Gerresheimer's Q1 2026 results show adjusted EBITDA in its Moulded Glass segment dropping to EUR 6m from EUR 32m a year earlier, as revenue fell to EUR 144m from EUR 160m, while the Containment and Delivery Systems unit grew adjusted EBITDA to EUR 61m from EUR 51m. Free cash flow before M&A improved to negative EUR 32m from negative EUR 142m as net capex was cut to EUR 56m from EUR 113m, with the group counting on its planned EUR 1.5bn disposal of Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics to Apax Funds to support deleveraging.
Why this mattersA sharp glass-segment profit collapse alongside a large planned plastics disposal underlines Gerresheimer's pivot toward medical delivery systems while it manages deleveraging pressure.
- Moulded Glass adjusted EBITDA fell to EUR 6m in Q1 2026 from EUR 32m a year earlier, an 81% decline.
- Moulded Glass revenue dropped to EUR 144m from EUR 160m in the quarter.
- Containment and Delivery Systems revenue rose 8.8% organically to EUR 296m, with adjusted EBITDA up to EUR 61m from EUR 51m.
- Free cash flow before M&A improved to negative EUR 32m from negative EUR 142m in Q1 2025.
- Net capital expenditure fell to EUR 56m from EUR 113m in the quarter.
- Gerresheimer expects the planned EUR 1.5bn sale of Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics to support deleveraging.
The Seoul High Court has suspended enforcement of the Korea Fair Trade Commission's order that six Korean printing-paper makers reset their prices independently, granting stays to four of them: Moorim SP, Moorim Paper, Moorim P&P and Korea Paper. The stays run until 30 days after the first-instance judgment in the companies' main lawsuits. The KFTC fined the six a combined KRW 338.3bn (USD 250m) in April 2026 over alleged coordinated price rises and discount cuts between February 2021 and December 2024, and says it will appeal.
Why this mattersA stayed price-reset order lets affected mills keep current pricing pending litigation, reducing near-term uncertainty over Korean printing-paper pricing.
- Seoul High Court granted execution stays to Moorim SP, Moorim Paper and Moorim P&P on 28 August 2026; Korea Paper's application was granted separately
- The stays run until 30 days after the first-instance ruling in the main proceedings
- Four of the six sanctioned paper companies have now had the price re-determination order suspended
- The KFTC's April 2026 decision fined Moorim SP, Moorim Paper, Moorim P&P, Korea Paper, Hansol Paper and Hongwon Paper a combined KRW 338.3bn (USD 250m), alleging more than 60 meetings between February 2021 and December 2024
- The price re-determination order was only the second in KFTC history, after the April 2006 flour-cartel case
- The KFTC said it will appeal the stay rulings and defend the legality of its order in the main proceedings
Essity has completed a EUR 10m (USD 11.4m) investment programme over 2025 and 2026 at its Kunheim tissue mill in Haut-Rhin, France. The site employs 260 people and produces more than 60,000 tonnes a year of tissue paper, toilet rolls and handkerchiefs. The money went into modernised converting lines and into lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint at the plant.
Why this mattersA EUR 10m upgrade keeps a 60,000-tonne Alsace converting site inside Essity's western European supply base and lowers its energy use and emissions.
- Investment of EUR 10m (USD 11.4m) made over the 2025-2026 period
- Kunheim mill in Haut-Rhin, France employs 260 people
- Site produces more than 60,000 tonnes a year of tissue paper, toilet rolls and handkerchiefs
- Converting lines modernised to raise productivity and support eco-designed ranges
- Energy consumption and carbon footprint of the plant reduced
- Distribution infrastructure includes 22,000 sqm of warehousing able to hold 55,000 pallets
DS Smith, part of International Paper, has deployed a supply chain traceability platform across more than 250 manufacturing plants and facilities in over 30 countries, built with Accenture and software provider osapiens. The system is initially focused on materials covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation, tracing fibre through the EMEA supply chain from origin to production and distribution, and has engaged more than 1,000 suppliers.
Why this mattersShows how fibre packaging producers are building EUDR compliance infrastructure at group scale, a template other converters and box makers will need to match.
- Deployment covers more than 250 manufacturing plants and facilities in over 30 countries.
- System built with Accenture and software provider osapiens, using the osapiens HUB platform.
- More than 1,000 suppliers have been engaged through the programme.
- Since implementation, more than 25,000 supply chain workflows have been executed.
- Nearly 25,000 land plots have been monitored automatically for EUDR compliance.
- Almost 10,000 compliance cases have passed through automated case management.
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.
Veneto-based Gruppo LOGO, a printing and packaging group with EUR 50m consolidated revenues across seven production units, has acquired Italian cardboard converters Giemme S.r.l. and Lualdi Mario S.r.l. The deal adds capacity in boxes, cartons and point-of-sale displays in solid and laminated board. No deal value was disclosed.
Why this mattersThe deal continues consolidation among small Italian cardboard converters, adding in-house printing and display capacity to a mid-sized regional group.
- Gruppo LOGO reports EUR 50m consolidated revenues across seven production units.
- Giemme S.r.l. has produced packaging and printed materials for over 30 years.
- Lualdi Mario S.r.l., based in Cardano al Campo, has operated in packaging since 1960.
- Lualdi Mario converted to full-cycle graphic and cardboard converting in 1971.
- Sellers were advised by Pirola Corporate Finance; buyer by CDI Global Italy.
- No transaction value was disclosed.
Hinojosa Packaging Group has completed its acquisition of ASV Packaging, formerly Covepa, based at the Malterie site in Montierchaume, Indre. The deal gives the Spanish fibre packaging group a foothold in central France. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersThe purchase adds a converting site in central France to Hinojosa's network, together with the customer base built up under the Covepa name.
- Hinojosa Packaging Group has completed the acquisition of ASV Packaging, formerly Covepa.
- The acquired site is at La Malterie in Montierchaume, in the Indre department of central France.
- Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Indian packaging manufacturer Canpac Trends has signed for a new seven-colour Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 press for its Tirupur plant, its tenth Rapida order from the German manufacturer in ten years. The company is expanding its production network from six to 12 sites in the coming quarter as part of a wider capacity build-out.
Why this mattersRepeat, decade-long press orders from a single fast-growing Indian converter signal sustained capital investment in FMCG and e-commerce packaging capacity in the region.
- Canpac Trends has ordered its tenth Rapida sheetfed press from Koenig & Bauer since 2017
- The new seven-colour Rapida 106 with coating tower and UV package will be installed at the Tirupur plant
- Canpac is expanding from six existing sites (Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Tirupur, Kolkata, New Delhi, Silvassa) to 12 sites in the coming quarter
- Canpac's production footprint now spans over 1.35 million square metres
- Canpac Trends, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, serves more than 600 global and regional brands
Stora Enso has opened change negotiations at its Gruvön mill in Sweden over a plan to end cross-laminated timber production by the end of 2026, putting up to 80 jobs at risk out of about 220 covered by the talks. The company cites slower-than-expected CLT market growth, higher wood costs and high fixed costs, and would refocus the site on sawn and planed timber.
Why this mattersThe closure would concentrate Stora Enso's Nordic CLT supply in its Czech and Austrian plants, signalling weaker near-term demand growth for mass timber in construction.
- Change negotiations cover approximately 220 employees at Gruvön, including the Nordic CLT sales organisation
- Up to 80 positions could be affected by the proposed closure
- CLT production would end by the end of 2026 if the plan proceeds
- Sawn timber deliveries from Gruvön would continue as usual with no impact on wood consumption
- If closed, Nordic CLT customers would be supplied from Stora Enso's plants at Ždírec (Czech Republic), Ybbs and Bad St. Leonhard (Austria)
Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper, the pulp and paper unit of Sinar Mas Group, has confirmed it will repay three maturing debt instruments on 21-22 November 2026 totalling about IDR 1.04 trillion plus USD 900,000. The company says the repayment will be funded from proceeds of a bond issuance it carried out earlier in 2026.
Why this mattersThe refinancing shows continued market access for Sinar Mas Group's pulp and paper arm to roll maturing debt via fresh issuance.
- Sustainable Bond IV Phase III 2023 Series B, IDR 739.72bn principal at 10.25% coupon, due 21 November 2026
- Sustainable Mudharabah Sukuk III Phase III 2023 Series B, IDR 303.56bn principal at around 10.25% profit-sharing rate, due 21 November 2026
- Sustainable USD Bond I Phase II 2023 Series B, USD 900,000 principal at 7% coupon, due 22 November 2026
- Combined rupiah-denominated principal due totals IDR 1.043 trillion
- Repayment to be funded from proceeds of a bond issuance carried out earlier in 2026
- Disclosure made in an information filing dated 29 September 2026
Shandong Linuo Pharmaceutical Packaging, already listed in Shenzhen as Linuo Packaging (301188.SZ), filed on 28 September 2026 for a dual Main Board listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The borosilicate glass specialist ranks second globally in heat-resistant glass for daily use with a 5.1% share and ninth in China's pharmaceutical glass packaging market. The listing filing coincides with the company's move into glass substrates for semiconductor packaging, where a pilot furnace was ignited in June 2026.
Why this mattersA dual listing would give a top-two global heat-resistant glass maker fresh capital access as it diversifies into semiconductor-grade glass substrates.
- Shandong Linuo Pharmaceutical Packaging (301188.SZ, listed in Shenzhen) filed on 28 September 2026 for a Main Board listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- China Merchants Securities International and Lego Financial Group are joint sponsors of the HKEX listing.
- The company ranks second globally in heat-resistant glass for daily use, with a 5.1% market share, and first in China with 9.5% share, per Frost & Sullivan 2025 data.
- It ranks ninth among China pharmaceutical glass packaging suppliers, with a 2.4% market share.
- Products are sold to customers in about 60 countries across the Americas, Asia and Europe.
- A pilot furnace for glass substrates used in semiconductor packaging was ignited in June 2026, with sample provision to industry participants under way.
Vidrala reported first-half 2026 revenue of EUR 754m, down 3.8 percent organically, while EBITDA rose 4.4 percent to EUR 225.5m, lifting the margin 110 basis points to 29.9 percent. The glass packaging maker raised its 2026 dividend by 15 percent and expanded its buyback programme to up to 3 percent of share capital, a maximum of EUR 90m, with net debt at EUR 252m, 0.6 times EBITDA.
Why this mattersMargin gains despite falling volumes show glass packagers passing through cost control even as demand softens, supporting continued shareholder distributions.
- H1 2026 revenue was EUR 754m, with organic revenue down 3.8 percent at constant exchange rates and scope.
- EBITDA rose 4.4 percent to EUR 225.5m, lifting the EBITDA margin to 29.9 percent, up 110 basis points year on year.
- The share buyback programme was expanded to up to 3 percent of share capital, capped at EUR 90m.
- The 2026 dividend increased 15 percent, with total payments above EUR 62m.
- Net debt was EUR 252m at end-June 2026, a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 0.6 times.
- Earnings per share were EUR 3.36 for the first half.
Malaysia's Scientex has agreed to acquire a 70% stake in Hunan-based flexible plastic packaging producer Mintpack (Hunan Changcheng Mint New Material Technology) for RMB 167.3m (MYR 101.5m, approximately USD 25.0m). The deal is being done through wholly owned unit Scientex Packaging (Ayer Keroh) and is expected to complete by the end of 2026, funded from internal resources and bank borrowing. Mintpack founder Tan Cui Fang retains the remaining 30% through Hunan Changcheng Tianyi Information Technology.
Why this mattersGives Scientex a Chinese manufacturing base and customer list for its consumer packaging arm, and a platform from which to bid for multinational accounts.
- Deal value RMB 167.3m (MYR 101.5m, approximately USD 25.0m)
- Buyer is Scientex Packaging (Ayer Keroh), a wholly owned Scientex subsidiary
- Target is Mintpack, a Hunan province maker of flexible plastic bags and rolled film
- Scientex acquires 70%; founder Tan Cui Fang keeps 30% via Hunan Changcheng Tianyi Information Technology
- Completion expected by end of 2026, funded by internal funds and bank loans
- Scientex's packaging division generated MYR 725.3m, about 15% of MYR 4.81bn group revenue in FY2026
Gaishi Technology (Xianning) has begun operations at a new factory in Xianning, Hubei, built around its Xianlegai separated-cap and aseptic cold-fill line for freeze-dried tea, coffee and probiotic drinks. The plant represents a total investment of CNY 200m (USD 29.84m), with a planned annual capacity of 120 million bottles. First-year output value is expected to reach CNY 20m, rising to CNY 360m once fully ramped.
Why this mattersAdds 120 million bottles a year of separated-cap capacity in China, industrialising a format that keeps freeze-dried actives apart from liquid until opening.
- Total factory investment of CNY 200m (USD 29.84m) with planned annual capacity of 120 million bottles
- Facility covers 12,000 square metres; construction started in October 2025
- First-year output value expected at CNY 20m (USD 2.98m), rising to CNY 360m (USD 53.71m) at full capacity
- Investment introduced by state-backed Xianning Jingui Industrial Investment Partnership
- Company holds over 60 Chinese patents and more than 20 international patents across 20-plus countries
- Cap uses ultrasonic welding to separate freeze-dried powder from liquid, with a claimed active-ingredient retention above 95% without preservatives
German reusable cold chain packaging maker eutecma has acquired North American temperature-controlled packaging specialist Tempaid, combining reusable pallet and larger-format shipping systems with validated single-use parcel and last-mile thermal packaging. Terms were not disclosed. The combined business, backed by healthcare investor Great Point Partners, will operate under eutecma chief executive Kevin Grogan and serve pharmaceutical, life sciences and healthcare customers across Europe, North America and Asia.
Why this mattersConsolidation links reusable bulk cold chain packaging with single-use last-mile formats, giving pharma shippers a single supplier across the full temperature-controlled distribution chain.
- eutecma, founded 2008 in Mannheim, Germany, acquired Tempaid, a North American temperature-controlled packaging company
- Deal terms were not disclosed
- Tempaid brings SpeedyPac mailers, SteadyPac thermal shippers, gel packs and PCM mats, with manufacturing in North America and Asia
- eutecma contributes patented ICECATCH cooling systems and modular PROTECT shipping systems
- Combined company will be led by eutecma chief executive Kevin Grogan
- Healthcare investment firm Great Point Partners, which manages about USD 1.7bn, backs eutecma and supported the acquisition
Dai Nippon Printing will install a 10,813kW ground-mounted solar power system at its Izumizaki plant in Fukushima Prefecture, its largest in-house renewable energy project to date. Generation is set to start in June 2027 under an on-site power purchase agreement, cutting an estimated 6,332 tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions at the site.
Why this mattersThe project marks a scaling-up of on-site renewable generation among Japanese packaging and printing groups pursuing net-zero targets at manufacturing sites.
- Panel capacity is 10,813kW, installed on factory land equivalent to about 2.5 Tokyo Domes.
- Generation is due to start in June 2027 under an on-site PPA (self-consumption) model.
- Estimated annual GHG reduction at the Izumizaki plant is about 6,332 tonnes.
- The site already has a 1,741kW rooftop solar system installed since August 2024.
- DNP will deploy 80,000 sqm of its own reflective ground sheet to raise output of bifacial panels by about 6 percent.
- The project targets Scope 1+2 net-zero emissions under DNP Group's Environmental Vision 2050.
Malaysian packaging and property group Scientex reported fourth-quarter net profit up 29.54% year-on-year to RM199.92m for the quarter ended 31 July 2026, with packaging division operating profit more than doubling to RM87.50m on higher volumes and selling prices. The board recommended a final dividend of six sen per share for FY2026, payable 21 January 2027, subject to AGM approval; the company flagged continued volatility in energy and raw material costs for the packaging division.
Why this mattersImproved packaging margins despite cited raw-material and energy volatility signal resilient pricing power at Southeast Asian flexible packaging converters.
- Fourth-quarter net profit rose 29.54% year-on-year to RM199.92m for the period ended 31 July 2026, from RM154.33m
- Quarterly revenue rose 17.75% to RM1.4bn, operating profit up 32.7% to RM281.78m
- Packaging segment revenue rose 18.4% to RM725.3m, operating profit more than doubled to RM87.50m from RM42.20m
- Property division revenue rose 17% to RM678.9m, operating profit up to RM194.3m from RM170.2m
- Full-year FY2026 net profit rose 16.85% to RM620.17m on revenue of RM4.81bn
- Board recommended a final dividend of six sen per share for FY2026, payable 21 January 2027
Electronics for Imaging, backed by private equity firm Siris, and Agfa-Gevaert have signed a definitive agreement to merge Agfa's Digital Printing Solutions business into EFI. A Siris affiliate will hold 60% of the new jointly held company and Agfa 40%, with the combined business expected to generate about EUR 540m (USD 625m) of revenue in 2026 on a pro forma basis. The deal, which follows a 2024 partnership between the two, is expected to close by the end of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals.
Why this mattersCreates a larger-scale industrial inkjet supplier spanning corrugated packaging, display and textile printing, consolidating a fragmented digital press market.
- Siris affiliate to hold 60% and Agfa 40% of the combined company
- Combined pro forma 2026 revenue estimated at EUR 540m (USD 625m)
- EFI brings Nozomi, VUTEK and Reggiani platforms; Agfa DPS brings Jeti TAURO, Onset PANTHERA and SpeedSet ORCA
- Deal follows a global technology partnership the two companies formed in 2024
- Transaction expected to close by end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals
- DC Advisory and Sidley Austin LLP advised EFI and Siris on the deal
Warehouse automation integrator Element Logic and packaging machinery maker Ranpak announced on 29 September 2026 a global strategic partnership integrating Ranpak's box-sizing and void-fill automation into Element Logic's warehouse systems. The tie-up is framed against the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, applicable since 12 August 2026, which sets a maximum 50 percent empty-space limit per shipment by 2030.
Why this mattersIt shows warehouse-automation integrators absorbing packaging rightsizing as core infrastructure rather than an add-on, as PPWR void-space rules push e-commerce operators to act.
- Alliance announced 29 September 2026 between Element Logic and Ranpak (NYSE: PACK)
- Ranpak founded 1972, headquartered in Concord Township, Ohio, with about 850 employees
- Element Logic founded 1985, described as the largest global AutoStore integration partner
- EU PPWR has applied since 12 August 2026 and covers industrial packaging composition, recyclability and reuse rules
- PPWR sets a maximum 50 percent empty volume per shipment target for 2030, with a second measures package due that year
- Ranpak states its rightsizing automation can run at 15 boxes per minute, versus manual packing
Kokusai Pulp & Paper, a Japanese paper wholesaler under KPP Group Holdings, has acquired all shares in Chugai Photo & Chemical Co., Ltd. and six other Chugai Group companies. The acquisition brings Chugai's inkjet media, large-format printer, ink and photographic chemicals business into Kokusai's visual communication unit, along with Chugai's 50% stake in Ilford Imaging Europe GmbH. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersThe deal broadens a paper distributor's reach into visual communication and photographic media, consolidating procurement and customer scale in that adjacent segment.
- Kokusai Pulp & Paper acquires all shares in Chugai Photo & Chemical Co., Ltd. and six other group companies
- The deal expands Kokusai Pulp & Paper's visual communication business within its Northeast Asia (Japan) segment
- Chugai Group distributes inkjet media, large-format printers, inks and printing media, and manufactures photographic chemicals
- Chugai Group holds a 50% equity interest in Ilford Imaging Europe GmbH, owner of the Ilford photography trademark
- Gleiss Lutz advised Kokusai Pulp & Paper on the German aspects of the transaction, led by partners Michael Burian and Torsten Spiegel
- Deal value was not disclosed
Command Medical Products, a portfolio company of Argosy Healthcare Partners, has acquired Costa Rica-based Injection Moulding & Tooling Services S.A. (IMATS), adding injection molding and tooling to its medical-device contract manufacturing platform. The acquisition gives Command a third Costa Rica site, in the Cartago Free Trade Zone, with IMATS' 32,000-square-foot facility able to more than double its current output. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersExtends a medical-device contract manufacturer's in-house chain from tube extrusion to moulding, assembly and packaging on a third Costa Rican site.
- Command Medical Products, backed by Argosy Healthcare Partners, acquired Injection Moulding & Tooling Services S.A. (IMATS) of Costa Rica.
- The deal is Command's third manufacturing site in Costa Rica's medical-device hub.
- IMATS runs a 32,000-square-foot facility in the Cartago Free Trade Zone with capacity to more than double current production volume.
- IMATS provides injection molding, pad printing, assembly, packaging and tooling design and validation services.
- Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
- The combined platform will span tube extrusion, RF welding, clean-room assembly and packaging alongside the new molding capabilities.
Refresco's US contract manufacturing arm SunOpta has completed a USD 35m expansion of its Midlothian, Texas beverage plant, adding a fourth production line. The upgrade is expected to lift capacity across SunOpta's manufacturing network by 10% and adds half-gallon and 32-ounce Edge-style packaging formats for plant-based milks, creamers, tea and broths.
Why this mattersA 10% lift in network capacity gives US plant-based beverage brands more outsourced filling capacity, in half-gallon and 32-ounce formats.
- SunOpta invested USD 35m in a fourth production line at its Midlothian, Texas facility.
- The line is expected to raise SunOpta's network-wide manufacturing capacity by 10%.
- The new line adds half-gallon and 32-ounce Edge-style packaging alongside existing 16-ounce, 32-ounce and 330-ml formats.
- The Midlothian plant opened in winter 2023 at 285,000 square feet, designed to expand to 400,000 square feet.
- SunOpta employs more than 220 people at the Midlothian site.
- SunOpta operates seven manufacturing facilities across six markets and was recently acquired by Refresco.
Avantium has produced its first commercial-scale batch of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) at its Delfzijl plant in the Netherlands, moving the facility from equipment commissioning into operational start-up and product qualification. The plant, built for up to 5,000 tonnes of FDCA a year, supplies the building block for Avantium's bio-based PEF polymer, marketed as Releaf. Commercial sales are planned for late 2026, with full design capacity expected 12 to 24 months after start-up.
Why this mattersA working commercial-scale reference plant lets converters qualify a bio-based polyester alternative to fossil-derived PET and underpins future licensing of the technology.
- Delfzijl plant designed for up to 5,000 tonnes of FDCA annual capacity
- First commercial-scale FDCA batch produced in September 2026
- Construction of the facility completed in October 2024
- Full design capacity expected 12 to 24 months after start-up
- Commercial FDCA/PEF sales planned for late 2026
- Kloeckner Pentaplast agreed earlier in September 2026 to reserve PEF capacity for food packaging
Norsk Hydro and Chanel Fragrance and Beauty have signed a strategic partnership to develop lower-carbon aluminium for fragrance, make-up and skincare packaging, under a roadmap running from 2026 to 2030. The two aim to cut the carbon footprint of the aluminium used to around 3.0 kg CO2e/kg by 2030, alongside improved traceability and greater use of post-consumer recycled content. No aluminium volumes or offtake commitment were disclosed.
Why this mattersSets a 3.0 kg CO2e/kg target for beauty packaging aluminium by 2030 that rival cosmetics brands and their converters will be measured against.
- Partnership targets a joint roadmap from 2026 to 2030
- Goal is to cut the aluminium's carbon footprint to around 3.0 kg CO2e/kg aluminium by 2030
- Initial supply uses Hydro REDUXA primary aluminium sheet ingot made in Norway with renewable energy, certified at no more than 4.0 kg CO2e/kg
- Ingot will be rolled into aluminium sheet for packaging applications
- Companies will test production batches and further emission-reduction measures
- No aluminium volumes or offtake commitment were disclosed
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has amended packaging regulations to bar plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers from pan masala packaging, permitting only paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, or tin and glass containers. The amendment was notified on 7 August 2026, published in the Official Gazette on 10 August 2026 and took effect the same day.
Why this mattersA full plastic ban for a mass-market Indian product category creates fresh demand for paper, tin and glass packaging and signals wider regulatory pressure on flexible plastics in India.
- Amendment notified 7 August 2026 and published in the Official Gazette on 10 August 2026, effective the same day.
- Banned materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC and other synthetic polymers, copolymers and laminates.
- Permitted materials are paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials free of aluminium foil or metallised layers, plus tin or glass containers.
- Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 clauses 4(1)(f) and (i) are extended to apply to pan masala packaging.
- Pan masala is added as a new entry under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018.
- The draft amendment was published for public consultation on 28 April 2026 with a 60-day comment period before finalisation.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (2025/40, PPWR) became directly applicable on 12 August 2026 as its 18-month transitional period ended, replacing most of Directive 94/62/EC across the 27 member states. In response, Spanish trade body PACKNET and more than 65 organisations have launched the Strategic Innovation Agenda for Packaging in Spain 2026-2030, a technical framework meant to steer sector R&D and turn the new compliance requirements into technological capability.
Why this mattersDirect EU-wide application replaces divergent national transpositions, making documented, verifiable packaging conformity a market-access condition rather than a declaration.
- EU Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR) transitional period ended 12 August 2026, superseding Directive 94/62/EC
- PPWR was published in the EU Official Journal on 22 January 2025 and entered into force the following month
- PACKNET and more than 65 entities launched the Strategic Innovation Agenda for Packaging in Spain 2026-2030
- Spain's Royal Decree 1055/2022 remains in force where not covered by or compatible with the EU regulation
- Upcoming PPWR milestones include harmonised marking/labelling of packaging and collection containers, and an empty-space-ratio calculation methodology affecting e-commerce
The EU's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo) directive, tightening rules on environmental and sustainability claims on packaging, took effect in Germany on 27 September 2026. Days before the deadline the Bundestag added a new clause, Section 15b, that lets courts weigh proportionality in injunction claims against packaging already placed on the market before that date, but it stops short of a blanket amnesty for existing stock.
Why this mattersBrand owners and converters must now audit claims on unfilled warehouse stock and new production immediately, while only already-marketed goods get limited legal cover.
- EmpCo's stricter rules on green claims took effect in Germany on 27 September 2026.
- The Bundestag added Section 15b days before the deadline to address packaging produced before the cut-off.
- Section 15b can be weighed in injunction claims only for packaging already placed on the market before 27 September 2026.
- Unfilled packaging stock still in warehouses is not covered and must comply with EmpCo.
- New packaging production and online communication from 27 September 2026 must be EmpCo-compliant.
- Generic claims such as 'environmentally friendly' or 'sustainable', and unaccredited sustainability seals, are now restricted.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation confirmed that a revised national standard for recycled paper pulp (GB/T 43393-2026) takes effect on 1 October 2026. The standard bans the use of unsanitary raw materials such as discarded tissue and medical paper, and sets new processing, sterilisation and heavy-metal testing requirements. It is intended to support customs inspection of imported recycled pulp, on which China's paper industry is heavily reliant.
Why this mattersTighter sourcing, hygiene and testing rules for recycled pulp will raise compliance costs for exporters supplying China and could tighten import volumes into the world's largest paper market.
- Revised standard GB/T 43393-2026 takes effect 1 October 2026
- Bans use of discarded household or medical paper as recycled pulp feedstock
- Defines dry and wet recycled pulp processes, requiring sorting, pulping and screening steps
- Excludes simply shredded or baled waste paper scraps from qualifying as recycled pulp
- Adds microbial sterilisation step and limits on bacterial and fungal colony counts
- Adds ICP-MS testing method for heavy metals to improve detection accuracy
