A significant reduction in volume from a major customer, adverse weather, rising resin costs, were among reasons cited by Pro-Pac Group for sending it deep into the red in the 2023-24 financial year.

Four years on from its launch of an ambitious closed loop system for refill pouches in the home and personal care market, Australian company Zero Co has changed tack to launch ForeverFill, a paper-based refill system it claims is a world-first.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has shortlisted the finalists for the 2024 APCO Awards, recognising 55 organisations across eight different sustainable packaging categories.

Dry moulded fibre innovator PulPac has appointed Marcus Palm, an active company Board member since 2019, as its new vice-president as the company continues to advance the uptake of its technology.

Recycling operation Close the Loop saw its FY24 revenue and profits soar on the back of its US operations, although numbers in its Australian packaging business were down.

Australian cardboard packaging printer and converter Pakko has purchased the key machinery and database assets of Boxes R Us, and engaged the owners, following the company's sudden closure.

Dairy giant Fonterra has been recognised for its commitment to sustainable packaging, achieving ‘Leading’ status under the Australian APCO standards based off its 2024 Annual Report.

It was a night to remember for the large contingent of Australasia's packaging professionals who gathered at a gala dinner in Sydney on 16 August to witness the annual PIDA awards presentation, recognising companies and individuals who have excelled in their respective fields.

The 2024 AIP President Award of a Diploma in Packaging Technology Scholarship was presented to Camilo Serrano, packaging engineer at Don KRC.

The PIDA 2024 Packaging Technologist Gold winner is Nicholas Campbell, general manager operations & technical at Wellman Packaging, described as a "truly impressive" individual.

The PIDA 2024 Industry Packaging Professional of the Year Award winner is Bryan McKay, head of packaging, Woolworths Group, recognised for his contribution to driving sustainable change.

APCO has published its 2030 Strategic Plan, challenging the status quo with a new fee model designed to overcome economic barriers that have hindered progress towards national packaging targets.

Winners of the ABA Scholarships: Manpreet Kaur Grewal, product technologist at MSAC Solutions; and Angela Hanson, packaging technologist at Tip Top.

The PIDA 2024 Young Packaging Professional of the Year Award winner is Dr Ruby Chan, project researcher, RMIT University, recognising her research on packaging to reduce fresh produce waste.

The world’s biggest consumer goods packaging business, Amcor, saw sales revenue drop by 7 per cent in FY24, but growth returned in the final quarter, which the company expects to continue in the new year.

Pact Group achieved earnings growth in the financial year to June, with underlying EBIT up by 6.4 per cent to $154.6m, from $145.3m in the previous corresponding period.