manufacturer of specialty rigid plastic containers, was acquired by Amcor for US$280 million. The former Sonoco business had six production sites in the United States and one in Canada. In January 2017, Amcor acquired Qite for US$28 million. The North China business produced flexible packaging products to large domestic customers in the dairy and food segments. In May 2017, Amcor acquired Plasticos, a specialty container business, from a leading food producer in Colombia. The acquisition expanded Amcor’s specialty container product offerings in Latin America, including thin-wall injection moulding and in-mould labelling. In August 2018, Amcor announced the acquisition of Bemis Company, a US-based manufacturer, through the acquisition of US$5.25 billion in shares. Amcor purchased Marfred Industries in 2018, making it one of the largest independently held package makers and distributors in the United States. Products Amcor develops and produces packaging for use with snacks and confectionery, cheese and yoghurt, fresh produce, beverage and pet food products, and rigid-plastic containers for brands in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal and home-care segments. The company's global pharmaceutical packaging addresses requirements for unit doses, safety, patient compliance, anti-counterfeiting and sustainability. Amcor's specialty cartons made from plastic materials are used for a variety of end markets, including pharmaceutical, healthcare, food, spirits and wine, personal and home-care products. Amcor also develops and makes wine and spirit closures. In February 2018, the company commercialised its Liquiform technology, which uses the packaged product instead of compressed air to simultaneously form and fill plastic containers and eliminates costs associated with traditional blow-molding, as well as handling, transporting, and warehousing empty containers. Controversies In 2001, Amcor was fined A$10,000 by EPA Victoria for pollution. In 2006, a Four Corners story, titled The A Team, revealed the controversial methods used by Amcor to influence forestry policies. In 2007, following investigations by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Amcor and Visy were found to have engaged in price fixing and market sharing in the market for the supply of corrugated fibreboard packaging. In 2008, Amcor was convicted by the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court for releasing oil to the Yarra River from its Alphington, plant and fined $80,000. In 2021, Amcor were ranked 7th on Michael West's "Top 40 Tax Dodgers in Australia". See also List of paper mills References Further reading E.K. Sinclair, "The Spreading Tree, A history of APM and Amcor 1844-1989", Allen & Unwin, 1990 Amcor's History External links Companies