Core Insights - Packaging manufacturers are expanding their operations in North America, focusing on new facility openings rather than upgrades to existing locations [1] Group 1: Company Expansions - Buckeye Corrugated has opened a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Reno, Nevada, marking its first entirely new corrugated production facility, aimed at enhancing West Coast reach and supply chain efficiency, with an expected employment of 20 to 25 production workers [4] - Specialty Packaging Group has launched a new 50,000-square-foot facility in Guadalajara, Mexico, to meet increased customer demand for crate solutions in the North American AI and data center sectors, aligning with its sustainability initiatives [4] - ePac Flexible Packaging is investing in its European operations, with upgrades at facilities in Austria, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom, including digital printing press installations and pouch converting capabilities [4] - Minerals Technologies is expanding its paper and packaging business in Asia, with a new satellite plant in China expected to be commissioned early next year, adding to its existing facilities in China and India, and has doubled capacity at a plant in India last year [4]

Summary of China Basic Materials Monitor - December 2025 Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Basic Materials** industry, highlighting trends in demand and pricing for various commodities including steel, copper, aluminum, cement, and coal. Key Points Demand Trends - End-user orderbooks are mostly in line with past seasonal trends as of mid-December, with specific sectors like appliances, solar, construction, and machinery showing weaker demand [1] - Demand for **copper** and **paper packaging** has weakened, while other commodities remain on track [1] - Current Chinese demand is reported to be **3-10% lower year-over-year** for cement and construction steel, and **2-8% lower** for flat steel, copper, and aluminum [1] Pricing and Margins - Despite rising prices for copper and aluminum, the demand response has not been destructive to orderbooks, indicating a cautious procurement pace among end users [1] - There are signs of marginal improvement in steel margins, reflected in higher unit profits, although overall supply work on steel remains limited [1] - Recent weeks have seen improvements in margins/pricing for steel, copper, and lithium, while coal prices have softened, and cement and aluminum prices have remained stable [1] Supply Dynamics - In bulk commodities, general demand has been weak, but policy measures on supply for cement and coal remain intact, including preparations for capacity cuts related to disqualified clinker capacity, which accounts for **4-10%** of total capacity in major producers [1] - Consistent coal supply discipline is maintained through control of excess production and safety inspections [1] Month-over-Month Changes - A proprietary survey indicates that the forward orderbook trend has softened month-over-month, with **11%** of respondents in downstream sectors and **14%** in basic materials reporting a month-over-month pickup in December [2] Additional Insights - The report includes various downstream demand snapshots across sectors such as infrastructure, property, traditional manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and power, transport, and exports [8] - The report also discusses the implications of commodity price changes and potential risks associated with investment decisions in the basic materials sector [9] Conclusion - The China Basic Materials industry is experiencing signs of bottoming out in bulk commodities, with high metal prices not significantly damaging demand. However, the overall demand remains subdued, and careful monitoring of supply and pricing dynamics is essential for stakeholders in the sector.

Core Insights - The UK online fashion industry is lagging behind in reducing plastic usage, with 76% of consumers still receiving orders wrapped in plastic, despite the success of the plastic bag levy on high streets [1][2][4] - There is a significant consumer demand for change, with 38% of shoppers considering plastic packaging unnecessary and 69% supporting the replacement of plastic with paper packaging [2][10] - The rise in e-commerce has led to an increase in plastic bag usage, with projections indicating nearly 7 billion plastic bags will be used for UK deliveries by 2030 [3][4] Consumer Sentiment - A majority of consumers (64%) express concern over the increasing use of plastic bags, indicating a disconnect between shopping habits and existing legislation [11] - Only 4% of consumers believe that plastic packaging is always essential, highlighting a strong preference for alternatives [2][10] Environmental Impact - The UK is projected to see over 1 billion plastic bags ending up in landfills or being incinerated annually by 2030 due to the growth of e-commerce [4] - Less than 10% of e-commerce bags are reused or recycled, with over 90% ending up in landfills or incineration [3][4] Industry Response - Companies like DS Smith are actively working to replace plastic with recyclable alternatives, having replaced 1.7 billion pieces of plastic since 2020 [6] - There is a call for legislative changes to address the gap in regulations concerning online deliveries, which currently do not fall under the plastic bag levy [5][7] Future Directions - The industry is encouraged to innovate and explore alternative materials to reduce reliance on plastics, with a focus on sustainability [6][8] - Stakeholders, including consumers, researchers, and policymakers, are urged to collaborate in creating a more sustainable future free from excessive plastic use [9][10]