Circular-economy investment firm Una Terra has appointed William Hickey, who led Sealed Air as president and CEO from 2000 to 2012, as Operating Partner. Based in New York, Hickey will advise Una Terra's portfolio companies on manufacturing, commercial expansion and entry into the US market. Financial terms of the appointment were not disclosed.
Why this mattersBrings three decades of large-scale packaging manufacturing and operating experience to circular-economy start-ups seeking US commercial traction.
- William Hickey served as President and CEO of Sealed Air Corporation from 2000 to 2012 and later chaired its board.
- He joins Una Terra, a circular-economy focused investment firm, as Operating Partner.
- He will be based in New York City and support Una Terra's portfolio companies with US market entry.
- His prior career included roles as division general manager, CFO and COO at Sealed Air.
- Financial terms of the operating partner appointment were not disclosed.
Sealed Air has added manufacturing capacity for closed-cell polyethylene foam at its Madera, California plant, part of its specialty foam network serving North and Latin America. The company said the expansion will balance demand across its global foam facilities, which span Europe, Asia and North America.
Why this mattersExtra closed-cell PE foam capacity in California answers fabricators' calls for dependable supply across the Americas and lets Sealed Air rebalance demand within its global foam network.
- Expansion took place at Sealed Air's Madera, California manufacturing facility
- Products are Ethafoam and Stratocell closed-cell polyethylene foam sheet
- Output supplies fabricators, distributors and end users across North and Latin America
- Sealed Air operates specialty foam plants in Europe, Asia and North America
- No investment figure or added capacity volume was disclosed
- Protective packaging president Byron Racki said the move responds to fabricator demand for reliable PE foam access
Sealed Air has introduced CRYOVAC ZeroPrep, a pre-filled hand-dispensing pouch line aimed at replacing squeeze bottles in restaurant back-of-house condiment handling. The pouches are formed on a new CRYOVAC vertical form-fill-seal system that produces 8 to 16 fluid-ounce packs at up to 80 packs per minute, with the company citing product yield of up to 97%. The launch was announced on 22 September 2026 ahead of a display at PACK EXPO International in Chicago from 18 to 21 October 2026.
Why this mattersA flexible pouch format targeting rigid condiment bottles gives food service operators a route to cut labour and waste, pressuring rigid plastic packaging suppliers in that channel.
- CRYOVAC ZeroPrep hand-dispensing pouches announced 22 September 2026 by Sealed Air
- New CRYOVAC ZeroPrep vertical form-fill-seal system produces 8 to 16 fluid-ounce packs
- System speed reaches up to 80 packs per minute
- Sealed Air states product yield of up to 97%
- System uses two specialised CRYOVAC films to form the patented pouch
- To be displayed at PACK EXPO International, 18-21 October 2026, Chicago
