Huhtamaki has unveiled Push Tab, a mono-material PET blister lid for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, developed with partner Kloeckner Pentaplast. The lid replaces traditional multi-material, aluminium-containing push-through blister lidding and runs on existing blister lines without modification. Huhtamaki cites 2021 European healthcare packaging sales of EUR 1.4 billion, about half of it blister packaging.
Why this mattersA drop-in mono-material lid that needs no line investment removes a key cost barrier to recyclable blister packaging across the large pharma packaging market.
- Push Tab is an aluminium-free, mono-material PET blister lid launched by Huhtamaki
- Developed with partner Kloeckner Pentaplast
- Compatible with existing high-performance blister packaging lines without modification
- European healthcare packaging sales were estimated at EUR 1.4 billion in 2021, about 50% of it blister packaging
- Huhtamaki previously developed a paper-based blister pack with Syntegon containing over 75% FSC-certified renewable paper
Klöckner Pentaplast has signed a capacity reservation agreement with Avantium to secure future access to the plant-based polyester PEF, ahead of construction of licensed production plants that do not yet exist. The film maker plans to evaluate the material, branded Releaf, for thermoformed food trays, with no volumes or delivery date disclosed.
Why this mattersA reservation with a not-yet-built supply chain signals early positioning for bio-based PEF in food packaging, but commercial availability remains years away and unconfirmed.
- Klöckner Pentaplast has signed a capacity reservation agreement with Avantium for the plant-based polyester PEF.
- The agreement gives kp access to future PEF volumes from industrial plants that Avantium's licensees are set to build.
- No plants currently exist; Avantium plans to licence its PEF technology to manufacturers globally.
- Avantium has not disclosed the volume or duration of the reservation.
- kp intends to test the material, branded Releaf, in thermoformed food trays for fresh and ready-made food.
- Delivery depends on the material meeting technical, regulatory and commercial requirements, according to Avantium.
Klöckner Pentaplast is rolling out kp Infinity Tavola, a recyclable expanded polypropylene pizza box, in the UK and selected European markets from September 2026. The company says the two-part interlocking design keeps pizza up to 7.3 degrees Celsius hotter after five minutes than traditional cardboard boxes and avoids the oil and cheese contamination that complicates paper-based recycling.
Why this mattersA recyclable plastic alternative to cardboard pizza boxes targets a foodservice category where food contamination has limited paper recycling options.
- Launch covers UK and selected European markets from September 2026
- Testing showed pizzas up to 7.3°C hotter after five minutes versus traditional packaging
- Box uses fully recyclable expanded polypropylene (EPP) in two interlocking identical parts
- Available in a 12 inch format for dine-in, takeaway and delivery
- Product extends the existing kp Infinity Hotpacs foodservice range
- Designed to be recyclable within polypropylene collection streams
Avantium has signed a capacity reservation agreement with Klöckner Pentaplast covering future volumes of Avantium's plant-based PEF polymer, branded releaf, for thermoformed food packaging such as trays and lidding films. The agreement gives kp access to volumes from planned industrial-scale PEF plants to be built by licensees of Avantium's technology, subject to the material meeting technical, regulatory and commercial requirements. No production volumes, prices or binding delivery commitments were disclosed.
Why this mattersReserved volumes from a converter with 27 plants give PEF a demand anchor, though supply depends on licensee plants that have yet to be built.
- Avantium and Klöckner Pentaplast announced the capacity reservation agreement on 14 September 2026
- The agreement covers future releaf (PEF) volumes from prospective industrial-scale plants to be built and operated by licensees of Avantium's technology
- Access to volumes is subject to the material meeting technical, regulatory and commercial requirements
- Target applications are thermoformed food trays, lidding films and flow-wrap structures across Europe
- releaf is made from FDCA, Avantium's flagship molecule, and is positioned on oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier performance
- kp was founded in 1965 and has 27 plants in 16 countries with about 5,000 employees
