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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Plastipak’s first PET
Plastipak produced its first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for a major client, Pepsi.
1980s
Whiteline Express & Clean Tech
Investing in a series of initiatives to enhance Plastipak’s capabilities, such as launching Whiteline Express and establishing the Clean Tech 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
Technology Excellence Award, Sustainability
Pack Expo
PPK Natura: World’s First PET Resin Made from Waste Carbon
Aerosol Innovation Awards
Pack Star 2024
SprayPET™ aerosol technology
Most Innovative Packaging
MeetingPack 2024
SprayPET Revolution™ aerosol technology
Rigid Plastic Pack of the Year
UK Packaging Awards
Hilltop Honey Package
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
2012
DuPont
DuPont’s Packaging Innovation Awards and Recognition
Procter & Gamble
Supplier of Excellence Award
2011
DuPont
DuPont’s Packaging Innovation Awards and Recognition
Procter & Gamble
Supplier of Excellence Award
2010
Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP)
AmericStar’s Best of Show Award
Awarded for Plastipak’s Similac SimplePac Package
2009
DuPont
DuPont’s Packaging Innovation Awards and Recognition
2008
DuPont
DuPont’s Packaging Innovation Awards and Recognition
Procter & Gamble
Supplier of Excellence Award
2003
DuPont
DuPont’s Packaging Innovation Awards and Recognition
1992
DuPont
DuPont’s Environmental Award
Awarded for the first food container with 25% PCR content (rPET) for Kraft salad dressing
1989
DuPont
DuPont’s Environmental Award
Awarded for the first PET container made of 100% PCR resin (rPET)
Plastipak Virtual Patent Marking
The following Plastipak products are protected by patents in the U.S. and elsewhere. This website is provided to satisfy the virtual patent marking provisions of various jurisdictions including the virtual patent marking provisions of the America Invents Act in the United States. The following list of Plastipak products may not be all inclusive, and other Plastipak products not listed here may be protected by one or more patents.
Plastic Container Assemblies for Non-Carbonated Bottled Water Products:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 9,738,409 and 10,023,345. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Digitally Printed Plastic Containers and Articles:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,736,713, 7,910,184, 8,579,402, 8,522,989, and 9,150,325, and for use in practicing methods under U.S. Patent Nos. 7,210,408, 7,625,059, 8,167,414, 8,459,760, 8,876,979, 8,231,212, 8,360,566, 8,864,295, 8,708,221, 8,888,210, 9,032,872, 9,272,815, and 9,302,506. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Plastic Preforms for Non-Carbonated Bottled Water Products:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 8,857,637, 9,403,310 and 9,850,019, and for use in practicing methods under U.S. Patent Nos. 8,857,637 and 9,139,326. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Plastic Containers for Non-Carbonated Bottled Water Products:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 9,033,168, 9,139,326, and 9,522,759. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Plastic Containers for Carbonated Beverage Products:
Protected by U.S. Patent No. 7,708,159. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Plastic Containers for Use with Plastipak’s ThermoShape™ process:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,846,519, 8,062,724, 9,011,756, for use in practicing methods under US Patent Nos. 7,735,300, 8,596,029, and 8,043,552, and for use with systems under US Patent No. 8,043,552. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Transparent Oxygen Scavenging Plastic Containers and Articles:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 8,721,920, 9,181,414, and 7,727,605, and for use in practicing methods under U.S. Patent Nos. 8,745,519, 8,975,345, 7,491,420, 7,691,290, 7,994,245, and 8,431,721. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Stackable Plastic Containers and Articles:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 6,588,612, 6,932,228, 7,467,714, 8,069,986, and 9,352,873. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Plastic Containers with Separately Formed Handles:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 6,926,163 and 7,726,500. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Hot-Fillable Plastic Containers:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 6,932,230, 6,857,531, 7,367,365, 6,983,858, 6,698,606, 8,870,006, 8,590,729, 8,905,253, 7,458,478, 9,340,314, 8,267,266, 7,416,089, 7,416,090, 7,021,479, 7,347,339. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Extrusion Blow Molding of PET Containers and Resulting Containers:
Protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 8,632,867, 7,390,187, 7,150,371, 8,282,876, 7,510,391. Additional patents may be pending in the U.S. and elsewhere.
See our Sustainability Efforts & Achievements
Our dedication to a more sustainable planet is not just a choice; it is the path to building a better future.
Our Affiliates
Clean Tech is a leader in PCR PET (rPET) and PCR HDPE (rHDPE) plastics recycling.
Whiteline Express – We lead. We deliver. We care. Whiteline charts a direct road to success.
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