Arburg packaging banner featuring colorful molded plastic caps, a blueberry container, and the Arburg logo.
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EU drafts waste export list as Tomra urges recycling investment

The European Commission (EC) has published a draft list of countries outside the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that could be allowed to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after May 2027, under the Waste Shipment Regulation. Non-hazardous waste includes recovered paper and cardboard, metal scrap, glass, and certain textiles and rubber, depending on composition and contamination levels. 
Person holds cookies in flexible packaging
Flexible packaging advances with circular materials and application-driven design
Consumer perceptions continue to reshape packaging, which is no longer a one-size-fits-all product. Flexible packaging manufacturers are designing materials for precise end-use demands, while navigating the path to circular and renewable solutions. Packaging Insights speaks to Braskem America, Verde Environmental Technologies, and Korozo Group about how technical innovation, bio-based materials, and value-chain collaboration are changing the future of flexible packaging.
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SIG: Material science drives next generation of aseptic packaging
Scientific developments and material innovations have pushed aseptic packaging research beyond its conventional role in preserving products and extending shelf life, according to Gavin Steiner, chief technology officer at SIG. While the technology’s main goal will always be to ensure sterility and protection, he argues that research into aseptic technologies is increasingly focused on material reduction, fiber-based options, or reduced carbon dependency. 
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Next-gen packaging reshapes bakery aisle
Innova Market Insights data indicates that bakery packaging launches grew at a CAGR of 4% from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches were the leading format, with plastic remaining the top packaging material and carton gaining momentum. Recyclable was the leading sustainability claim, while responsible source claims continued to gain ground.
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Circular by design: unlocking sustainable packaging solutions
Meeting the global challenge of plastic waste and building a low-carbon and circular economy requires innovation, investment and collaboration. Read the LyondellBasell (LYB) white paper to explore how smart packaging design can help optimize packaging performance, reduce material complexity, improve recyclability and support circularity goals.This Technical Paper is brought to you by LyondellBasell.
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Material Week Tokyo 2026: Brückner Group highlights film stretching and testing systems in Japan
Christian Stadler, sales director, Eastern Hemisphere at Brückner Servtec, and Boris Pasternack, head of sales, East Asia, at Brückner Machinenbau, stress the growing importance of the Japanese market for the German plastic and packaging group. They highlight stretching equipment and systems for testing and developing packaging films.

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Pack Expo 2026: Syntegon debuts modular NeXt packaging automation in North...
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Syntegon is launching two modular machine platforms targeting food manufacturers at Pack Expo 2026 in Chicago, US (October 18–21). The machines are part of Syntegon’s NeXt range for the food industry, and their launch marks NeXt’s North America debut.At the trade show, Syntegon will demonstrate its new HFX flow-wrapping platform for primary packaging and TRX topload cartoning platform for secondary packaging. The two machines are compatible with Syntegon’s robotic pick-and-place platform. 
ALPLA expands US plastic bottle production with Las Vegas plant
packaging facility
Alpenplastik Lehner Alwin (ALPLA) is set to open a plant in Las Vegas, US, to strengthen its production of plastic bottles for domestic consumers by providing access to “major transportation corridors and regional distribution networks.” “This investment represents an important step in ALPLA’s long-term North American growth strategy,” says Tasos Pourloukakis, regional managing director at ALPLA North America. 
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Berndorf taps film demand across Asia with steel...
Berndorf packaging booth
Berndorf Band Group, a global machinery company for flexible films, is showcasing steel belts and casting and drying systems for films and foils used in packaging at the Highly-Functional Material Week Tokyo 2026 (September 30 – October 2), in Japan. Packaging Insights speaks to Christopher Yuen, business development and sales manager for machinery at Berndorf, about how it adapts to current market pressures and caters to a growing Asian market. 
SIG boosts aseptic filling capacity with compact Neo machines
SIG filling machine
SIG has developed two new filling machines for aseptic cartons as part of its SIG Neo platform. SIG Neo XSlim 32 Aseptic is suitable for single-serve cartons and SIG Neo Midi 15 Aseptic for multi-serve offerings. The company says that the two “compact” machine models respond to the F&B industry’s increasing demand for high output and flexible production without requiring facility expansion. “Many F&B producers have reached the physical limits of their existing plants,” comments Christoph Wegener, chief markets officer at SIG. “SIG Neo filling machines deliver the highest output per square meter in the industry and therefore add capacity to our customers’ factories and not buildings.” 
Brazilian scientists develop sensor for moisture in snack packaging
Person buys cookies in flexible packaging
Researchers have developed a sensor that uses cobalt chloride to detect when moisture enters food packaging to preserve the crispness of food products such as cookies and crackers.  The research team, led by scientists at the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), Brazil, placed a starch-based cylinder with cobalt chloride next to a cream cracker. The team revealed that the salt in the cylinder changed its color in the presence of moisture. 
EIT Food study: F&B companies face tougher scrutiny as consumers question food...
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Food Ingredients First

European consumers are becoming more confident in their ability to make good food choices, but remain unsure about “who and what to believe.” According to EIT Food research, those who feel able to make good food choices rose from 60% to 66% between 2024 and 2025.
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Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Oji showcases bio-based...
Oji Holdings, one of Japan's largest paper, pulp, and packaging companies, is presenting an array of solutions at the ongoing Highly-Functional Material Week in Tokyo 2026 (September 30 – October 2). On the show floor, Packaging Insights catches up with Vipavan Sae Gang, manager at Oji Paper, a subsidiary of Oji Holdings, to discuss the company's material innovations, which span food containers for fresh food products and fabrics aimed at replacing conventional bubble wrap. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Cargill presents...
Cargill Bioindustrial is presenting its Incroflo P50 additive for polymers at the Highly-Functional Material Week trade show in Tokyo, Japan (September 30–October 2). The 86% bio-based Incroflo P50 can be added to polymers for food-contact film packaging to aid processing. “Our specialty polymer additives can help reduce static discharge, improve scratch resistance, increase output rates, and optimize manufacturing processes,” a spokesperson at Cargill Bioindustrial tells Packaging Insights. The bio-based solutions business unit within Cargill outlines that its processing aid is engineered to replace conventional fluoropolymer additives in the extrusion of linear low-density PE, while improving polymer flow and reducing melt fracture effects such as sharkskin. 
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Technical paper
Circular by design: unlocking sustainable packaging...
Meeting the global challenge of plastic waste and building a low-carbon and circular economy requires innovation, investment and collaboration. Read the LyondellBasell (LYB) white paper to explore how smart packaging design can help optimize packaging performance, reduce material complexity, improve recyclability and support circularity goals.This Technical Paper is brought to you by LyondellBasell.

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Trends in AI use for packaging manufacturingOct2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that more manufacturers are launching products in new packaging formats. The growing number of formats, materials, and sustainability requirements is creating mor...

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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.

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Next-gen packaging reshapes bakery aisleSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that bakery packaging launches grew at a CAGR of 4% from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches were the leading format, with plastic remaining the top packaging material and carton gaining momentum. Recyclable was the leading sustainability claim, while responsible source claims continued to gain ground.

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Material Week Tokyo 2026: Brückner Group highlights film stretching and testing systems in Japan

Christian Stadler, sales director, Eastern Hemisphere at Brückner Servtec, and Boris Pasternack, head of sales, East Asia, at Brückner Machinenbau, stress the growing importance of the Japanese market for the German plastic and packaging group. They highlight stretching equipment and systems for...

Dr. Shekhar Nath, Hindalco Industries
Video06:06
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Hindalco presents ceramic solutions for pharma glass
Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
Video16:12
CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap
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Video22:13
SIG on advancing aseptic packaging through lightweighting and innovation
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