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Packaging Innovations 2025: UK’s “game-changing” EPR leaves plastic suppliers concerned

Packaging Innovations 2025: UK’s “game-changing” EPR leaves plastic suppliers concerned

The UK’s incoming EPR regulation dominated discussions at Packaging Innovations 2025 last week. The new scheme administrator for packaging EPR (pEPR), Pack UK, announced itself at the event, describing the regulation as a “game-changer” for the country’s packaging circular economy. However, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) warned of the likely damaging impacts on plastic packaging businesses.
Packagers leverage automation and robotics to bridge production quality and efficiency gap
Packagers leverage automation and robotics to bridge production quality and efficiency gap
Automation and robotics have become essential for businesses striving to remain competitive in today’s fast-evolving packaging landscape. With increasing material diversity and a growing focus on environmental sustainability, intelligent machinery can unlock greater efficiency, precision, and long-term success. Packaging industry leaders are moving toward smarter and more energy-efficient solutions. Enhanced connectivity through Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and advanced robotics for precision handling are shaping the future, according to industry experts. 
Huid CEO on turning onion skins into compostable packaging for food waste mitigation
Huid CEO on turning onion skins into compostable packaging for food waste mitigation
Huid is transforming onion skins into compostable, cellulose-based packaging. We speak to founder and CEO Renuka Ramanujam about how the product addresses challenges related to single-use plastic and paper-based solutions by repurposing food waste into scalable packaging materials.Speaking to Packaging Insights, Ramanujam delves into Huid’s potential implications for the foodservice packaging industry and its compliance with the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation. 
The Fundamentals of Responsible Packaging
The Fundamentals of Responsible Packaging
Keeping up to date with the food packaging legislation landscape is challenging. As a packaging partner, Colpac can guide customers through legislative topics. Colpac is keen to highlight several fundamental areas that underpin the development of responsible food packaging that is safer for us and kinder to our planet.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Colpac.
Packaging Innovations 2025: Appetite Creative founder explores “game-changing” connective tech
Packaging Innovations 2025: Appetite Creative founder explores “game-changing” connective tech

Connected packaging technologies are proliferating across FMCG products and revolutionizing brand-consumer relationships. At Packaging Innovations 2025 in the UK, Jenny Stanley, founder and managing director at Appetite Creative, shared insights on the latest trends in connected packaging and highlighted the recent launch of Sunny cooking oil’s AI-powered smart packaging experience.

2025 ISM & ProSweets: Ethical sourcing and health consciousness in the future of confectionery
2025 ISM & ProSweets: Ethical sourcing and health consciousness in the future of confectionery
On the show floor at this year’s ISM and ProSweets 2025 in Cologne, Germany, confectionery and snack companies addressed the myriad social, environmental, and economic challenges plaguing global cocoa supply chains. Solutions ranged from ingredients targeting sustainability, cost reduction, and production efficiency amid an enduring consumer appetite for indulgent cocoa and chocolate offerings. While protein demand remained consistent across sweet and snacking categories, exhibitors boosted nutritional footprints with innovative fortified formats.

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California and Oregon advance plastic foam bans while US alliance expects more states to follow
A person holding a plastic bag of food in foam boxes
Two US states have taken action to reduce plastic foam packaging. California has banned plastic foam foodware from being sold unless strict recycling targets are met, while the Oregon Legislature has implemented its own ban on polystyrene (PS) foam, also known as styrofoam.To monitor toxic chemical exposure, Safer States, a US national alliance of environmental health organizations, has released its “2025 analysis of state legislation targeting toxic chemicals and plastics” report. 
Chinese study links plastic takeout containers to increased heart disease risk
A person eating food with chopsticks.
A peer-reviewed study from Chinese researchers has revealed a potential link between eating from plastic takeout containers and an increased risk of congestive heart failure. The study suggests that plastic exposure may cause changes in the gut microbiome, which leads to inflammation and damage to the circulatory system. The two-part study, published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, analyzed human and animal data to explore the cardiovascular effects of exposure to plastic chemicals. The researchers say that this study “provides evidence” that plastic exposure from disposable takeout containers may be an underestimated health concern in China.
Boots expands blister pack recycling scheme in the UK
blister pack recycling scheme
UK-based pharmacy chain Boots is expanding its recycling scheme for medicine and blister packaging to 800 stores across the UK. The blister packs are now recycled into playground equipment and furniture. Blister packs are made from plastic and foil and cannot be recycled through curbside pickup. Through the scheme, customers who deposit five empty blister packs and spend £5 (US$6.3) in the store receive 100 Boots advantage card points in a loyalty scheme that rewards frequent purchases with points and discounts.
AI-powered SustaPack receives UKRI grant to refine paper-based liquid bottle tech
Pulpex and Surrey team
SustaPack, an AI-powered research project developing paper-based packaging for liquids with a patented multilayer barrier coating, has received a £1 million (US$ 1.3 million) grant. The grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of the UK Research and Investment (UKRI) co-investing program, will go to the UK-based partners behind the SustaPack patented coating technology — Pulpex and the University of Surrey.
SIG invests €90M in aseptic carton plant launch amid increasing dairy pack demands
People posing for photo at plant opening.
SIG has opened its first production plant for aseptic carton packs in India. The plant has an initial annual production capacity of up to four billion aseptic carton packs, reportedly meeting environmental standards and creating over 300 local jobs. The €90 million (US$94 million) investment, completed within 20 months in India’s Ahmedabad, strengthens the  Switzerland-based aseptic packaging giant’s regional presence. 
Tunnel vision? Industry reacts to EU’s new agriculture and food commitments
Farm.

Food Ingredients First

The European Commission (EC) has released its Vision for Agriculture and Food, a new roadmap for the future of farming and F&B production in Europe that seeks to allay fears over producer livelihoods, quality control, and environmental intensity. The report is based on the findings of an advisory group led by industry leaders but is being criticized for a lack of concrete commitments and vague wording. 
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Key interview

Packaging Innovations 2025: Ecosurety discusses how the UK’s EPR is changing the industry

The UK’s new EPR legislation is transforming the packaging industry by driving companies toward more sustainable practices and reducing some costs, argues Jon Brookes, partnerships director at Ecosurety, a UK-based regulatory compliance service. Speaking to Packaging Insights at Packaging Innovations 2025, Brookes tells us that while EPR introduces many complexities, it can also bring opportunities. “We’ve worked with hundreds of producers in the UK and globally, particularly with brand owners, to help them understand the new UK EPR regulations.”“The opportunity we see at the moment, with the onset of EPR, is that we’ll be able to help companies collect data and look at increasing the quality, diversity, and accuracy of the data so they can understand packaging materials and weight,” he explains.

Packaging focus

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Sustainable packaging solutionsFeb2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates that Sustainable Packaging in F&B had a 2% growth from October 2019 to September 2024. Europe spearheaded the trend with 46% of launches. Bakery emerged as th...

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Product innovation

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Barrier coating innovation Jan 2025

Barrier coating innovation is crucial for food and packaging as it enhances the protection of products against moisture, oxygen, and contaminants, ensuring extended shelf life and freshness. Additionally, advancements in eco-friendly barrier coatings promote sustainability by reducing reliance on non-recyclable materials, supporting environmental goals.

Trend analysis

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Fruit & Vegetable packagingJan 2025

Innova Market Insights data shows a rise in global fruit and vegetable product launches, with flat pouches being the leading packaging type. Among sustainable claims, "recyclable" was the most common, while carbon label claims saw notable growth.

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Packaging Innovations 2025: Innovia Films innovates monomaterial solutions for new waste regulations

Innovia Films highlighted its latest solutions for flexible plastic packaging, pressure-sensitive labels and in-mold labels for food and non-food applications at Packaging Innovations 2025, UK. Alasdair McEwan, business unit director for packaging in Europe, explained how the company is focused...

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Packaging Innovations 2025: Appetite Creative founder explores “game-changing” connective tech
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Packaging Innovations 2025: DS Smith advances fiber-based beverage solutions as consumer demands shift
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Packaging Innovations 2025: Head of UK pEPR scheme administrator explains “game-changing” regulations
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