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Cargill's booth

Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Cargill presents FDA-approved polymer additive

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. 
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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Trends in snack pack launches
Innova Market Insights data indicates that snack packaging 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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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.
Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion (US$2.3 billion) partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. We speak to Bahar Koyuncu, project officer at CBE JU, about the organization's packaging projects, including BioWrap, a flagship project in Germany to scale paper-based bubble wrap. 

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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. 
Packaging industry turns to digital tools to tackle supply chain hurdles
Warehosue worker
A cascade of geopolitical events has tested the resilience of packaging supply chains this year, pushing packaging producers to look toward emerging digital and data solutions for process optimization. Packaging Insights discusses the biggest challenges to achieving greater transparency across the packaging supply chain with Avery Dennison and Polytag, providers of connected packaging solutions, as well as BoxWay Packaging, a supplier of fiber-based corrugates and consultancy services. “Digital tools, such as traceability platforms or digital product passports, are evolving from just interesting innovations to becoming essential infrastructure,” Alice Rackley, CEO at Polytag, tells us. “Data collection, waste tracking, and influencing consumer behavior are all emerging as critical tools to drive supply chain transparency at the end of the packaging lifecycle, shining a light on a part of the supply chain that has traditionally relied on estimates and assumptions.”Meanwhile, Andrew Woollard, CEO of BoxWay Packaging Group, argues that service providers should not take transparency to mean drowning customers in data. “It’s up to us as experts to use specific, relevant data points strategically in order to remove complexity for customers rather than add it.”
Silgan adapts refillable pump for luxury glass fragrance bottles
glass perfume bottle
Silgan has launched a pump for a portable, molded glass fragrance bottle, developed by Groupe Pochet, tapping into personal care’s refillable packaging trend as consumers demand premium and reduced waste options. The Melodie Pirouette SNI 13 is complementary with a range of spraying types from Silgan’s “Emotions of Spray” portable collection. It builds on Silgan’s existing screw-neck pump technology for SNI 15, which was adopted to be compatible with the SNI 13 bottle neck. 
Borouge International inaugurates upgraded circular PP compounding plant in...
PP compounding plant in Austria
At the facility, polyolefin resins are compounded with recycled PP and performance-enhancing additives to create a material suitable for packaging applications. According to Borouge International, the resulting material combines light weight, performance, and circularity.  Roger Kearns, CEO at the company, says: “Strengthening Borouge International’s European industrial base is essential to maintaining competitiveness, resilience, and future growth.” Earlier this year, Borouge, Borealis, and Nova Chemicals merged to form Borouge International, a global polyolefins producer headquartered in Vienna, Austria.  
Aseptic bag industry targets PPWR recyclability ahead of 2030
Industrial flexble bag factory worker
Industrial aseptic bags are currently considered “not recyclable” under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), according to the Aseptic Bag Manufacturers Association (ABMA). As the EU develops its Design for Recycling criteria for PE flexibles as part of PPWR, ABMA has launched a cross-industry initiative to develop a recycling system and food-safe PE aseptic packaging that is also recyclable. “Industrial aseptic bags are used by a relatively concentrated group of producers in Europe, particularly for tomato products and juices,” a spokesperson for ABMA tells Packaging Insights. “The proposed system would collect used bags separately to avoid contamination, then send them to qualified recyclers. We are also exploring ways to make transport more efficient.” 
September in review: Reformulation, protein, AI and supply-chain resilience...
September in review

Food Ingredients First

September brought a broad mix of developments across the food and beverage industry, with reformulation, protein, affordability, supply resilience, and new processing technologies emerging as recurring themes. From cocoa fermentation and bakery reformulation to AI-powered protein development, and growing concerns over commodity supplies, the month highlighted the increasingly complex demands facing ingredient suppliers and food manufacturers. Meanwhile, plant-based innovation continued to shift toward cleaner labels, better functionality, and more resilient European supply chains. 
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BASF chemical facility
Packaging & Technology News
BASF approaches Evonik over potential takeover, puts...
German multi-national chemical company BASF is eyeing a potential takeover of specialty chemicals company Evonik in a move that could consolidate Europe’s chemical sector. Both companies have now confirmed the approach, but highlight that talks are only in the early stages. According to Reuters and The Financial Times, BASF approached Evonik and its largest shareholder, the RAG Foundation, about a deal. 
Woman holding a white bottle toward the camera, framed by lush green leaves in a soft-focus background.
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.
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.

Packaging focus

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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 packaging 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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Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
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CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion (US$2.3 billion) partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. We speak to Bahar Koyuncu, project officer at CBE JU, about the organization's packaging projects, including BioWrap, a flagship project...

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Video22:13
SIG on advancing aseptic packaging through lightweighting and innovation
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QBCRA outlines next steps for Quebec’s evolving DRS
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Shape the future of tuna with Tetra Recart® cartons 
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