Toppan has won adoption of its EB offset printing process for the lid film of Nissin Foods' Nissin no Assari Odashi ga Oishii Donbei instant cup noodle range, the first such use for a cup noodle lid in Japan. Shipments begin from October 2026, replacing gravure printing and removing a plastic film layer. Toppan targets JPY 3.0bn (USD 19m) in related sales from the process by fiscal 2028.
Why this mattersA named instant-noodle brand switching lid printing to a lower-solvent, layer-reduced process signals a path to cut plastic and CO2 in flexible food packaging at scale.
- First adoption of EB offset printing for an instant cup noodle lid in Japan, per Toppan.
- Shipments of the new lid begin from October 2026.
- Toppan estimates annual plastic use cut by about 20 tonnes for this product line versus prior gravure printing.
- Toppan estimates annual CO2 emissions cut by about 148 tonnes for the line.
- Toppan began mass production of EB offset-printed flexible packaging in May 2026.
- Toppan targets JPY 3.0bn (USD 19m) in related sales by fiscal 2028.
Meiji Co. and Toppan Holdings are running a paper cup take-back scheme for Meiji's Bulgaria Yogurt LB81 (400g) range at 13 Aeon Retail and Aeon Food Style stores in Yokohama from 1 October to 30 November 2026. Collected cups will be upcycled into merchandise sold at Meiji's pavilion at the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (GREEN x EXPO 2027) in Yokohama, running 19 March to 26 September 2027.
Why this mattersThe scheme tests collection logistics for water-resistant yoghurt cartons, a paper packaging stream that current recycling systems cannot process alongside milk cartons.
- Collection runs 1 October to 30 November 2026 at 13 Aeon-group stores in Yokohama
- Scope covers four SKUs of Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt LB81 400g paper cups
- Toppan designs and supplies collection boxes and manages the reprocessing
- Collected cups are upcycled into goods sold at the 2027 International Horticultural Expo, 19 March to 26 September 2027
- Earlier pilots ran from May 2025 at Meiji facilities and from October 2025 with retailer Bandai Co. at nine Kansai-region stores
- Collection and transport logistics are handled by Kaneko Co.
Toppan Holdings' Italian film subsidiary Irplast has inaugurated a new manufacturing line for biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, marking the event with a ceremony on 15 September 2026. The line lifts the plant's high-performance BOPP capacity to up to 30,000 tonnes a year and is expected to reach full commercial operation by late 2026, targeting recyclable mono-material packaging demand in Europe.
Why this mattersAdds local European capacity for mono-material BOPP film as converters and brand owners seek PPWR-compliant recyclable substrates.
- New BOPP film line inaugurated at Irplast, Italy, on 15 September 2026
- Combined line capacity reaches up to 30,000 tonnes per year of high-performance BOPP film
- Full commercial operations expected by late 2026
- Line uses Bruckner's LISIM simultaneous stretching technology
- Development targets down-gauging and retort-sterilisation-resistant applications
- Films aimed at recycle-ready mono-material packaging for EU PPWR compliance
- Output is aimed at packaging converters and global brand owners
- The line supports development of Toppan's GL BARRIER transparent film substrates
- Future development on the Irplast BOPP line will focus on downgauging to reduce plastic use while maintaining film strength.
- Toppan and its India subsidiary Toppan Specialty Films installed a hybrid BOPP/BOPE line in India in 2025
- Investment in the new Irplast line valued at approximately EUR 100m (USD 114m)
- Announcement made at an institutional summit in San Salvo, Abruzzo, between the region and Japanese industrial groups
- Partnership also involves Honda and Denso and was developed ahead of Expo Osaka
