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Packaging industry turns to digital tools to tackle supply chain hurdles

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.”
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Recycle-ready solutions and convenience formats reshape snack packs
Snack packaging providers spotlight low environmental footprint as a notable consumer trend that is impacting how they approach design, including recyclability and the inclusion of recycled content. At the same time, snackers are looking for on-the-go products and appropriately packaged healthy treats. Packaging Insights speaks to Greiner Packaging, LyondellBasell Industries (LYB), PureCycle, and TNA Solutions to learn more about the most significant developments changing snack packaging conventions. “Snack packaging equipment demand is increasingly shaped by the need to balance value, variety, convenience, and sustainability,” Simon Hill, group product innovation manager at TNA Solutions, tells us. 
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BV Glas: Germany’s glass industry faces capacity pressures amid weak demand
Despite strong infrastructure, technical expertise, and industry experience, Germany’s glass sector is facing weaker demand, says Christiane Nelles, director general of the Federal Association of the German Glass Industry (BV Glas). She argues this is due to overall lower demand in the glass packaging market and changing consumer behavior. 
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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.
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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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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.  
StePacPPC launches Xgo pouch to extend fresh produce shelf life
Cucumbers in a plastic pouch
StePacPPC has unveiled a new generation of its fresh produce retail pouches, developed for high-performance shelf life preservation and convenience. The Xgo Paz Pouch uses flexible-film technology to improve moisture and atmosphere control to maintain the freshness of moisture-sensitive produce, such as cucumbers, according to the producer. It adds that Paz pouches are suitable for home use and snacks on the go, preserving the quality of cool vegetables for up to 16 days while maintaining their texture.
BASF approaches Evonik over potential takeover, puts packaging chemicals in...
BASF chemical facility
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. 
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.” 
Plant-based sector urged to rethink consumer messaging as EU research...
Man shopping for groceries examining a food label in the supermarket.

Food Ingredients First

The plant-based sector may need to rethink how it communicates with consumers, as new EU-backed research suggests that some of the language and messaging used to encourage more sustainable diets could be doing more harm than good.
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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.
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Packaging & Technology News
EPR funding emerges as e-commerce packaging pressures...
The Recycling Partnership’s latest report reveals that, as the US e-commerce industry continues to expand, companies are making packaging lighter to save on shipping costs. However, the increase in lighter, flexible packaging formats is creating challenges for residential recycling systems in many parts of the country. The US-based nonprofit’s 2026 State of Recycling Report, titled The Evolving Ton: Residential Generation Data, highlights that many US states are advancing packaging EPR laws, introducing a new source of funding to support recycling systems.
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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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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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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