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September in review: Industry navigates decarbonization, regulation & innovation

In September, the packaging industry continued to navigate supply chain, market, and sustainability challenges, with companies taking different approaches across packaging formats. We explored the competing pathways to packaging decarbonization, from PET’s carbon footprint to bio-based additives, as well as the practical challenges facing flexible packaging and machinery manufacturers as recyclability demands evolve.We also examined regulatory developments across the UK, EU, US, and Latin America, including diverging approaches to recyclability, the expansion of EPR, and new rules around packaging claims.
Person holds cookies in flexible packaging
Flexible packaging advances with circular materials and application-driven design
Consumer perceptions continue to reshape packaging, which is no longer a one-size-fits-all product. Flexible packaging manufacturers are designing materials for precise end-use demands, while navigating the path to circular and renewable solutions. Packaging Insights speaks to Braskem America, Verde Environmental Technologies, and Korozo Group about how technical innovation, bio-based materials, and value-chain collaboration are changing the future of flexible packaging.
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SIG: Material science drives next generation of aseptic packaging
Scientific developments and material innovations have pushed aseptic packaging research beyond its conventional role in preserving products and extending shelf life, according to Gavin Steiner, chief technology officer at SIG. While the technology’s main goal will always be to ensure sterility and protection, he argues that research into aseptic technologies is increasingly focused on material reduction, fiber-based options, or reduced carbon dependency. 
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Next-gen packaging reshapes bakery aisle
Innova Market Insights data indicates that bakery packaging launches grew at a CAGR of 4% from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches were the leading format, with plastic remaining the top packaging material and carton gaining momentum. Recyclable was the leading sustainability claim, while responsible source claims continued to gain ground.
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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.
Dr. Shekhar Nath, Hindalco Industries
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Hindalco presents ceramic solutions for pharma glass

Ceramic innovations are improving energy efficiency and safety in pharmaceutical glass packaging and battery foils, according to Dr. Shekhar Nath, general manager and sales specialist (Asia) at the Specialty Alumina Business of Hindalco Industries. He discusses the company’s solutions and their alignment with sustainability trends. 

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Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Oji showcases bio-based materials to replace...
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Oji Holdings, one of Japan's largest paper, pulp, and packaging companies, is presenting an array of solutions at the ongoing Highly-Functional Material Week in Tokyo 2026 (September 30 – October 2). On the show floor, Packaging Insights catches up with Vipavan Sae Gang, manager at Oji Paper, a subsidiary of Oji Holdings, to discuss the company's material innovations, which span food containers for fresh food products and fabrics aimed at replacing conventional bubble wrap. 
Heidelberg and Pfenning Group partner to advance digital integration in pharma...
Corporate men line up in factory to take photo
Heidelberg and Pfenning Group have partnered to expand integrated solutions for the pharmaceutical packaging industry, to tackle increasing transparency, traceability, and regulatory compliance demands in the sector. The digital integration of each company’s systems is central to the collaboration. It aims to link workflow, printing, and packaging technologies with serialization and logistics systems, to create "seamless information flows.” 
HiFlow launches AI-powered ERP to automate packaging converter workflows
HiFlow team
HiFlow Solutions has launched its AI-powered Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and six AI-enabled workflow platforms that aim to simplify repetitive administrative work for label and packaging converters. The packaging software provider based in Miami, Florida, in the US, introduced its AI-based solutions at Labels & Outer Packaging Embellishment (LOUPE) 2026 in Chicago, US.
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Cargill presents FDA-approved polymer additive
Cargill's booth
Cargill Bioindustrial is presenting its Incroflo P50 additive for polymers at the Highly-Functional Material Week trade show in Tokyo, Japan (September 30–October 2). The 86% bio-based Incroflo P50 can be added to polymers for food-contact film packaging to aid processing. “Our specialty polymer additives can help reduce static discharge, improve scratch resistance, increase output rates, and optimize manufacturing processes,” a spokesperson at Cargill Bioindustrial tells Packaging Insights. The bio-based solutions business unit within Cargill outlines that its processing aid is engineered to replace conventional fluoropolymer additives in the extrusion of linear low-density PE, while improving polymer flow and reducing melt fracture effects such as sharkskin. 
Brazilian scientists develop sensor for moisture in snack packaging
Person buys cookies in flexible packaging
Researchers have developed a sensor that uses cobalt chloride to detect when moisture enters food packaging to preserve the crispness of food products such as cookies and crackers.  The research team, led by scientists at the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP), Brazil, placed a starch-based cylinder with cobalt chloride next to a cream cracker. The team revealed that the salt in the cylinder changed its color in the presence of moisture. 
Danone-backed biotech platform opens for food ingredient scale-up
Conveyor belt with Danone drinkable yogurt bottles.

Food Ingredients First

Danone and its partners have inaugurated a €20 million (US$22.7 million) industrial biotechnology platform in Clermont-Ferrand, France, designed to help move fermentation-based innovations from the laboratory toward commercial-scale production. The Biotech Open Platform can handle fermentation volumes of up to 15 m³ and scale processes from as little as 10 grams to one metric ton of ingredients. Its capabilities include fermentation, purification, and bioprocess development, with facilities built to meet food-production standards. 
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Packaging & Technology News
BASF approaches Evonik over potential takeover, puts...
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. 
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.
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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Trends in AI use for packaging manufacturingOct2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that more manufacturers are launching products in new packaging formats. The growing number of formats, materials, and sustainability requirements is creating mor...

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Product innovation

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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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Next-gen packaging reshapes bakery aisleSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that bakery packaging launches grew at a CAGR of 4% from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches were the leading format, with plastic remaining the top packaging material and carton gaining momentum. Recyclable was the leading sustainability claim, while responsible source claims continued to gain ground.

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Dr. Shekhar Nath, Hindalco Industries
Video06:06
Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Hindalco presents ceramic solutions for pharma glass

Ceramic innovations are improving energy efficiency and safety in pharmaceutical glass packaging and battery foils, according to Dr. Shekhar Nath, general manager and sales specialist (Asia) at the Specialty Alumina Business of Hindalco Industries. He discusses the company’s solutions and their...

Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
Video16:12
CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap
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Video22:13
SIG on advancing aseptic packaging through lightweighting and innovation
Man in a navy suit pictured alongside an automated express return station with a green self-service kiosk and parcel conveyor.
Video09:28
QBCRA outlines next steps for Quebec’s evolving DRS
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