Don Loepp is the Editor of Plastics News and Editorial Director for Crain Communications’ Global Polymer Group. He covers a range of topics within the manufacturing sector, including manufacturing software, engineering, lean manufacturing, and the construction industry, with a focus on sustainability through cleantech and recycling. Don's work has been featured in Crain's Detroit Business, Rubber News, UTECH Polyurethane / Urethanes Technology, Crain's Chicago Business, Crain's Grand Rapids Business, Sustainable Plastics, and Crain's Cleveland Business.
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By: Steve Toloken, Don Loepp
During Plastics News' latest Plastics in Politics livestream, Steve Toloken discussed how California's SB 343 labeling law is reshaping packaging recyclability claims, the polystyrene industry's effort to remove certain materials from the U.S. Plastics Pact's problematic list, and the third consecutive failure of New York's EPR legislation.
She joins senior advisor Jerry Grunewald , the former CTO of Invista, as Epoch builds out its technical leadership team. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Invista in February 2026 to develop post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6 at commercial scale.
American Tool & Mold received interim approval for emergency bankruptcy financing as the mold maker and plastics processor works to maintain operations amid a dispute with its lender.
By: Don Loepp
Berlin Packaging has acquired O.Berk Co., a century-old packaging distributor with a strong presence in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, beauty and personal care markets.
Packaging supplier AptarGroup Inc. says rising resin and transportation costs are beginning to push inflation back into its business, but the company expects to recover those increases through customer pricing and contract mechanisms.
Lear says strong North American auto production, growing onshoring opportunities and automation-driven manufacturing advantages are fueling new business wins and positioning the supplier to raise its 2026 outlook.
By: Don Loepp
Volkswagen says proposed European recycled-content mandates will require a major expansion of automotive plastics recycling, with the automaker estimating that one end-of-life vehicle must be processed to supply recycled plastic for every three new vehicles.
The latest Sustainable Plastics Live focused on “Made in Europe” recycling, food-contact polyolefins, chemical recycling’s reality check and the challenge of building a long-term business case for recycled plastics.
Rosti Group says it has reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent since 2023 and achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status at four manufacturing sites as it publishes its first sustainability report aligned with European reporting standards.
At PRSE, Europe's recyclers argued that recycled resin offers something every manufacturer wants: greater supply-chain resilience. Meanwhile, the race is on to secure food-grade recycled PP and HDPE before 2030 mandates arrive.
