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Aicomp summit

Aicomp Summit 2026 review: Human-centric AI, digitalization & compliance shape packaging future

Facilitating efficiency and regulatory compliance emerged as key benefits of the packaging industry’s accelerating digitalization at the Aicomp Summit in Vienna, Austria, last week. Event speakers also highlighted the importance of keeping the human element at the center of the industry’s digital transformation to stay ahead of the competition. René Chomsé, data scientist and IT consultant at Aicomp, tells Packaging Insights that he expects AI and machine learning (ML) to continue changing the packaging industry over the coming years. 
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AI, sorting tech & data optimize packaging recycling systems
Packaging recycling is a key challenge in the global effort to reduce waste and increase circularity. With advanced solutions and a collaborative approach, the industry is exploring scalable, adaptable, and capable technologies to handle complex waste streams. Packaging Insights speaks to Greenback Recycling Technologies, Greyparrot, and Tomra Recycling about the latest innovations in packaging recycling. We also explore the future trends predicted to shape the  industry.
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Lack of clarity over UK pEPR legislation “paralyzing” for brands, warns Aquapak
As EPR regulations come into effect around the world, Aquapak Polymers, a UK-based manufacturer of flexible plastics, has warned that unclear definitions stifle innovation, leading brands to absorb costs and place them onto consumers. Aquapak argues that the UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) — which came into effect in October 2025 — lacks clarity due to changes in definitions and shifts in guidance. Packaging Insights speaks with Dr. John Williams, chief technology officer at Aquapak, about the cost of EPR regulations for everyday consumers, highlighting how brands are absorbing those costs rather than innovating with circular materials. 
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Dairy packaging innovation
Dairy packaging launches are increasing at a 17% compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2025, according to data provided by Innova Market Insights. Environmental sustainability remains a major trend, with consumers globally opting for biodegradable packaging for dairy products. Recyclable was the leading sustainable packaging claim, while reusable saw the fastest growth in launches.
Jürgen Löw, T.CON
Aicomp Summit 2026: T.CON talks digital manufacturing for corrugated packaging

We spoke to Jürgen Löw, the director of business development at T.CON, about the company’s collaboration with SAP to implement digital manufacturing software at a corrugated packaging facility. 

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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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PulPac and partners develop Dry Molded Fiber snus can
Snus packaging
PulPac and Future Materials Sweden have introduced a Dry Molded Fiber snus can for Yoik’s Helwit brand, marking a step into the smokeless tobacco segment, a high-volume packaging category traditionally dominated by plastic.Future Materials has signed a license agreement with PulPac to commercialize Dry Molded Fiber products. Together with Yoik, the companies have developed a fiber-based snus can concept engineered to meet the functional and commercial requirements of the category.
Amcor introduces tethered cap for Vöslauer bottles
water bottles
Amcor has equipped Vöslauer Mineralwasser with a tethered cap for the Austria-based water company’s bottles. The tethered cap opens at a wide angle and clicks into place to keep it away from the face, ensuring consumer convenience. Tethered caps are mandatory under the EU Single-Use Plastic Directive with the aim of reducing plastic cap pollution and increasing recycling rates. 
CCL Industries to acquire Sleever International in multi-million deal
label
CCL Industries is set to acquire Sleever International Company, a provider of shrink sleeve labels and application equipment for consumer packaged goods and healthcare, for approximately US$151 million. The companies have signed a binding Option Agreement for the purchase, which, once finalized, is set to close in mid 2026. 
Renewable energy lowers carton packaging emissions, finds report
consumer choosing milk
Pro Carton’s 2025 Carbon Footprint Study has revealed an 8% reduction in fossil carbon emissions from carton packaging between 2021–2024, due to investment in renewable energy across mills and converters. The report highlights that the production of cartonboard accounts for 73% of the material’s total fossil carbon footprint, resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels at pulp and paper mills. Moreover, it highlights that converting cartonboard into folding cartons accounts for 21% of the fossil carbon footprint during the assessed period. 
Neste commissions refining facility to scale chemical recycling
man on oil refinery
Neste Corporation, a Finland-based energy and refining company, has commissioned a new facility to scale up its chemical recycling capabilities at its existing refinery in Porvoo, Finland, enabling the production of feedstock for the plastics and chemicals industry. The facility upgrade follows a €111 million (US$121 million) investment. It is equipped to process oils derived from challenging waste plastic streams, like multilayer packaging, mixed plastic waste, and contaminated plastic. 
Unilever weighs major separation of food assets in bold FMCG strategy shift
Unilever.

Food Ingredients First

Unilever is reportedly in the early stages of considering a full separation of its food assets, a move that could be worth tens of billions of dollars and mark a dramatic acceleration of the consumer goods giant’s retreat from food and beverages.The company is already speaking with advisers about potential options, including spinning off most or all of its food business, according to Bloomberg, which cites people familiar with the matter. Unilever could also opt to retain some marquee brands while offloading the rest — though a deal is unlikely before 2027, and the company may ultimately decide to keep things as they are. 
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Man placing empty plastic bottle in reverse vending machine.
Packaging & Technology News
Singapore to launch national DRS for beverage containers in...
The Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) will launch Singapore’s DRS for metal cans and plastic bottles this April. Starting next month, the scheme will cover more than one billion beverage containers used annually, allowing the scheme operator to recover over 16,000 metric tons of material per year. We speak to the BCRS to hear more about the DRS’s setup and how the scheme operator plans to encourage citizen participation. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Aicomp Summit 2026 live: Domino Printing Sciences talks...
At the ongoing Aicomp Summit in Vienna, Austria (March 11–13), we speak with Lee Metters, group business development director at Domino Printing Sciences, about the latest developments in data integration, market segment shifts, and regulatory challenges facing the printing and packaging industry. At the event, Metters tells Packaging Insights that he aims to learn more about how the degree of digitalization in the packaging industry will affect printing processes. 
Innova Top Packaging Trends 2026.
Special report
Top Packaging Trends 2026: Navigating sustainability,...
Innova Market Insights has announced its Top Packaging Trends 2026, with “Substantiated Sustainability” taking top spot. This trend emphasizes the need for verified environmental claims, driven by stricter regulations, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging but are wary of greenwashing, meaning brands must back sustainability claims with scientific evidence. The second trend, “Digital-Enhanced Designs,” highlights the growing role of digital technologies like AI, augmented reality, and QR codes in packaging. These innovations improve consumer engagement and product traceability, while digital product passports offer detailed lifecycle data.

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Beauty and care packagingMar2026

Innova Market Insights’ data shows a 3% compound annual growth rate in beauty and personal care packaging launches from 2024 to 2025. More than 20% of launches were packaged in folded cartons, while 7...

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Breakthrough barrier coatings Mar 2026

Freshness is a key factor consumers use to assess F&B packaging quality, according to Innova Market Insights. Barrier coatings on packaging help preserve freshness and flavor by protecting products from bacteria and external contaminants. New product launches indicate that brands are increasingly emphasizing this packaging benefit in their communications.

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Dairy packaging innovationMar 2026

Dairy packaging launches are increasing at a 17% compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2025, according to data provided by Innova Market Insights. Environmental sustainability remains a major trend, with consumers globally opting for biodegradable packaging for dairy products. Recyclable was the leading sustainable packaging claim, while reusable saw the fastest growth in launches.

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Jürgen Löw, T.CON
Video05:50
Aicomp Summit 2026: T.CON talks digital manufacturing for corrugated packaging

We spoke to Jürgen Löw, the director of business development at T.CON, about the company’s collaboration with SAP to implement digital manufacturing software at a corrugated packaging facility. 

Mark Dop, Kivo Flexible Plastics
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Aicomp Summit 2026: Kivo Flexible Plastics talks digitalization in manufacturing
Aicomp Summit 2026 OMP video thumbnail: Male speaker in suit highlighted in circular frame overlay, with audience raising hands during a conference or seminar in the background.
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Aicomp Summit 2026 live: OMP talks packaging software for compliance & cost efficiency
Kai Aldinger, Sap
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Aicomp Summit 2026 live: SAP highlights solutions for paper packaging optimization
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