Now Plastics

07/07/2026

Should we nearshore to Mexico or stick with Asia?"

Wrong framing.

The converters winning 2020-2026 didn't choose. They integrated three things:

1) Global sourcing = Cost-competitive foundation (70-80% of volume)
Drives your margin structure. Provides capacity. Delivers material variety. This is your baseline competitive advantage.

2) Local safety stock = Supply continuity (8-12 weeks held nearby)
The missing piece most converters ignore. When global supply is delayed, you produce from local inventory. Your competitors shut down.

3) Nearshore = Strategic flexibility (15-20% of volume, activated when needed)
When tariffs spike—shift to nearshore (0% USMCA). When geopolitical risk hits—activate unaffected alternatives. When capacity tightens—nearshore absorbs spike.

To read the full article, follow the link below.

Integrated supply strategy for US converters: combining global sourcing with strategic local safety stock and selective nearshore capacity to maximize cost efficiency while protecting against supply disruptions.

06/09/2026

"All packaging mono-material and recyclable by 2027."
Sound simple? European converters know better.
Your current multi-layer structures work. Mono-material alternatives? 40% lower barrier, 25% higher scrap, 15-30% seal variability on your lines.
The PPWR squeeze:
→ Barrier vs performance paradox
→ PCR batch variability destroying quality
→ 15-25% cost increase, brand owners push faster
→ Enforcement uncertainty across EU countries
One UK converter: "We need a partner who understands our technical, commercial, and regulatory constraints—not just another BOPP supplier."
The winners aren't chasing new materials. They're building strategic partnerships.
Our latest article breaks down the reality European procurement teams face right now.
[Link]

PPWR compliance for European converters: balancing mono-material recyclability with performance, PCR integration challenges, cost pressure vs sustainability targets, and the shift from transactional to strategic supplier partnerships.

04/08/2026

https://www.nowplastics.com/building-procurement-resilience-when-everything-hits-at-once/

Integrated procurement strategy for flexible packaging: combining tariff monitoring, geographic diversification, contract protection, and material flexibility when multiple supply chain disruptions converge simultaneously.

04/08/2026

Material substitution strategies for flexible packaging: Substrate alternatives, customer approval timelines, and cost-performance tradeoffs when tariffs make current substrates uneconomical.

03/24/2026

https://www.nowplastics.com/material-substitution-when-tariffs-force-your-hand/

Material substitution strategies for flexible packaging: Substrate alternatives, customer approval timelines, and cost-performance tradeoffs when tariffs make current substrates uneconomical.

03/19/2026

https://www.nowplastics.com/geographic-portfolio-strategy-why-three-regions-beat-one/

Geographic diversification for flexible packaging materials: optimal China-Vietnam-Mexico portfolio mix, 90-day qualification timelines, and when distributors beat direct sourcing

01/21/2026

foil tariffs doubled to 50% on June 4, 2025. Lead time from announcement to implementation? Same day.
Some converters saw it coming 18 months early. Others had millions in stranded inventory.
The difference: monitoring systems that track congressional hearings, USTR investigations, and economic indicators before tariffs hit.
Our new guide shows you exactly what to monitor, where to find it (all free resources), and when to activate your backup suppliers.
Current rates, early warning framework, and 2026 decision points that will reshape your costs:

Navigate Trump tariffs on flexible packaging. Current rates by material and country, plus early warning systems to anticipate trade policy shifts before they hit.

12/17/2025

Oded E'dan Netta E'dan-Harel

12/10/2025

Learn how converters can prepare for tariffs, sustainability shifts, and global disruptions by building agile, diversified, future-ready supply chains.