Royal Avebe promotional graphic for PerfectaFILM PFAS-free plant-based barrier coatings for fibre-based food packaging
ProPak MENA 2026, Fi Africa

Packaging premiumization defies supply chain strain at Fi Africa and ProPak MENA 2026

The global supply chain instability and evolving regulatory environment are impacting F&B packaging choices in Africa and the Middle East, with premiumization and sustainability emerging as key trends driven by Gen Z consumers. These developments were highlighted by packaging industry experts at Fi Africa and ProPak MENA 2026, the region’s largest food ingredient and F&B packaging exhibition, held at Egypt’s International Exhibition Center (June 2–4) and attracting over 400 exhibitors and around 16,000 attendees from more than 35 countries.  At the trade show, Necat Kirkil, regional representative at FSSC, the global non-profit and independent certification scheme, held a workshop on global food safety requirements and regulatory expectations, food safety management systems, and harmonization. 
Man at grocery store
Beyond materials: Packaging technology as a tool against food waste
Food protection is the primary function of F&B packaging. But amid rising environmental concerns, consumers are demanding the sector design circular and safe solutions. Every component of packaging has a part to play in protecting food and reducing waste. Conversations around barriers and coatings, paper-based, monomaterial, and recycled content solutions, are at the forefront of an industry juggling two different sustainability metrics. As the global food waste bill continues to rise, it threatens the UN’s goal to halve global food waste by 2030. Research commissioned by Avery Dennison revealed that the economic cost of food waste across the global supply chain is forecast to reach US$540 billion by 2026. 
Maud Lelièvre
Cosmogen: Demand for airtight and portable packaging grows in personal care
The shift toward airtight, dose-precise, and portable options is shaping personal care packaging innovation, as brands continue to navigate a “tension” between premium packaging aesthetics and recyclability, says Maud Lelièvre, marketing and communication director at Cosmogen. Cosmogen, a France-based packaging company, designs luxury personal care packaging for the health, wellness, and beauty sector. 
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Protein packaging reinvented
Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers find packaging very important when choosing meat & dairy product launches. Standard tray & flat pouch were the leading packaging, while cup emerged as the packaging with the fastest rise in innovation. Biobased material for protein launches had 21% growth from April 2021 to March 2026, opening the path for new packaging opportunities.
GREIF promotional graphic for a science-based look at fluoridation and PFAS, featuring a white plastic container and Access Now button
A Science Based Look at Fluorination and PFAS.
Are all fluorinated packaging technologies created equal? Or are we oversimplifying risk? Greif examines how process chemistry, particularly oxygen control, fundamentally shapes PFAS outcomes. Backed by validated data and scientific rigor, this paper reframes barrier selection for regulators, engineers, and decision-makers seeking compliant, high-performance packaging solutions.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Greif.
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Interpack 2026: Poly-Clip offers lower-carbon paths for food and fresh produce
Poly-clip’s chief sales officer, Mesut Akbalut, discussed how clip packaging reduces material use and cuts CO2 emissions versus traditional formats. He highlighted the system’s hygienic sealing, single-machine flexibility across multiple product types, and expansion into dairy and ready meals. He also spotlighted the company’s Net-Pak application, a fully biodegradable net, clip, and label system for fresh produce packaging.

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Solvent-free method can separate mixed plastic packaging, scientists find
A group of men in lab coats
Researchers from Singapore have developed an approach to recycle mixed plastic packaging without using “harmful” chemical solvents. Mixed plastic packaging is made up of several different plastics bonded tightly together, making it challenging to recycle. 
CCT expands reusable pharma packaging across Europe
box
Cold Chain Technologies (CCT) has expanded its reusable parcels for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals across Europe. The EcoFlex range is designed for regional and last-mile product distribution.  The expansion aims to give customers access to reusable packaging options for pharmaceuticals through a leasing model that is said to lower the cost per use and reduce storage requirements. 
Toppan replaces plastic with paper-based trading card packaging
Toppan's trading card packaging
Toppan has engineered a light-shielding paper-based pillow solution to eliminate plastic use in trading cards packaging. Previously, paper packaging was not functional for trading cards, as the cards could be seen through the paper. The Japan-based global printing and packaging provider says that its new solution has achieved 98% light-shielding, solving the visibility issue.  The light-shielding packaging is said to deter “pack searching,” where consumers attempt to identify rare cards before opening. At the same time, it aims to maintain design quality with a metallic sheen. 
Beetles Gel Polish teams up with TerraCycle to recycle nail polish bottles
Two nail polish bottles.
Beetles Gel Polish has announced the Beetles Loves Earth Free Recycling Program in collaboration with TerraCycle to recycle glass nail polish bottles along with their associated plastic caps. The initiative will recycle dry, empty gel polish and regular nail polish bottles from any brand. The companies say that most curbside recycling programs do not accept empty or unused gel and nail polish bottles because of residual product, complex cleaning requirements, and processing costs that can outweigh recovered material value.
FIFA to use disposables at Toronto matches despite 1M plastic reduction...
A hand holding a glass of beer in a stadium
As Toronto, Canada, prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, an analysis by the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) has revealed that transitioning to reusable cups and foodware at the events could prevent more than one million single-use plastic packaging items. FIFA has chosen not to adopt a reusable foodservice system at the matches in Canada. Toronto is set to host six FIFA matches. Meanwhile, the city will host a nearly month-long FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York this summer, with up to CA$200,000 (US$144,000) allocated for reusable cups and foodware as part of FIFA’s sustainability legacy initiatives.
Tate & Lyle board backs Ingredion’s £2.7B cash offer to create specialty...
Tate & Lyle logo on smartphone.

Food Ingredients First

Tate & Lyle’s board has unanimously recommended Ingredion’s cash offer for the UK-headquartered specialty ingredients business, valuing its share capital at approximately £2.7 billion (US$3.6 billion). The proposed transaction implies an enterprise value of approximately £3.7 billion (US$5 billion) and would create a scaled global ingredient solutions provider spanning texture, sugar reduction, mouthfeel, sweetening, and fortification.
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GREIF promotional graphic for a science-based look at fluoridation and PFAS, featuring a white plastic container and Access Now button
Technical paper
A Science Based Look at Fluorination and PFAS.
Are all fluorinated packaging technologies created equal? Or are we oversimplifying risk? Greif examines how process chemistry, particularly oxygen control, fundamentally shapes PFAS outcomes. Backed by validated data and scientific rigor, this paper reframes barrier selection for regulators, engineers, and decision-makers seeking compliant, high-performance packaging solutions.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Greif.
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Packaging & Technology News
Webinar preview: Top Packaging Trends 2026
Ahead of Packaging Insights’ Top Packaging Trends 2026 webinar next Thursday, we sit down with our expert speakers, Nerida Kelton, vice president for Sustainability and Save Food at the World Packaging Organization, Paul Foulkes- Arellano, circular growth consultant, and Alisa Selezneva, market research consultant at Innova Market Insights. You can register for the webinar for free here. 
Innova Top Packaging Trends 2026.
Special report
Top Packaging Trends 2026: Navigating sustainability,...
Innova Market Insights has announced its Top Packaging Trends 2026, with “Substantiated Sustainability” taking top spot. This trend emphasizes the need for verified environmental claims, driven by stricter regulations, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging but are wary of greenwashing, meaning brands must back sustainability claims with scientific evidence. The second trend, “Digital-Enhanced Designs,” highlights the growing role of digital technologies like AI, augmented reality, and QR codes in packaging. These innovations improve consumer engagement and product traceability, while digital product passports offer detailed lifecycle data.

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Compostable packaging leadersJun2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are willing to justify a higher price for a product if it comes with sustainable (including compostable) packaging. 42% of these launches were in Europ...

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Food waste fighters Jun 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are concerned about sustainability and expect brands to take these issues seriously. Packaging is becoming a key area for innovation, with brands exploring solutions that help reduce food waste by extending shelf life, improving protection, and supporting portion control.

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Protein packaging reinventedJun 2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers find packaging very important when choosing meat & dairy product launches. Standard tray & flat pouch were the leading packaging, while cup emerged as the packaging with the fastest rise in innovation. Biobased material for protein launches had 21% growth from April 2021 to March 2026, opening the path for new packaging opportunities.

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Video06:04
Interpack 2026: Poly-Clip offers lower-carbon paths for food and fresh produce

Poly-clip’s chief sales officer, Mesut Akbalut, discussed how clip packaging reduces material use and cuts CO2 emissions versus traditional formats. He highlighted the system’s hygienic sealing, single-machine flexibility across multiple product types, and expansion into dairy and ready meals....

Steve Jones, Ishida Europe
Video02:56
Interpack 2026: How Ishida Europe is transforming packaging with AI and automation
Interpack 2026 Markem-Imaje video thumbnail: Man in branded polo shown beside a smart packaging retail display with packaged foods and shelf products
Video05:46
Interpack 2026: Markem-Imaje spotlights connectivity for transparency & consumer engagement 
Manuel Schrutt, Fujifilm
Video05:31
Interpack 2026: Fujifilm’s head of packaging EMEA on industry trends and challenges
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