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BASF approaches Evonik over potential takeover, puts packaging chemicals in focus

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. 
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Recycle-ready solutions and convenience formats reshape snack packs
Snack packaging providers spotlight low environmental footprint as a notable consumer trend that is impacting how they approach design, including recyclability and the inclusion of recycled content. At the same time, snackers are looking for on-the-go products and appropriately packaged healthy treats. Packaging Insights speaks to Greiner Packaging, LyondellBasell Industries (LYB), PureCycle, and TNA Solutions to learn more about the most significant developments changing snack packaging conventions. “Snack packaging equipment demand is increasingly shaped by the need to balance value, variety, convenience, and sustainability,” Simon Hill, group product innovation manager at TNA Solutions, tells us. 
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BV Glas: Germany’s glass industry faces capacity pressures amid weak demand
Despite strong infrastructure, technical expertise, and industry experience, Germany’s glass sector is facing weaker demand, says Christiane Nelles, director general of the Federal Association of the German Glass Industry (BV Glas). She argues this is due to overall lower demand in the glass packaging market and changing consumer behavior. 
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Trends in snack pack launches
Innova Market Insights data indicates that snack launches grew at a +8% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches accounted for 50% of these launches, aligning with consumer preferences for purchasing salty snacks in pouches. Cup packaging formats showed the fastest growth, while plastic was the dominant packaging material.
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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.
Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion (US$2.3 billion) partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. We speak to Bahar Koyuncu, project officer at CBE JU, about the organization's packaging projects, including BioWrap, a flagship project in Germany to scale paper-based bubble wrap. 

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Aseptic bag industry targets PPWR recyclability ahead of 2030
Industrial flexble bag factory worker
Industrial aseptic bags are currently considered “not recyclable” under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), according to the Aseptic Bag Manufacturers Association (ABMA). As the EU develops its Design for Recycling criteria for PE flexibles as part of PPWR, ABMA has launched a cross-industry initiative to develop a recycling system and food-safe PE aseptic packaging that is also recyclable. “Industrial aseptic bags are used by a relatively concentrated group of producers in Europe, particularly for tomato products and juices,” a spokesperson for ABMA tells Packaging Insights. “The proposed system would collect used bags separately to avoid contamination, then send them to qualified recyclers. We are also exploring ways to make transport more efficient.” 
Smurfit Westrock acquires CMPC’s Chilean packaging business in multi-million...
Men signing business agreement
Smurfit Westrock is set to acquire the containerboard and corrugated business of Empresas CMPC (Compañía Manufacturera de Papeles y Cartones) for US$420 million, strengthening its Latin American operations. CMPC’s business operations include paper production in Puente Alto, Chile, corrugated cardboard packaging solutions in Buin, Til Til, and Osorno, molded packaging through Chimolsa, and the recovery and recycling of paper and cardboard through a network of 12 collection points. 
Aptar Beauty and Bvlgari unveil refillable travel spray for fragrances
Two spray bottles
Aptar Beauty and Bvlgari, an Italy-based fragrance company, have launched Le Gemme Tygar Travel Spray using Nomad Refill, a refillable 10 mL travel-size spray bottle that connects directly to a full-size perfume bottle through a patented integrated connector.Through this collaboration, Bvlgari extends its Tygar fragrance from Le Gemme Haute Parfumerie collection into a portable format. The design features an outer casing topped with a marble cap and a refillable glass vial, bringing together “luxury aesthetics and intuitive refill gesture” in a user-friendly on-the-go solution.
Packaging design can improve consumer waste sorting, study finds
Young woman sorting waste and grouping into different categories at her kitchen table
A recent study has revealed that consumers are more likely to correctly sort packaging when the design provides clear disposal guidance or simplified sorting processes. The research team from Yunnan University, the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, and the Beijing Institute of Technology, China, finds that packaging design is more important when waste management policies are weaker. Additionally, environmentally aware consumers  are found to respond more enthusiastically to sorting-friendly packaging. 
Epson collaborates with EPS to launch direct-to-object printing system
ControurJet
Epson has selected Engineered Printing Solutions (EPS) as its North America partner for its ContourJet direct-to-object digital printing platform. The new robotic system is designed to print “high-quality” graphics directly on three-dimensional objects. “Robot-enabled print enables packaging suppliers to decorate non-flat and non-cylindrical objects digitally for the first time,” a spokesperson at EPS tells Packaging Insights. “One example would be specialty bottles that have complicated curves and shapes.”
UK harvest 2026: Dry weather pushes wheat and barley yields below average
Farmer inspecting ripe wheat ear in field.

Food Ingredients First

The UK’s 2026 cereal harvest has drawn to a close with yields for several major crops well below recent averages, underlining the impact of a prolonged period of dry weather on arable farming. The final harvest assessment from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has now been published and shows that winter wheat averaged 6.9 metric tons per hectare across its survey sample — around 11% below the UK five-year average. 
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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.
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Packaging & Technology News
EPR funding emerges as e-commerce packaging pressures...
The Recycling Partnership’s latest report reveals that, as the US e-commerce industry continues to expand, companies are making packaging lighter to save on shipping costs. However, the increase in lighter, flexible packaging formats is creating challenges for residential recycling systems in many parts of the country. The US-based nonprofit’s 2026 State of Recycling Report, titled The Evolving Ton: Residential Generation Data, highlights that many US states are advancing packaging EPR laws, introducing a new source of funding to support recycling systems.
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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Flexible plastics innovationSep2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers globally associate plastic with portability and ease of storage, highlighting key attributes of flexible plastic packaging. These attributes are re...

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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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Trends in snack pack launchesSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that snack launches grew at a +8% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Flat pouches accounted for 50% of these launches, aligning with consumer preferences for purchasing salty snacks in pouches. Cup packaging formats showed the fastest growth, while plastic was the dominant packaging material.

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Bahar Koyuncu, CBE JU
Video16:12
CBE JU highlights bio-based packaging projects including fiber bubble wrap

Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion (US$2.3 billion) partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. We speak to Bahar Koyuncu, project officer at CBE JU, about the organization's packaging projects, including BioWrap, a flagship project...

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SIG on advancing aseptic packaging through lightweighting and innovation
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QBCRA outlines next steps for Quebec’s evolving DRS
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Shape the future of tuna with Tetra Recart® cartons 
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