Coveris banner promoting Packaging Innovations 2026, featuring recyclable packaging products and event details for 11–12 February at NEC Birmingham, Stand J114.
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Ecosurety urges clarity on UK DRS ahead of 2027 launch

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.” 
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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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. 
Notpla rolls out seaweed-coated packaging across 160 Dutch restaurants
Notpla rolls out seaweed-coated packaging across 160 Dutch restaurants
Notpla has partnered with Dutch quick-service restaurant (QSR) Kwalitaria to advance its seaweed-based coating, suitable for trays and containers, with logistics provided by packaging distributor Conpax. 
Ethiopia enforces nationwide single-use plastic bag ban
Ethiopia enforces nationwide single-use plastic bag ban
Ethiopia has officially banned the use of single-use plastic bags to tackle pollution and strengthen sustainable waste management practices. The Solid Waste Management and Disposal Proclamation, approved by the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives in June last year, has now taken effect following the end of a six-month grace period. 
Amcor supports Inis hair care expansion with lightweight packaging range
Amcor supports Inis hair care expansion with lightweight packaging range
Amcor has equipped Fragrances of Ireland with a range of plastic bottles and flexible tubes to support the company’s expansion of its signature brand, Inis the Energy of the Sea, into hair care solutions. The range includes a 150 mL bottle and pump, a 300 mL bottle, and a 250 mL flexible tube for Fragrances of Ireland’s new shampoo, conditioner, and spray. The bottle and spray are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), while the flexible tube is a mix of HDPE and linear low-density polyethylene, and the closures are polypropylene. 
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Aptar Beauty unveils recyclable and EPR-ready...
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Aptar Beauty unveils recyclable and EPR-ready solutions
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.” 
Functional mushrooms move beyond supplements into mainstream F&B ingredients
Functional mushrooms move beyond supplements into mainstream F&B ingredients

Food Ingredients First

Functional mushrooms are moving beyond capsules and powders into mainstream F&B — from mushroom coffee and energy drinks to chocolates and gummies. However, as consumer awareness of species like lion’s mane and reishi rises, industry advocates reveal deeper challenges around ingredient standardization, species differentiation, and treating functional mushrooms as a single, interchangeable category.
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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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Packaging & Technology News
Henkel acquires Stahl for €2.1B to expand specialty...
Henkel has purchased the Dutch Stahl Group for €2.1 billion (US$2.5 billion) from the majority owner, Wendel SE, a French investment firm. Through the acquisition, Henkel gains access to Stahl’s high-performance specialty coatings for flexible materials used in packaging. Stahl’s portfolio includes leather finishing coatings, performance coatings, as well as high-performance paper packaging and graphics coatings. 

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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.

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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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