Maria Rachal

Multiple packaging companies invested in innovation or training centers in November, touting benefits for design collaboration and upskilling. See new announcements from UFP Packaging, TriMas, TransPak, Nefab and others.

Orora Packaging Solutions, Ardagh Glass, Anchor Glass and International Paper were some of the companies that made downsizing announcements across Washington, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Crackdowns on food additives and changes to how the agency operates could be expected based on signals from appointees, observers noted. In addition to chemical concerns, there are food labeling issues in play.

Rachel Machi Wagoner, former director of CalRecycle, will become CAA’s executive director for the state, where she will help oversee the rollout of an EPR for packaging law.

A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.

Following megadeals like Amcor’s move to acquire Berry Global and Novolex’s play for Pactiv Evergreen, as well as other activity, sources see packaging M&A ticking up again after a lower-volume period for deals.

The European Council on Monday adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It’s expected to be officially published in the coming weeks and apply 18 months later.

Event organizers said their installation and promotion of free drinking fountains paid off. Oceana celebrated and critiqued the reuse efforts, saying future Games’ reuse systems should not feature single-use plastic at all.

Regulators will consider whether high-priority chemicals, including a building block of PVC, under the Toxic Substances Control Act present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.

These are some of the stats illustrating key storylines this year in policy and regulation, M&A activity, manufacturing, pricing, recycling, sustainability goals and more.