BoardConverting Serving the North American Corrugated and Folding Carton Industries for 40 years March 18, 2024 VOL. 40, NO. 12
AICC To Celebrate Golden Anniversary At Spring Meeting BY SUSAN RILEY Fifty years ago, a special group of independent box makers who cre- ated what would become AICC, The Independent Packaging Associ- ation, knew they would be a stronger force in the marketplace if they banded together. Economically, the stage was set because in 1974 the nation was going through the fallout from one of the worst stock market crashes since the Great Depression. As the US economy suffered, the corrugat- ed box industry was in a crisis of its own.
Mondi Offers To Acquire DS Smith For $6.57 Billion The boards of Mondi Group and DS Smith announced that they have reached an agree- ment in principle in Mondi’s all-share offer to acquire DS Smith for $6.57 billion. The combination would create a mega pa- per and packaging company with a market value of nearly $13 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Mondi shareholders would own 54 percent while DS Smith shareholders would own 46 percent. “The combination is an exciting opportu- nity to create a pan-European industry lead- er in paper-based sustainable packaging solutions, with complementary geographic footprints, leading customer relationships, a strong balance sheet and cash flow profile, and the potential to deliver substantial ben- efits to respective shareholders, customers, employees and related stakeholders,” the companies said in a joint release. Philip Yea would be Chair, Andrew King would be the Chief Executive Officer while Mike Powell would be the Chief Financial Offi- cer of the enlarged Mondi Group. The boards of the companies believe that “substantial synergies” will occur by combin-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
In addition to high inflation and price controls that led to lower pro- duction of containerboard, there was a severe shortage of linerboard and medium. This had a serious impact on the independent sheets plants that were dependent on the integrated corrugators who were their main sheet suppliers. “In the summer of 1974, Jamestown Container was having a tough time getting sheets,” Joseph R. Palmeri, the company’s president and chief operating officer wrote. “Our major supplier told us they could only run 50 percent of our loads, and for us, that was a loss of 120,000 square feet each day.” In a fight for their survival, Jim Kowall of Great Northern Packaging Corp., George B. Arvanigian of Arvco Container Corp., Robert Cravens CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 Gene Macchi, president of the Independent Corrugated Container Corp., uses a bundle of sticks to show the strength of the independent.
WHAT’S INSIDE 5 ICPF Launches New Website For Corrugated Careers 8 FBA Announces Keynote Speaker For Annual Meeting 12 Volk Packaging Mourns Death Of Denis Labonte 42 Mondi Releases Results Of E-Commerce Report
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2 March 18, 2024
Mondi Offers (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
AVERAGE CONTAINERBOARD PRICES The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout the United States the week previous to issue. Prices in some areas of the country may be higher or lower than the tabulated average. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser.
ing the two pan-European companies which would result from vertical integration and expertise in containerboard, corrugated solutions and flexible packaging, as well as ex- pected benefits from economics of scale and efficiencies across a combined supply chain and administration. The companies cited increased exposure to structural growth trends in sustainable packaging as one of the key benefits of the combination. The companies also maintain that combining their strengths in the corrugated value chain will result in cost efficient virgin containerboard mills; a well-located con- verting network; and strategically located and integrated recycled containerboard production. The combination comes at a time as packaging compa- nies are experiencing lower volumes and pricing following the surge in e-commerce driven by online shopping during the Covid pandemic. The companies, which are currently evaluating the quantity of synergies arising from the deal, said it would benefit both shareholders with increased exposure to structural growth trends in sustainable packaging and a highly complementary geographic footprint, creating a leading player in corrugated packaging across Europe. In another multi-billion offer last fall, Mondi’s rival Smurf- it Kappa announced the purchase of WestRock for $11 bil- lion deal that is expected to close in July 2024.
REGION E. Coast Midwest Southeast Southwest
42# Kraft liner $955.00-960.00 $970.00-980.00 $970.00-980.00 $ 970.00-980.00 $1000.00-1010.00 $973.00-983.00
26# Semi-Chem. Medium
Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del. Short Ton Del.
$ 890 .00-9 4 0.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 0 5.00-9 2 5.00 $9 2 5.00-9 4 5.00 $9 0 8.00-9 2 8.00
West Coast U.S. Average
SHEET PRICES BY REGION (AVERAGE) Per 1MSF, local delivery included, 50MSF single item order, truckload delivery. Sheets
E. Coast Midwest South-SW S. CA N.CA/WA-OR US Aver.
200# 275#
$62.26
$72.05
$62.69 $82.80
$85.35 119.54
$73.13 101.29
97.32
99.89
90.86
113.65
OYSTER UP-CHARGE 8.34
8.34
8.34
8.34
8.34
8.34
275# DBL-WALL 350# DBL-WALL
107.46 118.45
114.69 129.32
116.54 137.25 117.82 145.56
141.08 148.46
122.76 131.80
CANADIAN SHEET PRICES (AVERAGE) In Canadian Dollars, per 1MSF, local delivery included, under 50MSF single item order, truckload delivery. 200# 275# Oyster UC 275#DW 350#DW $78.56 $99.18 $9.00 $96.32 $105.83 CANADIAN LINERBOARD & MEDIUM The average prices reported are tabulated from prices PAID by various sources throughout Canada. Prices may be higher or lower in various areas of the country. The prices tabulated here are intended only for purposes of reference. They do not connote any commitment to sell any material at the indicated average. Transactions may be completed at any time at a price agreed upon by seller and purchaser. Prices are Canadian $ and per metric ton.
42# Kraft Liner 26#
Semi-Chem Medium
East West
$9 2 0.00 $ 96 5.00
$9 1 0.00 $9 4 5.00
3
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March 18, 2024
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4 March 18, 2024
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ICPF Launches New Design For Careers In Corrugated Website
The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) announced the launch of a brand new, user-friend- ly website at CareersInCorrugated.com . The website has been redesigned to better highlight ICPF’s mission, impact and programs while offering easy access to key employer workforce solutions and resources that connect educators and job seekers with career opportunities across this dy- namic, high-tech industry.
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The new website serves as a comprehensive resource hub tailored to the foundation’s many stakeholders. Key features of CareersInCorrugated.com include: • Resources for Career Seekers: Learn about the culture of the industry, find your unique career path in corru- gated through a jobs quiz, apply for industry openings and internships on ICPF’s career portal, and more. • Employer Workforce Solutions: Discover innovative solutions at the local, state and national level designed to address workforce shortages while strengthening employee recruitment and retention strategies. • Educational Outreach Efforts: Stay informed about ICPF programs and resources that build connections with university, trade/vocational school, and high school ed- ucators to increase student exposure to the industry. • How to Get Involved: Find opportunities to actively en- gage and contribute to growing the labor force of the corrugated packaging industry through annual fund- raising events, donations, and a partnership with ICPF. “ICPF is proud to announce the launch of this modern- ized, dynamic resource to increase connectivity amongst our stakeholders, while also providing a trusted landing site to educate younger generations on career opportuni- ties,” said ICPF President Caitlin Salaverria. “We’re looking forward to leveraging this resource in our work to grow the industry’s workforce by increasing awareness of the many benefits from choosing a career in the corrugated packaging industry.” As the demand for sustainable, renewable packaging continues to rise, so do the career opportunities in the corrugated packaging industry. CareersInCorrugated.com is committed to empowering individuals to find rewarding jobs and lifelong careers in this vital industry.
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Pamarco To Host Converters Seminar In Dallas March 27
Box Shipments ( U.S. Corrugated Product Shipments) Industry Shipments In Billions of Square Feet Month December 2023
Roselle, New Jersey based Pamarco has announced it will be bringing the knowledge experts directly to the corru- gated industry by hosting a mini trade show on Wednes- day, March 27 in Dallas, Texas. The Lunch & Learn seminar, featuring some of the most prominent manufacturers, is open to independent and in- tegrated corrugated converters who are interested in im- proving processes and maximizing productivity on their existing converting equipment. The event host and speaker will be John Rastetter, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Pamarco. The morning session will include six 30-minute presentations focused on improving productivity and efficiency followed by a Q&A and lunch. The afternoon will be open for one-on-one discussions with manufacturers. Speakers will include Tim Connell, Director of Sales at AG Stacker; Will Whiteside, Operations Manager at Abso- lute Americas for Absolute Engineering; Dave Burgess, Director of Sales at JB Machinery; Scott Miller, National Sales/Technical Director at BCM Inks; and Frank Greene, Technical Sales Rep for Parmarco/Greene House Group. The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m. at the Marriot Dallas/Fort Worth. RSVP to Olivia.Rankin@pamarco.com.
Year
Actual
Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change
2023 2022
29.711 30.124
-1.4
7.819 7.927
-1.4
Industry Total
Year-to Date
December 2023
Year
Actual
Percent Change Avg Week Percent Change
2023 2022
380.555 400.520
-5.0
7.611 7.979
-4.6
Industry Total
Containerboard Consumption (Thousands of Tons)
Year
Month
Percent Change Year-to-Date Percent Change
2023 2022
2.4080 2.4260
-0.7
30.9333 32.5461
-5.0
Container Board Inventory - Corrugator Plants (Thousands of Tons)
Corrugator Plants Only
Date
Percent Change Weeks of Supply
Percent Change
Dec. Nov.
2.1892 2.1071
3.9
3.5 3.5
6.1
Shipping Days
Year
Month
Year-to-Date
2023 2022
19 19
250 251
SOURCE: Fibre Box Association
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March 18, 2024
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FBA Announces Christian Fischer To Keynote 2024 FBA Annual Meeting Fibre Box Association (FBA) has announced that Christian Fischer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Geor- gia-Pacific, will deliver the State of the Corrugated Industry
executive vice president of the packaging and cellulose segment, responsible for GP’s containerboard and kraft paper, corrugated packaging, bleached board and cellu- lose (pulp) businesses for seven years. Fischer serves on the Board of Directors for the Amer- ican Forest & Paper Association and is a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce board of directors and The Board of Councilors for The Carter Center. PPEC Congratulates Serge Desgagnes On His Retirement The Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Coun- cil (PPEC) extended its congratulations to Serge Des- gagnes of member company Kruger Inc. as he embarks on his retirement after more than four decades of working in Canada’s paper packaging and containerboard industry.
as keynote speaker for the upcom- ing 2024 FBA Annual Meeting to be held May 6-8 at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. Fischer, named this year’s re- cipient of PaperAge’s 37th annual “Executive Papermaker of the Year” award, formerly served as the chair-
Christian Fischer
man and a member of the FBA’s Board of Directors. The association welcomes him back to deliver the state of the industry address which has become a long-standing tradition at FBA. In selecting Fischer for the PaperAge award, the pub- lication highlighted his leadership in guiding Georgia-Pa- cific to significantly invest in its business, employees, and the communities where they operate to create long-term value for the company and its customers. Fischer began his career with Georgia-Pacific in Europe in 1989 as a market pulp sales manager. In addition to En- glish, he speaks German, Portuguese and Spanish. He as- sumed his current role in 2017 and previously served as
Serge has been a long-standing supporter, member, and board direc- tor of PPEC. His contributions to rep- resenting the environmental inter- ests of the industry, his expertise of recycling and containerboard mills,
Serge Desgagnes
and his steadfast commitment to environmental sustain- ability have been greatly appreciated and will be missed.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
8 March 18, 2024
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PPEC Announces (CONT’D FROM PAGE 8)
tel in Frisco, Texas, is designed to provide attendees with comprehensive strategies for growth and talent retention, all while addressing the dynamic landscape of economic shifts and packaging policy.
Serge’s career began in 1980 where he started as a buyer with a printing company, working his way to his most current role as Vice President of Containerboard Sales during his remarkable 31-year tenure with Kruger. He is well-respected by his peers and customers and has been described as “a benchmark in the industry for information and advice,” and the PPEC couldn’t agree more. PPC Announces Early Bird Pricing For Spring Outlook Conference The Paperboard Packaging Council announces early bird registration pricing for the 2024 Spring Outlook & Strate- gies Conference will end on April 1. The event, set for April 17-19 at the Omni Frisco Ho-
Leadership development and talent spotting are es- sential tactics that drive success in the packaging industry and beyond.
Attendees will engage in sessions, pre- sentations, and interactive discussions crafted to provide insights and practical guidance to foster the next generation of talent — ensuring a sustainable and resil- ient workforce. Additionally, attendees are invited to at- tend the exclusive plant tours at American Carton Company and Southern Champion Tray in nearby Mansfield to gain firsthand awareness of developing practices and op- erations. The workplaces of 2024 are vastly dif- ferent than those of 2004. The industry must embrace new technologies, adapt to changing consumer and employee behav- iors, and stay ahead of emerging trends to stay afloat. Whether you’re a seasoned industry vet- eran or a budding entrepreneur, the tools and learnings gained at PPC’s 2024 Spring Outlook & Strategies Conference will help shape the future trajectory of your business. Attire for the committee meetings and general sessions is business casual. Jack- ets/ties are suggested for men and dressy attire for women at Wednesday's award din- ner while Thursday night is casual dress. April temperatures in Dallas are usually in the mid-70s during the day and around 50 degrees in the evening. Rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be ac- cepted at the discounted group rate until the room block is full or the cutoff date. To register and book rooms for this event, visit paperbox.org . Custom pack- ages are available. For questions, call (413) 686-9191 or email info@paperbox.org.
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10 March 18, 2024
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Volk Packaging Mourns Loss Of Beloved Truck Driver Denis Labonte BY DEREK VOLK We have lost another VPC legend. I am sad to announce the passing of Denis Labonte. Denny worked with us as a truck driver for over 35 years. No one who met him will ever forget that unmistakable booming voice. I was six years old when Denny came to work at Volk Packaging, so I have basically known him my entire life. I
known. He loved to cut wood and it showed in his barrel chest and Popeye arms. When Amy and I moved from Ban- gor to Portland it was Denny who stopped at our apartment so we could load the VPC truck with our entire household. When we arrived in Portland, we were trying to use the dolly to get our top/bottom washer/dryer into a tight clos- et. Amy was worried we would tear up the linoleum floor. As I was wiggling the dolly back and forth Denny pushed me aside and with his giant voice said, “Let me see that!” He then picked up the washer/dryer, dolly still attached, and literally walked it into the closet like he was putting away groceries in a pantry. It was something I’ll never forget. Our customers, especially the ladies, loved when Den- ny arrived at the docks. They would hear his voice, like
remember going on the road with Den- ny delivering to customers when I was no older than 10. I can still recall making a deliv- ery of boxes to Camden Tanning with him. They gave me a chain full of col- orful leather samples. I saved those (although I’m not sure why) for many
the Pied Piper, all come over to say hello. Denny will be greatly missed by his friends, family and everyone at Volk Packaging who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. Rest in peace, big man- Derek Volk is Chief Ex- ecutive Officer at Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, Maine.
Denis Labonte
years. It was cool at 23 years old to not only go back to Camden Tanning as their sales rep but have Denny as the driver for most of my territory. I often met Denny somewhere on the road to pick up a sample or send one back to Biddeford. We would often meet at a Dunkin so I could buy him a coffee and some donuts, even though he had probably already stopped at Cole Farms. Denny was probably the strongest person I’ve ever
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12 March 18, 2024
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PPEC Observes International Women’s Day With Candice Ruggero Of Cascades Recovery+ BY THE PAPER AND PAPERBOARD PACKAGING ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL International Women’s Day is not just a celebration of women’s achieve- ments but also a reminder of the importance of gender equality and in- clusivity. In Canada’s paper packaging industry, women play an integral role in driving sustainability forward. From leadership positions to front- line roles, women contribute their expertise, knowledge, insights, and experience in advancing the circularity and environmental attributes of paper-based packaging. On this International Women’s Day, the Paper and Paperboard Pack-
aging Environmental Council (PPEC) recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women in the paper packaging industry. PPEC sat down with Candice Rug- gero, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Cascades Recovery+, to learn about her experience in the indus- try. We talk about everything from designing for circu- larity, the importance of education and data, the need to reduce contamination, EPR, polycoated materials,
Candice Ruggero
and advice for women looking to work in the paper packaging industry. A n excerpt from this interview has been edited for length and clarity. PPEC: What does an average day as Corporate Sustainability Manager look like for you? CR: No two days look alike, nor are they average. I lead a team of eight people in Cascades Recovery+ (CR+) that represent 18 recovery facilities across Canada and New York State markets. Our focus is to monitor the inbound quality of recyclable materials coming into our plants by working with our customers through education, training, and reporting. On any given day you can find us either presenting waste data, doing training on recycling programs, or knee deep in cardboard and other re- cyclables doing audits. I feel the best way to learn is to be IN IT. Literally. If you want to know how successful a recovery program is — get in the plant and dig through it. I also work closely with our Sustainable Development Group at Cas- cades Inc. to ensure that our internal sustainability initiatives are commu- nicated to CR+ and our customers, and I provide expertise to Cascades on recovery processing and “recyclability” discussions of our packaging. PPEC: What advice would you give to women looking to work in the paper packaging industry, and specifically in the area of sustainability? CR: Times have changed since I first started. But the paper packaging industry, and the waste industry specifically, is male dominated and is still learning about equality. It’s easy to be intimidated and can be diffi- cult to find allies. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t still a challenge, and I continue to find that I have to speak louder and force myself to be more outgoing than is comfortable, just to be heard. But when it comes to sustainability, I have been lucky to be surround- ed by women at Cascades. Our Director is a woman and leads a team of all women, and in Recovery, our Sustainability Team is women-dominant as well. My advice is to find a company that has strong core values that align with empowering women and giving them equal opportunity. Actions speak louder than words and no one should stay in a position where they are not being taken seriously. There is a lot of opportunity in this growing field and there are places that will treat you equally and more importantly — respect you especially in times when you need it most.
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Our long-awaited 2023 Packaging Playbook is finally here. We talk through all the challenges present in
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Packsize Partners With Paccurate To Advance Sustainability Efforts Salt Lake City, Utah based Packsize, a leader in sustain- able, right-sized, on-demand packaging, announced a strategic partnership with Paccurate to enhance the value for shippers by optimizing packaging efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. In addition, Packsize introduces Easy-Close, an innova- tive feature that can be added to the X7 on-demand pack- aging machine to help simplify the returns process. Currently exclusive to North America, the partnership combines Paccurate’s cartonization technology with Pack- size’s on-demand packaging equipment. By optimizing cubic volume and minimizing waste and transportation costs, this collaboration marks a step forward in achieving cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Paccurate users can utilize PacSimulate to identify the optimal moments for leveraging Packsize’s on-demand packaging technology, transforming the simulation model from a benchmarking tool into a achievable standard. Packsize users can now enhance their Warehouse Management System (WMS) cartonization with Paccurate's API, which generates nearly unlimited box sizes for right- sized packaging machines. “Partnering with Paccurate combines our strengths in right-sized, on-demand packaging technology with Pac-
curate’s advanced cartonization software, enabling us to further our mission to reduce supply chain emissions by reducing filler materials, wasted corrugated, and unnec- essary truckloads,” said Steve Larsen, Packsize Vice Pres- ident of Global Strategic Partnerships. “This collaboration is not just about technological in- tegration; it’s about redefining what’s possible in packag- ing efficiency and freight savings. By leveraging the best of both platforms, we’re opening up new possibilities for shippers to optimize their packaging processes and meet their sustainability goals in previously unimaginable ways.” Packsize has also unveiled Easy-Close, a feature de- signed to improve the customer returns process while supporting sustainability goals. Integrated into the X7 on-demand packaging machine, Easy-Close adds an ad- hesive strip for easy package reclosure, promoting reus- ability and minimizing waste. This feature is beneficial for sectors like e-commerce and apparel, which experience high return rates of up to 30 percent and strive for sustain- ability in their operations. “Designing Easy-Close was about tackling a significant issue in the e-commerce and apparel industries — making returns as hassle-free and as environmentally sustainable as possible for the customer,” said Jesse Nelson, X7 Prod- uct Manager at Packsize. “We aimed to create a packaging solution that reduces environmental impact by decreasing waste while improv- ing the customer experience.”
16 March 18, 2024
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Statewide Needs Assessments Necessary Before EPR Mandates BY AMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION Extended producer responsibility, or EPR, is a waste man- agement strategy typically used for hard-to-recycle mate- rials. EPR is gaining attention in the US, mostly at the state level. State EPR legislation varies, but bills are focused on improving the recycling rates of materials commonly found in curbside recycling bins, particularly packaging. Before an EPR program is considered, the states need to do a needs assessment. These studies help states bet- ter understand the current state of their waste and recy- cling system. Let’s explore why statewide needs assess- ments are important. What Is A Statewide Needs Assessment? Needs assessments have the potential to look at all different aspects of how a state manages recycling and waste. That can include information on: • Existing recycling, compost and disposal infrastructure • Access to curbside recycling • The state of local and rural recycling • State compost standards • Current recycling rates for paper, plastic, metals, glass and other materials • What is and is not considered recyclable • How much recyclable material goes to landfills
This data helps states understand what’s working well within their recycling system. They also identify issues the state needs to work on in the future. States can also do waste characterization studies. These help states discov- er how much paper, food, metal and more is ending up in their waste streams by reviewing the material collect- ed. This is helpful but doesn’t look at the full picture of a state’s entire infrastructure like a needs assessment does. Why are Recycling and Waste Systems So Complex? Waste and recycling management in a state is complex because of things like: • Geographic region: An urban area might have access to curbside recycling, trash and organics disposal while a rural area might have drop-off access only. Transpor- tation distances between homes in rural areas can make curbside more challenging. • Difference in waste management companies: The com- panies who haul away trash and recyclables are differ- ent depending on location. What they collect can differ as well. • Materials processing facilities: The place where your recycling is sorted. The technology can differ between these facilities as can what they accept. • Housing type: Collection from single-family neighbor- hoods differs from condos and apartments, also known as multi-family housing. Let’s look at how these things can quickly make re- CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
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AF&PA (CONT’D FROM PAGE 18)
cycling complex. A home inside city limits might have a contract with a specific waste management company. That company has a list of items that they’re willing to collect based on what they can sell on the recovered materials marketplace. A home outside of city limits in the county uses a dif- ferent waste management company. The list of what they collect is different from what is collected inside city limits. The frequency that they run collection routes can differ too. This is just one example of how the list of what’s ac- cepted for recycling can differ across city and county lines. It’s also one of the reasons why states need to understand the current system before they make changes. Why Should a state Complete a Needs Assessments Be- fore Implementing an EPR Program? Needs assessments are useful tools and help states develop data-based solutions. A study might show op- portunities to improve certain parts of the system. Then, states can focus on solutions to strengthen those areas. The needs assessment could highlight areas where the system is working well. That allows the state to build in flexibility and reproduce solutions that already work. EPR programs are costly for states to implement. Us- ing data from a needs assessment helps states focus their resources. Starting with a needs assessment study also helps states avoid unintended consequences such as: • Negatively affecting recycling rates for easy-to-recycle materials like paper • Impacting already established end-markets • Increasing costs for residents How is the Paper Industry Helping To Improve Recycling? Investing in and improving paper recycling has been an industry priority for decades. Our industry first set a goal to help improve paper recycling in the 1990s. The recycling rate has doubled since that time. We maintain consistently high recycling rates. We have an ownership stake in the recycling system. AF&PA members own and operate more than 100 materi- als recovery facilities nationwide. When you recycle paper, our industry turns it into new paper and packaging. In fact, about 80 percent of U.S. paper mills use some recycled paper in their process. Our industry is investing in man- ufacturing infrastructure. Nearly $7 billion in investments, planned or announced (2019-2025), will use more than 9 million additional tons of recovered fiber. We’re also work- ing to advance a circular value chain through Better Prac- tices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sus- tainable Future. This goal includes: • Increasing the use of secondary materials like recycled paper in new paper products to 50 percent • Increasing the percentage of our products that are re- cyclable or compostable • Innovating manufacturing processes, products and packaging Visit afandpa.org for more information.
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AMERIPEN Testifies At US Senate Hearing On EPR Policies AMERIPEN, the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment, announced that its Executive Director, Dan Felton, testified earlier this month before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works at a hearing about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies for consumer packaging. After introducing AMERIPEN as the only material-in- clusive and science-focused trade association in the US
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representing the entire packaging industry supply chain, Felton em- phasized the value of packaging to all who come in contact with it. “Packaging has value through- out its life cycle, and none of it be- longs in landfills, roadsides, or wa- terways,” said Felton. “We need to
Dan Felton
recover it to be recycled and reused.” Felton addressed the many ways AMERIPEN has en- gaged to support public policy aimed at recovering and reusing as much packaging as possible. For AMERIPEN, such policy must be results based, effective and efficient, and equitable and fair. It is from this perspective that AMERIPEN says it has been deeply engaged in the four states that have enacted full packaging EPR laws and the two additional states that have enacted groundwork laws. “We will support thoughtful packaging EPR proposals that properly balance the needs of all stakeholders,” Felton testified. “We will not support poorly designed packaging EPR proposals that we believe are not based in reality and will not result in positive environmental change and great- er packaging recovery and recycling.” Felton highlighted critical barriers to effective policy: as separate states enact their own EPR bills, there has emerged a lack of consistency that will decrease efficien- cy and challenge brand owners, the primary parties re- sponsible for funding new programs. “A deeper discussion is merited on how uniformity may be achieved if packaging EPR continues to expand in the U.S., and whether something could or should be done at the federal level,” Felton said. “To that end, AMERIPEN would be pleased to work with federal policymakers and other stakeholders to explore the potential need and de- sign for any federal framework or program.” Felton also shared with the Committee several thoughts on potential elements of any federal packaging EPR frame- work or program that might emerge to effectively improve packaging recovery and recycling in the U.S., alongside the need to keep existing systems and infrastructure oper- ational and profitable. Ultimately, Felton’s testimony highlighted the impor- tance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to develop and implement effective shared responsibility solutions for packaging recovery and recycling in the US.
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AICC Celebrates (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
ing environment compared to the early ‘70s when supply chains were less visible. “If you segue to today, most independents have tre- mendous relationships with their integrated supplier part- ners and a lot of them run a lot of work for the integrated companies,” said AICC President Michael D’Angelo.
of Container Service Corp., and others made it their mis- sion to recruit and unite members to be part of an associ- ation that would safeguard their interests. By November of 1974, they had their first national meet- ing in St. Louis, Missouri with 91 attendees representing 54 independent box plants. It was there that Gene Macchi, president of the Independent Corrugated Container Corp., made a prophetic statement: “A single stick can be easily broken. A bundle of sticks, bound together, cannot.” In the early years, AICC focused primarily on the supply of paper to independents, competitiveness, and the de- velopment of a level playing field for independent owners. But more practical reasons for joining forces, such as pro- viding affordable employee benefits and industry training, which were previously unavailable to independent compa- nies, also became apparent. In 1979, AICC negotiated a 10-year supply agreement with International Paper after it acquired the Pineville Kraft Paper Mill, a key supplier to many independent convert- ers. This became the model for “set-aside” agreements, which helped to ensure supply. These and other initiatives spurred membership growth. By 1980, AICC had more than 300 members. Fast forward to 2024 and the independent has a lot to celebrate as the AICC, stronger than ever, marks it’s 50th year. Today, one sees a completely different packag-
“All boats have certainly risen with so many more bil- lions of square feet being produced today, and the econ- omy has grown as the importance of paper-based pack- aging has also grown versus plastics. The members have a green story to tell with paper-based packing. It’s a good market to be in. Consumers want paper-based packaging.” The upcoming AICC Spring Meeting & 50th Anniver- sary Celebration is around the corner on April 8-10 at one of members’ most popular venues — Palm Desert, Cali- CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 AICC’s founding members at the Association's first national meeting in St. Louis, Missouri in 1974.
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AICC Celebrates (CONT’D FROM PAGE 24)
fornia. An inspiring lineup of speakers and presentations are planned as usual, but organizers have been working on something extra special to mark the anniversary mile- stone. The opening night gala, which kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Monday night, April 8, will be a formal sit-down dinner and tribute to the AICC’s founding fathers as well as its leader- ship and members. AICC Chairman Matt Davis of Packag- ing Express will deliver special remarks, and a “Rat Pack” tribute show, complete with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., will be the entertainment followed by dancing with a Big Band Dance Band.
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Typically, the Spring Meeting draws 600 to 700 people, but D’Angelo said they already have 800 members, guests and speakers who are planning to attend. “This is going to be a blowout that will be quite memo- rable,” he said. “We have an outside shot of getting 1,000 people which I think will be really a lot of fun. We’ve asked AICC’s past presidents and chairs to attend because they so deserve special recognition. Keynote speakers this year are Ron Sasine, Principal at Hudson Windsor; Pippa Malmgren, former special as- sistant to President George W. Bush and an authority on geopolitical, economic, and technological trends; and none other than “The Fonz” himself, Henry Winkler, the Emmy-Award winning actor, author, director, and producer. Like AICC, Winkler is also celebrating a milestone anni- versary with 50 years of Hollywood success. Winkler con- tinues to be in demand as an actor, producer, and director as well as a best-selling children’s book author. His latest autobiography, “Being Henry: The Fonz and Beyond,” was published last fall. Jerry Frisch, Founder & President of Wasatch Container in Salt Lake City, Utah will be the industry speaker during the first general session Tuesday morning, April 9. Over the years, Frisch has created a packaging powerhouse with Wasatch Container specializing in advanced printing capabilities for e-commerce packaging and retail displays and a Protective Packaging Division specializing in foam fabrication, case solutions, and wood crates. Frisch was Attendees of the AICC Spring Meeting will be staying at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California.
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AICC Celebrates (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
branding and marketing expert who leads the Box to Na- ture recycling initiative, will talk about sustainability and the economy during focus sessions on Monday afternoon, April 8. AICC will also be playing videos they have compiled of some of the legendary leaders in the business who will talk about the evolution of the industry and AICC through the years, D’Angelo said. AICC’s advocacy for the corrugated industry remains a basic pillar of the organization with a presence on Capitol Hill through third-party organizations. AICC’s Packaging University offers more than 100 on- line courses, many of them in Spanish, on everything from safety and corrugated basics to dealing with displeased customers and accounting. “We keep adding and refresh- ing courses and making things different,” D’Angelo said. Going into the podcast business was also a great move, D’Angelo said. Each month, Breaking Down Box- es, co-hosted by AICC members Gene Marino, President of Akers Packaging Service Group, and Joe Morelli, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Huston Patterson Print- ers and Lewisburg Printing Co., member companies share their unique packaging stories. “I’ve learned so much about our members. I’ve been either a member of AICC or on the staff of AICC for more than 30 years now and you think you know the stories and then you hear things you didn’t know,” D’Angelo said.
chairman of AICC in 2008-09. John Ballentine, Sales Program Director and Instructor at the University of Arkansas, and Trent Halasek, Sales Manager at Akers Packaging Service Group, will lead a two-day Sales Managers Forum on April 7-8.
BCN(US)202209(QS1025)(o)(出血5mm).pdf 1 2022/8/30 下午 02:02:46 Derek Mahlburg, Director of North American Paper and Packaging at Fastmarkets RISI, and Sarah Meiburg, a Three AICC experts are also in the lineup: Ralph Young, Corrugated Technical Advisor; Tom Weber, Folding Carton Technical Advisor; and Doug Friel, Risk Management Ex- pert of Johnson, Kendall & Johnson. Winners of the 10th Annual Independents Cup Charity Golf Tournament will be announced during the networking recep- tion Tuesday evening, April 9.
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