PPEC Celebrates International Women’s Day, Highlights Leadership BY RACHEL KAGAN For International Women’s Day, the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) is highlighting
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
CORRUGATED REPLACEMENTS, INC. www.corrugatedparts.com
the leadership of women shaping Canada’s paper packaging sector and advancing environmental sus- tainability.
Corrugated Replacements, Inc. is a production powerhouse that manufactures high quality machine parts and replace- ment parts for the corrugated and paperboard converting industries. CRI can redesign, engineer, and manufacture any part while providing a rapid turn-around rate, keeping machines running at their peak performance and limiting down time.
We spoke with Laura Parlagre- co, Vice President of Operations at Astro Box Corporation, about how the industry has evolved, what sus- tainability looks like in today’s reg- ulatory environment, the role of industry associations, and the importance of staying curious. Q. Astro Box has been operating since the 1980s. From your perspective, how has the paperboard packag- ing industry, and Astro’s own operations, evolved over that time, particularly from a sustainability standpoint? Like any industry, paperboard packaging has seen cycles of highs and lows. In the mid 1990’s, what felt like overnight, plastic clamshells had taken over grocery store shelves, replacing paper boxes. It was heartbreaking to see long-standing customers make the switch, with no re- gard for where all this plastic would end up. Misinformation was spreading about paperboard pack- aging, and it was around this time that Charles Parlagreco, the founder of Astro Box Corporation, joined the newly formed Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC). The industry came together to establish PPEC to stop misinformation, correct the narrative, advo- cate for recycling, and educate people on the environmen- tal merits of paperboard. This is also when Astro pivoted our operations to cre- ate paper-based packaging that could perform on many levels; high graphics for branding and customization, windows for optimal product visibility, and coatings to maintain product freshness, all while satisfying regional recycling requirements. We have maintained this stance for over thirty years – that paper packaging is capable of almost anything as long as you’re willing to try. Q. What are you hearing from customers right now? Are their expectations around sustainability, recyclabil- ity, or regulatory compliance changing? And how does that influence how Astro supports them? If you had asked me this question a few years ago, I would have said sustainability was the foremost concern that customers had when implementing new packaging. The ban on single-use plastic helped fuel demand for fi- bre-based packaging and it felt like a packaging renais- sance was taking place. At the time, plastic replacement, recyclability and compostability were the chief concerns. Unfortunately, with economic uncertainty and supply chain CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 Laura Parlagreco
C.U.E., INC. www.AnvilCovers.com
Makers of single and dual-width Timesaver® Anvil Covers, the premier urethane anvil cover for corrugated die cutting. Timesaver® covers feature construction of solid steel back- ing and solid steel locking components to ensure a precise fit every time. C.U.E., Inc. also offers Dura-Latch and Cor- Lock anvil covers, and urethane Lead Edge Feed Wheels.
EMBA www.embausa.com
The EMBA group supports a complete line of corrugated converting machinery for the worldwide market. EMBA’s Quick Set technology enables the highest productivity across a broad range of converting equipment, from mini to super jumbo. EMBA also includes the McKinley jumbo line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters as well as ser- vice, rebuilds and upgrades for both EMBA and McKinley.
EAGLEWOOD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com
Eaglewood Technologies offers trusted cleaning technolo- gies for the world’s best printers and converters. Solutions include the award winning Sitexco+ Anilox Laser System, the Nanovis Parts Washing System, the Sitexco L10 Label System, the innovative Sanilox™ System or Alphasonics solutions. We also offer Xpress™ mobile cleaning service at your facility or ours. ESKO www.esko.com ArtiosCAD and Kongsberg are the most trusted names in CAD/CAM solutions. Esko’s ArtiosCAD is the most widely used CAD software in the world. Esko’s Kongsberg series of tables brings you reliable, outstanding quality for sample- making and short run production.
DOMINO www.dominodigitalprinting.com
Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 44th year, Domino is headquartered in the UK and North America headquarters are Illinois. Domino has 25 subsid- iaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 2,900 employees worldwide .
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30 March 16, 2026
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