About Plastipak

Plastipak is a global leader in sustainable packaging and recycling solutions, delivering high-impact results to our markets with extraordinary speed, flexibility, and value.

Bringing a Unique Point of View

It takes people with knowledge and vision to turn a problem into an opportunity. We look at all aspects of the business—from manufacturing to consumer testing—to create effective, impactful packaging solutions that benefit the environment, businesses, and consumers.

See what markets we serve

Championing Our Community

People are what power our possibilities. Every Plastipak associate plays a critical role in creating innovative, environmentally conscious packaging solutions. As the heart of our operations, we offer award-winning training programs and create deep connections with the communities that surround Plastipak offices and plants.

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Empowering Assured Decisions

We use our own expertise in business and technology to re-think how products get made for our clients. With our in-house capabilities, 50+ years of industry leading innovation, and the patents to prove it, Plastipak acts as the ideal partner for customers looking to make confident and informed business decisions.

EXPLORE THE CREATIVE PACKAGE STUDIO

Packaging the Future

We take recycling to the next level with initiatives that invest in our circular economy and creating a curriculum of recycling education for our associates and our communities globally. With our broad reach and capabilities, we use our knowledge and scope to turn sustainability plans into sustainability actions.

See our sustainability in action

A History of Innovation

1967

Bill Young Joins the Family Business

Bill Young graduated from the University of Detroit in 1964 and immediately joined his family’s water delivery company. Having been involved with the family business from a very early age, Bill Young provided significant corporate leadership to the company, and many of the innovations and company growth defining this period originated with Bill.

One of those innovations was the creation of Plastipak—founded in 1967 to solve the problem of the heavy five-gallon jugs used to deliver water. With a full load of water in them, these five-gallon jugs weighed 50 pounds and required superior strength to manage. Plastic seemed the ideal solution to lighten the load, as did manufacturing the plastic in-house. The success of the lightened bottle was the start of Plastipak’s ongoing innovation and success.

1970s

Beatrice Foods Buys Plastipak

In 1973, Beatrice Foods purchased Plastipak, with Bill Young serving as regional director. The Young family maintained an interest in the company even under its new ownership and continued to work at Plastipak as though it were still the family business, even after they sold it.

Bill ran the business with much freedom, and under his guidance, the business thrived, introducing several notable products to the market. One such product, Cap 10, became one of the country’s first flavored sparkling mineral waters with natural fruit essence.Plastipak also produced its first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for a major client, Pepsi.

1980s

Young Family Repurchases Plastipak

When Beatrice Foods looked to sell Plastipak a few years later, the Young family bought the company back and within the next few years business began to grow significantly. The family invested in a series of moves to expand Plastipak’s capabilities, including the creation of Whiteline Express and the CleanTech plastic recycling center.

This period also saw Plastipak manufacturing its first multi-layer HDPE detergent container incorporating post‑consumer recycled HDPE (rHDPE). In 1989, Plastipak received DuPont’s environmental award for development of the first PET container made of 100% PCR resin (rPET).

1990s

Plastipak Wins Environmental Award

In 1992, the company received their first DuPont Environmental Award for creating the first food container with 25% PCR content (rPET) for Kraft salad dressing. The new packaging reduced weight by 19% compared to the previous design, offering added convenience for consumers. And our innovative achievements didn’t stop there. Plasstipak’s innovation lead to the world’s first rotary dual cavity ISBM blow molding system, PET single-serve containers, and the 30-station G.E.M. PAK extrusion wheel system.

Plastipak also expanded into the South American packaging market during this time, marking Plastipak’s entry into the global arena.

2000s

Growing Our Proprietary Technologies & Global Footprint

In the year 2000, Plastipak introduced carbon-coated barrier containers, a process that extends the shelf life of many carbonated beverages and is now a proven cost-saving technology. In 2002, Plastipak expanded to serve customer growth in the southeastern U.S. with new facilities in Florida, Alabama, Texas and Louisiana. Internationally, Plastipak entered into the packaging market in Europe in 2004. Growth spread quickly across over the next few years, giving Plastipak a solid European presence.

2010s

Sustainability Achievements

In 2012, Plastipak achieved self-set sustainability initiatives with a first-of-its-kind container made with 25% PCR content (rPET) and the introduction of the EcoPreform™. In 2014, Plastipak earned a DuPont’s Gold Award for Technological Advancement and Responsible Packaging for its Direct Object Printing, produced the market-changing PET beer keg for Heineken, acquired DiamondClear™ technology, and an honorable mention as a Detroit Free Press Michigan Green Leader.

Plastipak pushed its geographic boundaries by entering the UHT milk market in Brazil and the addition of bottle supply for Downy Unstopables in China. A solid, widespread presence was established in Europe in 2015, with a successful acquisition that resulted in multiple manufacturing sites, innovative technologies, and the addition of one of the world’s largest recycling sites.

2020s

More than Fifty Years of Success

The year 2017 marked Plastipak’s 50th anniversary. This milestone commemorated a half century of rapid growth, market-changing innovation, awarded achievements, and invaluable Young family heritage. Plastipak also unveiled the Capability Center in 2017 to showcase products and services that help empower decision-making for owners. Plastipak’s global influence reaches far with over 50 sites located in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Patents & Awards

Plastipak has gained global recognition for our innovative, creative, and visually captivating packaging solutions, and created award-winning designs that meet the diverse needs of our customers and end consumers. We’ve been awarded over 500 U.S. patents and over 1,000 patents internationally.

See the full list

Awards

2024

Most Innovative Packaging
MeetingPack 2024
SprayPET Revolution™ aerosol technology

2023

America’s Safest Companies
EHS Today
Fostering a culture of safety in the workplace

Procter & Gamble
P&G Supplier of Excellence Award

Carbon Footprint Award
Household & Commerical Productions Association (HCPA)
SprayPET Revolution™

Forbes
Best Midsize Employer
Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers

Sustainability Champion of the Year (Non-Executive)
Business Intelligence Group
Kinza Sutton, Head of Public Affairs & Sustainability, Europe

2022

FEA Global Aerosol Awards
Innovative Product
Awarded for LifeSafe Technologies Handheld Fire Extinguisher

Colgate’s LATAM Procurement
Best Smiles to Brazilians
Strong partnership over the last 12 years

Hermes Creative Award
Gold Winner
Awarded for our Safety Top 10 Poster

Forbes
Best Midsize Employer
Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers

PepsiCo Supply Chain
Supply Chain Award
Plastipak Poland Awarded one of best in Supply Chain

2021

British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA)
Sustainability Award
Awarded for LifeSafe Technologies Handheld Fire Extinguisher

British Plastics Federation (BPF) / Worshipful Company of Horners
Innovation and Design
Awarded for LifeSafe Technologies Handheld Fire Extinguisher

Plastics Industry Awards
Best Environmental, Energy, or Efficiency Initiative
Awarded for Clean Tech UK and BioteCH4 anaerobic digestion project

National Recycling Award
Partnership Excellence Commercial (Highly Commended)
Awarded for Clean Tech UK and BioteCH4 anaerobic digestion project

Communicator Award
Integrated Campaign – Distinction
Awarded for Recycling Counts website

Forbes
Best Midsize Employer
Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers

Ken’s
Supplier’s Award
Awarded one of best in Supply Chain

Keurig Dr. Pepper
Supplier’s Award
Awarded one of best in Supply Chain

2020

The Michigan Safety Conference Inc.
Harry L. McKinley Safety Leadership Award
Awarded for continued demonstration of innovative techniques and safety processes that improve safety in the workplace each and every day

UK Packaging Awards
Rigid Plastic Pack of the Year
Awarded for work on Deft Aerosol project

UK Packaging Awards
Consumer Convenience Pack of the Year
Awarded for work on Deft Aerosol project

Procter & Gamble
P&G Supplier of Excellence Award
Award only goes to a select group of suppliers, and Plastipak was the only packaging supplier to earn this award globally

Forbes
Best Midsize Employer
Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers

2019

National Recycling Award
Recycling Facility of the Year
Awarded for Clean Tech UK site

Plastics Industry Awards
Best Business Initiative
Awarded for expansion of Clean Tech UK site

Plastics Industry Awards
Best Environment Initiative
Awarded for expansion of Clean Tech UK site

2018

Keurig Dr Pepper
Supplier Innovation Award

2017

DuPont
DuPont Silver Award for Packaging Innovation
Awarded for our Direct Object Printing Technology

Plastipak Czech Republic
Save Food Award and Packaging of the Year Award
Awarded for our multilayer PET wine bottles

Brazilian Packaging for Helios Water
Bronze ABRE “OPEN”Award
Awarded for Technology in Food and Beverage Packaging

Jussara
Sustainability Merit of Honor
Awarded for Project ReCiclo

WorldStar International Packaging
Excellence Award for Heinz
Awarded for our 400g PET Mayonnaise Jar for Plastipak Brazil

Prêmio Plásticos em Revista (PPR)
Top Bottle Transformer Award
Awarded for Plastipak Brazil

Kaizen Institute
Operational Excellence Award
Awarded for Plastipak Brazil

Plastipak Brazil
One of Most Admired HR Departments in Brazil
Recognized by Gestão RH magazine

2016

Coca Cola Canada
Canadaian Supplier of the Year for Primary Packaging

Jussara
Bronze ABRE “OPEN” Award
Awarded Brazilian Packaging for Jump PET bottles

Plastipak Brazil
Silver ABRE “OPEN” Award
Awarded for Brazilian Packaging for Heinz Mayonnaise in the Salty Foods Packaging Category

WorldStar Packaging Awards
Awarded for E-LiquiPack™, Aerosol Technology (SprayPET Reveal™), Nordictan (Aerosol Technology – SprayPET™), ThermaLite™ jars, and ThermaLite™ Helios

Plastipak Brazil
One of Most Admired HR Departments in Brazil
Recognized by Gestão RH magazine

2015

Shell
Supplier of the Year

Danone
Water Supplier of the Year
Awarded for Plastipak Poland

PAC
The Best of Show Award in the PAC Gold Sustainable Packaging Category
Awarded for Plastipak’s ePET Simply Orange bottle

Starpack
Gold Starpack Award in the Home, DIY & Gifts Category
Awarded for E-LiquiPACK™

UK Packaging Awards
Innovation of the Year Award
Awarded for E-LiquiPACK™

Plastipak Brazil
One of Most Admired HR Departments in Brazil
Recognized by Gestão RH magazine

Starpack
Bronze Greenstar Sustainable Award
Awarded for ThermaLite™ Jars

Liderpack Award in the Food Packaging Category in Spain for Helios

Starpack
Starpack’s Packaging Development Team of the Year
Awarded to Plastipak’s Aerosol Technology (SprayPET™) Team

Starpack
Gold Starpack Award in the Materials Innovation Category
Awarded for SprayPET™ Reveal

Starpack
Bronze Starpack Award in the Personal Care Category
Awarded for Nordictan

BAMA (British Aerosol Manufacturer’s Association)
Aerosol of the Year Award
Awarded for SprayPET™ Reveal

UK Packaging Awards
Best New Concept Award
Awarded for Packaging Oscar in Italy for Norda S.p.a.’s Sangemini brand utilizing Direct Object Printing

Plastipak Brazil
Brazilian Packaging ABRE “OPEN” Award
Awarded for Aquafast

Plastipak Brazil
Brazilian Packaging ABRE “OPEN” Award
Awarded for UHT Milk Packaging

WorldStar
WorldStar Packaging Award in the Food Category
Awarded for Nestlé’s Ninho Fruti

2014

Detroit Free Press
Awarded Honorable Mention as Green Leader

Abbott
Gold Standard Award

DuPont
DuPont’s Gold Award for Technological Advancement and Responsible Packaging
Awarded for Plastipak’s Direct Object Printing

Plastipak Brazil
Gold “OPEN” Award Awarded
Brazilian Packaging in the Non-Alcoholic Beverages Category

2013

Plastipak Brazil
One of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens and One of the 150 Best Companies in People Management Practices

Procter & Gamble
Supplier of Excellence Award