Aptar Pharma has acquired Munich-based Pulmotree, adding its Kolibri non-propellant liquid inhaler platform to Aptar's respiratory drug-delivery portfolio. The deal follows an exclusive collaboration the two companies began in 2024. Aptar intends to take Kolibri, which is designed for complex molecules including biologics, through clinical evaluation to market launch with pharmaceutical partners.
Why this mattersGives Aptar ownership of a propellant-free liquid inhaler platform for biologics, turning a 2024 collaboration into an in-house respiratory device offer.
- Aptar Pharma has acquired Pulmotree, a Munich-based pulmonary drug delivery company
- The deal adds Pulmotree's Kolibri Non-Propellant Liquid Inhaler (NPLI) platform to Aptar Pharma's respiratory device portfolio
- Aptar and Pulmotree had an exclusive collaboration agreement in place since 2024
- Kolibri uses a breath-triggered vibrating mesh aerosolisation engine designed for targeted lung deposition of complex molecules, including biologics
- Aptar plans to combine Kolibri with Nanopharm formulation, Noble human-factors and Aptar Digital Health services
Aptar has appointed Virginie Maes as President of Aptar Pharma, effective 1 January 2027. Maes joins from Amcor, where she led the Flexibles Pharma and Medical packaging business across North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia.
Why this mattersAptar Pharma will be led by an executive recruited from Amcor's pharma and medical flexibles business, bringing in leadership from a rival healthcare packaging supplier.
- Virginie Maes becomes President of Aptar Pharma effective 1 January 2027
- She joins from Amcor, where she led global Flexibles Pharma and Medical packaging
- Earlier career includes McKinsey & Company, Terra Firma Capital Partners and Morgan Stanley
- Appointment announced by Aptar CEO Gael Touya on 22 October 2026
Aptar has expanded its pharma operations in Mumbai, India, adding local production of inhalation technologies including its pressurised metered dose inhaler valve, breath-actuated systems and multi-dose nasal spray systems. The expanded site, inaugurated on 5 October 2026, grows Aptar's Mumbai footprint to 11,300 square metres and adds moulding capability alongside existing assembly operations.
Why this mattersLocal moulding capacity for inhalation devices shortens supply chains for Indian and Southeast Asian pharma customers and reduces reliance on imported components.
- Expanded Aptar Pharma site in Mumbai inaugurated on 5 October 2026
- Mumbai manufacturing footprint increased to 11,300 square metres
- Expansion adds moulding capability in addition to existing assembly operations
- New local production covers pMDI valves, breath-actuated systems and multi-dose nasal spray systems
- Aptar has operated commercially in Mumbai since 1998, with prior India sites opened in Rabale (2012), Hyderabad (2020) and Taloja (2023)
Graphic Packaging Holding Company has appointed Aditya Gandhi as vice-president and chief accounting officer, reporting to interim chief financial officer Charles Lischer. Gandhi joins from AptarGroup, where he held the same title, having previously served as chief accounting officer at Sonoco Products Company.
Why this mattersA permanent chief accounting officer under an interim CFO adds finance capacity at a company whose second-quarter net income fell 77% to USD 24m.
- Aditya Gandhi joins Graphic Packaging as vice-president and chief accounting officer.
- He reports to interim chief financial officer Charles Lischer.
- Gandhi was previously chief accounting officer at AptarGroup and at Sonoco Products Company.
- He spent more than ten years at Deloitte, including senior posts in its National Office and London practices.
- Graphic Packaging reported Q2 2026 net income of USD 24m, down 77% from USD 104m a year earlier.
Aptar Pharma has started a three-year research collaboration with Macquarie University in Sydney to study delivery of high-dose dry powder biologic therapies. The project, backed by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant, will use Aptar's Orbital dry powder inhaler platform to test how formulation choices affect aerosol performance for large biologic molecules.
Why this mattersAcademic validation of the Orbital platform for large-molecule biologics could support Aptar's push into pulmonary delivery as drugmakers seek alternatives to injectables.
- Three-year programme titled Unlocking the Potential of Dry Powder Carriers for Biologic Applications, ARC grant reference LP250100089
- Funded jointly by the Australian Research Council Linkage Project scheme and industry partners
- Research uses Aptar Pharma's Orbital dry powder inhaler platform for high-payload dry powder formulations
- Study will examine how formulation variables affect aerosol performance on the Orbital platform
Beauty packaging supplier GEKA, part of Swiss group medmix, has partnered with luxury cosmetics packaging maker Axilone to launch Symbiosis, a bottle concept combining GEKA's injection blow moulding with an Axilone aluminium outer shell. The concept was shown at Luxe Pack Monaco, and GEKA said a next-generation version with a stronger sustainability focus will follow at Cosmopack Bologna in 2027.
Why this mattersPairing injection blow moulding with an aluminium overshell lets prestige beauty suppliers offer hybrid formats without brands sourcing plastic and metal parts separately.
- GEKA and Axilone unveiled the Symbiosis bottle concept at Luxe Pack Monaco
- Symbiosis pairs GEKA's injection blow moulding technology with an aluminium outer shell made by Axilone
- The design uses low-carbon aluminium and offers customisable finishes including matte, glossy and brushed surfaces
- GEKA is part of medmix, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: MEDX)
- GEKA plans to unveil a next-generation Symbiosis concept with a stronger sustainability focus at Cosmopack Bologna in 2027
Coverpla has broadened its refillable perfume bottle range to 19 references and added new 2026 launches including the Neo, Verdi 50ml and Laura 100ml refillable designs. The company has also paired its refill bottles, such as Olympe and Round B, with two third-party refill technologies: Techniplast's RT-Twist connector for home refilling and Aptar Beauty's Nomad Refill pocket vaporiser system.
Why this mattersGrowing brand demand for refillable fragrance formats is pushing rigid packaging makers to bundle bottles with refill technology from specialist partners rather than compete alone.
- Coverpla now offers 19 refillable references spanning travel to 200ml formats.
- New 2026 launches include the Neo bottle with wooden FIT cap, a 50ml Verdi variant and a 100ml refillable Laura model.
- Refill bottles Olympe (200ml) and Round B (100ml/200ml) have been added to the refill catalogue.
- Techniplast's RT-Twist technology enables gravity-fed home refilling with automatic overflow stop.
- Aptar Beauty's Nomad Refill combines a pocket vaporiser with a refill accessory that stops automatically once full.
Aptar Beauty has launched its Nomad Refill packaging platform for the first time, in BVLGARI's Le Gemme Tygar travel spray. The 10 ml refillable glass vial sits in a black anodised aluminium case with a Black Marquina marble cap, and was developed with BVLGARI over two years.
Why this mattersThe launch signals dispenser makers pushing refillable formats into luxury fragrance, a segment where brand owners face sustainability pressure while protecting premium design.
- Nomad Refill is billed as the first 10 ml purse spray directly refillable from full-size bottles in under five seconds.
- The product is based on BVLGARI's Le Gemme Tygar fragrance from the Le Gemme Haute Parfumerie collection.
- Casing uses black anodized aluminium with a Black Marquina marble cap and magnetic closure.
- Development took two years of joint work between Aptar Beauty and BVLGARI.
- The vial uses Aptar Beauty's Classic INUNE prestige fragrance pump, described as POM-free with a metal-free pathway.
- The refill connector is compatible with SNI15 screw-on neck finishes.
- The cap and case design draws on the historic Bvlgari boutique door on Via Condotti in Rome
- The spray mechanism used in the system is named Classic Inune and keeps fragrance out of contact with metal parts
- The Tygar travel spray case adds gilded aluminium detailing to its black anodised aluminium and marble construction
Russia has placed Aptar Europe Holding, the Russian subsidiary of US dispensing and drug-delivery packaging group Aptar, under temporary state control, according to a report dated 21 September 2026. Aptar, which reported USD 3.8bn group revenue for fiscal year 2025 across more than 20 countries and 14,000 employees, is due to report third-quarter 2026 results on 29 October 2026.
Why this mattersA state takeover of a foreign-owned packaging subsidiary signals rising operational and political risk for Western groups still active in Russia.
- Russia placed Aptar Europe Holding, a Russian subsidiary of Aptar, under temporary state control, reported 21 September 2026
- Aptar (NYSE: ATR) recorded USD 3.8bn revenue for fiscal year 2025
- Aptar employs 14,000 people in more than 20 countries
- Aptar's market capitalisation stood at USD 7.7bn as of 2 October 2026
- Aptar is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on 29 October 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, published on 21 September 2026, placing the whole of Aptar Vladimir, a plastic packaging plant held through Aptar Europe Holding, under temporary external administration. The appointed manager is H&N, the entity behind Danone's former Russian business, itself nationalised by decree in 2023. AptarGroup said the unit accounted for under 0.6% of consolidated net sales and operating income at 31 December 2025 and that it is assessing options to protect its shareholder rights.
Why this mattersThe decree extends Russia's seizure of Western-owned assets to a US packaging group, raising expropriation risk for remaining Western manufacturers in the country.
- The decree, published on 21 September 2026, places 100% of Aptar Vladimir under temporary external administration.
- Aptar Vladimir is held by Aptar Europe Holding, part of US-headquartered AptarGroup, and runs the group's only plant in Russia, at Vladimir, making caps, closures and dispensers.
- The appointed manager is H&N, the legal entity behind Danone's Russian division, nationalised under a separate decree in 2023.
- AptarGroup said Aptar Vladimir represented under 0.6% of consolidated net sales and operating income as of 31 December 2025.
- AptarGroup said it is assessing the situation and its options and flagged possible operational, legal, accounting or sanction impacts and possible impairment.
- On 17 September 2026 Putin signed a law placing the Russian assets of Auchan, Nestle, Lemana PRO and FM Logistic under temporary management by L.E.V. Management.
Aptar Active Material Science, part of Aptar, has reported the first commercial use of its Activ-Film technology in a capsule-based dry powder inhaler, extending a platform previously used in oral solid-dose drugs, implants and diagnostics. The material sits in a separate cavity within the aluminium blister, connected by a channel to the drug cavity, and is engineered to manage moisture, oxygen and VOCs without contacting the drug. Aptar declined to name the inhaler manufacturer, citing confidentiality.
Why this mattersExtends active packaging beyond solid-dose pharma into inhalation devices, opening a new application area for stability-control materials in drug delivery.
- Aptar Active Material Science reports the first commercial deployment of Activ-Film in a capsule-based dry powder inhaler.
- Activ-Film sits in a separate cavity in the aluminium blister, linked by a channel to the drug cavity to avoid direct contact.
- The technology is built on Aptar's 3-Phase Activ-Polymer platform and can manage moisture, oxygen and VOCs.
- Aptar opened a New Jersey manufacturing facility in 2025 dedicated to clinical packaging for oral solid-dose drugs and capsule-based DPI products.
- Aptar declined to identify the inhaler manufacturer using the technology, citing confidentiality agreements.
- The platform is already used in FDA-approved oral solid-dose drugs, implants and diagnostic products.
Aptar Beauty has added the Novus Advance cosmetic pump to its Advance Collection, a full-polyolefin dispensing platform designed for recyclability. The pump combines polypropylene and polyethylene, is compatible with PET, PE and PP bottle streams, and can incorporate post-consumer recycled resin.
Why this mattersMono-material pump designs help brand owners meet packaging recyclability targets without changing dispensing performance or design.
- Novus Advance is part of Aptar Beauty's Advance Collection, first introduced in 2025
- The pump combines polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) in a full-polyolefin cartridge
- It is compatible with PET and PE recycling streams when paired with HDPE, PP or PET bottles
- The design is POM-free and can integrate post-consumer recycled resin (PCR)
- It offers medium doses of 500 microlitres and 350 microlitres for hair, body and sun care
- The pump has passed Aptar Beauty's in-house ISTA-6 e-commerce shipping test protocols
- Novus Advance delivers its 350- and 500-microlitre doses via an outer bellow system
- The pump follows the GSA Advance and PZ Advance pumps launched last year as part of Aptar's all-plastic pump line
- Aptar plans to expand the full-polyolefin collection to further dosages and applications
- Novus Advance was showcased at Paris Packaging Week on 22 September 2026
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Husky Technologies has launched HyCAP 4.0, a new tooling platform for beverage closure manufacturing designed to support ultra-lightweight and tethered closures. The platform uses polymer bushings and an optimised stack design intended to extend mould life and cut unplanned downtime, and is built to help customers meet tethered-cap regulations without new capital investment.
Why this mattersTooling that supports both tethered and standard closures without retooling lets converters adapt to spreading tethered-cap mandates at lower capital cost.
- Husky Technologies launched the HyCAP 4.0 tooling platform on 15 September 2026.
- The tooling supports both tethered and non-tethered beverage closure production.
- Polymer bushings reduce steel-to-steel contact to extend mould life over millions of cycles.
- The platform targets ultra-lightweight closure designs to reduce material use.
- It is designed for high-speed production while maintaining tight tolerances.
Aptar Closures has launched Harmonic, a linerless sport cap designed for hot-fill and high-speed beverage filling lines. The 33mm closure features a visible tamper-evidence indicator and a two-part design that allows colour customisation for brand differentiation. The company positions the product for beverages aimed at on-the-go consumption.
Why this mattersA linerless closure compatible with hot-fill lines can simplify production and reduce material use for beverage brands seeking on-shelf differentiation.
- Harmonic features a 33mm neck ring designed for ease of opening and closing
- The closure is linerless, with no foil seal, and includes a visible tamper-evidence indicator
- Aptar states the cap is compatible with high-speed and hot-fill beverage filling lines
- The two-part design allows colour combinations for brand customisation
- Emma Bersier, senior director and beverage market lead at Aptar Closures, commented on the launch
Aptar Beauty has created a bespoke dispensing pump for L'Occitane en Provence's redesigned hand care collection, based on its Satine personal care pump platform. The refillable bottles come in 350ml and 500ml formats in glass or plastic, with the pump molded and decorated at Aptar's Oyonnax site in France and assembled at its Le Neubourg facility. The project was completed in under a year.
Why this mattersIllustrates continued brand demand for bespoke, refillable premium dispensing systems as beauty brands pursue single-use plastic reduction alongside packaging redesigns.
- Custom pump based on Aptar Beauty's Satine personal care pump platform
- 24/410 screw neck compatible with refill systems, delivering a 500 microlitre dose
- Bottles available in 350ml and 500ml formats, in glass or plastic
- Pump molded and decorated at Aptar Beauty's Oyonnax facility, France
- Assembly takes place at Aptar's Le Neubourg site, France
- Development completed in under one year
- L'Occitane en Provence has now launched the redesigned refillable hand-care bottles carrying the Aptar Satine-based pump
Aptar Pharma has entered a research collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, led by Alice Stanton, to build a predictive screening platform for nose-to-brain (N2B) drug delivery. The New Approach Methodology will combine in vitro, in vivo and computational tools to identify molecules suited to intranasal delivery for central nervous system disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The tool is intended to incorporate Aptar's Cerespray and Neurospray nasal delivery platforms to guide formulation and device design for pharmaceutical partners.
Why this mattersA validated screening platform could shorten development timelines for CNS drugs and strengthen Aptar's positioning as a device partner earlier in pharma R&D.
- Research collaboration agreement signed with Massachusetts General Hospital, led by Alice Stanton, PhD
- Project targets a New Approach Methodology (NAM) for nose-to-brain (N2B) drug delivery screening
- Platform combines in vitro, in vivo and computational technologies to characterise transport mechanisms
- NAM is intended to incorporate Aptar's Cerespray and Neurospray nasal delivery platforms
- Target applications include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and depression
- Aptar cites 30 years of field data behind its proprietary nasal delivery systems
- Aptar named Daniel Ackerman interim Chief Accounting Officer while he continues as Senior Vice President, Finance for Aptar Pharma.
Aptar Pharma has transferred and commissioned production of its Advanced Preservative Free (APF) nasal pump technology at its Berazategui, Argentina facility, which serves customers across 15 Latin American countries. The move forms part of Aptar Pharma's local-for-local manufacturing strategy, alongside recent investments in the US, China and India.
Why this mattersLocalising advanced drug-delivery manufacturing shortens lead times for Latin American pharma customers and signals continued capacity build-out by Aptar's core pharma division.
- APF pump production line transferred and commissioned at Berazategui, Argentina, announced 13 September 2026
- Berazategui facility spans 2,500 square metres and supplies 15 countries in Latin America
- APF is a multidose spray dispensing system for preservative-free nasal formulations
- Move sits alongside Aptar Pharma investments in Congers, New York, Suzhou, China and Mumbai, India
