North American paperboard association formed via merger

The merger of the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) with the North American Packaging Association (NAPA) has led to the creation of a united, North American association for the packaging industry.

The merger unites nearly 200 companies within the industry, with more than 30 current PPC members supplying to the cosmetics and personal care market; a number set to increase with the merger, according to PPC President Ben Markens.

Companies which supply to the cosmetics and personal care sector that hold PPC membership include Burts Rigid Box, Colbert Packaging and MWV.

‘Significant move’ benefits industry and association members

PPC board chair Tony Petrelli described the merger as an ‘extremely significant moment in PPC’s eighty-plus year history’, as it offers both enhanced benefits for members and a stronger voice for the industry.

“This merger expands and enhances the work, resources and impact of our association at a critical time in the packaging industry,” he said in a statement.

In addition to the difficult economic climate of the past 18 months, Markens explained to CosmeticsDesign.com USA that the packaging industry is “transitioning through some critical issues, including sustainability, new technology and innovations, and new models for doing business.”

NAPA board chair Dave Ellis was also enthusiastic about the merger, which will see the two merged associations operate under the moniker of the Paperboard Packaging Council, calling it a “win-win for industry and association members.”

Successful historic relationship between PPC and NAPA

According to Markens, the successful historic relationship between the PPC and NAPA and the shared perspectives of its members signaled a clear opportunity for a single North-American association.

“Many companies in the industry, in fact, held memberships in both organizations. As the business world has become more and more connected and, in effect, smaller, it became obvious that one, united North American paperboard packaging association would better server our members and our industry,” he explained.

The PPC represents manufacturers and suppliers of paperboard packaging and aims to grow and protect this sector of industry as well as providing its members with effective tools to compete in the market.