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UK and EU recyclability rules risk widening packaging compliance gap

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) mandates that all packaging on the EU market is recyclable in an “economically viable way” by 2030. Meanwhile, the UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) requires packagers to use the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) 2027 to assess the recyclability of household packaging placed on the UK market in 2027. A notable difference is that the UK’s RAM is a fee-modulation tool that applies a traffic light rating system to packaging based on the UK’s current recycling infrastructure, whereas the EU’s PPWR legal compliance standard regulates market access. The RAM 2027 framework was published in July and the PPWR became applicable across the EU in August.  
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Home treatments drive smarter, sustainable pharmaceutical packaging
Pharmaceutical packaging is responding to an increase in at-home medical treatments, like GLP-1s, insulin medication, and biologics. Meanwhile, consumer concern about product tampering and contamination is pushing brands to consider smart solutions for traceability, while regulations are challenging brands to balance circularity with product protection. Packaging Insights speaks to Ampacet, Peak Nano, and Plastic Ingenuity to explore how these trends are shaping current pharmaceutical and health care packaging developments. 
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Pack Expo 2026: Antares Vision spotlights AI quality control in pharma packaging
The future of traceability is driven by regulatory reporting and connecting physical products with digital information. Such connected packaging solutions can support compliance, product quality, and more informed supply-chain decisions, says Andrew Pietrangelo, president at Antares Vision Group North America.Antares Vision will highlight its offerings for F&B manufacturers at Pack Expo 2026 in Chicago, US (October 18–21). Its portfolio includes a multifunctional inspection unit combining several critical quality control processes; a sophisticated cap and fill-level detection module; and a system to minimize returnable transport item losses through comprehensive supply chain visibility. 
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Trends in snack pack launches
Innova Market Insights data indicates that snack launches grew at a +8% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches accounted for 50% of these launches, aligning with consumer preferences for purchasing salty snacks in pouches. Cup packaging formats showed the fastest growth, while plastic was the dominant packaging material.
Avebe technical paper on PFAS-free oil and grease barriers for fibre-based food packaging
Out with PFAS On with performance. How do you develop an oil and grease barrier that works beyond the laboratory?
Removing PFAS changes more than the coating chemistry. This technical paper sets out five principles for designing fibre-based barriers, from choosing the right base paper and forming a continuous film to testing performance under production and end-use conditions. Explore the principles alongside examples from Avebe’s development work.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Royal Avebe.
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Shape the future of tuna with Tetra Recart® cartons 
The tuna category is growing. Are you ready to catch the opportunities? Tetra Recart® packaging solutions help your products get the attention they deserve thanks to a striking shelf presence in a sea of round containers, while the logistical efficiency enables gains across your entire value chain.
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Luxembourg court blocks Ardagh Metal Packaging sale
metal can production line
Ardagh Group has announced that a district court in Luxembourg has issued an order against Ardagh Holdings, blocking the sale of all or parts of its interests in Ardagh Metal Packaging. The order followed an application from several minority bondholders who own high-priority, asset-backed debt, also known as senior secured toggle notes, issued by ARD Finance, a former parent company of Ardagh Group, before the November 2025 recapitalization. 
World Cleanup Day 2026: Packaging sector tackles plastic pollution and...
Waste pickers collecting plastic straws
Packaging industry stakeholders took action to address plastic pollution on World Cleanup Day 2026, September 20, including conducting clean-up activities and calling for stronger recycling and circularity regulations.Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific is a Japanese chemical manufacturer with a portfolio of packaging materials. In support of World Cleanup Day, the group’s Singapore-based affiliates partnered with local environmental organization SG Beach Warriors (SGBW) to remove marine litter from Coney Island, Singapore.
MM Packaging reinforces fiber tray for meat and produce with double rim
red juicy steak in paper packaging tray
MM Packaging Deeside, a UK-based subsidiary of Austrian MM Group, has upgraded its GreenPeel fiber-based tray with a double-rim structure that aims to enhance strength, seal integrity, and retail performance for fresh protein packaging. The GreenPeel tray reportedly uses up to 90% less plastic than conventional plastic trays, according to the company. It is designed for meat, fish, chilled meats, and fresh produce applications. 
Avantium partners with Klöckner Pentaplast to advance PEF food packaging
people drinking from a bottle
Avantium has signed a capacity reservation agreement with Klöckner Pentaplast (kp films). The agreement allows the companies to explore the commercialization of Avantium’s plant-based polymer PE furanoate (PEF), branded as releaf. The agreement aims to support commercial deployment of releaf in thermoformed food packaging applications across Europe, and aligns with Avantium’s strategy to establish a global network of licensed PEF production facilities.
Kyoto University scientists create nature-inspired white polymer for packaging
Person looks at DFP-based white colorant
In nature, foamed structures largely made up of air scatter light to create an optical phenomenon known as structural whiteness, note scientists at Kyoto University, Japan. Inspired by this natural phenomenon, the research team developed a foam-based technology to give packaging polymers a white color. The technology, referred to as Deep Foam Photolithography (DFP), uses light and a mild solvent to color polymers. The light breaks the polymer into smaller molecular fragments, which interact with the solvent. This causes the material to swell and form an open, porous structure. The porous structure scatters light, resulting in what researchers refer to as “intense whiteness.” Additionally, the foam becomes a rough structure with strong water-repellent properties, “similar to those found on a lotus leaf.” 
Affordability reshapes reformulation strategies at Fi Asia Indonesia 2026
Fi Asia Indonesia 2026 JIExpo.

Food Ingredients First

A cheaper ingredient does not necessarily produce a cheaper food. That message surfaced repeatedly last week at Fi Asia Indonesia 2026, where suppliers described reformulation as a chain of decisions involving price, nutrition, labeling, taste, and texture. Affordability was less a separate trend than the boundary around every other ambition, as the formulation trends shaping the event made clear.
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worker looks at plastic waste exports
Packaging & Technology News
Global plastic waste trade amplifies microplastic...
A recent review, published in npj Emerging Contaminants, argues that the mismanagement of global plastic waste, which includes packaging, contributes to microplastic pollution risks and environmental inequality. The study asserts that up to 60% of global waste trade is mismanaged, with 26% eventually fragmenting into microplastics over the course of a decade. The researchers propose a science-policy framework that links waste trade governance and monitoring to microplastic reduction strategies. 
Machine operator
Packaging & Technology News
Packaging machinery manufacturers respond to sustainability...
Sustainability credentials have become a must for the packaging sector, affecting machinery manufacturers as well. As a result, packaging machine companies are creating tools that promise low-impact product preservation, low costs, and smooth production processes. Packaging Insights continues its conversation with Markem-Imaje, Multivac, Sidel, Syntegon, and UFlex to explore the packaging machinery factors they see as most impactful to the industry’s sustainability efforts.Sumeet Arora, senior VP, Engineering Business Marketing at UFlex, explains that as sustainability pressures from consumers and regulations transform the packaging industry, machinery manufacturers are also playing a role in supporting this transition.
Avebe technical paper on PFAS-free oil and grease barriers for fibre-based food packaging
Technical paper
Out with PFAS On with performance. How do you develop an...
Removing PFAS changes more than the coating chemistry. This technical paper sets out five principles for designing fibre-based barriers, from choosing the right base paper and forming a continuous film to testing performance under production and end-use conditions. Explore the principles alongside examples from Avebe’s development work.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Royal Avebe.

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Flexible plastics innovationSep2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers globally associate plastic with portability and ease of storage, highlighting key attributes of flexible plastic packaging. These attributes are re...

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Product innovation

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Caps & closures reimagined Sep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that product launches have increased over the past two years, with reclosable claims showing particularly strong growth, reaching a +15% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. As reclosability gains momentum, caps and closures are becoming an increasingly important area for packaging innovation.

Trend analysis

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Trends in snack pack launchesSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that snack launches grew at a +8% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches accounted for 50% of these launches, aligning with consumer preferences for purchasing salty snacks in pouches. Cup packaging formats showed the fastest growth, while plastic was the dominant packaging material.

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White rectangular box centered among metallic silver rings against a softly glowing blue background.
Video00:55
Shape the future of tuna with Tetra Recart® cartons 

The tuna category is growing. Are you ready to catch the opportunities? 

Tetra Recart® packaging solutions help your products get the attention they deserve thanks to a striking shelf presence in a sea of round containers, while the logistical efficiency enables gains across your entire...

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Video17:07
UFlex expands aseptic pack production capacity with Egypt facility
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Video14:49
Industrial Physics underscores pack testing as rPET and lightweighting reshape performance
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Video04:23
Yangi scales dry-forming fiber technology for plastic MAP food tray replacement
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