8-K

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



                                  JUNE 18, 2001
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                        (Date of earliest event reported)





                               PLIANT CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





            UTAH                         333-40067               87-0496065
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(State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission File No.)     (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)




                      2755 E. Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400
                           Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
                                 (801) 993-8221
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     (Address of principal executive offices and telephone number, including
                                   area code)






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ITEM 5.       OTHER EVENTS

         On June 18, 2001, Pliant Corporation announced that it has agreed to
acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Uniplast Holdings, Inc.
for stock of Pliant Corporation and cash in a transaction valued at
approximately $55 million, including the assumption of approximately $40 million
of debt. Uniplast is a manufacturer of multi-layer packaging films, industrial
films and cast-embossed films in the United States and Canada. The closing of
the transaction is expected to occur on or before July 31, 2001 and is subject
to certain conditions, including government and bank approvals.

         A copy of the press release issued by Pliant Corporation in connection
with the announcement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and incorporated
herein by reference.


ITEM 7.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

         (c)  Exhibits

              99.1Press release dated June 18, 2001.

















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                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                               PLIANT CORPORATION



                              /s/ Jack E. Knott II
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                                  Jack E. Knott II
                                  President and Chief Operating Officer





Date: June 18, 2001





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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibits

99.1                 Press Release dated June 18, 2001.

EX-99.1

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PLIANT CORPORATION AGREES TO ACQUIRE UNIPLAST

         JUNE 18, 2001 - - SCHAUMBURG, IL - - Pliant Corporation today announced
that it has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of
Uniplast Holdings, Inc. for stock of Pliant Corporation and cash in a
transaction valued at approximately $55 million, including the assumption of
approximately $40 million of debt. Uniplast is a manufacturer of multi-layer
packaging films, industrial films and cast-embossed films in the United States
and Canada. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur on or before
July 31, 2001 and is subject to certain conditions, including government and
bank approvals.

          "We are very excited about the acquisition of Uniplast. The
combination of Pliant and Uniplast is consistent with our strategy of growing
through internal expansion and through strategic acquisitions, " said Richard P.
Durham, Pliant Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to the
successful integration of these businesses, which will give us a combined
capacity of over 1 billion pounds," he added.

         Founded in 1984, Uniplast grew through expansions in Canada and
acquisitions in the U.S, including the acquisition of Pierson Industries in
Palmer, Massachusetts, Turex Industries in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and PCL
Corporation in Columbus, Indiana. Today, Uniplast has annual sales of
approximately $100 million and employs nearly 300 people in six plants (two
plants in Canada, four in the U.S.).

         The Uniplast acquisition is the most recent endeavor in Pliant's
continuous expansion strategy of growth through strategic business acquisitions.
Pliant Corporation, formerly Huntsman Packaging Corporation, was formed in 1992
to acquire Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's Film Products Division. Since that
time, it has acquired and successfully integrated 13 additional film and
flexible packaging businesses.

         Pliant Corporation is one of North America's leading producers of
value-added plastic films for flexible packaging, food, personal care, medical,
agricultural and industrial applications. With annual sales of approximately
$850 million, over 3,000 employees and more than 20 manufacturing and R&D
facilities worldwide, Pliant Corporation is committed to delivering superior
value to each of its customers.



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         Part of this news release contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties
are detailed from time to time in Pliant's reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Pliant's 2000 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.