Based in Wisconsin, Belmark is a global industrial leader in packaging and labeling. The new flexible packaging plant in Allen County will mark their second expansion out of their home state and will add over 150 new jobs to the Allen Springs Industrial Park. “This is gonna catch those people that, as I said, are leaving Allen County to go to work in Bowling Green and Franklin and down in Tennessee. This is going to catch some of those people and allow them to stay right here in Allen County and work and provide for their families,” said Allen County judge-executive Dennis Harper. Throughout the ceremony, representatives of Belmark shared their insight into why Allen County was chosen for the expansion. Citing the small town’s charm and potential for economic growth, CEO Karl Schmidt and plant manager Jeff LeCaptain say that Allen County and Scottsville are welcoming community partners for the manufacturing center.

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.

Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning May 30, 2022. Sonoco said the price change reflects continued tight market conditions and inflationary pressures on manufacturing costs, including energy, freight, chemicals, packaging materials and labor. “Unfortunately, the conditions that challenged us in 2021 have not dissipated in 2022. We continue to be challenged by strong demand, increasing backlogs and inflating costs,” said Tim Davis, Division Vice President and General Manager, Paper – U.S. and Canada.