- In May 2025, Berry Global unveiled a new line of reclosable bags at the Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 event, showcasing its dedication to sustainable packaging solutions. These bags are made with up to 50% recycled content, designed to be both reusable and recyclable, aligning with Berry’s broader mission to advance the circular economy. The launch reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce virgin plastic usage, enhance material recovery, and deliver eco-friendly alternatives without compromising performance or visual appeal
- In February 2025, Rottneros Packaging AB introduced its NATURE™ range of sustainable food packaging trays at the Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 event in Birmingham. Crafted from FSC-certified raw materials and produced using 100% renewable energy, these trays contain up to 98% renewable content and less than 10% plastic, making them fully recyclable in paper streams under CEPI and 4EverGreen protocols. Designed to extend food shelf life and reduce waste, the trays feature biobased inner liners, customizable barrier properties, and compatibility with MAP and VSP systems, offering a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging
- In January 2025, Huhtamaki India, in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland, hosted the second edition of the Think Circle event in New Delhi. The gathering spotlighted the launch of “Design for Recyclability Guidelines for Films & Flexible Packaging”, developed under the India Plastics Pact (IPP) by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). These guidelines aim to tackle recyclability challenges by promoting mono-material designs, reducing harmful pigments such as carbon black, and encouraging the use of recyclable barrier layers. The initiative sets new benchmarks for sustainable packaging and supports India’s transition toward a circular economy
- In July 2024, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock finalized their merger to form Smurfit WestRock, a global powerhouse in sustainable paper-based packaging. Valued at approximately $12.7 billion, the deal united two industry leaders with complementary geographic footprints—Smurfit Kappa in Europe and WestRock in the Americas. The newly formed company operates 63 paper mills and 500 converting facilities across 40 countries, consuming an estimated 15 million tons of recycled fiber annually. Headquartered in Dublin, with regional offices in Atlanta, Smurfit WestRock is now listed on both the NYSE and London Stock Exchange, marking a major milestone in packaging innovation and scale
- In March 2024, International Paper announced its acquisition of UK-based DS Smith Plc through an all-share combination valued at approximately $9.9 billion, not $7.2 billion as initially estimated. The merger is expected to create a global leader in sustainable packaging, combining DS Smith’s strong European footprint with International Paper’s North American operations. The deal will integrate 500,000 to 600,000 tons of containerboard into International Paper’s mill system, boosting its corrugated packaging and recycling capabilities and achieving a 90% integration rate. The transaction is slated to close in Q4 2024, pending regulatory approvals
