Sun Paper has approved a further USD 745m (CNY 5.0bn) investment at its Nanning Liujing industrial park in Guangxi, China, adding unbleached chemical wood pulp and specialty paper lines and retiring older high-energy equipment. The upgrade lifts the site's pulp and paper capacity from 4.05m tonnes to 5.15m tonnes a year. Sun Paper's cumulative investment in Guangxi over seven years reaches USD 6.38bn (CNY 42.8bn).
Why this mattersThe expansion shifts Sun Paper's Guangxi output toward higher-value specialty paper and integrated pulp production ahead of lower logistics costs from the Pinglu Canal.
- Sun Paper adds USD 745m (CNY 5.0bn) to its Nanning Liujing industrial park upgrade
- The project adds 500,000 tonnes/year of unbleached chemical wood pulp and 600,000 tonnes/year of specialty paper capacity
- Total site pulp and paper capacity rises from 4.05m tonnes to 5.15m tonnes, an increase of 1.10m tonnes
- Cumulative Sun Paper investment in Guangxi over seven years reaches USD 6.38bn (CNY 42.8bn)
- The project has environmental impact approval from the Guangxi regional ecology and environment department
- The Pinglu Canal, due to open in September 2026, is projected to cut logistics costs by 18-30% against routing via Guangzhou port
Avery Dennison used its 2026 High Value Category Investor Showcase on 25 September 2026 to set out how its faster-growing businesses support revenue growth, margin expansion and capital deployment across the Materials and Solutions segments. President and chief executive Deon Stander said high-value categories contributed nearly USD 4bn of the USD 9bn of net sales recorded in 2025, about 45% of the total and nearly 10 percentage points more than five years ago. Intelligent Labels, the RFID business, passed USD 900m of sales in 2025.
Why this mattersThe mix shift toward specialty labels, RFID and shelf-edge products marks where Avery Dennison expects to grow ahead of the wider labels and materials market.
- High-value categories contributed nearly USD 4bn of Avery Dennison's USD 9bn of 2025 net sales, about 45%, up nearly 10 percentage points in five years
- Materials Group generates more than USD 6bn of sales and draws about 38% of its revenue from high-value categories
- Intelligent Labels exceeded USD 900m of sales in 2025 after low-teens organic growth over five years
- Specialty and durable labels generated USD 1.2bn of global sales last year; performance materials is a USD 500m business
- Graphics and reflective solutions produced more than USD 700m of 2025 sales
- Food, beverage, pharmaceuticals and personal care account for about 60% of revenue, and emerging markets for about 30%
Fedrigoni Graphics has launched PureGloss, an upgrade for the gloss colours of its F-Wrap Ultimate 1000 vehicle wrapping film, adding a 36 micron PET protective layer. The layer is designed to reduce surface defects during installation and preserve gloss for up to two years, without changing the base film's technical properties.
Why this mattersIncremental upgrades to premium wrapping films let converters compete on installer experience and shelf appeal without reformulating base products.
- PureGloss adds a 36 micron PET protective layer to F-Wrap Ultimate 1000 gloss colours
- The layer is designed to reduce orange peel effect and preserve gloss for up to two years
- The protective layer must be removed before application on curved or 3D surfaces
- The protective layer is made of recyclable polyester
- Adhesion, conformability and durability of the base film are unchanged
- The previous version of F-Wrap Ultimate 1000 remains available and compliant
Australian bioenergy company Delorean Corporation and paper and packaging group Opal have completed the concept phase for a proposed anaerobic digestion facility at Opal's Maryvale Mill in Victoria, advancing to the development phase. The plant, estimated to cost around USD 24.6m (AUD 35m), would produce biogas to replace natural gas fuelling the mill's lime kiln, with a final investment decision still to come.
Why this mattersA biogas-fuelled lime kiln would offer a rare decarbonisation route for a hard-to-electrify pulping process, a template other paper mills could follow.
- Concept stage completed for anaerobic digestion facility at Opal's Maryvale Mill, Victoria
- Estimated construction and design investment of USD 24.6m (AUD 35m), subject to revision
- Biogas would replace natural gas fuelling the mill's rotary lime kiln used in chemical pulping
- Delorean to conduct further feasibility assessment ahead of a final investment decision
- Under an existing MOU, the companies may form an equally owned joint venture if the project proceeds to construction
- Delorean holds a right of first refusal over 50 per cent of the project equity
French secondary packaging manufacturer Verpack has completed a new leveraged buyout with private equity firm Aldebaran Capital Partners, with the founding Viers family retaining majority ownership. The company, which runs six industrial sites employing 530 staff, is targeting revenue of USD 68m (EUR 60m) in 2026 and plans to use the deal to fund its industrial transition and external growth.
Why this mattersA second LBO in six years shows continued private equity appetite for mid-sized European secondary packaging converters seeking capital for consolidation and industrial upgrades.
- Verpack completed a new LBO with Aldebaran Capital Partners, announced 24 September 2026.
- The Viers family retains majority ownership of the company.
- Verpack employs 530 staff across six industrial sites, five in France and one in Tunisia.
- The company targets revenue of USD 68m (EUR 60m) in 2026.
- Verpack's first LBO took place in 2020 alongside Crédit Mutuel Equity.
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings reported full-year net profit of USD 533.4m (CNY 3.581bn), against USD 263.2m (CNY 1.767bn) a year earlier. Revenue rose 18.6% to USD 11.172bn (CNY 75.000bn) from USD 9.421bn (CNY 63.241bn). Earnings per share came to USD 0.11 (CNY 0.76), against USD 0.06 (CNY 0.38).
Why this mattersA doubling of profit at one of Asia's largest containerboard producers is the clearest read yet on margins in China's packaging paper chain.
- Full-year net profit reached USD 533.4m (CNY 3.581bn), against USD 263.2m (CNY 1.767bn) a year earlier
- Revenue rose 18.6% to USD 11.172bn (CNY 75.000bn) from USD 9.421bn (CNY 63.241bn)
- Earnings per share rose to USD 0.11 (CNY 0.76) from USD 0.06 (CNY 0.38)
Taisheng Technology Group has signed an agreement with Xuyong County, Luzhou (Sichuan), for an integrated bamboo fibre project with planned investment of about USD 1.49bn (CNY 10bn). The project will build annual capacity of 700,000 tonnes of pulp, 700,000 tonnes of paper and 700,000 tonnes of post-processing, plus a warehousing and logistics park, in two construction phases on roughly 1,600 mu of land.
Why this mattersThe project adds large-scale integrated bamboo pulp-to-packaging paper capacity in China, deepening forest-pulp-paper vertical integration in a key bamboo-growing region.
- Planned total investment about USD 1.49bn (CNY 10bn)
- Annual capacity target: 700,000 tonnes pulp, 700,000 tonnes paper, 700,000 tonnes post-processing/converting
- Site covers about 1,600 mu, built in two phases
- Projected annual output value of about USD 1.64bn (CNY 11bn) once fully operational
- Expected to create about 2,500 direct jobs and support about 50,000 jobs in the region
- Xuyong County holds 1.6 million mu of bamboo forest, the largest bamboo base county in Sichuan
The US Patent Trial and Appeal Board has ruled unpatentable the challenged claims of a Graphic Packaging International patent covering a laminated, biodegradable paper-based cup, finding them anticipated or obvious over prior art. The decision, issued 24 September 2026, came in an inter partes review brought by competitor Clearwater Paper.
Why this mattersThe ruling strips patent protection from a Graphic Packaging cup laminate design, potentially opening the way for rivals to use similar constructions.
- The Patent Trial and Appeal Board issued the decision on 24 September 2026
- The patent covers a laminated paper cup made of a biodegradable paper-based laminate
- Clearwater Paper filed the inter partes review challenging the patent's claims
- The board found the claims anticipated or obvious over prior art disclosing similar laminate and cup structures
Alzamora Group has installed a 1 MW battery managed by artificial intelligence at its Sant Joan les Fonts plant in Girona, Spain, to store surplus solar power, at a cost of about EUR 150,000. The system stores output from the site's more than 2,000 photovoltaic panels for use at peak consumption and as backup against grid outages.
Why this mattersOnsite storage lets converters capture more of their own solar output and cushions production against grid disruptions, a template other packaging plants may follow.
- Investment of about EUR 150,000
- 1 MW battery installed at the Sant Joan les Fonts facility in Girona, Spain
- System uses artificial intelligence to manage charge and discharge cycles
- Plant has more than 2,000 photovoltaic panels
- Group says its solar installations avoided 200.25 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025
- Alzamora Group is headquartered in Olot, Girona, with plants in Spain, Portugal and the UK
Nine Dragons Paper has issued price increase notices for corrugated paper and kraft linerboard at six of its production bases in China, effective between 6 and 10 October 2026. Each base is raising prices by USD 7/tonne (CNY 50/tonne). The notices are the first wave of increases covering the period after China's National Day holiday and were issued ahead of it.
Why this mattersA coordinated increase across six bases signals producer intent to defend margins as China's containerboard market enters a seasonal demand period.
- Nine Dragons Paper is raising prices by USD 7/tonne (CNY 50/tonne) at its Dongguan, Taicang, Tianjin, Hebei, Shenyang and Leshan bases
- The Dongguan increase covers corrugated paper above 100 grams and takes effect on 8 October 2026
- The Taicang, Tianjin and Hebei increases cover kraft linerboard grades and take effect on 6 October 2026
- The Shenyang and Leshan increases cover kraft linerboard and corrugated grades and take effect on 10 October 2026
Global Sea Group, the South Korean conglomerate whose paper arm includes Taerim Paper and Jeonju Paper, has entered the bidding for national newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, according to investment banking sources. The sale is structured as a third-party allotment rights issue, with funding needed for the acquisition and the target's financial normalisation estimated at about USD 184m (KRW 250bn). A shortlist is due at the end of September 2026, and the seller is aiming to complete a debt workout before year end.
Why this mattersA win would extend the group's paper business into a captive newsprint customer just as digital substitution shrinks that market and its own mills pivot toward containerboard and packaging.
- Global Sea Group has joined the bidding for JoongAng Ilbo, sold via a third-party allotment rights issue, with a shortlist due at the end of September 2026
- Funding needed for the acquisition and JoongAng Ilbo's financial normalisation is estimated at about USD 184m (KRW 250bn)
- The group's paper unit, comprising Taerim Paper, T&J Investment and Jeonju Paper, targets 2026 revenue of USD 1.62-1.70bn (KRW 2.2-2.3tn) and EBITDA of USD 207-221m (KRW 280-300bn)
- Holding company Global Sea Co. held USD 15.4m (KRW 20.8bn) of cash against USD 427m (KRW 578.3bn) of current liabilities at end-2025, after two consecutive years of negative operating cash flow
- Group consolidated cash stood at USD 330m (KRW 446.5bn), with a debt-to-equity ratio of 289%
- Global Sea Group acquired Jeonju Paper and Jeonju One Power in 2024 to strengthen its paper business
Brazilian papermaker Paraibuna Embalagens has completed installation of an automated enzymatic starch kitchen at its mill, converting native starch on site for use in the size press stage of paper production for packaging. The unit has capacity of up to 2,000 kg of starch per hour and is intended to improve process control, reduce reliance on externally purchased modified starch and cut input costs. The system is currently in an assisted operation phase, with the company expecting to assess performance gains in the coming months.
Why this mattersIn-house enzymatic starch conversion cuts a paper producer's dependence on purchased modified starch, a lever other packaging paper mills may follow to lower input costs.
- The new automated enzymatic starch conversion unit can produce up to 2,000 kg of starch per hour.
- The unit replaces conventional starch preparation for the size press stage of papermaking with enzymatic hydrolysis.
- The project is part of a wider industrial modernisation programme covering automation and resource optimisation.
- The unit is currently in an assisted operation phase, with performance results expected in coming months.
- The company states the change reduces reliance on externally sourced pre-modified starch.
Sappi has agreed with its banking group to extend the suspension of leverage covenant testing on its international revolving credit facility and bank term debt from March 2027 to June 2027. Lenders have also set stepped-down leverage covenant levels applying from June 2027 through December 2027, and Sappi said it will keep discussing terms beyond that date. The agreement was announced via JSE SENS on 25 September 2026.
Why this mattersThe extended headroom gives Sappi more time to manage leverage without breaching bank covenants amid ongoing demand pressure in its paper business.
- Covenant testing suspension extended from March 2027 to June 2027
- New stepped-down leverage covenant levels agreed for June 2027 to December 2027
- Agreement covers Sappi's international revolving credit facility and bank term debt
- Announced via JSE SENS on 25 September 2026
- Sappi will continue discussions with lenders on covenants beyond December 2027
The British Columbia Supreme Court has refused to approve a reverse vesting order that would have extinguished long-standing fibre supply agreements held by TimberWest and Domtar over Tree Farm Licence 46, as part of insolvent Teal-Jones Group's proposed sale of its Surrey Mill and TFL 46 to Gillfor Manufacturing. The court found the agreements constitute a proprietary interest in the land that should not be vested out, and will not approve the sale unless the agreements remain in force. Domtar's coastal British Columbia pulp mills rely on the agreements for fibre supply.
Why this mattersThe ruling limits insolvency sales' ability to strip long-term fibre supply contracts tied to land interests, protecting Domtar's coastal BC pulp mill feedstock security.
- BC Supreme Court refused to approve a reverse vesting order for Teal-Jones Group's sale of its Surrey Mill and Tree Farm Licence 46 to Gillfor Manufacturing.
- The deal, agreed 17 July 2026, would have vested fibre Supply Agreements held by TimberWest and Domtar into a new company, rendering them unenforceable.
- Domtar is successor to Norske Skog Canada and holds Supply Agreements dating from January 2004 tied to TFL 46, needed for its coastal BC pulp mills.
- The court held the agreements amount to a proprietary interest (profit a prendre) in TFL 46 that should not be extinguished.
- Teal-Jones Group entered CCAA protection on 25 April 2024, citing COVID-19, US tariffs and high interest rates.
- The court found insufficient evidence the agreements were uneconomic or would prevent Gillfor from operating the assets.
Suzano and two subsidiaries asked the US Court of International Trade in February 2026 to order Customs and Border Protection to reopen and refund import entries that had carried tariffs, days after the US Supreme Court struck those tariffs down. The court ruled on 20 February 2026 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorise the president to impose them. CBP plans to open the refund phase covering court-ordered reliquidations on 6 October 2026, after a delay from August.
Why this mattersA refund would return tariff costs on US-bound shipments and set the procedural path for other exporters waiting on court-ordered reliquidation.
- Suzano and two subsidiaries filed at the US Court of International Trade in February 2026, seeking an order for CBP to reliquidate tariffed import entries
- The US Supreme Court ruled on 20 February 2026 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorise the tariffs
- CBP's next refund phase, covering court-ordered reliquidations, is due to start on 6 October 2026 after being postponed from August
- The US government has appealed the broader reliquidation order to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- The administration argues CBP cannot reopen a finally liquidated entry without a court order
IMA Life North America, part of IMA Group, has completed a USD 30m, 120,000-square-foot facility in Tonawanda, New York, expanding capacity for freeze-drying and aseptic processing equipment supplied to pharmaceutical manufacturers. The plant replaces a 60,000-square-foot facility, adds 70 jobs and retains 195 existing positions. New York State's Empire State Development agency will provide up to USD 1.1m in performance-based tax credits tied to the job creation.
Why this mattersThe expansion adds capacity for aseptic and freeze-drying pharma equipment, reinforcing IMA's supply position with multinational drugmakers.
- IMA Life North America completed a USD 30m, 120,000-square-foot facility in Tonawanda, New York, on 24 September 2026.
- The site has 90,000 sq ft of production space and 30,000 sq ft of office space on 15 acres.
- It replaces IMA Life's previous 60,000-square-foot facility at 2175 Military Road.
- The expansion creates 70 new jobs and retains 195 existing jobs in Western New York.
- New York State's Empire State Development will provide up to USD 1.1m in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.
- IMA Group, the Italian parent, employs about 7,400 people worldwide, making freeze dryers, fillers, washers and labelers for pharmaceutical clients.
Scott Technology has pleaded guilty in the Dunedin District Court to failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, after PLC technician Michael Sherry, 32, was fatally crushed by a meat-processing machine at its Dunedin workshop on 24 April 2025. WorkSafe found the company's process for working on live hazardous machinery had not been initiated, and identified an incorrectly configured hydraulic valve fitted by contractor Scarlett Hydraulics a week earlier as a major factor, which the summary of facts said Scott Technology was unaware of and could not control. Sentencing is set for January 2027, with a maximum fine of USD 0.9m (NZD 1.5m).
Why this mattersA guilty plea on live-machinery isolation sharpens regulatory scrutiny of machine-safety practice at processing and packaging equipment builders.
- Michael Sherry, 32, a PLC technician, died on 24 April 2025 at Scott Technology's Dunedin workshop
- Scott Technology pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, exposing them to the risk of death or serious injury
- The maximum penalty is a fine of up to USD 0.9m (NZD 1.5m), with sentencing set for January 2027
- WorkSafe found the company's process for working on live hazardous machinery was not initiated at the time of the incident
- An incorrectly configured valve installed by Scarlett Hydraulics on 17 April 2025 was described as a major factor; the summary of facts states Scott Technology was unaware of it and had no ability to control it
- WorkSafe considered it reasonably practicable to have relocated the machine's electrical cabinet away from the crush zone
HP is presenting an integrated AI production system at PRINTING United 2026, pairing new HP PrintOS Production Hub features with the HP Latex R530 AI Printer, a compact rigid-and-flexible large-format press using cloud and on-edge AI. The Production Hub additions, AI Order Intake and AI Upscale, work with any printer brand; HP says AI Order Intake can cut average order creation time by 90%. The R530 AI printer ships from 1 December 2026, with an automatic print-mode-selection firmware upgrade following in early 2027.
Why this mattersBrand-agnostic AI order and file tools plus AI-assisted print-mode selection push print service providers toward automated, software-linked production workflows.
- HP Latex R530 AI Printer ships from 1 December 2026
- AI Automatic Print Mode Selection firmware upgrade due in early 2027
- HP says AI Order Intake can cut average order creation time by 90%, from minutes to seconds
- AI Order Intake and AI Upscale within PrintOS Production Hub work regardless of printer brand
- HP and Neolt are introducing a Jumbo Unwinder for the HP Latex FS50, FS60 and FS70W
- HP reports more than 220 Indigo 18K and 120K presses installed, part of over 1,200 B2-format Indigo presses worldwide
KHS has redesigned its fully automatic Innokeg Contikeg keg cleaning and filling machine, retaining a continuous carousel process that now handles up to 1,200 kegs per hour across container sizes from 5 to about 58 litres. The update replaces the former L-shaped media transfer with a new valve manifold and adds a central distributor, a Clearline HMI control panel and IO-Link technology to improve fault diagnosis and machine uptime.
Why this mattersHigher keg throughput and IO-Link fault diagnosis cut changeover and downtime costs on brewery keg lines handling containers from 5 to 58 litres.
- The Innokeg Contikeg fills up to 1,200 kegs per hour in a continuous carousel process.
- The machine handles keg sizes from 5 litres to about 58 litres.
- KHS replaced the L-shaped media transfer with a new valve manifold and added a central media distributor.
- A new Clearline HMI panel and IO-Link technology were introduced to locate faults and simplify troubleshooting.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen said its integration of manroland sheetfed's lifecycle and service business into its own network is proceeding on schedule, with key steps due within 18 months. Manroland sheetfed customers keep their existing service contacts and uninterrupted spare-parts supply while gaining access to Heidelberg's global sales and service network.
Why this mattersFolding manroland sheetfed's aftermarket business into Heidelberg's network consolidates service capacity across the commercial sheetfed press installed base.
- Key implementation steps of the integration are expected to be completed within the next 18 months.
- Manroland sheetfed customers keep existing service contacts and uninterrupted spare parts and consumables supply.
- Some early manroland sheetfed customers, including in Germany, Brazil and Malta, have since bought HEIDELBERG presses.
- Dr David Schmedding, HEIDELBERG Executive Board Member for Technology and Sales, commented on the integration's progress.
HP Inc has sold more than 200 units of its Indigo 6K+ Digital Press one year after its launch at Labelexpo Europe 2025, with Atlanta-based Brightline Label and Packaging as the 200th customer. At LOUPE Americas 2026 in Chicago, HP also highlighted automation and AI features across its Indigo range and its PrintOS software platform.
Why this mattersThe sales pace shows digital label printing is displacing conventional runs at medium and longer lengths, pushing competition toward automated, AI-linked production rather than press speed alone.
- HP Indigo 6K+ Digital Press has sold over 200 units one year after its Labelexpo Europe 2025 launch.
- Brightline Label and Packaging of Atlanta was the 200th customer for the press.
- HP's Enhanced Productivity Mode can raise production speed by up to 33 percent using three colour separations.
- HP also showed the Indigo 200K for flexible packaging and labels, built around its Digital Pouch Factory concept.
- HP unveiled HP Nio v1.2, an AI assistant within its PrintOS platform, to be integrated with Site Flow and PrintOS Color Beat.
- HP's inline priming ecosystem in North America includes materials from Michelman, Sun Chemical and ACTEGA for narrow-web Indigo presses.
Printware has added two systems to its iJetColor range: the iJetColor 1275 Pro, a high-speed CMYK production inkjet system for commercial printers, and the iJetColor 1175 Pro + PXG, which pairs the existing envelope platform with a feeding system for short-run packaging such as paper bags, small corrugated and folding cartons. The 1275 Pro uses HP's next-generation 108 mm TIJ 4.0 printhead technology.
Why this mattersAdding a packaging feeder to an installed envelope platform lets short-run converters take on bags and cartons without commissioning a separate production line.
- iJetColor 1175 Pro + PXG adds a feeding system for paper bags, small corrugated and folding cartons.
- The iJetColor 1175 platform has more than 1000 installations worldwide.
- iJetColor 1275 Pro uses HP's next generation 108 mm TIJ 4.0 printhead technology with a four colour CMYK print bar.
- The 1275 Pro's rotary vacuum feeder holds up to 1000 envelopes and is designed for single operator production.
Antalis Packaging has opened a new Smart Packaging Centre at its head office in Leicestershire, UK, relocating and consolidating sourcing, packaging design, testing and prototyping into one facility. The centre adds virtual reality technology, 3D printing and scanning, a testing suite and a machinery showroom for customer collaboration on packaging development.
Why this mattersThe investment signals distributors expanding design and prototyping services to retain customers seeking cost, sustainability and efficiency solutions in-house.
- The Smart Packaging Centre is located at Antalis' head office in Leicestershire, UK.
- New features include VR technology, 3D printing and scanning, a testing suite and a machinery showroom.
- The facility combines sourcing, packaging design, testing and prototyping under one roof.
- Chris Liddell is packaging business director and John Garner is packaging category director at Antalis.
