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Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Foodservice industry tackles pEPR confusion and drives change

Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Foodservice industry tackles pEPR confusion and drives change

The UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) was a major topic of discussion among foodservice packaging providers exhibiting at this year’s Packaging Innovations in Birmingham, UK. We spoke to Ecosurety, the country’s pEPR compliance scheme, the UK Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), and packaging providers Coveris and Xampla, to explore how the industry is responding and what factors are causing confusion. 
Fresh produce packagers innovate to expand shelf life, safety & lightweighting
Fresh produce packagers innovate to expand shelf life, safety & lightweighting
Food waste reduction, freshness, and safety are central to packaging decisions for fresh produce, according to industry experts. Meanwhile, environmental concerns are pushing packagers toward lightweighting, reuse, and paper-based solutions. Packaging Insights speaks to Ampacet, Avantium, Avery Dennison, DS Smith, and WRAP about the key factors shaping the fresh produce packaging space. 
Australia’s plastic recycling sector at “tipping point,” industry calls for reforms
Australia’s plastic recycling sector at “tipping point,” industry calls for reforms
A recent letter from the Australian recycling and packaging industry insists the current government “urgently” introduces packaging reforms or “risks the collapse” of Australia’s plastic recycling sector. The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) have called on the government to protect the country’s recycling industry following a commissioned report by Rennie Advisory. 
Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picks
Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picks
Confectionery launches showed a 2% year-over-year growth between October 2023 and September 2025, according to Innova Market Insights data. Nearly half of the launches occurred in flat pouches, and more than half were packaged in plastic. Meanwhile, launches featuring carbon labeling claims gained ground.
Packaging Innovations 2026: Foodservice Packaging Association chair flags pEPR uncertainty
Packaging Innovations 2026: Foodservice Packaging Association chair flags pEPR uncertainty

At Packaging Innovations 2026 in the UK, Mike Revell, executive chair of the country’s Foodservice Packaging Association, signaled confusion and uncertainty around data collection and fee calculation around the country’s packaging EPR, which he said are caused by a lack of clear communication and weak enforcement from Defra and PackUK. 

Packaging Innovations 2026 review: Data, design & regulations drive circularity
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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Canadian court upholds “toxic” classification for plastic packaging
Canadian court upholds “toxic” classification for plastic packaging
The Canadian Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has decided to uphold the government’s order to list plastic-manufactured items (PMI) as “toxic” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The ruling means the Canadian government can continue to regulate single-use plastics, like bags, straws, and cutlery under CEPA. The decision has been met with doubt from the plastics industry and acclaim from environmental campaigners. Packaging Insights speaks with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and Oceana Canada about the ruling, delving deeper into the legal case and its implications for the packaging industry and environment. 
Coca-Cola unveils locally-inspired Lunar New Year packs across Southeast Asia &...
Coca-Cola unveils locally-inspired Lunar New Year packs across Southeast Asia & China
Coca-Cola is marking the Lunar New Year with a series of culturally inspired packaging designs across Southeast Asia and China, blending traditions with its brand storytelling.Across Southeast Asia, Coca-Cola has developed a festive visual identity in partnership with global brand and design consultancy Elmwood. The design appears across cans, multipacks, retail displays, and digital platforms, providing a shared foundation while allowing each market to reflect its own cultural traditions.
Sidel installs aseptic PET bottling line for Indian dairy drink brand
Sidel installs aseptic PET bottling line for Indian dairy drink brand
Sidel has provided Britannia, an Indian F&B company, with its first aseptic PET bottles for its Winkin’ Cow dairy drink portfolio. The complete aseptic PET packaging solutions were delivered at Britannia’s greenfield dairy factory in Ranjangaon, India. “Sidel offered Britannia end-to-end support, enabling them to unlock the full potential of their dairy beverage,” says Harbinder Kathuria, vice president of sales for South Asia at Sidel.
US Plastics Pact unveils circularity framework for films and flexibles
US Plastics Pact unveils circularity framework for films and flexibles
The US Plastics Pact (USPP) has released a framework outlining practical, system-level actions needed to strengthen the circularity of film and flexible plastic packaging in the US. The paper titled “Journey to Film & Flex Circularity: A Framework of Necessary Design, Collection, and End Market Levers” argues that efforts to reduce packaging and scale reuse should be prioritized first, consistent with the waste hierarchy.
Borealis and Borouge launch circular waste management system in Indonesia
Borealis and Borouge launch circular waste management system in Indonesia
Borealis and Borouge, in collaboration with Pelita Mekar Semesta, Reciki Solusi Indonesia, and the Subnational Climate Fund have partnered to establish a circular waste management system in Indonesia. The partnership aims to develop a fully integrated and circular waste management and polyolefin recycling system in Indonesia. It will begin with a feasibility study funded by the Subnational Climate Fund Technical Assistance. 
Fonterra forecasts dairy protein surge as GLP-1s reshape F&B trends
Fonterra forecasts dairy protein surge as GLP-1s reshape F&B trends

Food Ingredients First

Fonterra flags how increased GLP-1 use is fueling the demand for protein in its top five food and nutrition trends set to shape the year ahead in F&B. The global dairy exporter predicts a surge in demand for protein powders, ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, and protein-enhanced snacks, as the number of weight loss medication users rises globally.
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Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Huhtamaki & Xampla unveil...
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, Huhtamaki and Xampla are presenting their new folded cartonboard range featuring the plastic-free and plant-based Morro Coating. Live from the show floor, Packaging Insights speaks to Andy Hesp, vice president of Huhtamaki UK & Ireland, and Alexandra French, CEO at Xampla, about how the solution addresses current packaging trends observed at the show, such as paperization, plastic-free materials, and food security. 
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Packaging & Technology News
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Ecosurety urges clarity on...
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, we speak to Alison Appleby, packaging sustainability specialist at Ecosurety, a producer compliance scheme that helps companies comply with packaging EPR (pEPR) requirements, about the recently announced national DRS, set to launch in October 2027. Appleby tells Packaging Insights that, following the DRS announcement, more information is needed to help manufacturers start preparing in earnest.  “Although it is clear what the branding will be now, producers will need detailed labeling guidance, specifications, and guidelines on the use of barcodes to start changing packaging lines.” 
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Packaging & Technology News
Packaging Innovations 2026 live: Aptar Beauty unveils...
At Packaging Innovations 2026 in Birmingham, UK, Packaging Insights speaks with Michael Hoer, regional platform manager at Aptar Beauty, business segment of Aptar Group, about how the company’s solutions are evolving in response to emerging market and regulatory trends. From the show floor, Hoer tells us a primary focus of this year’s tradeshow is to advance sustainability in personal care packaging, with brands “developing hair care, sun care and body care applications produced using fully recycled materials.” 

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Fresh produce packs reinventedFeb2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers increasingly prioritize packaging that preserves freshness when cooking at home. This preference drives brands to innovate in fresh fruit and vegetab...

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Valentine’s Day food packaging Feb 2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, food product packaging launches for Valentine’s Day recorded a 14% CAGR between October 2020 and September 2025. Confectionery accounted for more than two-thirds of these launches. Nearly half were packed in folded boxes, and 71% in plastic.

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Packaging Insights’ sweet spot: Confectionery picksFeb 2026

Confectionery launches showed a 2% year-over-year growth between October 2023 and September 2025, according to Innova Market Insights data. Nearly half of the launches occurred in flat pouches, and more than half were packaged in plastic. Meanwhile, launches featuring carbon labeling claims gained ground.

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Packaging Innovations 2026: Foodservice Packaging Association chair flags pEPR uncertainty

At Packaging Innovations 2026 in the UK, Mike Revell, executive chair of the country’s Foodservice Packaging Association, signaled confusion and uncertainty around data collection and fee calculation around the country’s packaging EPR, which he said are caused by a lack of clear...

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Packaging Innovations 2026: Multivac presents flexible materials as pEPR drives compliance
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Packaging Innovations 2026: Tipa VP spotlights produce stickers and recyclable paper expansion
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Packaging Innovations 2026: Sabert and Colpac showcases foodservice and industrial solutions
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