SIG and French filler LSDH are introducing SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, an aseptic carton that replaces the standard aluminium layer with an ultra-thin polymer barrier. LSDH will industrialise the pack through its Alsace subsidiary JFA, with first products reaching French retail shelves by the end of 2026.
Why this mattersRemoving aluminium from aseptic cartons cuts a key carbon driver and simplifies material sorting, a template other fillers and carton makers may follow.
- SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier replaces the aluminium layer with an ultrathin polymer barrier, developed over more than 16 years
- Aluminium is about 5% of a standard aseptic carton's weight but around 25% of its carbon footprint
- Removing it cuts the pack's carbon footprint by up to 19% versus a standard aseptic carton, per an ISO-compliant LCA for France
- The carton preserves fruit juice for up to 12 months, matching conventional aseptic cartons, and also suits vitamin-enriched dairy drinks, plant-based drinks and creams
- LSDH is industrialising the pack through its Alsace subsidiary JFA, which handles aseptic filling
- First products in the new carton reach French retail shelves by the end of 2026
Oji Holdings has broken ground on a new aseptic liquid-packaging plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam, under its Oji Liquid Pak brand, with total investment of USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion). The 57,000 sqm plant at Long Thanh High-Tech Park is expected to start operations in 2028 with capacity of 8 billion cartons a year and more than 200 new jobs, adding to Oji's existing Vietnamese network of three Ojitex plants and a United Packaging facility.
Why this mattersEight billion cartons a year of new aseptic capacity from 2028 shifts regional liquid-packaging supply closer to Southeast Asian fillers.
- Total investment is USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion)
- Plant site covers approximately 57,000 sqm at Long Thanh High-Tech Park, Dong Nai city
- Groundbreaking took place on 10 October 2026
- Planned annual capacity is 8 billion cartons
- Operations expected to start in 2028
- More than 200 new jobs to be created
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025.
- The plant works alongside IPI, an Italian aseptic carton and equipment maker that joined Oji Holdings in 2023.
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025 as part of Oji Group
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Italian unit IPI, acquired by Oji Holdings in 2023
- Oji Group already operates Ojitex Vietnam, Oji Interpack and United Packaging in Vietnam
- Oji Liquid Pak is a joint venture between Oji Holdings and Italian aseptic packaging technology group IPI
- First client deliveries are expected in the first half of 2028
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Oji group company IPI of Italy.
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment began a voluntary separate-discharge scheme for paper packs such as milk cartons from October 2026 across 144,000 apartment complexes subject to mandatory waste management, ahead of a compulsory separation rule planned for next year. A cooperation agreement signed 21 September 2026 commits dairy producers, recyclers including Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, and pack manufacturers to share recovery, sorting and recycling costs and improve pack recyclability. South Korea's paper pack recovery rate had fallen to 13% in 2023 from 19.9% in 2019.
Why this mattersA cost-sharing recycling scheme could improve feedstock quality for paper-pack recyclers and may foreshadow wider producer-responsibility rules in Korean packaging.
- Voluntary separate discharge of paper packs began October 2026 across 144,000 mandatory-management apartment complexes in South Korea.
- Mandatory separation of paper packs is planned for apartments from next year.
- Cooperation agreement signed 21 September 2026 between the environment ministry, dairy producers Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy, recyclers Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, pack manufacturers and the Korea Packaging Recycling Business Mutual Aid Association.
- Signatories share recovery, sorting and recycling costs, while manufacturers are to develop more easily recyclable pack designs.
- South Korea's paper pack recovery and recycling rate fell from 19.9% in 2019 to 13% in 2023.
- A guideline change removes the prior exception allowing disposal in paper bins where no dedicated collection box exists.
- Mandatory separate collection of paper cartons at the regulated apartment complexes takes effect 1 January 2027.
- The 21 September 2026 agreement was signed at Hansol Paper's Daejeon plant.
- Carton makers SIG Combibloc Korea and Tetra Pak committed to redesigning packs for recyclability and upgrading optical-sorting facilities.
Fedrigoni's chief executive and chairman Marco Nespolo will step down from both roles on 6 October 2026, after almost eight years leading the specialty paper and labels group. Rolf Stangl, former SIG Group chief executive and most recently a senior advisor to Apollo Global Management, becomes executive chairman, supported by the CFO and the chief executives of Fedrigoni's three operating companies. Nespolo retains his shareholding and a board seat.
Why this mattersFedrigoni moves from an eight-year, acquisition-led chief executive to an executive chairman with two decades in packaging, with the CFO and three operating-company heads in support.
- Marco Nespolo leaves as Fedrigoni CEO and chairman on 6 October 2026 after almost eight years in the role.
- Rolf Stangl, former SIG Group CEO and most recently a senior advisor to Apollo Global Management, becomes executive chairman.
- Stangl will be supported by Fedrigoni's CFO and the CEOs of its three operating companies.
- Nespolo keeps his shareholding in Fedrigoni and a seat on the board.
- Stangl led SIG Group from 2008 through its stock market listing and is non-executive chairman of NASDAQ-listed Reynolds Consumer Products.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has decided to cancel the listing of Greatview Aseptic Packaging, in a decision issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed by parent Xinjufeng on 8 October, after the shares passed the exchange's 18-month suspension limit on 18 August 2026. Trading has been halted since 19 February 2025, following a dispute over an overseas business restructuring that left auditors without complete financial records and a breach of the minimum public float once Xinjufeng reached 97.76%. Absent a review request within seven business days, the last trading day is 16 October 2026 and the listing ends on 20 October 2026.
Why this mattersDelisting removes the Hong Kong equity platform of a leading aseptic carton supplier, closing a cross-border funding and disclosure channel for its Chinese owner Xinjufeng.
- HKEX's listing committee decided to cancel Greatview's listing; the decision was issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed by Xinjufeng on 8 October 2026
- Shares have been suspended since 19 February 2025 and the 18-month suspension limit expired on 18 August 2026
- Last trading day is 16 October 2026 absent a review request; the listing is cancelled from 9am on 20 October 2026
- Xinjufeng holds 97.76% after buying 28.22% in 2023 and completing in March 2025 a general offer at USD 0.34 (HKD 2.65) per share, at a combined cost of USD 501m (CNY 3.355bn)
- The suspension followed an overseas restructuring that left incoming management without complete financial records, limiting the audit scope, alongside the public float breach
- Greatview's revenue fell from USD 588m (CNY 3.937bn) in 2022 to USD 277m (CNY 1.857bn) in 2025
- New Huijin plans to fully integrate Greatview as a wholly owned subsidiary once delisting proceeds, combining equipment and packaging-material operations for global rollout.
- The combined New Huijin-Greatview group's share of China's aseptic packaging market has risen above 20%, second only to Tetra Pak, with annual capacity above 50 billion packs.
- Domestic suppliers' share of leading Chinese dairy companies' aseptic packaging procurement rose from under 30% in 2024 to near 42% in H1 2026.
- Greatview filed a review application with HKEX's Listing Review Committee on 13 October 2026
- The board said the outcome of the review remains uncertain and the suspension continues until further notice
- Greatview engaged BT Corporate Governance Limited for a further follow-up internal control review, with a report dated 11 September 2026
- Management accepted all deficiencies and improvement recommendations identified in the review
- Greatview filed a review application with HKEX's Listing Committee on 13 October 2026 contesting the cancellation of its listing.
- A 2024 restructuring by Greatview's then management cut its direct stake in international unit Greatview International from 100% to 49%, ceding control to an outside fund.
- An independent investigation found former executives diverted a RMB 100m shareholder loan at 1% interest, moved about 70 staff and core IT systems, and imposed five-year non-compete clauses on roughly 1,600 customers now tied to renamed entity Wintipak AG.
- New Lead Holdings' auditor issued a qualified opinion on its 2025 accounts after being unable to obtain Greatview International's financial records.
China's national standardisation platform published GB/T 19741-2026, the revised standard for plastic composite films and pouches used in liquid food packaging, on 28 September 2026, taking effect 1 April 2027. SIG's Suzhou unit and Tetra Pak's Kunshan unit were among the drafting companies, alongside local converters, testing institutes and a university.
Why this mattersThe revised recommended national standard for liquid-food films and pouches, drafted with SIG and Tetra Pak, becomes the technical reference for suppliers to China's liquid-food fillers from April 2027.
- GB/T 19741-2026 published 28 September 2026 by China's national standard information platform
- Standard takes effect from 1 April 2027
- Overseen by committee TC397 and its SC6 subcommittee under the China National Light Industry Council
- Drafting units include SIG's Suzhou unit and Tetra Pak's Kunshan unit
- Other drafters include Beijing Technology and Business University and several local Chinese converters and testing institutes
Seoul Dairy Cooperative has launched One Meal Daily Care, a nutrition drink packed in SIG Group's DomeMini carton-bottle format, selling more than 3 million units in its first 80 days. The launch marks Seoul Dairy's entry into the daily nutrition and meal-replacement category and uses A2 milk with reduced lactose.
Why this mattersA 3m-unit run in 80 days gives SIG a Korean reference for carton bottles competing with plastic in single-serve nutrition drinks.
- Seoul Dairy Cooperative launched One Meal Daily Care in SIG's DomeMini carton-bottle packaging
- More than 3 million units sold in the first 80 days after launch
- DomeMini is a bottle-shaped carton pack made mainly from FSC-certified paperboard, filled using aseptic sleeve-based technology
- The product uses A2 milk and reduced lactose, following Seoul Dairy's earlier A2 Milk launch
- The launch targets South Korea's ageing population and demand for convenient daily nutrition
South Korea's Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment will require large apartment complexes to sort paper cartons such as milk packs separately from regular waste starting 1 January 2027. A voluntary pilot covering roughly 144,000 complexes of 300 or more households begins next month, backed by a memorandum of understanding signed on 21 September 2026 with carton producers Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc Korea, Hansol Paper and Ssangyong C&B, dairy groups Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy, and industry recycling bodies. Signatories will share collection and sorting costs, fund optical sorting equipment and commit to design changes to improve recyclability.
Why this mattersA binding sorting mandate and cost-sharing scheme could raise recycling rates and recycled pulp supply, pressuring carton makers to redesign for recyclability ahead of similar EPR moves elsewhere.
- South Korea's Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment will make separate disposal of paper cartons mandatory in large apartment complexes from 1 January 2027
- A voluntary pilot begins next month (October 2026) across about 144,000 apartment complexes with 300 or more households
- The ministry signed an MOU on 21 September 2026 at the Hansol Paper Daejeon plant with Seoul Milk, Maeil Dairy, Hansol Paper, Ssangyong C&B, SIG Combibloc Korea, Tetra Pak and industry bodies
- Producers including Seoul Milk and Maeil Dairy will share collection, sorting and recycling costs and increase purchases of recycled paper products
- Signatories will fund optical sorting machine installations and design-stage recyclability improvements
- Hansol Paper already operates carton-recycling equipment at its Daejeon plant, producing recycled pulp for paperboard and other paper products
- Cartons are currently often mixed with general waste paper or discarded in volume-based waste bags, limiting recycling rates
- Paper pack manufacturers will fund technology to improve recyclability from the design stage and advance optical sorting systems
- Recycling industry partners will select high-quality paper packs and produce recycled paper products
- Korea Packaging Recycling Business Mutual Aid Association and the Korea Circulation Resource Distribution Support Center will provide public relations, performance tracking and recycling subsidies
- Hansol Paper's own announcement dates the signing to 22 September 2026 at its Daejeon plant.
- Recovered cartons under the pact will be converted at Daejeon into recycled pulp and paper products including whiteboard paperboard.
- Daejeon plant is described as Korea's largest whiteboard (paperboard) production base
- Collected cartons will be converted into recycled pulp for whiteboard and other paper product feedstock
- Additional signatories named: Paper Carton Recycling Council, Korea Packaging Recycling Business Cooperative and Korea Resource Circulation Service Support Center
- Tetra Pak runs separate pilot carton-collection schemes with several Korean cities and districts, plus IoT collection bins in supermarkets.
- Tetra Pak separately runs carton separation pilots with local municipalities in South Korea
- Tetra Pak has installed IoT aseptic carton collection units in South Korean supermarkets
SIG has expanded its Recycle for Good used-carton collection programme in Indonesia beyond Jakarta into Surabaya, Malang, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Bali, the company said on 21 September 2026. The network now spans 389 collection points, up from 200 in Jakarta previously, and SIG is upgrading pulping equipment with partner Eco-Paper to process more used beverage cartons.
Why this mattersWider collection and pulping capacity strengthens SIG's circularity claims and could help beverage-carton customers meet extended producer responsibility rules in Southeast Asia.
- Recycle for Good now covers 389 collection points in Indonesia, up from 200 in Jakarta reported in SIG's 2025 annual report
- The expansion into Surabaya, Malang, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara and Bali was announced on 21 September 2026
- SIG is partnering with Eco-Paper to upgrade pulping equipment for used beverage cartons
- The programme launched in Jakarta in March 2023 and reached 151 Greater Jakarta collection points in 2024
- The Indonesian expansion forms part of a regional Recycle for Good - Prevent Marine Litter project also covering Thailand and the Philippines
- The regional project is funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment via ZUG and runs until December 2028
- The project targets preventing at least 10,000 tonnes of packaging waste from entering the sea, involving at least 100,000 households
Austrian dairy SalzburgMilch has begun commercial production of its Alex and Lisa children's drinks in SIG Group's DomeMini carton-bottle pack, the first commercial European use of SIG's DomeMini 12 Aseptic filling line. The line runs seven pack sizes from 180ml to 350ml at up to 12,000 units per hour, with format changeovers of about 15 minutes.
Why this mattersThe launch gives SIG a European reference customer for its aseptic carton-bottle format aimed at displacing plastic bottles in on-the-go children's drinks.
- SalzburgMilch, Austria's third-largest dairy, processed 344 million kg of milk in 2025
- SalzburgMilch uses SIG DomeMini for its Alex chocolate and Lisa vanilla children's drinks
- Installation is the first commercial European use of the SIG DomeMini 12 Aseptic filling line
- The line handles seven pack sizes from 180ml to 350ml at up to 12,000 units per hour
- SIG states the format cuts plastic use by more than 80% versus comparable plastic bottles
- Changeover between pack formats takes about 15 minutes
SIG has opened its first aseptic carton production plant in India, a EUR 90m facility in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, built in 20 months. The plant has initial capacity of up to 4 billion packs a year and employs more than 300 people, supplying dairy and non-carbonated soft drink fillers. SIG's board has also approved a further EUR 50m for a local extrusion line due to start by 2027.
Why this mattersLocal production shortens lead times and cuts import costs, sharpening SIG's competitive position in India's underpenetrated aseptic dairy and beverage packaging market.
- EUR 90m invested in the plant, completed in 20 months in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Initial annual capacity of up to 4 billion aseptic carton packs
- Plant creates more than 300 local jobs
- This is SIG's 10th global aseptic carton plant
- SIG's board has approved a further EUR 50m for a local extrusion line, operational by 2027
- SIG entered the Indian market in 2018 and reported double-digit revenue growth in 2024
- Plant confirmed fully operational, will serve as export hub for neighbouring Asian countries
UFlex has inaugurated a $126 million greenfield Asepto aseptic carton facility at Ain Sokhna, Egypt, with eventual annual capacity of 12 billion packs, taking the Indian group's combined global aseptic capacity to about 24 billion packs a year alongside its Sanand plant in India. The Egyptian plant is expected to start at around 30% utilisation and progressively ramp toward full capacity by around 2030, targeting Europe, Africa, the Gulf, the Americas and the CIS via Suez Canal shipping routes.
Why this mattersA second, closer-to-market aseptic base gives UFlex a route to compete more directly with Tetra Pak, SIG and Elopak in Europe, Africa and the Gulf.
- Investment: $126 million greenfield Asepto plant at Ain Sokhna, Egypt, on a 30-acre site
- Eventual annual capacity: 12 billion aseptic carton packs, matching UFlex's Sanand plant in India
- Combined global aseptic capacity reaches approximately 24 billion packs per year
- Initial utilisation expected at roughly 30%, rising to about 70% in year two and design capacity by 2030
- The plant has entered customer trials, with commercial production planned for late 2026
- Egypt trade access includes COMESA, GAFTA and the African Continental Free Trade Area
- The Ain Sokhna plant is equipped with two Heidelberg Boardmaster printing lines, an SML extrusion line and two IMS slitters.
- Utilisation is now phased at about 30% in year one and 60-70% in year two, with full capacity targeted around 2029-30.
- UFlex reported group revenue of about $1.63 billion for the year ended 31 March, with more than 16,000 employees globally.
- More than $100 million of the $126 million investment has already been spent.
- UFlex frames the Egypt plant as a shift from an India-led export model to multi-location global manufacturing
- The plant uses a Heidelberg Board Master XL 1650 printing line and an SML Triplex extrusion laminator.
- Paper for the plant is supplied by Stora Enso.
- Asepto's existing Sanand, India plant serves over 250 customers in more than 50 countries.
- Utilisation is now guided at 30% in year one, rising to 100% by year three.
- The Ain Sokhna plant uses automated manufacturing machinery
- The Ain Sokhna plant sits in the Orascom Industrial Park within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
- Installed equipment includes a Heidelberg Boardmaster XL 1650 press, an SML Triplex lamination line and Madern Automation reel handling rated at 160 reels an hour.
- Commercial trials are underway ahead of commissioning, still targeted before the end of 2026.
- The Ain Sokhna plant will use next-generation automated manufacturing machinery
- UFlex's Q1 FY27 consolidated net profit rose 629.6% year-on-year to INR 423.3 crore
- Q1 FY27 revenue rose 37.6% year-on-year to INR 5,366 crore
