Gerresheimer said preparations to close the sale of its Centor closures business are in their final stages, with completion expected in October 2026; Centor and the Primary Packaging Plastics unit together carry an enterprise value of about EUR 1.5bn, and the PPP sale is targeted for the first half of 2027. Closure of the Chicago Heights moulded glass plant was due to be completed by the end of September 2026. Preliminary second-quarter revenue was EUR 578m with adjusted EBITDA of EUR 102m, more than 50% above the first quarter.
Why this mattersThe divestments and plant closure accelerate Gerresheimer's shift to a pure pharma and drug-delivery packaging group as it works to rebuild its balance sheet.
- Preparations for closing the Centor sale are in their final stages, with the transaction expected to close in October 2026.
- Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics have a combined enterprise value of about EUR 1.5bn; the PPP sale is targeted to close in the first half of 2027.
- Closure of the Chicago Heights moulded glass plant was targeted for completion by the end of September 2026.
- Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA was EUR 102m, up EUR 35m or more than 50% from EUR 67m in Q1 2026.
- Q2 2026 revenue was EUR 578m, against EUR 614m in Q2 2025 and EUR 523m in Q1 2026.
- H1 2026 revenue was EUR 1.10bn and adjusted EBITDA EUR 168m, versus EUR 1.14bn and EUR 224m in H1 2025.
Moorim Paper's consolidated H1 2026 revenue rose 4.16% to USD 476m (KRW 645.0bn) and operating profit rose 88.59% to USD 20.7m (KRW 28.1bn), but the group swung to a net loss of USD 48.6m (KRW 65.9bn) after booking an antitrust fine. South Korea's Fair Trade Commission in April fined six printing-paper producers a combined USD 249.7m (KRW 338.3bn) for coordinating prices and ordered them to reset prices independently; subsidiary Moorim P&P was fined USD 42.4m (KRW 57.5bn), more than double the USD 21.1m (KRW 28.6bn) imposed on Moorim Paper. The three Moorim companies have asked the courts to suspend enforcement, and the stay of the re-pricing order has been granted.
Why this mattersA large sector-wide antitrust fine and a falling pulp price squeeze show how regulatory and raw-material risk can outweigh operating gains at vertically integrated paper producers.
- H1 2026 consolidated revenue rose 4.16% to USD 476m (KRW 645.0bn); operating profit rose 88.59% to USD 20.7m (KRW 28.1bn).
- Net result swung to a loss of USD 48.6m (KRW 65.9bn) from a USD 2.5m (KRW 3.4bn) profit a year earlier after the fine was booked.
- Korea's Fair Trade Commission fined six printing-paper producers a combined USD 249.7m (KRW 338.3bn) in April and ordered independent re-pricing.
- Moorim P&P was fined USD 42.4m (KRW 57.5bn), more than double the USD 21.1m (KRW 28.6bn) imposed on Moorim Paper.
- Moorim P&P's H1 revenue rose 15.44% to USD 290.8m (KRW 394.0bn), while its operating loss widened to USD 8.0m (KRW 10.8bn) from USD 7.6m (KRW 10.3bn).
- US southern hardwood kraft pulp averaged USD 735 per tonne this month, down from USD 780 in June.
Tongchang Packaging has secured land for a USD 37m (CNY 250m) capacity expansion in Xiegang town, Dongguan, China. The plant will produce smart packaging paperboard and high-end industrial cartons on a 33.55-mu site, about 2.2 hectares, in Zhaolin village, with Dongguan Caolele Yingyi Industrial Investment as the implementing entity.
Why this mattersA USD 37m (CNY 250m) build adds smart paperboard and industrial carton capacity in Dongguan, raising competitive pressure on South China box converters.
- Total investment of USD 37m (CNY 250m)
- Project site covers 33.55 mu, about 2.2 hectares, in Zhaolin village, Xiegang town, Dongguan
- Plant will make smart packaging paperboard and high-end industrial cartons
- Project is developed by Dongguan Caolele Yingyi Industrial Investment as the implementing entity
- Tongchang Packaging is designated a high-tech enterprise and a specialised, innovative SME
Shandong Linuo Pharmaceutical Packaging, listed on Shenzhen's ChiNext since November 2021, filed on 28 September 2026 for a main-board listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with China Merchants Securities International and Lego Financial Group as joint sponsors. The borosilicate glass maker ranks ninth in China's pharmaceutical glass packaging market and first in China, second globally, in daily-use heat-resistant glass. Proceeds are earmarked for industrialising semiconductor packaging glass substrates and RTU and PFS production.
Why this mattersA dual listing would give a leading Chinese borosilicate glass packaging player fresh capital to scale semiconductor glass substrates, a potential new growth line adjacent to pharma packaging.
- Filed for Hong Kong main-board listing on 28 September 2026, already listed on Shenzhen ChiNext since 11 November 2021
- Ranked 9th in China's pharmaceutical glass packaging market with 2.4% share by 2025 revenue, per Frost & Sullivan
- Ranked 1st in China and 2nd globally in daily-use heat-resistant glass, with 9.5% domestic and 5.1% global market share
- 2025 revenue was USD 146.4m (RMB 981.5m), down from USD 161.2m (RMB 1,080.8m) in 2024
- 2025 net profit was USD 5.9m (RMB 39.7m), down from USD 9.9m (RMB 66.1m) in 2024
- IPO proceeds earmarked for industrialising semiconductor packaging glass substrates and RTU and PFS production plus R&D
Sonoco has signed a first amendment to its credit agreement with CoBank, adding USD 800m in term loan facilities. It drew USD 500m at closing, split between a USD 400m Tranche A due December 2029 and a USD 100m Tranche B due December 2031, to refinance an existing USD 500m term loan maturing in 2028. A further USD 300m of Tranche B remains available for up to three draws over the next 12 months.
Why this mattersThe refinancing extends Sonoco's debt maturity profile and adds committed, prepayable liquidity ahead of its 2028 term loan maturity.
- First Amendment to Credit Agreement signed 25 September 2026, adding USD 800m in term loan facilities
- USD 500m drawn at closing: USD 400m Tranche A due 31 December 2029 and USD 100m Tranche B due 31 December 2031
- Proceeds refinance an existing USD 500m term loan maturing in 2028
- Remaining USD 300m of Tranche B available for up to three draws within 12 months
- Lender group is CoBank, as administrative agent, and Farm Credit System lenders
- Both tranches are prepayable without penalty and carry interest margins tied to Sonoco's debt ratings
Amcor divested five non-core businesses representing about USD 500m in annual revenue during FY26, its first full financial year after combining with Berry Global. The group's annual report shows flexible packaging at 55 per cent of sales, or USD 12.8bn, against 45 per cent, or USD 10.7bn, for rigid packaging. New business wins in the year reached roughly half of the USD 280m three-year revenue synergy target.
Why this mattersThe near-even split between flexible and rigid packaging gives Amcor more scope to cross-sell across healthcare, nutrition and beauty customers than either standalone business had.
- Amcor divested five non-core businesses in FY26, representing about USD 500m in annual revenue
- Flexible packaging generated 55 per cent of FY26 group sales, or USD 12.8bn
- Rigid packaging, including containers, closures and dispensing systems, generated 45 per cent, or USD 10.7bn
- New business wins during FY26 reached roughly half of Amcor's USD 280m three-year revenue synergy target
- North America contributed 50 per cent of group sales, Western Europe 29 per cent and emerging markets 19 per cent
- Amcor reports annual R&D investment of about USD 170m across ten innovation centres
India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies has recommended definitive anti-dumping duties for five years on PET film imports from Bangladesh, China and Thailand, in final findings dated 29 September 2026 that concluded dumped imports had undercut domestic producers' prices. Rates reach USD 218 per tonne for most Bangladeshi exporters, USD 54-361 for China and USD 198-366 for Thailand; AKIJ Biax Films, the only cooperating Bangladeshi exporter, faces USD 58 per tonne. The duties apply only once notified by India's finance ministry; the case was brought by Chiripal Poly Films, Ester Industries and Vacmet India.
Why this mattersTariffs on PET film, a flexible-packaging substrate for food, pharma and consumer goods, raise import costs for Indian converters and protect domestic producers from Bangladeshi, Chinese and Thai supply.
- DGTR recommended duties of up to USD 218/tonne on most Bangladeshi PET film exporters, in final findings dated 29 September 2026.
- AKIJ Biax Films, the only cooperating Bangladeshi firm, faces a lower duty of USD 58/tonne.
- China faces duties of USD 54-361/tonne and Thailand USD 198-366/tonne, depending on cooperation.
- Bangladesh's PET film shipments to India rose from 12 tonnes in FY2021-22 to 2,763 tonnes in FY2024-25, about 3.4% of India's PET film imports.
- China supplied 26,086 tonnes and Thailand 12,870 tonnes of PET film to India in the review period.
- Duties take effect only if notified by India's finance ministry; the probe was triggered by Chiripal Poly Films, Ester Industries and Vacmet India.
Indian packaging group UFlex has signed a Joint Participation Agreement with the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund to build a packaging production facility in the Alat Free Economic Zone, valued at USD 117.7m. The project will run through newly formed Flex Films AZB AFEZCO on a 4.7-hectare plot, with planned annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes. The agreement was signed at the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum with the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund and the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company.
Why this mattersThe investment extends UFlex's international films footprint into the Caucasus and gives the group an export base serving regional markets.
- Project value stated at USD 117.7 million
- Site is a 4.7-hectare plot in the Alat Free Economic Zone, Azerbaijan
- Planned annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes
- Project vehicle Flex Films AZB AFEZCO has been established for execution
- Agreement signed with Azerbaijan Business Development Fund and Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company at the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum
- UFlex's international assets are managed through Flex Middle East FZE
Nemera has inaugurated a new 7,200 m2 production hall, Hall 3, at its Ponts-et-Marais site in Seine-Maritime, France, to expand manufacturing capacity for drug-delivery devices. The hall includes a 2,600 m2 cleanroom and will house production of the SP9 pump, allowing the SP2 pump to be centralised at the nearby Le Treport site. Combined, the two sites could add up to 120 million devices in output.
Why this mattersUp to 120 million additional devices across the two Seine-Maritime sites adds European dosing-device capacity for drugmakers and frees Le Treport to specialise on one pump.
- The 7,200 m2 Hall 3, including a 2,600 m2 cleanroom, was inaugurated on 16 September 2026 after construction began in June 2025.
- The facility sits on a 46,000 m2 plot and will manufacture the SP9 pump, freeing Le Treport to centralise SP2 pump production.
- Combined output across Ponts-et-Marais and Le Treport could increase by up to 120 million devices.
- About 100 employees will join the site over the next two years.
- The plant targets ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certification plus a BREEAM Good rating, and runs on electricity only.
- Nemera employs more than 3,300 people worldwide and reports annual revenue of EUR 700m across 7 production sites on 3 continents.
UK pallet supplier Goplasticpallets.com says its take-back scheme, launched in 2019, has now recycled 3,000 tonnes of used plastic pallets and boxes, collected regardless of original supplier and processed at a recycling centre in Belgium. The company estimates the volume has avoided more than 2,500 tonnes of CO2e versus landfill, citing WRAP conversion factors.
Why this mattersA small operator's closed-loop collection scheme shows demand for supplier-agnostic plastic pallet take-back is building among industrial customers.
- Goplasticpallets.com has recycled 3,000 tonnes of plastic pallets and boxes since launching the scheme in 2019
- More than 540 truckloads of collected plastic have been sent to its recycling centre in Belgium for reprocessing into new products
- The company estimates the recycled volume has saved over 2,500 tonnes of CO2e versus landfill, using WRAP conversion factors
- Finance director Lee Denyer said much of the material recycled is first-generation pallets and boxes supplied many years ago
PT Megalestari Epack Sentosaraya Tbk (EPAC), an Indonesian flexible plastic packaging manufacturer, is preparing a rights issue of up to 2 billion new shares alongside a share buyback of up to Rp20 billion, covering as much as 10 percent of paid-in capital. Shareholders must approve both at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for early November 2026, with rights-issue proceeds earmarked for capex, bank debt repayment and working capital. The announcement coincided with a 13.95 percent drop in EPAC shares to Rp37, valuing the company at Rp122.23 billion.
Why this mattersA dual capital raise and buyback signals the company is bolstering its balance sheet and liquidity to fund expansion while cutting bank debt.
- EPAC plans to issue up to 2 billion new shares via a rights offering.
- A share buyback of up to Rp20 billion is planned, covering up to 10 percent of paid-in capital.
- The buyback would run over up to 12 months once approved.
- An extraordinary shareholder meeting is scheduled for early November 2026 to approve both actions.
- Rights-issue proceeds are earmarked for capex, bank debt repayment and working capital.
- EPAC shares fell 13.95 percent to Rp37, giving a market capitalisation of Rp122.23 billion.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has agreed a partnership with German logistics group pfenning to combine printing, packaging and data-driven logistics into one offering for pharmaceutical packaging production. The tie-up extends Heidelberg's system-integrator strategy, unveiled at interpack 2026, into serialisation, track-and-trace and GDP/GMP-compliant logistics. No financial terms were disclosed.
Why this mattersMachinery makers are moving beyond press sales into end-to-end packaging and logistics services, reshaping how pharma customers source compliance-driven supply chains.
- Heidelberg and pfenning group announced the partnership on 30 September 2026 at Heidelberg's Wiesloch-Walldorf site.
- The collaboration covers printing, packaging and data-driven logistics for pharmaceutical products.
- It builds on Heidelberg's system-integrator strategy announced at interpack 2026.
- pfenning group operates 110 European locations, 1 million square metres of logistics space and 7,000 employees.
- Heidelberg has previously announced similar partnerships with Pack-Smart and Metsä Board.
- No deal value or investment figure was disclosed.
German industrial group ARENIT Industrie SE has signed an agreement to acquire all shares in MP Multipack AG, a Swiss technical distributor of packaging and disposal solutions based in Oftringen. MP Multipack reported revenue of approximately CHF 9.5m in 2025 and will be consolidated into ARENIT's Devices and Industrial Solutions segment from the start of the fourth quarter of 2026.
Why this mattersAt about CHF 9.5m of 2025 revenue the deal is small, but it gives ARENIT a Swiss technical packaging distribution channel from the fourth quarter of 2026.
- ARENIT Industrie SE signed to acquire 100% of MP Multipack AG
- MP Multipack is based in Oftringen, Switzerland
- 2025 revenue was approximately CHF 9.5m with strong margins
- Consolidation expected at the start of Q4 2026
- The deal is not expected to materially affect ARENIT's earnings this financial year
- MP Multipack will sit in ARENIT's Devices and Industrial Solutions segment
Exchange for Change, administrator of the UK deposit return scheme, has selected Suez, Cirqlr, Re.Group (with Hargreaves Services), Bywaters and Re-Gen to run collection and processing across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The appointments underpin a network of six new purpose-built facilities and about 400 collection vehicles, targeting recovery of 90% of the 25 billion single-use drinks containers in scope when the scheme launches in October 2027.
Why this mattersFive named operators, six purpose-built plants and 400 vehicles set the cost base and the recycled PET and metal volumes converters can count on from October 2027.
- Suez, Cirqlr, Re.Group with Hargreaves Services, Bywaters and Re-Gen appointed as regional logistics and processing partners
- Six processing facilities, in Scotland, Scunthorpe, Guildford, Isle of Dogs, Newry and Avonmouth, operational from October 2027, with three more in Ely, Knowsley and Avonmouth from October 2030
- Around 400 new recycling vehicles and about 700 jobs expected to be created
- Scheme targets collection of 90% of an estimated 25 billion single-use containers a year
- A deposit of USD 0.27 (20p) applies to single-use PET, aluminium and steel drinks containers from October 2027
- Biffa's 2022 sole-logistics contract with Circularity Scotland collapsed; its subsequent claim of more than USD 66m (GBP 50m) against the Scottish government was dismissed in January 2026
Regulation (EU) 2025/40, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), has applied directly in all EU member states since 12 August 2026, covering any packaging placed on the EU market, including imports. Brazilian trade bodies ABIPLAST and INP held a webinar on 24 September with over 200 registrants from more than 120 organisations to brief exporters on the compliance timeline, which runs through further milestones in 2028, 2030, 2038 and 2040.
Why this mattersExporters placing any packaging or packaged goods on the EU market must now document conformity and heavy-metal and PFAS limits, with no grace period for existing stock.
- PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) has applied since 12 August 2026, with no transposition needed by member states
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium) are capped at 100 mg/kg in packaging or components
- Food-contact packaging faces PFAS limits of 25 ppb for specific analyses and 50 ppm for total PFAS, with no stock run-off period
- Harmonised material-composition labelling becomes mandatory from August 2028
- From 2030, packaging must meet weight/volume minimisation rules, a 50% empty-space limit for grouped packaging, and recyclability design classes A-C, narrowing to A-B by 2038
- Minimum post-consumer recycled content requirements of 10%-35% by plastic application start in 2030, rising to 25%-65% by 2040
Italy's Senate approved, with amendments, the conversion of Decree-Law No. 143, which requires certain single-use plastic packaging formats to be certified biodegradable and compostable under UNI EN 13432. The covered categories are fresh-produce packs under 1.5 kg, HORECA food and drink packaging, individual condiment portions and hospitality cosmetics packaging; the bill now moves to the Chamber of Deputies. The measure uses flexibility under the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which restricts certain single-use plastic formats from 1 January 2030 unless composting infrastructure and certification requirements are met.
Why this mattersItaly opens a national compostability route alongside PPWR recyclability rules, adding a compliance track that compostable-polymer and flexible-packaging suppliers must navigate separately from the rest of the EU.
- Italian Senate approved conversion of Decree-Law No. 143 of 7 August 2026 on 23 September 2026.
- The bill has been transmitted to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration.
- Covers single-use plastic packaging for pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg.
- Also covers HORECA food and drink packaging for on-premises consumption, individual condiment portions, and hospitality cosmetics and hygiene packaging for single bookings.
- Covered packaging must be certified compostable under UNI EN 13432 or an equivalent EU-recognised standard.
- Penalties for non-compliance range from EUR 2,500 to EUR 25,000, with higher fines possible for significant non-compliant quantities.
China's revised national standard for recycled pulp takes effect on 1 October 2026, tightening raw-material controls and inspection criteria for pulp imported to feed its paper industry. The rules ban unclean inputs such as waste household and medical paper and add microorganism-elimination requirements, with customs to use the standard for import inspection and quality determination.
Why this mattersTighter specifications for imported recycled pulp could constrain supply or raise compliance costs for exporters feeding China's paper and packaging sector.
- The revised 'Recycled Pulp' national standard takes effect 1 October 2026.
- China's paper industry relies heavily on imported recycled pulp to meet raw-material demand.
- The standard strengthens raw-material control, standardises production processes and adds microorganism elimination steps.
- It bans use of unclean raw materials such as waste household paper and medical paper for recycled pulp.
- Customs will use the standard for import inspection and quality determination of recycled pulp.
