Amcor and AVON announced the launch of the AmPrima™ Plus refill pouch for the AVON Little Black Dress classic shower gels in China. The recycle-ready packaging will result in an 83% reduction in carbon footprint, and 88% and 79% reduction in water consumption and renewable energy respectively when it's recycled.* In alignment with AVON’s ambition to use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging material for its products by 2030, Amcor’s research and development teams partnered with AVON to design and develop their first refill pouch with recycle-ready material. The AmPrima refill pouch is designed to provide a more sustainable packaging solution that also delivers the barrier properties, stiffness, graphics performance and run speeds matching unrecyclable alternatives, while also providing convenience to consumers. “Amcor’s AmPrima product range offers packaging options to help major brands, like AVON, reach their sustainability goals,” said Roawin Luo, Global Director of Product Management at Amcor.

Employees of the local Sonoco Products Co. plant have been notified the plant will close by the end of May, officials said. Plant Manager Andy Holden said the closing of the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park plant is part of an overall strategy from the company, which produces consumer and industrial packaging products. Holden said 36 employees are at the plant. He said the company and state career center officials are assisting them in seeking other employment. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kendall Packaging Corporation, a provider of high-quality flexible packaging solutions serving a variety of markets inside the food, personal care, and pet food industries, announced that Daren Roberts has been named Plant Manager at the company’s Pittsburg, KS facility. In his position, Roberts is responsible for overseeing plant activities to meet business objectives and is accountable for all aspects of plant performance. This includes establishing production schedules, managing the production control process, and ensuring timely delivery of customer products. “We are excited to have Daren join our team and serve as a leader of our Pittsburg facility,” said Eric G. Erickson III, Kendall Packaging President and Chief Executive Officer. “Darren’s experience and enthusiasm will help us to continue the growth of the Pittsburg location, providing flexible packaging products to a diverse client base.”