The four-week lockout at Opal Paper’s Maryvale Mill is over, as Opal has reached an in-principle agreement with its workers and the CFMEU for a new Enterprise Agreement.

Opal is assuring its packaging grade customers that its contingency plans mean supply will continue without interruption, as the lockout of its 308 workers at the Maryvale Mill enters its fourth week.

Koenig & Bauer Durst has opened a dedicated hall at its lead German press manufacturing facility for its VariJet 106, its new hybrid digital and offset press for folding cartons.

Packaging solutions manufacturer Koenig & Bauer has just held its ‘Post-press Solutions Experience’ for printers at its German factory, showing its end-to-end ecosystem for folding carton print production.

In the latest packaging mega merger, consumer packaging giant Amcor is acquiring US-based Berry Group, for $13bn, which will result in the company having 400 packaging plants around the world.

Bright Print has acquired Morprint, in a strategic move to boost its packaging printing operation, with the Morprint directors Russell and Lynne Morrow now retiring, after a 42-year run.

The Visual Media Association has formed the Labels and Packaging Coalition, a new initiative to provide print industry technical expertise and accuracy into government policy, targets and regulations in the growing labels and packaging sectors.

MCC Auckland flexographic printer Levi Lindsey was named BJ Ball Papers Print Apprentice of the Year at the Gala 2024 Pride In Print Awards Evening, an enthusiastic crowd giving him the loudest cheer of the night.

The world’s biggest print and packaging software developer, eProductivity Software, has opened a new facility for its Escada corrugated software technology production.

IVE has joined APCO, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, a move it says is part of its environmental, social and governance strategy, as it gears up to be a major player in the folding carton sector.

This will be the first drupa for Miraclon, which says it is developing modern flexo systems for packaging printers, and will have nine new Flexcel NX technologies on its stand.

Sales at the world’s biggest packaging business Amcor, which includes Australia’s biggest flexibles printing operation, fell by seven per cent in the third quarter, but EBIT rose.

New lollie packs produced with Xeikon Titon  toner technology and Sappi Seal Silk paper are demonstrating sustainable and fully recyclable packaging solution that is also food-safe, claim the companies.

Global containerboard and corrugated board demand is facing a series of challenges and shifts in market dynamics across the next five years, according to print and packaging industry analyst Smithers.

Esko is co-exhibiting at drupa with sister businesses X-Rite, Pantone and Enfocus, as the company focuses on giving the market solutions for ultra-short turnarounds.

The final countdown is on to enter the inaugural PKN Women in Packaging Awards, which are open to all women engaged in printed packaging and converting companies. Entries close on 24 April.