Coveris banner promoting Packaging Innovations 2026, featuring recyclable packaging products and event details for 11–12 February at NEC Birmingham, Stand J114.
Latin America’s plastic circularity faces policy and funding gaps, finds study

Latin America’s plastic circularity faces policy and funding gaps, finds study

While several countries in Latin America have introduced plastic circular economy frameworks, weak infrastructure, limited funding, and regulatory gaps persist, and risk undermining progress, a recent regional study finds.The research, published in Environmental Management, concludes that, overall, plastic production, consumption, and waste are increasing in the region, while waste management and sustainable trade remain “insufficient.” 
Fresh produce packagers innovate to expand shelf life, safety & lightweighting
Fresh produce packagers innovate to expand shelf life, safety & lightweighting
Food waste reduction, freshness, and safety are central to packaging decisions for fresh produce, according to industry experts. Meanwhile, environmental concerns are pushing packagers toward lightweighting, reuse, and paper-based solutions. Packaging Insights speaks to Ampacet, Avantium, Avery Dennison, DS Smith, and WRAP about the key factors shaping the fresh produce packaging space. 
Bain & Company warns paper packaging industry faces structural overcapacity
Bain & Company warns paper packaging industry faces structural overcapacity
Bain & Company’s 2026 Paper & Packaging Report identifies challenges in how paper packaging stakeholders operate and respond to structural overcapacity, input cost volatility, and weak demand across sectors. The global consultancy outlines three priorities that companies should focus on to improve their performance: focus on capacity, accelerate AI adoption for efficiency, and stronger commercial execution to protect margins. 
Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picks
Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picks
Confectionery launches showed a 2% year-over-year growth between October 2023 and September 2025, according to Innova Market Insights data. Nearly half of the launches occurred in flat pouches, and more than half were packaged in plastic. Meanwhile, launches featuring carbon labeling claims gained ground.
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Taghleef showcases bio-based flexibles
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Taghleef showcases bio-based flexibles

At Packaging Innovations 2026, we speak to Daniele Borin, EU flexibles team coordinator at Taghleef, about the company’s portfolio and strategic priorities for this year. We also discuss the company’s new Nativia film, a bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable product.

Packaging industry 2025: Most read stories
Packaging industry 2025: Most read stories
In 2025, packaging faced tightening regulations, rising scrutiny over environmental claims, and accelerated digitalization, with the integration of AI and connected platforms gaining traction. Meanwhile, cost pressures, consumer priorities, and legal risk led some major brands to scale back or rethink sustainability targets. We look back at the year’s top read stories.

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Tetra Pak launches paper-based barrier packaging on high-speed lines in Asia
Tetra Pak launches paper-based barrier packaging on high-speed lines in Asia
Tetra Pak is expanding its paper-based barrier technology to its high-speed A3/Speed filling lines into Asia, with South Korean F&B company Maeil Dairies implementing the solution for its soy milk. Maeil Dairies is the first producer globally to implement packaging material with the new paper-based barrier on a Tetra Pak A3/Speed filling machine, demonstrating that the technology is now fully compatible with high-speed industrial production. Tatiana Liceti, executive vice president for Packaging Solutions at Tetra Pak says: “Scaling sustainable packaging solutions should go hand in hand with operational efficiency. By bringing our paper-based barrier to high-performing Tetra Pak A3/Speed packaging lines, we are offering beverage producers an opportunity to adopt low-carbon packaging solutions based on renewable materials while maintaining food protection and cost competitiveness.” 
PlastIndia 2026: UFlex unveils gravure printing machine for efficiency and...
PlastIndia 2026: UFlex unveils gravure printing machine for efficiency and sustainability
At PlastIndia 2026 (February 5–10), UFlex, a flexible packaging and solutions company, introduced the CERUFLEX 500, a high-speed gravure printing machine developed in collaboration with Italy-based company, Gravtech.CERUFLEX 500 is said to offer printing speeds of up to 500 meters per minute. It features a shaftless cylinder system with chucking and a furnishing roller, providing accurate ink application and high print quality.
Plastic manufacturers launch Indian subsidiary as recycled content demand spikes
Plastic manufacturers launch Indian subsidiary as recycled content demand spikes
Erema and Lindner Washtech have opened a new subsidiary, Erema India. The joint sales and service subsidiary aims to meet the growing demand for recycling solutions, which is a response to the Indian government’s 60% recycled plastic content mandate for packaging to be enforced by 2029.The new subsidiary is said to provide faster access to high-end technology for the full range of mechanical recycling and local support.
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Ecosurety urges clarity on UK DRS ahead of...
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Ecosurety urges clarity on UK DRS ahead of 2027 launch
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, we speak to Alison Appleby, packaging sustainability specialist at Ecosurety, a producer compliance scheme that helps companies comply with packaging EPR (pEPR) requirements, about the recently announced national DRS, set to launch in October 2027. Appleby tells Packaging Insights that, following the DRS announcement, more information is needed to help manufacturers start preparing in earnest.  “Although it is clear what the branding will be now, producers will need detailed labeling guidance, specifications, and guidelines on the use of barcodes to start changing packaging lines.” 
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Huhtamaki & Xampla unveil board range with...
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Huhtamaki & Xampla unveil board range with plastic-free coating
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, Huhtamaki and Xampla are presenting their new folded cartonboard range featuring the plastic-free and plant-based Morro Coating. Live from the show floor, Packaging Insights speaks to Andy Hesp, vice president of Huhtamaki UK & Ireland, and Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla, about how the solution addresses current packaging trends observed at the show, such as paperization, plastic-free materials, and food security. 
US beef prices surge as supply crisis triggers political intervention
US beef prices surge as supply crisis triggers political intervention

Food Ingredients First

US beef prices are climbing at nearly six times the rate of overall food inflation, driven by the smallest cattle herd in 75 years and a parasitic fly crisis on the Mexican border. The situation has triggered a rapid political response from the Trump administration, which has ordered antitrust investigations into the country’s dominant meat packers, while simultaneously expanding Argentine import quotas to ease consumer costs. Major processors, including Tyson Foods and JBS, are reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in quarterly beef losses, and the USDA Economic Research Service forecasts wholesale beef prices to rise a further 6.9% this year. On the retail side, grocery chains are reworking their pricing, assortment, and markdown strategies to manage what has become one of the most visible grocery cost pressures on US consumers. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Aptar Beauty unveils...
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, Packaging Insights speaks with Michael Hoer, regional platform manager at Aptar Beauty, business segment of Aptar Group, about how the company’s solutions are evolving in response to emerging market and regulatory trends. From the show floor, Hoer tells us a primary focus of this year’s tradeshow is to advance sustainability in personal care packaging, with brands “developing hair care, sun care and body care applications produced using fully recycled materials.” 
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Regulatory News
Japan steps up recycled content, campaigners urge greater...
Japan is accelerating efforts to increase recycled content in F&B packaging as part of its national plastic reduction agenda. However, Hiroaki Odachi, plastic campaigner at Greenpeace Japan, tells us that the country’s packaging policies should focus on reuse to achieve a circular economy shift.Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has revised its guidelines for the Task Force on Plastic Container and Packaging Resource Circulation in the Food Sector, confirming that a public–private task force will be convened to discuss and examine strategies, with a focus on expanding the use of recycled plastics.
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Packaging & Technology News
Plastic Recyclers Europe welcomes EU vote on SUPD...
Today at the European Commission (EC), the Waste Technical Adaptation Committee for the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) is voting on the draft implementing decision on recycled plastic content in single-use plastic beverage bottles. We sit down with a spokesperson at Plastic Recyclers Europe (PRE) who tells us the outcome of the vote will determine the timeline of its implementation. “In case of a positive vote, the EC is expected to adopt the measure without delay,” they share.

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Fresh produce packs reinventedFeb2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers increasingly prioritize packaging that preserves freshness when cooking at home. This preference drives brands to innovate in fresh fruit and vegetab...

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Valentine’s Day food packaging Feb 2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, food product packaging launches for Valentine’s Day recorded a 14% CAGR between October 2020 and September 2025. Confectionery accounted for more than two-thirds of these launches. Nearly half were packed in folded boxes, and 71% in plastic.

Trend analysis

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Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picksFeb 2026

Confectionery launches showed a 2% year-over-year growth between October 2023 and September 2025, according to Innova Market Insights data. Nearly half of the launches occurred in flat pouches, and more than half were packaged in plastic. Meanwhile, launches featuring carbon labeling claims gained ground.

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Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Taghleef showcases bio-based flexibles

At Packaging Innovations 2026, we speak to Daniele Borin, EU flexibles team coordinator at Taghleef, about the company’s portfolio and strategic priorities for this year. We also discuss the company’s new Nativia film, a bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable product.

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Packaging Innovations 2026 live: ATS-Tanner talks pEPR readiness
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Packaging Innovations 2026 live: PakTech showcases PCR, HDPE handle portfolio
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ISM & ProSweets 2026: Vemag leverages automation for confectionery pack production
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