Sonoco (NYSE: SON), a global leader in sustainable packaging, has announced the integration of its metal packaging and rigid paper container businesses across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC) into a single unified division: Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC. This move strengthens the company’s ability to serve FMCG brands with a broader product portfolio, faster access to solutions, and a more seamless cross-market customer experience—positioning Sonoco as the only global packaging partner to offer both rigid paper and metal packaging solutions under one organization, providing brands a single source for future-ready, multi-material consumer packaging.

The unified business will deliver one-stop access to Sonoco’s full consumer packaging expertise, spanning metal solutions (including food cans and ends, closures, aerosol cans, and promotional packaging) and paper-based options. This integrated approach ensures consistent support for regional and global brands, deeper insights into cross-category customer needs, and material-agnostic, fit-for-purpose guidance. By aligning capabilities, Sonoco aims to enhance service quality, boost operational efficiency, and take a more holistic approach to helping customers launch responsible, high-performance packaging.

Howard Coker, Sonoco’s President and CEO, noted that uniting the consumer packaging capabilities marks a key step in refining customer service. “By bringing together two high-performing packaging platforms, we strengthen our ability to deliver relevant, responsible, and innovative solutions that meet FMCG brands’ evolving needs,” he said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to its purpose: “Better Packaging. Better Life.”

Seàn Cairns has been appointed President of Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC to lead the unified division. With over 30 years of experience in metal and paper packaging—including 17 years at Sonoco—Cairns brings a track record of leadership: he most recently served as President of Rigid Paper Containers (since 2022) and previously drove growth as Vice President and Managing Director for RPC Europe, pioneering innovations like all-paper cans and paper bottom-end technology. He began his career at Crown Metal Packaging EMEA (now Eviosys), advancing from factory management to business unit leadership roles.

Cairns expressed pride in his new role, stating that uniting the metal and rigid paper packaging businesses creates a stronger platform to support customers with greater agility, more solutions, and forward-thinking innovation. “As the only global supplier offering both rigid paper and metal packaging, we’re uniquely positioned to recommend the right solution for each product and market—helping our customers grow so we grow with them,” he added.

The unified division combines industry-leading sustainability credentials under one customer-focused business: Sonoco holds EcoVadis Platinum status, a 100/100 score for Environment in metal packaging, and has won awards like Sustainable Packaging Business of the Year and Sustainable Brand of the Year for rigid paper containers. With approximately 8,250 employees across 65 plants in 20 countries in EMEA and APAC, the business ensures production proximity to customers worldwide. It remains focused on circular design, recyclability, supporting customers through regulatory changes, and investing in technology and innovation to deliver future-ready packaging solutions.