Cryovac branding banner featuring 'Become the leader of the pack' message, whey protein pouch visual, and tagline 'Made for each other'.
Futamura Chemical fined over risk assessment “failures” in packaging production
Futamura Chemical fined over risk assessment “failures” in packaging production
Futamura Chemical has been fined £200,000 (US$269,000) by a UK court following a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the death of an employee due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide, a harmful gas. We speak to Futamura and HSE to get a clearer picture of the case. The company was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on January 6, 2026, after an investigation by the HSE, the UK’s national workplace regulator. The case highlights the importance of rigorous risk assessments in the packaging manufacturing process. 
EU PPWR: Packaging industry shifts to evidence-based compliance ahead of deadline
EU PPWR: Packaging industry shifts to evidence-based compliance ahead of deadline
As the enforcement of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) approaches, the packaging industry faces challenges around regulatory compliance and execution. The regulation will come into effect on August 12, 2026. To understand how the sector is preparing, Packaging Insights speaks to Packaging Strategy Lab (PSL), RecyClass, and The Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) about the ongoing shift to an “evidence-based” compliance approach.
Fragmented global policies push plastic circularity toward national action plans
Fragmented global policies push plastic circularity toward national action plans
As global conferences like the UN Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations and COP30 have so far failed to secure binding international legislation to combat plastic pollution, The Circulate Initiative highlights the importance of regional and national regulations to address the global issue. Packaging Insights sits down with Michael Sadowski, executive director and board chair at The Circulate Initiative, to discuss how a fragmented policy environment creates a complex and burdensome industry landscape for companies working across borders. 
The Future of Steel Drums: Building Sustainability Into Every Component
The Future of Steel Drums: Building Sustainability Into Every Component
From the steel body to the closures and linings, Greif offers a configurable solution that helps companies advance carbon reduction, chemical safety, and operational performance in one integrated package.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Greif.
EU project scales home compostable bioplastic packaging
EU project scales home compostable bioplastic packaging

We speak to Carolina Peñalva Lapuente, head of Sustainable Products And Solutions at the Spanish Aitiip Technology Centre and project coordinator at the EU-funded Sisters project. The project has developed home compostable PLA packaging from agricultural side streams. With the four-year project ending, commercialization plans are being finalized.

Packaging industry 2025: Most read stories
Packaging industry 2025: Most read stories
In 2025, packaging faced tightening regulations, rising scrutiny over environmental claims, and accelerated digitalization, with the integration of AI and connected platforms gaining traction. Meanwhile, cost pressures, consumer priorities, and legal risk led some major brands to scale back or rethink sustainability targets. We look back at the year’s top read stories.

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Borealis invests €49M to scale next-gen PP production in Germany
Borealis invests €49M to scale next-gen PP production in Germany
Borealis has announced a €49 million (US$57.44 million) investment to scale up production of Borstar Nextension PP at its manufacturing site in Burghausen, Germany. Borstar Nextension technology facilitates material substitution in complex multilayer structures by integrating a tailored combination of performance properties into a single PP material. It is said to support circularity,  weight reduction, and enhance overall performance.
Sappi launches heat-sealable papers for recyclable packaging
Sappi launches heat-sealable papers for recyclable packaging
Sappi has added a set of heat-sealable solutions to its range of functional packaging papers. The paper seals target converters, printers, and brand owners seeking fiber-based alternatives to plastic. The new Seal range includes Seal Silk, Seal G Silk, Seal Pure Silk, Seal Natural, Seal Light, and Seal Lucent. The papers are suitable for a broad mix of applications and sealing needs and can be integrated into existing packaging lines.
EU-Mercosur trade deal: European paper industry pushes for rapid ratification
EU-Mercosur trade deal: European paper industry pushes for rapid ratification
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) is urging the European Parliament to ratify of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA), emphasizing its potential to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers, as well as foster growth for European pulp and paper companies, which are some of the strongest exporters among EU manufacturing sectors. The agreement, signed by EU and Mercosur representatives on January 17 in Paraguay, aims to remove tariffs on over 90% of goods exchanged between the economic unions, including eliminating tariffs on 85% of pulp and 90% of EU paper and board exports to Mercosur. The deal with the South American bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) will create the world’s biggest free trade zone, covering a market of over 700 million consumers. 
European Commission proposes harmonized waste-sorting labels ahead of PPWR
European Commission proposes harmonized waste-sorting labels ahead of PPWR
The European Commission’s (EC) Joint Research Centre has published its proposed harmonized waste-sorting label system for packaging, in line with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The proposed system adopts a material-based approach that focuses on packaging materials rather than the collection destination. 
Huber + Suhner cuts plastic use with rPET packaging shift
Huber + Suhner cuts plastic use with rPET packaging shift
Huber + Suhner, a Swiss-based global electrical and optical solution company, has converted the packaging for its fiber optic cable blister packs to recycled PET. It has also removed over 743,000 single-use plastic bags from use and replaced 1.5 million twist cable ties with paper-based solutions in a bid to reduce the environmental impact of its packaging. 
Infant formula crisis spreads to Lactalis and Danone as casualties mount and...
Infant formula crisis spreads to Lactalis and Danone as casualties mount and regulatory gaps emerge

Food Ingredients First

French dairy giant Lactalis has become the fourth manufacturer to recall infant formula over contaminated arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, joining Nestlé, Danone, and Hochdorf in a crisis that has wiped billions from market valuations and prompted investigations into the first reported casualties. 

The company announced today (January 21) that it is recalling six batches of Picot brand infant milk across 18 countries due to cereulide in an ingredient from “an international supplier.” A spokesperson reportedly told Reuters the company “acted without waiting for results of the investigations conducted at the supplier.” 
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Packaging & Technology News
Domino Printing Sciences highlights 2D codes as pharma...
Domino Printing Sciences will showcase 2D codes on pharmaceutical packaging at Pharmapack Europe 2026 in Paris, France (January 21–22), positioning them as a strategic tool beyond regulatory compliance.The 2D codes are said to support clear supply chain visibility, accurate data capture, and efficient pharmaceutical packaging operations.
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Regulatory News
China outlines packaging recycling plans to boost circular...
China has outlined measures for packaging recycling in two action plans, aiming to enhance circularity while supporting stronger waste governance and expanded recycling systems. In its detailed plan for renewable resource recycling, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) encourages packaging manufacturers to use recycled materials. Manufacturers of non-food-contact packaging, such as cartons, shrink film, packaging bags, and foam cushioning materials, as well as office paper producers, are encouraged to strengthen green product design.
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Packaging & Technology News
Avery Dennison positions smart packaging and traceability...
A new Avery Dennison report has found digital identity solutions in F&B packaging allow retailers to improve product traceability and cut food waste. The findings highlight smart packaging, traceability, and labeling as crucial to extending shelf life. Packaging Insights discusses the report with Pascale Wautelet, vice president of global R&D and sustainability at Avery Dennison Materials Group.

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Sustainable packaging trendsJan2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals a rise in sustainable F&B packaging claims from October 2020 to September 2025. Consumers have shown a strong preference for sustainable packaging, with 65% sel...

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Next-gen glass circularity Jan 2026

According to data from Innova Market Insights, consumers view glass as a sustainable material for F&B packaging, with 34% of global consumers considering it to be very sustainable. In addition, 65% of consumers separate glass packaging in their household for recycling purposes.

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Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picksJan 2026

Confectionery launches showed a 2% year-over-year growth between October 2023 and September 2025, according to Innova Market Insights data. Nearly half of the launches occurred in flat pouches, and more than half were packaged in plastic. Meanwhile, launches featuring carbon labeling claims gained ground.

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EU project scales home compostable bioplastic packaging

We speak to Carolina Peñalva Lapuente, head of Sustainable Products And Solutions at the Spanish Aitiip Technology Centre and project coordinator at the EU-funded Sisters project. The project has developed home compostable PLA packaging from agricultural side streams. With the four-year project...

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OFS on adapting packaging software to modern manufacturing challenges
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Moyu co-founder on reusable stone-based packs for e-commerce
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SEMICON 2025 Japan: Gyromatic Innovation presents RFID electronic shelf for advanced semiconductor packs
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