Coveris banner promoting Packaging Innovations 2026, featuring recyclable packaging products and event details for 11–12 February at NEC Birmingham, Stand J114.
man eating salad from paper-based tray

US corporations warned over antitrust risks in circular packaging initiatives

Nearly 80 corporations associated with the environmental groups the US Plastics Pact, The Consumer Goods Forum, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, have been warned that continued participation in these initiatives could expose them to antitrust liability. These US-based environmental groups focus on promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of packaging and plastic. They often work with FMCG manufacturers and retailers, design packaging using non-plastic materials, and enhance recycling schemes. 
Innova Top Packaging Trends 2026.
Top Packaging Trends 2026: Navigating sustainability, digital innovation & consumer-centric design
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.
woman headshot
Australia’s plastic recycling sector at “tipping point,” industry calls for reforms
A recent letter from the Australian recycling and packaging industry insists the current government “urgently” introduces packaging reforms or “risks the collapse” of Australia’s plastic recycling sector. The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) have called on the government to protect the country’s recycling industry following a commissioned report by Rennie Advisory. 
Image
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.
Wendy Lam, EzyGreenPak 
Packaging Innovations 2026: EzyGreenPak showcases water-soluble, plant-based material

Wendy Lam, the founder of EzyGreenPak, presented the water-soluble, non-woven, and plant-based fabric for packaging and bagging. Lam discussed the growing interest in bio-based packaging among consumers in East Asia and the company’s expansion to Europe.

Image
Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Data, design & regulations drive circularity
Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, welcomed 450 exhibitors showcasing circular packaging design. As the industry adapts to the UK’s packaging EPR and DRS launch, suppliers presented solutions catering to these regulatory shifts. Highlights included recycle-ready monomaterial solutions, compostable packaging and labels, and AI-assisted recyclability data analytics.

Latest headlines

View more
Multinational beverage giants behind Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis, audit finds
A child standing next to a pile of garbage
A recent audit has identified multinational beverage companies and single-use plastic producers as the largest contributors to Nigeria’s plastic packaging pollution. The audit, conducted across eight Nigerian cities by Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), identified Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Rite Foods, CWAY Group, and several local table-water producers as major contributors of plastic packaging waste.
KHS Group introduces PET bottle for oxygen-sensitive beverages
A group of plastic bottles
KHS Group has unveiled the KHS Supreme PET bottle, a solution that utilizes the company’s Plasmax barrier technology and is designed to improve the protection of oxygen-sensitive beverages. Based on the findings of its development study, KHS Group notes that with the bottle, the supplier is enhancing the product protection of tea and other oxygen-sensitive beverages.
Guala Closures expands North American presence with plant acquisition
Mexico Factory
Guala Closures has taken ownership of Vinventions’ screwcap production business in Rosarito, Mexico. The move aims to expand Guala Closures’ manufacturing footprint in North America and strengthen its supply capabilities for the US market.“This investment marks a significant milestone in advancing our growth strategy for the North American wine closures market,” says Andrea Lodetti, CEO at Guala Closures. 
Canadian institution develops biodegradable plastics for cleaning products
A close-up of a couple of blue liquid bottles
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing are turning fiber waste from flax and hemp crops into biodegradable, bottle-grade plastics for cleaning products. The Canadian researchers aim to turn local agricultural materials into commercial‑ready packaging that can be applied to sanitizers, pet care, and home cleaning products.The research project has received US$250,000 in funding from the Agriculture Development Fund through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and US$7,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.
Europe hits record aluminum can recycling rate, industry urges scrap export ban
Person recycles can
The overall recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans in the EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland reached a record high of 76.3% in 2023, according to a new report by European Aluminium and Metal Packaging Europe. “The increase was primarily driven by the continued rollout and strong performance of well-designed DRSs,” Andy Doran, director of packaging group at European Aluminium, tells Packaging Insights. 
How the alcohol industry is rethinking R&D amid falling global consumption
Young consumers drinking alcohol-free beer at party.

Food Ingredients First

The global alcohol industry is in structural retreat as global consumers continue to drink less. Producers are scrambling to reformulate beverage R&D and regain their falling profits. Core beer fell below half of Carlsberg’s revenue for the first time in 2025. Pernod Ricard offloaded the bulk of its international wine portfolio to concentrate on premium spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives. Diageo’s operating profit dropped 27.8% in the fiscal year to June 2025, yet its alcohol-free portfolio grew roughly 40% over the same period.
Highlighted features
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.
people working at studio
Packaging & Technology News
Metsä Board opens AI-powered packaging design studio in...
Metsä Board is set to open a new Packaging Design Studio in Milan, Italy, in mid-2026, aiming to strengthen collaboration with European brands, converters, and packaging developers. The studio will be equipped with tools and AI support technology to aid workshops and co-creation in projects where sustainability targets, performance requirements, or regulatory changes “drive the need for new solutions.” 
A hand holding a packaging
Packaging & Technology News
Amcor survey reveals EU shoppers support recycled plastic...
Amcor has unveiled a consumer insight report exploring how EU shoppers perceive the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in packaging for supermarket products. The report, titled “Recycled Content, Real Impact”, collected responses from 3,201 consumers and 32 qualitative interviews across six European countries. 

Packaging focus

View more
Image

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...

Brought to you by:

Innova Market Insights

Product innovation

View more
Image

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

View more
Image

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.

Multimedia

View more
Wendy Lam, EzyGreenPak 
Video03:45
Packaging Innovations 2026: EzyGreenPak showcases water-soluble, plant-based material

Wendy Lam, the founder of EzyGreenPak, presented the water-soluble, non-woven, and plant-based fabric for packaging and bagging. Lam discussed the growing interest in bio-based packaging among consumers in East Asia and the company’s expansion to Europe.

Packaging Innovations 2026: Metpack Thumbnail
Video06:09
Packaging Innovations 2026: Metpack VP talks compostables for US & EU markets
Packaging Innovations 2026: Sun Chemical Thumbnail
Video02:55
Packaging Innovations 2026: Sun Chemical packaging director on latest printing tech
Image
Video03:43
Packaging Innovations 2026: Mondi showcases recyclable packaging
Subscribe to our newsletters
PlatformsFood Ingredients FirstNutrition InsightPackaging InsightsPersonal Care InsightsThe World of Food Ingredients
About usContact usAdvertisingPrivacy statementSitemapArchive
Follow us
linkedinrss_headergoogle_news
Image