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Senator Adam Schiff (Democrat of California) introduced the Tracking Plastic Act, which aims to standardize the tracking process for recycled plastic in products by establishing a federal working group, in order to address misleading labeling and fraud by companies. The bill has received support from organizations such as the American Plastics Recycling Association and the World Wildlife Fund, and has been submitted to the Senate Commerce Committee for consideration.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has filed a federal lawsuit in Colorado challenging the state's extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging, claiming that its mandatory fee-setting rules and lack of oversight violate the U.S. Constitution. NAW is also seeking a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of the law while the case is pending. Previously, NAW filed similar lawsuits in Oregon and California.
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.
Gerresheimer announced on Wednesday that it will sell its global primary packaging plastics business and US-based Centor Holdings to funds affiliated with Apax Partners, with a combined enterprise value of approximately 1.5 billion euros. The transactions are expected to close at the end of fiscal year 2026 and the first half of fiscal year 2027, respectively. The company stated that the move aims to reduce leverage and focus on high-value drug delivery and medical device sectors.
According to sources from Fastmarkets RISI and Truist Securities analysts, Smurfit Westrock, International Paper, and Cascades have announced a new round of containerboard price increases ranging from $80 to $140 per ton, while multiple European and American paperboard producers have also announced price increases for SBS and folding carton board.
Domtar has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, paying a $1.5 million fine for clean air violations at its Ashdown, Arkansas facility, and undertaking approximately $2.6 million in compliance upgrade projects.
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) announced a $140 per ton price increase for containerboard effective September 1, double the usual increase, which industry insiders call "unprecedented" and "shocking." This increase is PCA's third announced price hike in 2026, following two previous increases of $50 to $70 per ton. Analysts and industry observers have questioned the magnitude and frequency of the increases, suggesting that cost increases may not be sufficient to support such a large price hike.
In June, the market hoped that an initial US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would push the plastics market back to normal, but the conflict escalated again in July, disrupting supply chains and raising prices, prompting more processors to turn to recycled resins. Experts believe that regardless of when the conflict ends, the impact on both virgin and recycled markets will extend into 2027.
At a House hearing on Wednesday, two bipartisan bills aimed at regulating packaging recycling labels and recycled content claims received industry support but also faced criticism from consumer advocacy groups. Supporters argued the bills help reduce consumer confusion, while opponents expressed concerns that they weaken state-level standards and allow corporate greenwashing.
The old corrugated containers (OCC) market in 2026 presents a contradictory situation: prices climbing month by month benefit recyclers but impose cost pressure on packaging companies that consume this raw material. Despite the upward price trend, prices remain below historical averages. The industry expects medium-term demand growth, but multiple obstacles must still be overcome in the short term.