Pactiv Evergreen is shutting down its thermoforming plant in Bakersfield, US, which will result in the loss of 127 jobs.

The announcement was made in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice with the state of California, scheduling the closure for 14 October 2025.

The WARN Act mandates a 60-day notice for mass layoffs or plant closures, ensuring that affected employees and government representatives are informed.

The news follows Novolex’s acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen for $6.7bn.

The acquisition by Novolex has created one of the most substantial food packaging entities, boasting 250 brands and 39,000 stock-keeping units.

Pactiv Evergreen, which employs over 14,000 individuals across 50-plus manufacturing facilities in North America, did not reveal the reason behind its decision to close the Bakersfield plant.

The company's inception in 2020 was the result of merging Evergreen Packaging and Pactiv, both previously owned by Reynolds Group Holdings. The company went public in the same year.

In 2022, Apollo Funds purchased a majority interest in Novolex, with Carlyle retaining a minority stake.

Novolex is a manufacturer of food, beverage, and speciality packaging that supports various industries, including the foodservice, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors.

The company’s manufacturing network spans North America and Europe, including two plastic film recycling centres.