Gerresheimer completed the sale of its US closures subsidiary Centor to funds advised by Apax Partners on 1 October 2026, about two months after signing on 29 July 2026. Centor accounts for roughly half of the combined enterprise value of about EUR 1.5bn (USD 1.69bn) agreed for Centor and the group's global Primary Packaging Plastics business. The proceeds go to debt reduction; the Primary Packaging Plastics sale is still expected to close in the first half of 2027, followed by a group refinancing.
Why this mattersThe closures exit funds deleveraging and leaves Gerresheimer concentrated on primary pharmaceutical packaging and drug-delivery systems, with one disposal still to run.
- Centor sale completed on 1 October 2026, about two months after the agreement signed on 29 July 2026
- Buyer is funds advised by Apax Partners
- Centor represents about half of the combined enterprise value of roughly EUR 1.5bn (USD 1.69bn) agreed for Centor and Primary Packaging Plastics
- Proceeds are earmarked for debt reduction, according to CFO Wolf Lehmann
- Primary Packaging Plastics disposal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, with a comprehensive group refinancing prepared with lenders afterwards
- Gerresheimer reports Q3 2026 results on 31 October 2026
Mondi is disposing of two corrugated and carton converting plants in Germany that it acquired as part of its takeover of Schumacher Packaging's Western European operations. A company spokeswoman confirmed the move to EUWID as part of Mondi's continued optimisation of its site network.
Why this mattersThe disposal signals Mondi is trimming capacity gained through the Schumacher acquisition rather than retaining the full footprint, a signpost for integration costs across recent consolidation deals.
- Mondi is selling two carton and corrugated processing plants in Germany
- The plants were part of Mondi's acquisition of Schumacher Packaging's Western European activities
- A Mondi spokeswoman confirmed the sale to EUWID Verpackung
- The move is described as part of Mondi's ongoing site network optimisation
Saudi Arabia's Middle East Paper Co. (MEPCO) has pushed back the startup of its sixth tissue line (TM6) at subsidiary Juthor Paper in King Abdullah Economic City to Q1 2027 from Q3 2026, citing supply-chain disruption linked to regional geopolitical conditions. The company also delayed its PM5 recycled containerboard machine at its Jeddah mill to Q1 2028 from Q4 2027 and raised its estimated cost to SAR 1.881 billion from SAR 1.78 billion, while the TM6 budget of SAR 345 million is unchanged.
Why this mattersThe slippage delays new containerboard and tissue capacity reaching the Middle East market and postpones the projects' contribution to MEPCO's earnings.
- TM6 trial production delayed to Q1 2027 from Q3 2026, commercial output also targeted Q1 2027
- TM6 will add 60,000 tonnes/year of tissue capacity, doubling Juthor's output to 120,000 tonnes
- TM6 investment unchanged at SAR 345 million
- ANDRITZ supplies the TM6 Prime Line W 2200, designed for 2,100 m/min at 5.47 m width
- PM5 recycled containerboard machine at Jeddah delayed to Q1 2028 from Q4 2027
- PM5 estimated cost raised to SAR 1.881 billion from SAR 1.78 billion, machine capacity 450,000 tonnes/year
Japanese heavy-duty paper sack makers Shiko and Daishowa Shiko Sangyo established a joint venture holding company, Resac Holdings, on 1 October 2026, following a comprehensive business tie-up announced in July 2025. The venture aims to share procurement, equipment investment and workforce training as Japan's heavy paper sack market has shrunk from about 2.9 billion units in 1973 to about 930 million units in 2025.
Why this mattersConsolidation signals how small converters in a structurally declining paper sack segment are pooling capital and capacity rather than competing head-on for shrinking volumes.
- Japan's heavy paper sack market fell from about 2.9 billion units in 1973 to about 930 million units in 2025, according to the National Kraft Paper Bag Industrial Association
- Shiko (Osaka) and Daishowa Shiko Sangyo (Fuji, Shizuoka) set up joint venture holding company Resac Holdings on 1 October 2026
- The venture follows a comprehensive business alliance the two companies announced on 30 July 2025, including reciprocal plant visits
- Goals include joint purchasing for cost optimisation, shared capital investment and skills transfer, and more stable supply across the heavy paper sack sector
- Both companies make kraft paper sacks used for cement, food and chemical customers
- The companies say the holding structure is designed to allow other paper sack makers to join in future
Mercer International reported a USD 76.0m net loss on USD 460.3m of revenue in the second quarter of 2026 and is in confidential talks with bondholders over a potential liability management transaction, after flagging going-concern risk in its 6 August 2026 10-Q. Fitch Ratings affirmed the pulp producer's long-term issuer default rating at CCC with a stable outlook on 1 October 2026, citing stable liquidity despite timber price volatility. Mercer is cutting 350 jobs at its Torgau site in stages through the second quarter of 2027 as part of a USD 100.0m savings drive targeted for year-end 2026.
Why this mattersA going-concern warning, liability management talks and an affirmed CCC rating point to balance-sheet stress that could reshape ownership and market pulp supply.
- Q2 2026 revenue was USD 460.3m, up 1.5 percent year on year, with a net loss of USD 76.0m
- Operating EBITDA was negative USD 21.0m, roughly flat with negative USD 20.9m a year earlier
- Mercer's 6 August 2026 10-Q carried a going-concern warning, with liquidity of USD 191.7m including USD 78.8m cash
- The company is in confidential talks with bondholders over a potential liability management transaction, reported 15 September 2026
- Mercer plans to cut 350 positions at its Torgau site in stages through Q2 2027 as part of a USD 100.0m year-end 2026 savings target
- Fitch Ratings affirmed Mercer's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at CCC with a stable outlook on 1 October 2026, citing stable liquidity and operating performance
Georgia-Pacific is closing the communication papers and pulp assets at its Port Hudson mill in Louisiana, affecting roughly 650 production jobs and about 40 business and sales roles. The company has withdrawn its application for a Louisiana Industrial Tax Exemption Program contract because the reduced headcount will no longer meet the scheme's jobs-related requirements. Final operations of the affected assets are expected by mid-March.
Why this mattersAnother North American communication papers exit removes capacity from a shrinking segment and leaves remaining buyers with fewer domestic supply options.
- About 650 jobs at the Port Hudson mill will ultimately be affected by the closure of the communication papers and pulp assets
- A further 40 or so business and sales roles are affected
- Final operations of the affected assets are expected by mid-March
- Georgia-Pacific has asked the Louisiana Commerce & Industry Board not to proceed with its Industrial Tax Exemption Program contract, saying it will not meet the scheme's jobs-related requirements
Sappi has appointed Kirk Ross as president and chief executive of Sappi North America from 1 January 2027, succeeding Mike Haws, who retires in February 2027 after seven years in the role. Matt Archambeau becomes vice-president of manufacturing effective 1 October 2026, reporting to Ross.
Why this mattersThe succession keeps continuity at the unit leading Sappi's packaging-paper build-out in North America, including the Somerset mill conversion.
- Kirk Ross becomes president and CEO of Sappi North America effective 1 January 2027
- Mike Haws retires in February 2027 after 14 years at Sappi, including seven as North America CEO
- Matt Archambeau becomes vice-president of manufacturing effective 1 October 2026, reporting to Ross
- Ross previously led the Elevate project converting and expanding Somerset mill's PM2 machine for packaging products
- Haws oversaw integration of the Matane pulp mill and a return to record profitability in 2021-2022
Spanish glass packaging group Vidrala has completed the acquisition of 100% of Chilean glass manufacturer Cristalerías Toro, known as Cristoro, for an enterprise value of USD 85m (EUR 75m) including assumed debt. The target, rebranded Vidrala Chile, ends a 70-year independent history and gives Vidrala its first production base in South America. Vidrala said net debt will remain around 0.5x annual EBITDA following the deal.
Why this mattersVidrala gains its first South American production base and takes out an independent Chilean producer, extending European glassmakers' consolidation of regional capacity.
- Vidrala acquired 100% of Cristalerías Toro's share capital for an enterprise value of USD 85m (EUR 75m), including assumed debt.
- The target is renamed Vidrala Chile, ending Cristoro's 70-year history as an independent brand.
- Cristalerías Toro generated sales of USD 79.915m and adjusted EBITDA of USD 13.216m last year.
- Vidrala said its net debt will remain at around 0.5 times annual EBITDA after the acquisition.
- Cristoro serves food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and household-goods glass packaging segments in Chile and export markets.
- Vidrala CEO Raul Gomez said the group will deploy its glassmaking model and promote glass as Chile's packaging material.
Silgan Holdings and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Philippe Chevrier agreed on 2 September 2026 to end his employment effective 30 September 2026. The departure of the rigid packaging maker's operations chief comes ahead of its third-quarter results, due 29 October 2026.
Why this mattersLoss of the operating chief ahead of quarterly results raises questions over continuity in running Silgan's three packaging divisions.
- Philippe Chevrier's role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ends 30 September 2026
- Mutual separation agreement was reached 2 September 2026
- Silgan reports Q3 2026 results on 29 October 2026 before the US market opens
- Q2 2026 revenue rose 6.80% to USD 1.64bn, beating consensus of USD 1.62bn
- Q2 2026 adjusted EPS was USD 0.98 against USD 0.96 consensus
- Silgan confirmed full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of USD 3.73-3.93
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) has completed its acquisition of Kyowa Pharma Chemical, a Toyama-based active pharmaceutical ingredient maker, buying all shares from parent Kyowa Hakko Bio with effect from 1 October 2026. The deal follows a share purchase agreement signed on 15 July 2026. The target will be renamed DNP Pharma Chemical in February 2027 as DNP builds a one-stop contract development and manufacturing business spanning API production, formulation and pharmaceutical packaging.
Why this mattersDNP extends its pharmaceutical packaging and manufacturing base into API production, positioning itself as a one-stop CDMO for drugmakers.
- DNP completed acquisition of all shares of Kyowa Pharma Chemical on 1 October 2026
- Seller was Kyowa Hakko Bio, the target's previous parent
- Share purchase agreement was announced on 15 July 2026
- Kyowa Pharma Chemical will be renamed DNP Pharma Chemical in February 2027
- Kyowa Pharma Chemical is headquartered in Toyama Prefecture and makes active pharmaceutical ingredients
- DNP aims to combine the target's API technology with its own formulation and packaging manufacturing for end-to-end pharmaceutical CDMO services
Nespresso is discontinuing its paper-based compostable coffee capsules, launched in 2023 after a three-year development and trialled in 14 European markets, and will revert to aluminium as its main format. The Nestle unit cites customer feedback on shelf life and a commissioned life-cycle analysis showing near-identical carbon footprints for the two materials. Swiss boutiques will stop selling the paper capsules within about a month as stocks run out.
Why this mattersA leading brand's reversal from fibre back to aluminium tests the industry narrative that paper-based packaging can replace metal in demanding food applications.
- Compostable paper capsules, launched in 2023 after three years of development, used 82% paper packaging.
- Capsules were trialled in 14 European markets and are being withdrawn from Swiss boutiques within about a month.
- Nestle-commissioned life-cycle analysis found 79g CO2e per espresso for paper capsules versus 81g CO2e for aluminium.
- Opened paper capsules had a four-week recommended shelf life versus up to a year for aluminium.
- Nespresso will focus more on aluminium recycling, citing rates of 80% in France and 73% in Switzerland.
SDR Portugal, the non-profit entity managing the country's deposit and return system for single-use beverage packaging up to 3 litres, says more than 400 million containers have been returned since the scheme launched on 10 April 2026. The operator has added a public counter to its website tracking returns daily, and aims to collect 90 percent of eligible packaging by the end of 2029.
Why this mattersEarly volumes from a national deposit return system give beverage brand owners and packaging producers a live benchmark for collection rates and compliance costs.
- More than 400 million beverage containers returned since Volta launched on 10 April 2026, in under six months of operation
- SDR Portugal targets collection of 90 per cent of eligible packaging by the end of 2029
- The mandatory network comprises about 3,000 collection points
- A supplementary network of 38 further kiosks awaits authorisation by municipalities
- Each kiosk, fully funded by SDR Portugal, can take about 120 containers per minute
- A counter on volta.com.pt shows accumulated returns, updated daily
The US FDA issued a draft guidance in August 2026 that would replace its May 1999 guidance on container closure systems for human drugs and biologics, together with the associated May 2002 questions-and-answers document. The draft moves from a dosage-form risk matrix to a product-specific, risk-based and life cycle framework, with extractables and leachables assessment extended to nominally low-risk oral and topical products. It is open for public comment.
Why this mattersPharma packaging suppliers face heavier extractables, leachables and integrity-testing obligations across the product life cycle once the guidance is finalised.
- The FDA issued the draft guidance on container closure systems for human drugs and biological products in August 2026
- It is intended to supersede the May 1999 container closure guidance and the associated May 2002 questions-and-answers guidance
- The draft is currently open for public comment
- Assessment becomes product-specific, covering formulation, route of administration, system design, manufacturing process and clinical use, rather than resting on dosage-form category
- Even nominally low-risk oral and topical products require an adequate evaluation of possible leachables
- Packaging that prepares, delivers or measures a dose, including device constituent parts of combination products, is brought within scope
The Yukon government has opened a rebate programme covering up to 65 per cent of local businesses' 2026 packaging and paper extended producer responsibility invoices. The territory has set aside USD 2.1m (CAD 3m) in its 2026-27 operations and maintenance budget, citing per-product fees two and a half times those in Alberta and British Columbia. Applications are first-come, first-served until 31 December 2026, with corporate and multinational businesses excluded.
Why this mattersA territorial government subsidising EPR costs highlights how fee disparities between jurisdictions can strain producer-responsibility schemes and complicate compliance for packaging obligors.
- Rebate covers up to 65 per cent of 2026 packaging and paper EPR invoices for Yukon-owned businesses
- The Yukon government allocated USD 2.1m (CAD 3m) in its 2026-27 operations and maintenance budget for the programme
- Per-product packaging and paper EPR fees in Yukon are 2.5 times those in Alberta and British Columbia
- Packaging and paper accounts for roughly 85 per cent of all local EPR costs
- Applications are accepted first-come, first-served until 31 December 2026
- Expansion of EPR collection to glass, styrofoam, flexible plastics and aerosols is paused until 1 January 2029
China's revised national standard for recycled pulp (GB/T 43393) takes effect on 1 October 2026, banning the use of contaminated feedstock such as household waste paper and medical paper in recycled pulp production. The standard adds microbial disinfection and heavy-metal testing requirements and is intended to support customs inspection of imported recycled pulp, on which China's paper industry relies heavily due to limited domestic fibre supply.
Why this mattersTighter import specifications raise compliance costs and could constrain recycled-fibre supply for China's paperboard makers, who depend heavily on imported recycled pulp.
- The revised national standard 《再生纸浆》 (Recycled Pulp) takes effect 1 October 2026.
- It bans use of discarded household paper and medical paper as feedstock for recycled pulp.
- It defines dry and wet recycled pulp processes, requiring sorting, shredding, screening, impurity removal and pulping, excluding simply cut or baled waste paper scraps.
- It adds a sterilisation step and limits on bacterial and fungal colony counts and specific pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
- It introduces ICP-MS testing for heavy metals and hydraulic pulping for contaminant measurement.
- China's paper industry has a high reliance on imported fibre, including recycled pulp, to secure raw material supply.
