Western Pallet Magazine November 2025 | Page 41

How Cargill’s robot dog signals turning point for smart manufacturing

Cargill has introduced a four-legged robot, Spot, at its Amsterdam Multiseed crush and refinery plant in the Netherlands to support daily inspections, identify hazards in real time, and enhance operational reliability. Spot uses advanced sensors and real-time data collection to detect equipment and safety risks.

Shipping containers moving through the Port of Long Beach are expected to slow in November and December, authorities said, activity that has a strong correlation to demand for cardboard boxes globally as well as supply of old corrugated containers.

Equipment Report: Future-proofing AGVs

For decades, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) been a method of automating repetitive tasks by loading AGVs or AGV tow tractor carts with materials and sending them down a predetermined path outlined throughout a facility. This design can offer an operation cost savings by lowering the need for manual labor and minimizing potential human error.

2025 Warehouse/DC Operations Survey: Tech investment marches on

...operators are adapting their networks and investing in automation. Even amid uncertainties, DC operators are upgrading systems and reconfiguring networks to better meet customer demands and accommodate expanding channels, reflecting a continued commitment to operational improvement.

EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

Stress levels are high for CPG companies and packaging groups as extended producer responsibility programs unfold in multiple states. This was on display at three recent Boston events hosted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, How2Recycle and the Northeast Recycling Council, with questions flying about costs, policy harmonization and relationships with regulators.

Building California’s Economic Future

From the breakout sessions on “From Abundance to Shared Prosperity” to “Building California’s Energy and Industrial Workforce,” the throughline was clear: California’s future depends on how well it aligns innovation with good jobs, equitable access, and environmental stewardship.

Plastics recycling is in trouble

After Coca-Cola reached 28% incorporation of recycled content last year—across all materials, not just plastics—it walked back, or “evolved” as it says, its plastics sustainability targets. Its earlier goal of 50% recycled content in all packaging by 2030 became 35–40% by 2035.

November 2025