Manufacturing
Pactiv, Anchor made facility closure announcements in August
In August 2026, multiple packaging companies announced plans for permanent or temporary closures of their factories in the United States. Anchor Glass plans to permanently close its Warner Robins, Georgia facility, affecting 168 employees; Pactiv Evergreen (acquired by Novolex) plans to permanently close its thermoforming plant in Jackson, South Carolina, affecting 133 employees; Silgan announced a temporary closure of its metal container facility in Riverbank, California, affecting 120 employees.
10 years in, ePac CEO touts success of digital printing focus
Flexible packaging expert ePac marks a milestone year: acquired by Butterfly Equity, signed a $50 million agreement with HP, and continues to expand its North American footprint. CEO Virag Patel sits down for an interview to share how digital printing and a distributed production model help small and medium-sized brands grow.
Nippon Dynawave cited for 35 environmental violations after implosion
On Wednesday, August 26, the Washington State Department of Ecology preliminarily identified 35 environmental violations related to the May 26 white liquor tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging's Longview pulp mill. The incident caused 11 deaths and 8 injuries. Ecology stated that most violations are linked to the release of approximately 900,000 gallons of white liquor, with some entering the Columbia River, and determined that water quality violations constitute "significant noncompliance." The company has a 30-day response period, and Ecology may take enforcement action within two years. The state Department of Labor and Industries separately issued a citation on Tuesday, August 25, for a safety violation unrelated to the rupture, and the company has a 15-day appeal period.
Anchor Glass to close Georgia site, affecting 168 workers
Anchor Glass Container LLC has announced the permanent closure of its manufacturing site in Warner Robins, Georgia, impacting 168 workers, with separations beginning Oct. 17. The move is part of a broader industry trend, as other glass packaging firms have also idled U.S. plants amid declining volumes.
Packaging companies target Southeast for latest expansions
Packaging companies are increasingly choosing the U.S. Southeast for new facilities and expansions, according to recent announcements tracked by Packaging Dive. Notable projects include DRC Industries' $4 million investment in Mississippi (50 jobs), UFP Packaging's $5.3 million South Carolina plant (136 jobs, online Q2 2027), and Wyda Packaging's plan to double capacity in North Carolina. Other moves include TricorBraun's new Quebec warehouse and Vert's Colorado facility now producing pouches.
WK Kellogg ahead of schedule for cutting BHT in cereal packaging
WK Kellogg announced it will fully remove artificial colors and the preservative BHT from its cereals and packaging later this year, nearly 12 months ahead of schedule. The company said the move is intended to inject much-needed momentum into a cereal category that has underperformed over the past decade. BHT is a synthetic preservative commonly used in packaging materials, and the FDA is reassessing its safety. WK Kellogg has been in communication with the FDA and plans to replace synthetic colors with natural alternatives.
International Paper, Niagara Bottling announced closures in July
In July, the packaging industry saw multiple closure announcements. International Paper suspended operations at its Alabama plant due to a storm and plans to permanently close its Texas box plant; Niagara Bottling announced the closure of its Illinois facility; Pretium Packaging expects to close its New York plant in September; Wisconsin Green is considering a permanent shutdown or large-scale layoffs.
Axjo, Balcan, Detpak among international packaging companies expanding in US
Recently, multiple international packaging companies have announced the opening or expansion of factories in the United States, covering plastic packaging, technical films, paper packaging, and other fields, involving companies such as Axium, Axjo, Balcan, Detpak, and Graham Packaging.
Nippon Dynawave extends employee pay at idled Washington plant
Japan's Dynawave Packaging notified employees on Friday that its pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington, remains idled following a fatal white liquor tank collapse on May 26, but employee pay will continue through October 11. The company had previously agreed to pay in full through August 8, and the new agreement provides 'much-needed stability' during the investigation.