Plastics Industry News Extra

PlasticsToday launches a new kind of content offering aggregated news from suppliers and related stakeholders throughout the plastics supply chain from early 2023.

These releases report promotions, acquisitions, recognitions, certifications, and related developments.

In addition to the news below, you’ll find more news in the accompanying slideshow gallery reported by Archroma, BASF, Emerald Packaging, Pregis, Trexel, and other companies.

CJ Biomaterials hires company’s first global head of sales.

CJ Biomaterials, Inc., a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a primary producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), has hired Scott Bober as the company’s first global head of sales. Bober brings extensive commercial excellence experience to the role, having led sales development for organizations in multiple industries in which CJ Biomaterials is involved, including chemicals, plastics, food, and packaging.

He will be based in New Jersey and report to Max Senechal, chief commercial officer and senior vice president.

Graham Packaging earns sustainability recognition.

Packaging supplier Graham Packaging was ranked in the top 2% of the more than 15,600 global companies assessed by Sustainalytics in its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Rating. The company also received second in its containers and packaging industry category and second in its subindustry of metal and glass packaging.

In addition, Graham Packaging has been recognized as a Morningstar Sustainalytics ESG Industry Top Rated company in 2022, as well as an ESG Regional Top Rated Company.

Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings measure a company’s exposure to industry-specific material ESG risks and how well a company is managing those risks. This multi-dimensional way of measuring ESG risk combines the concepts of management and exposure to arrive at an assessment of ESG risk that is comparable across all industries. Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings distinguish between five levels of risk: negligible, low, medium, high and severe, with a lower score equating to a better risk assessment. Graham Packaging received a low-risk rating of 10.3.

Lacerta Group expands Midwest footprint.

Lacerta Group acquired Portage Plastics Corp. and PPC Investments, LLC (together, “Portage Plastics”).

Lacerta is a designer and manufacturer of specialty thermoformed packaging solutions. The move expands Lacerta’s footprint into the Midwest and increases production capacity to maintain the company’s industry-leading speed to market.

Portage Plastics is a manufacturer of thermoformed packaging products based in Portage, WI, and employs 50 people at its Midwest facility. Lacerta has hired more than 50 Portage Plastics employees as part of the transaction.

LPS Industries earns SQF Edition 9 certification

Vertically integrated flexible packaging manufacturer and woman-owned business LPS Industries, Moonachie NJ, has formally received its SQF Edition 9 Certificate. The certificate is an upgrade from Edition 8. This is in addition to the Company's ISO 8 (100,000) Cleanroom certification.

The certifying body conducted extensive, in-depth, multi-day audits of the applicable codes for flexible food quality packaging. This certification proves the dedication to providing food-compliant quality products to the food-based industries. The SQF codes require continual improvement for maintaining a food-safe, high-quality environment throughout the Cleanroom and the facility.

M. Holland Co. restructures leadership team.

An international distributor of thermoplastic resins and ancillary materials, the company makes the move to support accelerating growth and the next phase of its evolution. This includes the promotion of Marc Fern to president and chief operating officer, Monica Christler to executive vice president, commercial and Michael Foldvary to vice president, distribution.

Ed Holland will retain the position of chief executive officer and chairman of M. Holland’s board of directors. In this role, Holland will be involved in driving the company’s strategic direction, supporting international growth and interfacing with business partners.

Orbis announces leadership changes.

Orbis Corp., a subsidiary of Menasha Corp. and major player in reusable packaging, announced the upcoming retirement of current President Bill Ash. He will be succeeded by Norm Kukuk as president effective March 31, 2023.

Ash joined Orbis in 2003, was named vice president of finance in 2004. Under his leadership as president starting in 2009, Orbis delivered unprecedented growth while establishing a high standard of commitment to employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

Incoming President Norm Kukuk started his career with Orbis in 1998 as an associate product manager and rose through the ranks. In 2020, Kukuk assumed the role of executive vice president of sales and in 2022 added marketing and product management to his responsibilities.

“I’m exceptionally honored to be named president of Orbis,” Kukuk says. “Our people and our products make a real impact on our customers’ supply chains. There is no better time for sustainable, reusable packaging in this ever-evolving circular economy. It’s my privilege to serve as a steward of this brand.”