Henkel has closed its acquisition of Netherlands-based Stahl, a specialty coatings maker serving mobility, fashion, luxury and packaging markets, for EUR 2.1bn (USD 2.4bn) from Wendel, BASF and Clariant. The deal, agreed in February 2026, closed on 1 October 2026 after regulatory approvals and adds Stahl's leather finishing, performance and packaging coatings to Henkel's Adhesive Technologies unit.
Why this mattersA major specialty-coatings supplier to flexible packaging converters now sits inside a larger adhesives group, consolidating a key input for the supply chain.
- Deal value EUR 2.1bn (USD 2.4bn), agreed February 2026 and closed 1 October 2026
- Seller consortium comprised Wendel, BASF and Clariant
- Stahl employs around 1,800 staff and generated adjusted sales of EUR 725m in fiscal 2025
- Stahl's portfolio includes leather finishing, performance coatings and packaging coatings
- Henkel says three Adhesive Technologies deals this year (Stahl, ATP Adhesive Systems, Wetherby Laroc) add about EUR 1bn combined sales
- Stahl becomes part of Henkel's Adhesive Technologies business unit
Pixelle Specialty Solutions has sold its carbonless sheets business, including the ExcelOne brand, to Nekoosa under a definitive agreement announced on 4 October 2026. Pixelle said the move follows a review of where to focus resources for long-term growth; Nekoosa takes on the business and its existing customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersPixelle's exit consolidates carbonless sheet supply around a single specialist and redirects the group's resources to its other speciality paper grades.
- Pixelle Specialty Solutions sold its carbonless sheets business to Nekoosa.
- The deal includes the ExcelOne brand.
- The transaction is limited to the carbonless sheet business only.
- Announced 4 October 2026.
- Financial terms were not disclosed.
Essity has invested USD 46.2m (GBP 35m) in a waste paper recycling plant in Prudhoe, Northumberland, with capacity to process 105,000 tonnes of paper a year. The plant uses new technology to handle lower-grade paper and supplies recycled fibre for tissue brands including Cushelle and Velvet.
Why this mattersCaptive recycled-fibre capacity of 105,000 tonnes shortens Essity's UK supply chain and brings paper grades that conventional systems reject into tissue production.
- Investment of USD 46.2m (GBP 35m) in a recycling plant in Prudhoe, Northumberland.
- Plant capacity to process 105,000 tonnes of waste paper annually.
- Facility accepts lower-grade paper grades alongside standard recyclables.
- Recycled fibre output feeds tissue brands Cushelle and Velvet.
- New technology reduces energy use and contaminants such as plastics compared with prior systems.
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission fined six printing paper makers, including Hansol Paper, a combined KRW 3.009bn (USD 2.23m) in September 2026 for rigging a tender run by newspaper publisher Nongmin Shinmun, and referred Hansol Paper and Korea Paper Co to prosecutors. The case is separate from the six companies' April 2026 sanction for broader price-fixing. The Korea Printing Cooperative Federation estimates cumulative cartel damage to printers at KRW 525.5bn (USD 389.8m) and is lobbying for a compensation fund.
Why this mattersA criminal referral adds legal exposure beyond the April price-fixing fines and could accelerate printers' push for compensation and alternative suppliers.
- Korea Fair Trade Commission fined six printing paper makers a combined KRW 3.009bn (USD 2.23m) in September 2026 over bid-rigging on a Nongmin Shinmun tender.
- Hansol Paper and Korea Paper Co were referred to prosecutors over the bid-rigging, a separate matter from the April 2026 price-fixing sanction on the same six firms.
- Korea Printing Cooperative Federation estimates cumulative cartel damage to the printing industry at KRW 525.5bn (USD 389.8m), averaging KRW 93.6m (USD 69,400) per affected company.
- The federation held a forum at the National Assembly on 2 October 2026 seeking a damage-relief fund and expanded policy financing for printers.
SCG Packaging has filed a draft registration with Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission to issue unsubordinated, unsecured bonds with a three-year-eleven-month tenor and a 2.50% annual coupon paid quarterly. Proceeds will repay maturing debentures, including the SCGP26DA series due in 2026. Subscription runs in two periods in November 2026, first for existing SCGP26DA holders, then for the general public.
Why this mattersA 2.50% coupon over almost four years shows SCGP rolling its 2026 debentures in the domestic market at low cost, on an A(tha) rating.
- Bond tenor is 3 years and 11 months with a 2.50% annual coupon paid quarterly
- Proceeds will repay existing debenture issuance, including the SCGP26DA series maturing in 2026
- Subscription period one runs 11-13 November 2026 for existing SCGP26DA bondholders
- Subscription period two runs 26-30 November 2026 for the general public, including online subscription on 28-29 November
- Fitch Ratings (Thailand) rated the company and the bonds A(tha) on 16 February 2026
- Bookrunners include Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Siam Commercial Bank
Indonesian flexible packaging maker PT Megalestari Epack Sentosaraya (EPAC) plans to discontinue its traditional gravure printing (MES) business by 31 December 2026, shifting focus to digital printing via its Epac Flexibles Indonesia unit. It also plans a new Surabaya production facility in 2027 with estimated capex of about IDR 59.1 billion, to be funded through leasing and a rights issue. EPAC posted a net loss of about IDR 5.54 billion in H1 2026 despite sales rising 14.4% to IDR 88.82 billion, as higher oil and freight costs pushed up raw material costs.
Why this mattersExiting a legacy gravure line that carries over half of operating costs while expanding digital capacity signals a structural cost reset for mid-size Southeast Asian converters under margin pressure.
- EPAC plans to discontinue its gravure printing (MES) business by 31 December 2026.
- MES contributes about 30% of consolidated revenue but 53% of consolidated operating costs.
- Operating expenses are near 80% of consolidated revenue per the 2025 annual report; EPAC expects this to fall to 70% after the MES exit.
- EPAC plans a new Surabaya production facility in 2027 with estimated capex of about IDR 59.1 billion, funded via leasing and a rights issue.
- H1 2026 net loss was about IDR 5.54 billion, with sales up 14.4% year on year to IDR 88.82 billion.
- EPAC has added 213 new customers so far in 2026, including in apparel, infant care, electronics and tobacco sectors.
Indian polymer films group UFlex has submitted a joint bid with US-based Spectra Systems for a Reserve Bank of India programme to supply polymer banknote substrate, according to unnamed sources cited by Press Trust of India. The tender, floated by RBI subsidiary BRBNMPL on 17 July 2026, seeks 68,000 reams of coated BOPP film, 34,000 reams for each of the INR 10 and INR 20 denominations. The government has approved field trials of one billion notes in each denomination.
Why this mattersA win would open security-grade polymer substrate as a new high-value outlet for BOPP film makers and give UFlex a foothold in central-bank currency manufacturing.
- UFlex and Spectra Systems have jointly bid for RBI's polymer banknote substrate tender, according to unnamed sources cited by Press Trust of India on 4 October 2026
- Tender was floated by BRBNMPL, a wholly owned RBI subsidiary, on 17 July 2026, with an expression-of-interest deadline of 18 August 2026
- Tender specifies 68,000 reams of coated BOPP, split 34,000 reams each for the INR 10 and INR 20 denominations
- RBI's proposal, approved by the government, covers one billion pieces each of INR 10 and INR 20 polymer notes for field trials
- About 60 countries use polymer banknotes; Australia introduced them first in 1988
- UFlex did not answer a request for comment on its participation
SupplyOne has acquired Packaging Design, an Illinois-based corrugated packaging manufacturer, extending the distributor's manufacturing footprint in the US Midwest. The transaction was announced on 2 October 2026. No deal value was disclosed.
Why this mattersBolt-on consolidation by a corrugated distributor adds converting capacity closer to Midwest customers, a recurring pattern in US fibre packaging distribution.
- SupplyOne has acquired Illinois-based corrugated packaging manufacturer Packaging Design.
- The deal extends SupplyOne's corrugated manufacturing footprint in the US Midwest.
- Announced 2 October 2026; no deal value disclosed.
The Coca-Cola Company has begun switching its STONEY ginger beer in South Africa from brown bottles to clear PET, starting with the 2.25-litre pack in June 2026, with the remaining pack sizes to follow over time. Coca-Cola South Africa says clear bottles are easier to collect and recycle. The move follows a similar switch of SPRITE in South Africa from green to clear plastic.
Why this mattersClear PET commands a higher recyclate value than coloured bottles, so brand-owner switches of this kind improve feedstock quality for South African reprocessors.
- STONEY ginger beer, a Coca-Cola brand, is moving from brown bottles to clear PET in South Africa
- Phased rollout began in June 2026 with the 2.25-litre bottle; remaining pack sizes follow over time
- Label and closure colours are kept consistent across all variants under the new packaging
- Coca-Cola previously switched SPRITE in South Africa from green to clear plastic bottles
- Mario I. Garcia, vice-president and managing director of Coca-Cola South Africa, ties the change to collection and recycling value chains
German startup Traceless Materials has opened its first industrial-scale production plant, in Hamburg-Harburg, with annual capacity of about 3,000 tonnes of a bio-circular thermoplastic granulate made from grain-processing residues. The plant was funded by a EUR 36.6m (USD 41.1m) Series A round in September 2023 plus a further EUR 5.1m (USD 5.7m) grant from a German government environmental innovation programme. Mondi is named as a strategic partner and distributor Biesterfeld is scaling the injection-moulding grade across Europe.
Why this mattersA 3,000-tonne compostable granulate line moves a bio-based feedstock from pilot to industrial volumes, with Mondi and Biesterfeld as the route to converters.
- Hamburg-Harburg plant opened in 2026 with annual capacity of about 3,000 tonnes of traceless material
- Plant construction was funded by a EUR 36.6m (USD 41.1m) Series A in September 2023 led by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund and SWEN CP's Blue Ocean Fund
- A further EUR 5.1m (USD 5.7m) came from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment's Environmental Innovation Programme
- Material is a thermoplastic granulate derived from industrial grain-processing residues, certified biobased and home compostable
- Mondi is named as a strategic partner and Biesterfeld is scaling the injection-moulding grade across Europe
- Headcount has grown from about 40 at the time of the Series A to over 80 employees
Dutch chemicals technology group Avantium has carved out its Parana bio-polyester technology into an independent company, Parana Materials, based at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. Parana will lease and operate Avantium's existing polymerisation pilot plant, with Avantium retaining ownership of the installation and a minority stake in the new company. Funding comes from LIOF Participatiefonds, the founders, the Just Transition Fund and the Dutch DEI+ innovation scheme, though amounts were not disclosed.
Why this mattersAvantium narrows its focus to FDCA and PEF while a dedicated vehicle advances renewable polyesters aimed partly at packaging, a common pattern for scaling bio-based material platforms.
- Avantium transfers its Parana polyester technology, IP, projects and a dedicated team into new independent company Parana Materials.
- Parana Materials is based at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen and leases Avantium's existing polymerisation pilot plant, which Avantium continues to own.
- Funding comes from LIOF Participatiefonds, the founders, the Just Transition Fund and the DEI+ Dutch innovation scheme; amounts undisclosed.
- Avantium retains a minority stake in Parana Materials and keeps access to the pilot plant for its own FDCA and PEF technology.
- Former Avantium technology director Gert-Jan Gruter joins Parana Materials as CTO; Willem-Jan Meijer, previously of Avantium and dab.bio, becomes CEO.
- Parana's renewable polyesters, including PISA, PISOX, PEIT and PEIF, target applications in packaging, consumer goods and speciality materials.
California's Governor signed AB1901 on 28 September 2026, requiring children's diapers sold in the state to list all intentionally added ingredients on outer packaging and on a dedicated manufacturer website by 1 January 2029. Full labelling compliance for diapers sold in the state is required by 1 July 2029.
Why this mattersA state-level ingredient-disclosure mandate forces diaper makers and their packaging suppliers to redesign labels and build ingredient-tracking systems, a template other US states may follow.
- California Governor signed AB1901 into law on 28 September 2026
- By 1 January 2029 outer packaging of children's diapers must list all intentionally added ingredients and a website link
- By 1 January 2029 manufacturers must publish full ingredient lists with CAS numbers on a dedicated website, ordered by weight predominance
- Full labelling compliance for all children's diapers sold in California is required by 1 July 2029
- Law covers disposable briefs, protective underwear, liners, boosters, inserts, underpads and diaper components such as wetness indicators and adhesive tabs
The European Paper Recycling Council reports a 76.4 percent recycling rate for all paper products across 30 European countries in 2025, broadly stable on the prior year as both collection and consumption volumes fell by similar margins. Paperboard packaging led material categories at an 86.6 percent EU recycling rate, ahead of metal, glass and plastic packaging, while Chinese demand for European recovered paper has fallen close to zero, replaced by buyers in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
Why this mattersThe benchmark data underpins recycled-content and recyclability targets under PPWR and shows fibre packaging far outperforming plastic on circularity, reinforcing substrate-switch arguments for brand owners.
- EPRC calculated a 76.4 percent recycling rate for all paper products across 30 European countries in 2025
- Total paper and board collected and recycled fell 0.3 percent year on year to 53.9 million tonnes in 2025
- Consumption of paper and board in the EPRC region fell 0.4 percent to 70.5 million tonnes
- Paperboard packaging reached an 86.6 percent EU recycling rate, ahead of metal at 77.2 percent, glass at 74.9 percent and plastic packaging at 41.7 percent
- A net 7.5 million tonnes, 14 percent of total collection, was exported outside the 30-nation study region in 2025, with India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand as key importers
- 20 of the 30 surveyed countries sustain recycling rates above 70 percent
Industry groups have warned that including single-use glass in Wales's deposit return scheme carries a fraud risk of up to USD 396m (GBP 300m), noting in a letter seen by BBC Wales that 92% of household glass in Wales is already recycled. The Welsh government is proceeding, diverging from the England, Scotland and Northern Ireland scheme for plastic bottles and metal cans due to start in October 2027, and is running a process to appoint a deposit management organisation.
Why this mattersA Wales-only glass deposit scheme would force drinks and glass packaging supply chains to run a separate collection and labelling system from the rest of the UK.
- Industry groups warn of a potential USD 396m (GBP 300m) fraud risk from including glass in the Welsh deposit return scheme
- England, Scotland and Northern Ireland plan a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and metal cans from October 2027
- Wales has decided to also include single-use glass, diverging from the rest of the UK
- A letter seen by BBC Wales states that 92% of household glass in Wales is already recycled
- The Welsh government is running a process to appoint a deposit management organisation for the scheme
- Plaid Cymru has proposed a staged introduction starting with plastic and metal drinks containers
The Council of the EU agreed on 30 September 2026 its position on proposals within the Omnibus VIII simplification package to accelerate environmental assessments and permitting. The package also includes a proposal to suspend rules on appointing an authorised representative for extended producer responsibility (EPR), and Member States agreed to explore a targeted solution for small packaging producers' EPR obligations under PPWR. Negotiations with the European Parliament will start once it adopts its own position, with the Irish presidency aiming for agreement by year-end.
Why this mattersA lighter EPR authorised-representative regime and targeted relief for small producers would ease PPWR compliance costs without changing the regulation's core recyclability and content rules.
- Council of the EU set its position on environmental assessment simplification on 30 September 2026
- Omnibus VIII amends six EU legal acts including rules on EPR authorised representatives
- Member States agreed to explore a targeted solution for small packaging producers' EPR obligations under PPWR
- PPWR has applied since 12 August 2026 and its recyclability, recycled-content and EPR requirements remain in force
- Irish presidency of the Council aims for agreement with the European Parliament by end of 2026
- The wider 'One Europe, One Market' roadmap targets completion of all simplification packages by end of 2027
The U.S. Department of Commerce has extended the deadline for deciding whether to launch a trade investigation into imports of corrugated pizza boxes from China, Malaysia and Turkey. The extension, effective 29 September 2026, delays the preliminary determination on whether the complaints of unfair trade practices warrant a full inquiry. No new date for the decision is given in the notice.
Why this mattersA finding of dumping or subsidies would raise duties on imported pizza boxes, supporting US fibre packaging converters against lower-cost Asian and Turkish supply.
- Extension covers imports of pizza boxes from China, Malaysia and Turkey
- Effective date of the extension is 29 September 2026
- Notice published 2 October 2026 in the Federal Register
- The case concerns whether import complaints meet the threshold for a formal investigation
- No petitioner or respondent company is named in the notice
