Coveris banner promoting Packaging Innovations 2026, featuring recyclable packaging products and event details for 11–12 February at NEC Birmingham, Stand J114.
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Metsä Board opens AI-powered packaging design studio in Milan

Metsä Board is set to open a new Packaging Design Studio in Milan, Italy, in mid-2026, aiming to strengthen collaboration with European brands, converters, and packaging developers. The studio will be equipped with tools and AI support technology to aid workshops and co-creation in projects where sustainability targets, performance requirements, or regulatory changes “drive the need for new solutions.” 
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AI robotics and vision systems boost flexibility and efficiency in food packaging
AI-powered robotics is reshaping food packaging processes and setting the stage for smarter, more adaptable automation solutions. The innovations in the sector are increasing flexibility, reducing labor costs, and boosting production efficiency. Packaging Insights speaks to Oxipital AI and Chef Robotics to explore how smart solutions are overcoming challenges once considered too complex for the packaging industry to automate.
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Australia’s plastic recycling sector at “tipping point,” industry calls for reforms
A recent letter from the Australian recycling and packaging industry insists the current government “urgently” introduces packaging reforms or “risks the collapse” of Australia’s plastic recycling sector. The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) have called on the government to protect the country’s recycling industry following a commissioned report by Rennie Advisory. 
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Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picks
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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Packaging Innovations 2026: Sun Chemical packaging director on latest printing tech

We interviewed Rick Hulme, the packaging business director at Sun Chemical UK, to find out more about the company’s latest solvent- and water-based ink and coating technologies, as well as solutions for the offset printing market.

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Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Data, design & regulations drive circularity
Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, welcomed 450 exhibitors showcasing circular packaging design. As the industry adapts to the UK’s packaging EPR and DRS launch, suppliers presented solutions catering to these regulatory shifts. Highlights included recycle-ready monomaterial solutions, compostable packaging and labels, and AI-assisted recyclability data analytics.

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Georgia to expand plastic ban to F&B packaging with gradual rollout
A person holding food in plastic bags
The government of Georgia is set to expand its national plastic ban to F&B packaging in two phases. At a recent cabinet session, officials discussed a draft decree. According to the prepared decree, starting July 1, 2026, foodservice establishments will be prohibited from serving food in plastic containers. From February 1, 2027, the production, import, and sale of food packaged in plastic material will also be banned. 
Syntegon launches high-speed inspection platform for pharma and CMOs
Syntegon Aim9
Syntegon has developed the Aim9 inspection platform that combines visual inspection and leak detection with outputs of up to 600 vials per minute, to help pharmaceutical manufacturers and Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) ensure product quality and prevent leaks.“Efficiency is key in the fast-paced pharmaceutical industry. The new AIM9 enables our customers to boost productivity and meet ambitious delivery targets,” says Bernd Barkey, president at Syntegon Japan and global head of inspection at Syntegon.
Peak Nano introduces nanolayered biodegradable films for food and medical...
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Peak Nano has launched a development program to create “first-of-its-kind” nanolayered biodegradable multilayer polymer films for F&B and medical packaging, leveraging its patented NanoPlex metamaterials technology in the design process. The development program is supported by R&D funding from the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub. It aims to replace traditional multilayer packaging film, which often contains tightly bonded layers of polymers and additives that are challenging or impossible to recycle.
Sealpac advances seafood packaging with vacuum and automation tech
Sealpac Seafood Packaging
Sealpac has developed the FlatSkin concept, its Amax and M-Flex traysealers, and F-series thermoformer range for seafood packaging, targeting the global rise in the consumption of fish and other seafood. The FlatSkin concept seals the seafood under a deep vacuum directly onto a flat cardboard carrier, which has an ultra-thin plastic liner. The highly transparent skin film fixates the product on the cardboard base, facilitating vertical presentation at retail. At end-of-life, the plastic layer can be removed for separate disposal.
Amcor survey reveals EU shoppers support recycled plastic in packaging
A hand holding a packaging
Amcor has unveiled a consumer insight report exploring how EU shoppers perceive the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in packaging for supermarket products. The report, titled “Recycled Content, Real Impact”, collected responses from 3,201 consumers and 32 qualitative interviews across six European countries. 
EU restrictions on Russian fertilizer threaten to drive up global edible oil...
Worker checking edible oil.

Food Ingredients First

Europe is making it significantly harder and more expensive to import fertilizer from Russia, through a combination of new carbon levies, escalating tariffs, and fresh sanctions. Farm groups say fertilizer imports have already collapsed by more than 80%, and warn of a repeat of the 2022 price shock — when fertilizer costs surged globally, and food prices followed. For the food ingredients sector, one of the most exposed downstream markets is palm oil. Since January 1, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — a carbon levy on imports of emissions-heavy products — has applied to fertilizers entering the bloc. At the same time, tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizer that took effect in July 2025 are set to rise sharply.
Highlighted features
Packaging Innovations 2026
Regulatory News
Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Foodservice industry...
The UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) was a major topic of discussion among foodservice packaging providers exhibiting at this year’s Packaging Innovations in Birmingham, UK. We spoke to Ecosurety, the country’s pEPR compliance scheme, the UK Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), and packaging providers Coveris and Xampla, to explore how the industry is responding and what factors are causing confusion. 
Holding plastic cutlery in hand.
Regulatory News
Canadian court upholds “toxic” classification for plastic...
The Canadian Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has decided to uphold the government’s order to list plastic-manufactured items (PMI) as “toxic” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The ruling means the Canadian government can continue to regulate single-use plastics, like bags, straws, and cutlery under CEPA. The decision has been met with doubt from the plastics industry and acclaim from environmental campaigners. Packaging Insights speaks with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and Oceana Canada about the ruling, delving deeper into the legal case and its implications for the packaging industry and environment. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Huhtamaki & Xampla unveil...
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, Huhtamaki and Xampla are presenting their new folded cartonboard range featuring the plastic-free and plant-based Morro Coating. Live from the show floor, Packaging Insights speaks to Andy Hesp, vice president of Huhtamaki UK & Ireland, and Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla, about how the solution addresses current packaging trends observed at the show, such as paperization, plastic-free materials, and food security. 

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Fresh produce packs reinventedFeb2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers increasingly prioritize packaging that preserves freshness when cooking at home. This preference drives brands to innovate in fresh fruit and vegetab...

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Valentine’s Day food packaging Feb 2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, food product packaging launches for Valentine’s Day recorded a 14% CAGR between October 2020 and September 2025. Confectionery accounted for more than two-thirds of these launches. Nearly half were packed in folded boxes, and 71% in plastic.

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Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picksFeb 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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Packaging Innovations 2026: Sun Chemical Thumbnail
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Packaging Innovations 2026: Sun Chemical packaging director on latest printing tech

We interviewed Rick Hulme, the packaging business director at Sun Chemical UK, to find out more about the company’s latest solvent- and water-based ink and coating technologies, as well as solutions for the offset printing market.

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Packaging Innovations 2026: Mondi showcases recyclable packaging
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Packaging Innovations 2026: Coveris’ Paper R&D director talks recyclability trends
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Packaging Innovations 2026: Foodservice Packaging Association chair flags pEPR uncertainty
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