spirits & wine, food & dairy, home & personal care, and healthcare markets.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced its investment of over $70 million in its United States wipe substrate capabilities. The investment includes a new line, producing additional capacity, and enabling the Company to better serve its global customers as well as support the continuing growth of its business. Berry provides many of the world’s leading brands with wipe materials for infection prevention. Prior to the demand surge of 2020, the impregnated wet wipes segment, specific for home cleaning and disinfecting, was growing at six percent in the 2014 to 2019 time frame. Amplified by COVID-19 prevention, the demand for disinfectant wipes is expected to have permanently shifted to its current, increased use. Berry will add to its broad scope and scale by installing the line in the United States. This investment is complementary to Berry’s existing portfolio and features the Company’s proprietary Spinlace® technology. The U.S. investment has a targeted commercialization date of the March quarter 2023.