Norske Skog has approved an investment of up to NOK 850m (USD 88.7m) to rebuild paper machine 6 at its Saugbrugs mill in Halden, Norway, converting the idled unit to flexible production of TMP-based kraftliner or SC magazine paper. Start-up is planned for the first half of 2028, after which production on PM4 and PM5 will cease permanently.
Why this mattersThe rebuild shifts a European publication-paper machine into virgin-fibre packaging board, adding up to 300,000 tonnes of lightweight kraftliner capacity and signalling continued diversification away from declining graphic paper demand.
- Investment of up to NOK 850m (USD 88.7m) approved for the PM6 rebuild at Saugbrugs, Halden, Norway.
- Rebuilt PM6 capacity up to approximately 300,000 tonnes/year of TMP-based kraftliner or approximately 230,000 tonnes/year of SC magazine paper.
- PM6 has been offline since a rockslide at the site in April 2023.
- Start-up of the rebuilt machine is planned for the first half of 2028.
- Production on PM4 and PM5 will cease permanently once PM6 starts up.
- Financing plans include a sale and leaseback of the PM6 building and property and a potential sale of the mill's administration office.
Label and tag maker Maxim is investing USD 1.4m to open an RFID and smart label manufacturing facility in Auburn, Alabama, creating up to 15 jobs. The 5,680 sq ft site, operating as Maxim Solutions Auburn LLC, will produce RFID hangtags, stickers and NFC labels and is Maxim's second US manufacturing operation.
Why this mattersA dedicated domestic RFID production line shortens lead times for serialised, verified labels and signals growing brand demand for item-level tracking.
- Maxim is investing USD 1.4m in production equipment and build-out in Auburn, Alabama
- The facility will create up to 15 jobs
- The site covers 5,680 square feet and operates as Maxim Solutions Auburn, LLC
- It is Maxim's second manufacturing operation in the United States, among 21 factories worldwide
- The plant will produce RFID hangtags, stickers and NFC labels and tags, with printing, encoding, verification and finishing on site
- The facility is located 1.7 miles from Auburn University's RFID Lab, under construction in The Park
Opal has completed the sale of its Australian and New Zealand bag manufacturing operations to Thomastown Bag Solutions Pty Ltd, an affiliate of US family office The Magan Group, trading as Bag Solutions Partners. The deal closed on 1 October 2026, with the Australian business continuing to operate from its Thomastown, Victoria site and the New Zealand unit transitioning over coming weeks. Opal said the divestment lets it concentrate on its integrated recycling, paper and packaging operations.
Why this mattersThe disposal narrows Opal's portfolio to core fibre-based packaging and recycling, a pattern of integrated producers shedding non-core converting units.
- Sale completed 1 October 2026
- Buyer is Thomastown Bag Solutions Pty Ltd, trading as Bag Solutions Partners, an affiliate of The Magan Group
- Deal covers Opal's Australian and New Zealand bag manufacturing business
- Australian operation continues from the Thomastown site in Victoria
- New Zealand business to transition over coming weeks
- The Magan Group says it has completed 30 similar divestment acquisitions
Austria's Dunapack Packaging, part of the privately held Prinzhorn Group, has agreed to acquire Stora Enso's German corrugated packaging operations: Gaster Wellpappe, Wellpappe Sausenheim and PTI. The businesses, located in south-west Germany, employ 350 people and generated EUR 74m in revenue in 2025. The deal is subject to merger control clearance and is expected to close this year.
Why this mattersThe exit lets Stora Enso retrench in German corrugated as Dunapack expands footprint and raises its paper integration rate within Prinzhorn's containerboard business.
- Dunapack Packaging has agreed to acquire Gaster Wellpappe, Wellpappe Sausenheim and PTI from Stora Enso.
- The three businesses recorded EUR 74m of revenue in 2025.
- The sites are in south-west Germany and employ 350 people.
- Completion requires merger clearance and is expected before the end of 2026.
- Dunapack will run the sites alongside Prinzhorn's Hamburger Containerboard division.
- Prinzhorn Group has annual revenue of EUR 2.4bn and more than 10,000 employees in 16 countries.
Middle East Paper Co. (MEPCO) has filed suit in Jeddah's Administrative Court against the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Water Company, seeking SAR 77,258,504.80 in rental compensation for expropriated land. The claim follows an appeals court ruling that overturned an earlier SAR 2.6m valuation and a revised SAR 8m valuation that MEPCO rejected. MEPCO says it cannot yet quantify the financial impact pending the outcome.
Why this mattersMEPCO is claiming nearly ten times the official May 2026 valuation, leaving an unresolved and unpaid expropriation receivable of uncertain size on its books.
- MEPCO filed suit on 7 October 2026 in Jeddah's Administrative Court (Board of Grievances)
- Claim is for SAR 77,258,504.80 in rental value for the expropriation period
- An earlier Valuation Committee decision of SAR 2,601,864 (2 March 2023) was overturned on appeal
- A new valuation issued 19 May 2026 set rent at SAR 8,007,407.20 for the period September 2007 to December 2016
- MEPCO disputed that valuation and filed a grievance with National Water Company before suing after 60 days without resolution
- The company says it cannot yet determine the financial impact pending the case outcome
The US Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that Hexachase Packaging Sdn. Bhd. sold paper shopping bags into the US below normal value in the review period of 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025, the finding that will set the exporter's antidumping duty rate. Commerce also found that Sin Boon Beng Printing Sdn. Bhd. made no shipments in the period and is rescinding the review for two further companies. Interested parties have been invited to comment before the final results.
Why this mattersA dumping margin for Hexachase raises the landed cost of Malaysian paper shopping bags for US importers and pushes sourcing towards other origins.
- The US Department of Commerce preliminarily found Hexachase Packaging Sdn. Bhd. sold paper shopping bags below normal value during the review period of 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025
- Commerce found Sin Boon Beng Printing Sdn. Bhd. made no shipments of subject merchandise during the period of review
- Commerce is rescinding the antidumping review with respect to two other companies not named in the determination
- Interested parties have been invited to comment on the preliminary results
- The determination was published in the Federal Register as document 2026-20549, citation 91 FR 64138
Quang Ninh Paper Joint Stock Company began construction on 7 October 2026 of a high-tech packaging paper plant in Yen Tu ward, Vietnam, with annual capacity of 140,000 tonnes. The project has total investment of VND 1.496 trillion on a 26,340 m2 site, with installation due for completion in December 2027.
Why this mattersThe new line adds significant packaging paper capacity in northern Vietnam, building on the company's 2025 tissue investment in the same industrial cluster.
- Groundbreaking took place on 7 October 2026 at Phuong Nam Industrial Cluster, Yen Tu ward, Vietnam.
- Plant capacity is 140,000 tonnes of packaging paper per year.
- Total investment is VND 1.496 trillion on a 26,340 m2 site.
- Construction and installation are scheduled for completion in December 2027.
- The plant is expected to generate annual revenue of around VND 1.5 trillion and employ about 200 workers.
- In July 2025 the same company invested VND 867 billion in a 50,000-tonne tissue paper plant in the same ward.
Roshan Packages Limited (PSX: RPL) reported consolidated net profit of Rs115mn for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2026, up 4% from Rs110.14mn (restated) a year earlier, on a 12% rise in net revenue. The Pakistani packaging group is backward-integrating through its subsidiary Roshan Sun Tao Paper Mills to cut reliance on imported paper inputs and widen its supplier base amid volatile raw material and freight costs.
Why this mattersA packaging producer building its own paper supply signals how import-dependent converters are hedging against freight and raw material volatility.
- Consolidated net profit for FY26 (ended 30 June 2026) rose 4% to Rs115mn from Rs110.14mn restated in FY25.
- Net revenue grew 12% in FY26, helped by a sizeable tax reversal.
- Basic and diluted EPS rose to Rs0.81 from Rs0.78 in FY25.
- The board recommended a cash dividend of 10%, or Re1 per share.
- Backward integration is being pursued through subsidiary Roshan Sun Tao Paper Mills to reduce dependence on external and imported paper inputs.
- The company is also widening its supplier base and evaluating alternate trade routes to limit disruption from geopolitical developments.
Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) has begun construction of Altamaha Green Energy, a 70 MW biomass cogeneration plant next to its high-purity cellulose mill in Jesup, Georgia, in partnership with Albioma and the Beasley Group. RYAM will hold an initial 14% equity stake, with an option to raise it to 16%, and expects USD 8m-10m in annual distributions once the plant starts commercial operations in 2029. The project will supply process steam to the Jesup mill and sell power to Georgia Power, letting RYAM avoid roughly USD 30m of future capital spending on ageing utility assets.
Why this mattersA capital-light energy partnership lets RYAM modernise critical mill infrastructure and cut future capex without diluting its own balance sheet.
- Construction has started on Altamaha Green Energy, a 70 MW biomass cogeneration plant next to RYAM's Jesup, Georgia mill
- RYAM will hold an initial 14% equity interest, with an option to raise this to 16%
- RYAM expects USD 8m-10m in annual distributions once the plant is operational
- Project expected to help RYAM avoid approximately USD 30m in future capital expenditure on legacy utility assets
- Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2029
- Developed with Albioma and the Beasley Group, with a long-term power purchase agreement with Georgia Power
Alternicq, India's largest rigid plastic packaging manufacturer, has signed an exclusive agreement with UK developer Pulpex to bring pulp fibre bottle technology to India. The deal grants Alternicq exclusivity across India and the GCC, with potential expansion to Australia, and the two companies will jointly assess manufacturing sites and equipment needs for local production.
Why this mattersA major Indian rigid-plastic converter adopting fibre bottle technology signals a tangible plastic-to-fibre format shift gaining commercial traction in a large consumer market.
- Alternicq, described as India's largest rigid plastic packaging manufacturer, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with UK-based Pulpex for pulp fibre bottle technology.
- Exclusivity covers India and the GCC, with potential to extend to Australia.
- Both parties will jointly assess market demand, priority categories, and define site and equipment requirements for local manufacturing in India.
- Pulpex bottles are made from wood pulp with a sprayed-on inner barrier coating, designed for recycling via household paper and card streams.
- The technology is engineered for compatibility with existing filling infrastructure and direct-to-shape decoration for FMCG applications.
CARE Ratings has revised EPL Ltd's long-term credit rating to AA+ (RWD), placing it on developing watch, while reaffirming the short-term rating at A1+ and removing that rating from watch. The move on 7 October 2026 reflects an improved assessment of the packaging maker's credit profile.
Why this mattersA stronger credit rating can lower EPL's borrowing costs, though the developing watch leaves uncertainty over the direction of future changes.
- CARE Ratings revised EPL Ltd's long-term rating to AA+ (RWD) on 7 October 2026.
- The long-term rating carries a developing watch designation.
- EPL's short-term rating was reaffirmed at A1+.
- The short-term rating was removed from watch.
Dutch plastics packaging maker CurTec is investing USD 10m to expand the warehouse and production lines at its Westminster, South Carolina facility, adding 10 jobs. The expanded capacity, aimed at drums and pails for pharmaceutical customers, is expected online in summer 2027. The site, opened in 2023 with a USD 13m investment, is CurTec's only US manufacturing location and its main production base for North America.
Why this mattersThe expansion signals continued reshoring of pharma-grade rigid plastic packaging capacity to the US, backed by private equity investment in CurTec since 2025.
- CurTec will invest USD 10m to expand its Westminster, South Carolina plant, adding 10 jobs.
- Expanded warehouse and production lines are expected online in summer 2027.
- The facility opened in 2023 with a USD 13m investment projected to create 32 jobs over five years.
- CurTec makes plastic drums, pails and jars for pharmaceutical, specialty chemicals and food ingredients customers.
- Ampersand Capital Partners agreed in July 2025 to work with CurTec to expand capacity and commercial capabilities.
- CurTec, founded in 1991 and based in Rijen, Netherlands, serves more than 300 customers globally.
iBoxit, a Norwich-based UK startup, has raised GBP 400,000 (USD 528,200) to advance commercial readiness of its plant-based biofoam packaging, intended as a recyclable and biodegradable alternative to expanded polystyrene. The British Design Fund put in GBP 230,000 (USD 303,700) of the round. The company is expanding into Australia and targeting Sweden next, with applications spanning seafood, food processing, pharmaceutical and industrial packaging.
Why this mattersEarly capital for EPS replacement materials signals continued investor appetite for fibre- and plant-based substitutes in protective and cold-chain packaging.
- iBoxit raised GBP 400,000 (USD 528,200) for development and commercial readiness of its plant-based biofoam packaging
- The British Design Fund provided GBP 230,000 (USD 303,700) of the round
- The material is presented as a recyclable and biodegradable substitute for expanded polystyrene
- Target applications are seafood logistics, food processing, pharmaceuticals and industrial packaging
- iBoxit is starting operations in Australia and names Sweden among planned markets
German plastic packaging maker Jokey is having an automated high-bay warehouse built at its Polish production site in Kedzierzyn-Kozle by Kardex Mlog, the materials-handling arm of Swiss equipment group Kardex. The 20-metre-high facility will hold 8,616 pallet locations in just under 2,500 square metres, served by three stacker cranes handling up to 200 movements per hour. Delivery is due by the end of 2026.
Why this mattersJokey is replicating its French automated-warehouse model in Poland, adding 8,616 pallet locations and removing manual handling from an existing production site.
- The warehouse adjoins Jokey's existing production site at Kedzierzyn-Kozle in southern Poland and is the group's first automated high-bay store in the country
- Capacity is 8,616 pallet locations in just under 2,500 square metres
- The 20-metre-high building uses three stacker cranes handling up to 200 movements per hour
- Kardex Mlog, the handling and automation arm of Zurich-based Kardex, is the contractor
- Operations are controlled by the Kardex Control Center software suite, including WMS and WCS modules
- Delivery is due by the end of 2026
Eindhoven-based Smart Robotics has raised EUR 10m (USD 11.2m) to expand its artificial intelligence-driven robotics platforms. The company is directing the funding at automation for logistics and manufacturing, where it points to labour shortages.
Why this mattersHandling automation continues to attract capital on the argument that shift labour in logistics and manufacturing is structurally short.
- Smart Robotics raised EUR 10m (USD 11.2m) in new funding
- The company is based in Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Funds will expand artificial intelligence-driven robotics platforms
- The investment targets labour shortages in logistics and manufacturing
IGEPA shareholder companies, through joint subsidiary IGEPA Grosshandel Beteiligungs GmbH, are acquiring 100% of German packaging and print-media wholesaler Freytag & Petersen from sole shareholder Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hugo Best. Freytag & Petersen's stakes in other IGEPA companies pass to the four remaining shareholder firms, and the two wholesalers will be gradually integrated over the coming weeks and months.
Why this mattersConsolidates ownership among IGEPA's regional wholesale partners, simplifying the fragmented shareholder structure in German packaging and print-media distribution.
- Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hugo Best transfers 100% of his Freytag & Petersen shares to IGEPA Grosshandel Beteiligungs GmbH.
- Freytag & Petersen's existing stakes in other IGEPA companies pass to four remaining shareholder firms: 2H GmbH & Co. KG, vph GmbH & Co. KG, E. Michaelis & Co. Holding (GmbH & Co.) KG and Geiger GmbH & Co. KG.
- Freytag & Petersen GmbH & Co. KG and Igepa Grosshandel GmbH & Co. KG will be gradually integrated over coming weeks and months.
- The combined business will be led by existing managing directors Ralf Hollmann, Sven Kaufmann and Dr. Ingo Osterheld.
- No deal value was disclosed.
Nestlé Philippines and Puregold Price Club have repurposed 3.3 million recovered plastic sachets into 525 pallet wraps used for Nestlé back-to-school display shelves in Puregold stores. The pilot also replaced wood components in 244 merchandise display units with FSC-certified corrugated D-boards and consolidated delivery routes to cut distribution trips and fuel use.
Why this mattersA brand owner-retailer pairing shows sachet waste, a hard-to-recycle format across Southeast Asia, can be diverted into secondary packaging uses rather than collection alone.
- 3.3 million recovered plastic sachets were converted into 525 pallet wraps for retail displays.
- 244 merchandise display units were switched from wood components to FSC-certified corrugated D-boards.
- The pilot ran in Puregold stores for Nestlé back-to-school display shelves.
- Nestlé consolidated delivery routes to reduce trips and fuel use versus the original deployment plan.
- Nestlé Philippines frames the project as part of its net-zero roadmap and plastic-collection commitment.
Japanese printing ink makers artience group (via Toyo Ink) and DIC Corporation have established what they call the industry's first common protocol standardising test procedures, evaluation criteria and reporting formats for deinking and debonding in material recycling of flexible film packaging. The protocol is intended to let converters, brand owners and recyclers across Japan's domestic supply chain compare recyclability of different materials on a common basis, replacing company-specific test methods. Both firms will present the protocol at TOKYO PACK 2026 in Tokyo from 14 to 16 October 2026.
Why this mattersA shared recyclability test standard could let Japanese brand owners and recyclers compare flexible packaging designs objectively, speeding design-for-recycling decisions.
- artience group (Toyo Ink Co., Ltd.) and DIC Corporation jointly developed the protocol, announced 7 October 2026.
- The protocol covers three elements: test procedures, evaluation criteria and reporting format for deinking and debonding of flexible film packaging.
- It targets Japan's domestic supply chain only, covering converters, brand owners and recyclers.
- Until now each company used its own test conditions and criteria, preventing comparison across companies and materials.
- The protocol will be showcased at TOKYO PACK 2026, Tokyo Big Sight, 14-16 October 2026.
California has signed AB 1901 into law, requiring manufacturers of children's diapers to disclose intentionally added ingredients both online and on packaging, with on-pack requirements phased in from January 2029 and extended to all diapers sold in the state from July 2029. The law follows similar measures in New York and Illinois and adds another state-specific compliance burden for US hygiene packaging.
Why this mattersA third US state now requires chemical-level diaper disclosure, forcing manufacturers to choose between state-specific packaging artwork or a single national transparency standard.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1901 on 28 September 2026.
- From 1 January 2029, outermost diaper packaging distributed or manufactured in California must list intentionally added ingredients and a disclosure webpage address.
- From 1 July 2029, the same on-pack disclosure applies to all children's diapers sold in California.
- Manufacturers must publish ingredient name, CAS number and function for each ingredient online, ordered by weight.
- First violations carry penalties up to USD 5,000, rising to USD 10,000 for subsequent violations, enforced by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
- New York's diaper-labeling law took effect December 2024 and Illinois's takes effect 1 January 2027, both requiring printed ingredient lists by predominance.
Brazil's Ministry of Environment published Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1,778/2026 on 18 September 2026, creating the Sisrev-BR national reverse logistics system as a free module of SINIR. The system sets an annual compliance calendar and, for the first time, requires physical traceability of post-consumer recycled content in packaging rather than credits or certificates.
Why this mattersPackaging producers and importers selling into Brazil must now document recycled-content supply chains physically, raising compliance costs and barring credit-based schemes.
- Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1,778/2026 was published in Brazil's official gazette on 18 September 2026 and took effect immediately.
- Reverse logistics system registration runs annually from 1 January to 31 May.
- Recycled-content usage data must be submitted by 30 April each year; annual results reports are due by 30 July.
- The ordinance bans the use of recycled-content credits or certificates, requiring physical traceability from recycler to packaging.
- Industrial scrap and offcuts do not count as recycled content; only post-consumer material qualifies.
- Existing national targets of 32.5% for reverse logistics and 22% for recycled content were not changed by the ordinance.
