On 5 June, the European Commission published a Commission Notice providing further clarity about the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in practice. We take a closer look at the document to understand its requirements in detail, including the current status of PFAS restrictions, the…
In this Innovation Spotlight, Dow outlines how its extrusion coating portfolio aims to support recyclability requirements and regulatory readiness, and how its collaboration with RDM Group demonstrates how lightweight polymer coatings can extend the use of fibre-based packaging into applications…
Europe’s plastics recycling sector is in turmoil. As a result of cheap virgin resin imports, falling demand, and perceived weak enforcement, the industry stands at a crossroads. In this article, Edward Kosior, CEO and Founder of Nextek Ltd, argues that failure to address these issues could lead to…
Mondelēz, Mars, Nestlé, L’Oréal USA, and Walmart are among the big brands suspected of leaving the U.S. Plastics Pact in the past few weeks. What does this mean in practical terms? Tim Sykes, Packaging Europe’s brand director, investigates.
Could we use the hero’s journey framework to retell the story of sustainable packaging? And could that story help our industry make sense of the challenges we’re facing, and find motivation for the road ahead? Olga Kachook, SPC Director at GreenBlue, takes a closer look.
In April, Tetra Pak unveiled an ‘industry-first’ paper-based cap for its carton packages, made from 87% renewable content. To learn more about this innovative solution, we spoke with Aldo Fontana, Global Product Manager at Tetra Pak.
Reusable packaging has a huge problem. Consumers express enthusiasm for refillable concepts, but demonstrate dramatically lower willingness to actually seek out refill stations. How can this problem be solved? In this article, Calvin Lakhan, Director of Circular Innovation Hub at York University’s…
For all the criticisms levied at the PPWR in its current form, the UK could learn a thing or two from its ambitious and collaborative effort to get things moving.
Packaging design has never operated in isolation, but in 2025 the pressure to get it right is sharper than ever. Sustainability targets are tightening, budgets are under scrutiny, and consumers are better informed. So, how can companies get it right? Smurfit Westrock’s Lisa Cain tells us…
What does packaging sustainability look like in one of the largest and fastest-growing consumer markets on earth? India, which is set to become the third-biggest global economy by the 2030s, is currently witnessing a paradigm shift in how packaging is perceived, produced, and consumed. Rajesh…
With the plastic substitution movement firmly underway, how far has the industry travelled towards replacing flexible plastic packaging with alternative materials? And what role, if any, does paper play? Neil Osment, Managing Director of packaging market research company NOA, investigates.
The PPWR is clearly presenting EU packaging businesses with plenty of challenges – but why don’t we talk more about the potential upsides? In this article, Anna Perlina, sustainable packaging consultant at Integrity Solutions, explains how new EU regulations can be used to grow your packaging…
In a recent article, Matt Tudball, Senior Editor for Recycling at ICIS, notes that in the absence of penalties for non-compliance, many small and medium-sized brands across Europe continue to favour virgin PET.
The packaging industry stands at the forefront of a transformative shift, driven by a convergence of trends that are reshaping its landscape. As organizations strive to optimize costs, comply with evolving legislation, and meet sustainability commitments, these trends present both challenges and…
