Late in the fall, G&S Business Communications updated its national survey of consumers to see how COVID-19 continued to change their habits and found that about 58% remained at least somewhat concerned with contracting the virus through food packaging. That number was down from 66% in April 2020, says Brian Hall, managing director for G&S. […]
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ProAmpac Buys U.K.-Based Manufacturer
ProAmpac has acquired Rapid Action Packaging (RAP), a private, U.K.-based manufacturer of cellulose-based packaging products for fresh prepared and ready-to-eat foods. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. RAP is a designer and manufacturer of sustainable packaging for fresh prepared foods sold at retail, including sandwiches, wraps, chicken tenders, and salads. With this acquisition, ProAmpac […]
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Christoph Langohr, of Syntegon, Gives Sustainability Update at PACK EXPO Connects
With deadlines toward a circular economy quickly accelerating over the next few years, companies continue to innovate by trying different techniques, including offering paper packaging as an option. During a presentation at PACK EXPO Connects that was held virtually Nov. 9 to 13, Christoph Langohr, project manager sustainability horizontal flow wrapping with Syntegon, gave an […]
Read MoreSun Chemical Releases Sustainability Report
Sun Chemical recently released its 11th annual Corporate Sustainability Report for the year ending 2019. The report describes Sun Chemical’s emphasis on sustainability in the way it develops, manufactures, and distributes its products, while also showing how it works with customers and suppliers to improve their sustainability goals, the company said in a news release. The […]
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Roadmaps to Sustainability
In-depth Report Steers Industry Toward 2030
Companies across the supply chain in the flexible packaging industry have been working toward a circular economy for years. With recycling efforts and laws accelerating, and with consumer trends shifting, the Flexible Packaging Association commissioned a report to guide its more than 150 members with various roadmaps and proposals to facilitate the numerous goals. The […]
Read MoreLiquibox Opens Factory in Madrid
Liquibox has opened a 140,000-square-foot flexible packaging “super-factory” in Madrid, Spain, which they’ve been working on since February. The new factory will more than triple the bag-making capacity for the company in continental Europe, while also expanding the types and sizes of flexible bags the company can bring to market. This new capacity is well […]
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Amcor Talks Sustainability at PACK EXPO
Fabio Peyer describes new efforts to enhance quality and recyclability
Fabio Peyer, director of sustainability at Amcor Flexibles North America, recently gave a presentation on innovations made at the company to reach milestones in sustainability goals. “The packaging of the future needs to be developed with the end in mind and contribute to the circular economy, while still continuing to meet productivity, product protection, and […]
Read MoreGraham Partners Buys Converting Operations
Graham Partners has purchased Berry Global Group’s flexible packaging converting business, according to news release from Graham. The acquisition includes six printing and laminating flexible packaging facilities, formerly a part of Berry Global’s North American extrusion, converting and coating business. The business will be combined with Graham Partners’ flexible packaging portfolio company, Advanced Barrier Extrusions […]
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Sustainability Remains Top Issue in Some States
Experts Predict Big Push in 2021, Particularly on the West Coast
State governments nationwide put numerous recycling and waste-reduction proposals on hold in 2020 while concentrating on the pandemic, but initiatives will resume in 2021, several observers suggest. Lauren Aguilar and Andy Hackman, both lobbyists for Serlin Haley that represents the Flexible Packaging Association, note that California, in particular, will be moving on various legislative initiatives […]
Read MoreCanadian Supplier to Close Plant
Cascades Inc. has announced that its Laval plant in Canada will be closing on June 30, 2021, because of problems faced during the pandemic, according to a company news release. The plant specializes in the manufacture of napkins for the away-from-home market. The Nov. 25 news release says that the plant, which has 54 workers, […]
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A Conversation with Dhuanne Dodrill, CEO of PAXXUS
Expanded Interview
Editor’s Note: This is an expanded version of an interview that appears in the November/December issue of FlexPack VOICE™. The printed article can be found online, too, in the digital format of the full magazine. Each issue, as well as occasionally in a digital exclusive, FlexPack VOICE™ hosts a question-and-answer segment that discusses important issues […]
Read MoreShip & Shore Expands Into India
Ship & Shore Environmental Inc., based in Long Beach, California, is expanding its overseas operations into India with engineering services specifically designed for the Indian market, as well as with a team that includes sales, marketing, and business development, the company said in a news release. The company, which specializes in air pollution capture and […]
Read MoreDuravant to Buy Cloud Packaging Solutions
Duravant LLC has agreed to buy Cloud Packaging Solutions from its parent company, Hearthside Food Solutions LLC. Cloud makes high-speed horizontal flexible packaging equipment. Cloud’s patented rotary soluble pod equipment and ultra-high-speed packet, pouch, and sachet machines will extend Duravant’s reach into new markets, the company said in a news release. Duravant is a global […]
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A Conversation with Paul Frantz
Chief Commercial Officer with Novolex
FlexPack VOICE™ occasionally provides insights from industry executives through our digital exclusives. These interviews, in particular, will look at how leaders became involved in the flexible packaging industry and what advice they would offer about careers. Here is a discussion with Paul Frantz, chief commercial officer with Novolex based in Hartsville, South Carolina. Frantz is […]
Read MorePolyplex USA to Expand Alabama Facility
Polyplex USA will spend more than $100 million at its Decatur, AL, facility to expand its existing operations by adding a second Thin BOPET film line and increasing capacity for captive resin, the company says in a news release. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2021 and production is expected to […]
Read MoreBrook & Whittle Announces New Partnership
Brook & Whittle Holding Corp. is now partnering with Tri Print LLC based in Huntington Beach, California. Tri Print provides packaging solutions to brands and customers in consumer markets, including personal care, health and beauty, natural products, nutraceuticals, and celebrity branding, while Brook & Whittle provides sustainable pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve prime labels, according […]
Read MoreSpartech Names New CEO
Spartech has named John Inks CEO after he had been serving as chief operating officer for the manufacturer of engineered thermoplastics and custom packaging solutions that is based in St. Louis, Missouri. “As chief operating officer for the past 18 months, John has demonstrated exceptional leadership while at the same time driving improvements in a […]
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Trump and Biden Share Some Trade Goals
The Candidates, However, Differ on The Details
The Candidates, However, Differ on The Details. While the candidates for president diverge sharply in many areas, they share the same goals when it comes to trade and economic policy: President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden both want to revive manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and combat unfair trade practices pursued by […]
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Issues Will Linger Beyond Election
No Matter Who Wins, the Industry Must Prepare, Leaders Say
With the presidential election fast approaching, it might not be clear who will be in the Oval Office for the next four years…
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Workspaces Will Change
Leaders Expect Pandemic to Alter Views About Travel and Work
The health and safety policies put in place to combat COVID-19 will prepare companies beyond the immediate crisis, if they continue to stay focused on preventing illness, several leaders in the flexible packaging industry suggest. “Despite any uncertainty, we’re controlling what we can control, and a major part of that is keeping our employees healthy,” […]
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