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Industry warns EC guidance on PPWR compliance does not address PFAS and recycling gaps

The European Commission (EC) has published a new guidance document to support the implementation of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to simplify compliance for economic actors and member states. However, industry stakeholders note the guidance does not sufficiently address recycling rules and PFAS compliance for investment decisions. The EC’s guidance document aims to “clarify rules where the PPWR needs further interpretation and areas where stakeholders have requested assistance,” such as when a company is considered a manufacturer or producer, as well as which items are considered packaging under the PPWR.
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Industry advances packaging solutions as “renewables do not mean compromise”
The biggest barrier to renewable packaging adoption is not the materials themselves, but the systems and infrastructure around them, according to Benjamin Cassou, co-founder and CEO at ReStalk. Stefan Mergel, head of Sustainability at SIG, says that the real roadblock — when considering a switch to more eco-friendly packaging — is not the lack of ambition but rather the lack of solutions that work here and now, and without trade-offs like loss of speed and efficiency in production. We sit down with ReStalk and SIG to explore how the packaging industry can accelerate renewable material adoption. 
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Nuon Medical explores beauty packaging shift to performance-driven tech
Beauty packaging is no longer a passive vehicle for product delivery, according to Alain Dijkstra, CEO at Nuon Medical. Dijkstra identifies beauty packaging as an extension of the brand’s promise, a driver of performance, and a touchpoint in the consumer relationship.Nuon Medical’s advanced cosmetic packaging solutions have combined technologies including phototherapy, microcurrents, and skin measurement sensors to improve product performance.
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Eco-forward rigid plastic
As consumer concern around sustainability grows, the use of more eco-forward rigid materials is increasing. This is reflected in a rising number of F&B launches using more sustainable rigid packaging, particularly recyclable plastic. Most of these launches are concentrated in Europe.
Christian Jung, T.CON, Aicomp Summit 2026, Product Planning Software, Packaging Industry, Production Planning, Packaging Facilities, Automation, Machinery & Automation, Industrial Software
Aicomp Summit 2026: T.CON discusses product planning software for packagers

Christian Jung, sales account executive at T.CON, spoke to us about the company’s software solutions aiming to facilitate production planning at packaging facilities. 

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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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Taiwan’s plastic packaging shortage sparks Costco purchase limits
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The prolonged disruption of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war involving Iran has constrained shipments of crude oil and naphtha to Taiwan, creating uncertainty for the island’s plastics packaging supply chain. In response to feedstock delivery delays caused by shipping disruptions in the Middle East, Taiwan’s Formosa Petrochemical Corporation has declared force majeure on select petrochemical supplies. These include ethylene and propylene, with the company announcing production cuts and suspending new orders. 
Amcor launches lightweight container for dairy products
yogurt pots
Amcor has released an updated version of its UniPak 1 kg pot for the dairy market. The upgraded solution uses less material but is said to retain its performance, robustness, and line compatibility. The yogurt pot and lid have a combined weight of 31.6 g, delivering up to a 9% reduction in carbon emissions, according to Amcor. It is also made entirely of PP and is recyclable, where the infrastructure is in place. 
Interpack 2026: PulPac to unveil fiber-based caps to replace plastic solutions
A fiber-based cap
PulPac is set to launch a new generation of caps at Interpack 2026 (May 7–13) in Düsseldorf, Germany. The caps are designed to meet the functional and consumer expectations, while moving toward a fiber-based solution. With the caps, PulPac aims to support the transition toward more material-aligned packaging systems. The development builds on ongoing work within the Bottle Collective initiative, where complete fiber-based bottle systems, including closures, are being examined and evaluated.
March in review: Iran war disrupts supply chains, regulation updates & Aicomp...
Oil and plastic packaging production.
Last month, the Iran war affected the packaging industry, leading to rising oil prices, a move toward recycled materials, and plastic bag shortages. Meanwhile, the UK launched investigations into glass container imports from China and Türkiye, and the US imposed anti-dumping duties on PP corrugated boxes from China. The Aicomp Summit 2026 took place in Austria. We attended the event and explored how facilitating efficiency and regulatory compliance emerged as key benefits of the packaging industry’s accelerating digitalization. 
Reconomy to open major UK plastic recycling plant
recycling worker in factory
Eurokey, a brand of the circular economy specialist Reconomy, is set to establish a £20 million (US$25.4 million) plastic recycling facility in Corby, Northamptonshire, UK. The 138,000 square foot facility is said to be the largest of its kind in the UK and aims to boost domestic recycling capacity. 
How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are shaping the future of European food demand
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Food Ingredients First

Economists at ING have released a new report on the expected impact appetite-suppressing weight loss medications will have on European food demand. The insights reveal how much GLP-1 drugs will influence and reshape the industry in the years to come. GLP-1 drugs are widely discussed as potentially transformative for food consumption, but their near-term impact in 2026 is minimal, says ING. Even though users typically reduce calorie intake by 15–20%, low adoption rates (nearly 2% of European adults and 12% of Americans) mean total food demand is only reduced by about 0.25%, which the bank suggests isn’t yet a major concern for F&B companies.
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Zero Waste Day 2026: Avery Dennison spotlights smart...
Avery Dennison is marking the UN’s International Day of Zero Waste (March 30) with a report revealing how limited inventory control is contributing to “record levels” of meat loss. We catch up with a company spokesperson to find out how connected packaging can help tackle food waste.“Packaging innovation is at the heart of the solution to food waste, but it is most effective when combined with better forecasting and stronger supply chain management,” a spokesperson at Avery Dennison tells Packaging Insights. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Gas shortages drive glass bottle price increases in India
Brewers in India have warned of glass bottle and aluminum can price increases due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as disruptions to the supply of natural gas and shipping delay imports. The Brewers Association of India, which represents Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, and Carlsberg, says that glass bottle prices have surged around 20%. Moreover, paper carton rates have doubled, as well as other packaging materials such as labels and tape. 
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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Renewable rebellionApr2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates stable growth in F&B launches featuring “renewable packaging” claims between 2021 and 2025. Carton was the most commonly used packaging material, and launches...

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Packaging for Easter treats Apr 2026

Innova Market Insights data highlights rising momentum in Easter-related F&B packaging launches, with an average annual growth of 11% between 2021 and 2025. Brands are increasingly leveraging seasonal packaging to capture consumer attention, introducing playful shapes, innovative formats, and limited-edition designs. Colorful eggs, bunnies, and spring motifs continue to define F&B packaging design during the festive period.

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Eco-forward rigid plasticApr 2026

As consumer concern around sustainability grows, the use of more eco-forward rigid materials is increasing. This is reflected in a rising number of F&B launches using more sustainable rigid packaging, particularly recyclable plastic. Most of these launches are concentrated in Europe.

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Christian Jung, T.CON, Aicomp Summit 2026, Product Planning Software, Packaging Industry, Production Planning, Packaging Facilities, Automation, Machinery & Automation, Industrial Software
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Aicomp Summit 2026: T.CON discusses product planning software for packagers

Christian Jung, sales account executive at T.CON, spoke to us about the company’s software solutions aiming to facilitate production planning at packaging facilities. 

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Aicomp Summit 2026: Stratasys talks industrial 3D printing in packaging 
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Aicomp Summit 2026: X-IT chief outlines solutions for PPWR compliance
Aicomp Summit 2026 Aicomp video thumbnail: Presenter gesturing beside a screen displaying a 3D cargo load diagram, with an inset headshot of a man wearing glasses in the upper left
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Aicomp Summit 2026: Aicomp spotlights product configuration solutions 
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