Key Data Review of the Packaging Industry in 2024

The packaging industry is closely connected to the modern economy, from widely used e-commerce packaging and bulk shipping packaging to highly specialized customized solutions, covering almost all industrial sectors. Packaging Dive continuously tracked important data and statistics for the packaging industry in 2024, covering areas such as policy and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, fiber-based packaging, plastic transition goals, manufacturing and labor, and sustainability.

The following data outlines the key trends in the packaging industry for 2024 and also indicates trends that may continue or shift in 2025. Which industry themes and data points do you think will stand out in 2025? Feel free to share with us via[email protected].

Policy and Regulation

1: Number of new state-level packaging EPR laws passed in 2024

In May, Minnesota passed the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, becoming the fifth state in the U.S. to implement a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy. The act adopts a shared responsibility model and has gained broader support compared to some previous state-level EPR laws. Starting in 2029, producers will be required to fund improvements to recycling infrastructure.

35: Number of companies fined by Washington state for violating recycled content laws

In 2024, Washington state began enforcing its 2021 recycled content law, fining 35 companies a total of $416,554. Of the 310 registered producers, 128 met the thresholds for production volume and revenue and were required to meet minimum recycled content requirements. The law is one of the few in the U.S. that regulates the use of recycled plastic in beverage containers and trash bags.

2,420: Number of producers registered with the Circular Action Alliance as of December

The Circular Action Alliance, a nonprofit producer responsibility organization founded by brands, expanded in 2024 and has been officially selected as the implementing PRO in some states, preparing to further engage in other states' affairs in the coming years.

5.2: Number of the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution

After the INC-5 meeting in South Korea failed to reach a 'global plastics treaty' by the end of 2024 as scheduled, it was decided in December to add an INC 5.2 session. The UN Environment Programme stated that this 'Chair's text' will serve as the starting point for negotiations at the resumed session in 2025.

Mergers and Acquisitions

140+: Number of acquisitions or significant investments tracked by Packaging Dive in 2024

These deals involved companies with operations in the U.S. Notably, there was an increase in the number of large multi-billion-dollar deals.

At least 4: Number of international pure-play packaging M&A deals initiated or completed in 2024

These deals were each valued at over $3 billion and involved U.S.-listed companies, including: WestRock and Smurfit Kappa, International Paper and DS Smith, Sonoco and Eviosys, and Amcor and Berry Global.

$32B: Smurfit Westrock's expected combined revenue

Smurfit Kappa completed its acquisition of WestRock in July, and the combined company is expected to generate annual revenue of $32 billion.

$5.6B: Value of Ball's sale of its aerospace business

Ball sold its aerospace business to BAE Systems for $5.6 billion, allowing it to focus on its packaging business.

Fiber-Based Packaging

$70-75: Typical price increase per ton attempted by producers in 2024

Most major fiberboard producers attempted price increases at least twice, but market acceptance varied.

71-76%: Latest U.S. recycling rate for corrugated cardboard

According to the American Forest & Paper Association, the association adopted a new methodology for calculating fiber recycling rates this year, resulting in a significantly lower corrugated cardboard recycling rate figure compared to previous years. The previous year's corrugated cardboard recycling rate was estimated at 93.6%.

40+: Number of North American facilities accepting poly-coated paper cups for recycling as of June 2024

According to the Foodservice Packaging Institute, this number represents a 33% increase from 2023, indicating that the recycling infrastructure for poly-coated paper cups is expanding.

2 billion: Annual capacity (in square feet) of Packaging Corporation of America's new containerboard mill

The company's new mill in Phoenix, built in 2024, will have more than double the capacity of its existing mill, which will be replaced.

Manufacturing and Labor

Nearly 6,000: Number of packaging-related jobs affected by manufacturing closures and layoffs in 2024

According to Packaging Dive's tracking of state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices, company disclosures, and local news reports, this number is lower than the at least 9,000 jobs tracked in 2023.

8: Number of consecutive months of manufacturing contraction as of November

According to the Institute for Supply Management, the manufacturing sector has been in contraction for 24 of the past 25 months, with March 2024 being the only month of expansion since September 2022.

$425M: Cost of Georgia-Pacific's new Dixie manufacturing facility

The facility, located in Jackson, Tennessee, officially opened in October and is the company's first greenfield plant built since 1991, expected to create at least 220 new jobs.

25 years: Tetra Pak North America training center operational milestone

In 2024, Tetra Pak celebrated the 25th anniversary of its training center in Denton, Texas, and expanded the facility to 9,400 square feet, adding technology for enhanced virtual learning and hands-on skills training.

Sustainability

100%: Proportion of plastic air pillows eliminated by Amazon from delivery packaging

As of October 2024, Amazon has completely eliminated plastic air pillows from its global fulfillment centers and replaced them with 100% recycled content paper fill in North America. The e-commerce giant calls this its largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America to date.

33%: U.S. PET bottle collection rate

According to the latest report from the National Association for PET Container Resources, the U.S. PET bottle collection rate is 33%.

43%: U.S. aluminum beverage can recycling rate

According to the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute, this is the lowest level in decades, which they attribute to the stagnation of the U.S. recycling system and its policies.

11%: Proportion of branded plastic traced to Coca-Cola in a cross-continental litter survey

The survey recorded 1.9 million pieces of plastic waste. Other major branded plastic sources include PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%), and Altria (2%).

Corporate Goals

3%: Reduction in virgin plastic use achieved by Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Commitment signatories

Since 2018, more than 1,000 business and government signatories have achieved only a 3% reduction, compared to their target of an 18% reduction by 2025.

2050: Target year for Graphic Packaging International to achieve net-zero emissions

The company announced this goal this year, aligning with its sustainability strategy, including near-term science-based targets.

2%: Proportion of PepsiCo's packaging portfolio expected to not meet recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable (RCBR) criteria by 2030

PepsiCo reported this year that it aims to make 98% of its packaging portfolio RCBR-compliant by 2030, revising its previous target of 100% by 2025. The latest reported figure for 2023 was 89%.

2030: New target year for the U.S. Plastics Pact's Roadmap 2.0

The roadmap, released this year, includes targets to: reduce virgin plastic use by 30%, achieve a 50% recycling rate for plastic packaging, and achieve an average of 30% post-consumer recycled or 'responsibly sourced' bio-based content in plastic packaging, all based on 2020 levels. Participants in the U.S. Plastics Pact include packaging processors and major brand owners, and previously most of its targets were set for 2025.