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Ecosurety questions Defra’s delay to flexible plastic collections in England

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) intends to delay the local authorities’ mandatory collection of plastic films and flexible packaging from households and businesses in England from March 2027, as set out in the Simpler Recycling guidance, to April 1, 2030, according to multiple sources. While the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), representing local government recycling authorities, has welcomed the postponement, Ecosurety, the UK’s packaging EPR compliance scheme, has expressed concern over the consequences of the delay.
Packaging machinery operator
Packaging machinery producers automate for labor shortages and recyclable formats
Packaging machinery manufacturers are redesigning equipment to help producers tackle labor shortages, rising sustainability requirements, and increasingly complex production demands. Packaging Insights speaks with Markem-Imaje, Multivac, Sidel, Syntegon, TNA Solutions, and UFlex about the technologies shaping the next generation of packaging machinery.  “Four major forces are reshaping packaging machinery innovation today: labor availability, smaller portion sizes, increasing product variety, and sustainability requirements,” Simon Hill, group product innovation manager at TNA Solutions, tells us.  
Rebecca Wilcock‚ Sun Chemical’s marketing director for Packaging Solutions‚ EMEA, and its director of Product Strategy EMEA‚ Packaging Solutions‚ and global sustainability business leader, Nicolas Bét
Sun Chemical positions inks and coatings as the invisible PPWR enabler
Sun Chemical is spotlighting its portfolio of nitrocellulose (NC)-free‚ direct-food-contact (DFC)‚ and non-bleeding ink systems, which are engineered to meet recyclability requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) across flexible packaging‚ paperboard‚ sleeves‚ labels‚ and digital printing.
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Trends in dessert packaging
Innova Market Insights data indicates a 9% increase in new dessert launches between April 2025 and March 2026. Among these launches, 44% feature recyclable packaging claims, while compostable packaging claims are growing the fastest. At the same time, consumers say they prefer resealable packaging when purchasing desserts.
Constantia Flexibles technical paper on low carbon aluminum for CO2-reduced flexible packaging
Low Carbon Aluminum: Certified CO2-reduced option for flexible packaging
What if reducing your packaging footprint was this simple? This white paper reveals how Low Carbon Aluminum enables real emission reductions without sacrificing performance. Discover emission drivers, certified reduction pathways, and verified product carbon footprint data that help companies cut Scope 3 emissions while keeping processes unchanged and product protection intact.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Constantia Flexibles.
Dr. Nick, British Glass
British Glass director: pEPR reforms key to glass circularity success
We speak with Dr. Nick Kirk, director at British Glass, about the impact of the UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) scheme on glass packaging and circularity. He also outlines the policy changes needed to strengthen the country’s glass recycling infrastructure and ensure glass remains a competitive, circular packaging material.

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Detpak opens US facility to strengthen QSR packaging supply
paper packaging facility birdseye view
Detpak, part of Detmold Group, has opened a new facility in South Carolina, US, to strengthen the supply of paper-based packaging to quick service restaurants (QSR). The Australian global packager supplies QSR chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, and Wendy’s. 
Coconut-based bioplastic targets food packaging waste
A close-up of plastic bags of tomatoes
Researchers at Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, have developed a biodegradable material reinforced with cellulose derived from fermented coconut water that combines oxygen-scavenging functionality with enhanced mechanical performance, offering an alternative solution to conventional plastic packaging. The research, published in ASEAN Journal for Science and Engineering in Materials, explores the possibility of creating multilayer polylactic acid (PLA) based films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and enhanced with an oxygen-scavenging compound, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). 
Mondi replaces wooden crates for furniture shipments
workers
Mondi has partnered with the Turkish furniture manufacturer Büromodel to design a corrugated packaging solution that enables the shipping of acoustic office cabins and targets operational efficiency. The wood-free solution aims to tackle mold issues usually associated with traditional  wooden and plywood crates during sea freight transportation. These are falling in popularity among key export markets such as Germany and the UK, according to Mondi.
Südpack launches bio-based PLA film for plant packaging
potted plant range with plastic covering
Südpack has launched Planova, a bio-based, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) film solution for potted plants, flowers, and herbs. Made from sugarcane or corn starch, the PLA film offers stability and protection to fresh plant products. 
Canadians embrace single-use plastic bans as reusable bag use climbs
A hand holding a plastic cup with a straw
A new poll from Research Co, a Canadian public opinion firm, indicates that most Canadians support the federal government’s decision to ban the manufacture, import, and sale of single-use plastic ítems, including packaging. The Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations gradually came into force in 2022. The Regulations prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of single-use plastics, namely checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, ring carriers, stirring sticks, and straws.
Nestlé H1 volumes strengthen but currency headwinds and higher costs hit profit
Nestlé corporate headquarters building.

Food Ingredients First

Nestlé has reported stronger real internal growth (RIG) in the second quarter of 2026, supported by coffee, food and snacks, and emerging markets. Meanwhile, currency headwinds, commodity costs, an infant formula recall, and portfolio-related charges weighed on reported sales and profit. Sales for the first six months were CHF 43.1 billion (US$52.9 billion), down 2.5% on a reported basis from CHF 44.2 billion (US$54.2 billion) a year earlier. Foreign exchange reduced sales by 6.2%, more than offsetting organic growth of 3.6% and a 0.1% contribution from net acquisitions and divestitures.
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Policy & regulation news
EU glassmakers call for stronger Industrial Accelerator Act...
The European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) sees the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) as a sign that European policymakers are placing industrial competitiveness “back at the heart of their policy agenda.” However, FEVE also asserts that alongside measures to accelerate industrial decarbonization, the EU must address “persistently” high energy and carbon costs and improve access to high-quality cullet — recovered glass used in the production of new glass packaging and a critical raw material for the glass sector.“Combined with growing competition from alternative packaging materials and non-EU producers, these cost pressures have led to an unprecedented wave of plant closures (six in one year) and furnace closures,” Carlo Pirrone, secretary general at FEVE tells Packaging Insights.
strawberry pallet
Packaging & Technology News
California agriculture coalition calls for SB 54 repeal
A coalition of agriculture industry representatives in California, US, has called the state’s SB 54 “unworkable as written” and argues for its repeal. The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, known as SB 54, is California’s EPR law. It aims to manage packaging and single-use plastic foodservice ware across the state. 
woman drinks coffee waiting for train
Packaging & Technology News
Deutsche Bahn reusable cup dispute tests Germany’s...
An ongoing case between Environmental Action Germany (DUH) and national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) is highlighting tension between single-use packaging regulations and the practical implementation of reusable systems in high-traffic settings. Last year, DUH sought an injunction to compel DB to comply with Germany’s reusable offer obligation in Section 33 of the country’s Packaging Act. From January 1, 2023, businesses that fill drinks into single-use cups for immediate consumption, like coffee or tea, have had to offer a reusable container version. 

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Compostable packaging leadersJun2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers are willing to justify a higher price for a product if it comes with sustainable (including compostable) packaging. 42% of these launches were in Europ...

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Fiber-based circularity Jul 2026

Innova Market Insights has announced its Top Packaging Trends 2026, with “Substantiated Sustainability” taking top spot. Driven by stricter regulations, the trend highlights the need for verified environmental claims. Fiber-based and other sustainable packaging solutions must be supported by credible data, as consumers show a willingness to pay more for substantiated sustainability benefits.

Trend analysis

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Trends in dessert packagingJul 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 9% increase in new dessert launches between April 2025 and March 2026. Among these launches, 44% feature recyclable packaging claims, while compostable packaging claims are growing the fastest. At the same time, consumers say they prefer resealable packaging when purchasing desserts.

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Dr. Nick, British Glass
Video10:33
British Glass director: pEPR reforms key to glass circularity success

We speak with Dr. Nick Kirk, director at British Glass, about the impact of the UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) scheme on glass packaging and circularity. He also outlines the policy changes needed to strengthen the country’s glass recycling infrastructure and ensure glass remains a...

Anna Altner, Yangi
Video10:29
Yangi founder: Economic and regulatory uncertainty slow fiber packaging adoption
Alison Rodwell, James Cropper
Video09:10
James Cropper on how color shapes packaging stories
UBQ Material video thumbnail: Smiling man in a circular portrait beside a container filled with gray plastic pellets for manufacturing
Video15:57
UBQ Materials CEO on plastic alternatives in times of supply chain crisis
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