Oji Holdings has broken ground on a new aseptic liquid-packaging plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam, under its Oji Liquid Pak brand, with total investment of USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion). The 57,000 sqm plant at Long Thanh High-Tech Park is expected to start operations in 2028 with capacity of 8 billion cartons a year and more than 200 new jobs, adding to Oji's existing Vietnamese network of three Ojitex plants and a United Packaging facility.
Why this mattersThe plant expands Japan's largest paper group's liquid-packaging capacity in Southeast Asia as local brand owners face new extended producer responsibility rules.
- Total investment is USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion)
- Plant site covers approximately 57,000 sqm at Long Thanh High-Tech Park, Dong Nai city
- Groundbreaking took place on 10 October 2026
- Planned annual capacity is 8 billion cartons
- Operations expected to start in 2028
- More than 200 new jobs to be created
Masterpress has installed a Karlville Swiss pouch-making machine at its Białystok plant in Poland, bringing pouch forming in-house for the first time. The line produces pouches from material containing more than 90 percent paper and more than 95 percent bio-based content, free of PFAS and PVDC, and designed to meet PPWR recyclability and easy-opening requirements.
Why this mattersA converter-owned paper-pouch line signals a shift away from laminated flexible formats toward mono-material, PPWR-compliant structures ahead of EU deadlines.
- Machine installed in August 2026, fully operational from September 2026 at Masterpress's Białystok site
- Material contains more than 90 percent paper and more than 95 percent bio-based content
- Material is free of PFAS and PVDC and suitable for food contact
- Oxygen transmission rate below 1 cm3/m2/day and water vapour transmission rate below 1 g/m2/day under test conditions
- Material achieved Level A under the Aticelca 501 paper recyclability assessment and passed CEPI recyclability testing
- Line also converts single-layer PE and PP structures and standard laminates in two-side-seal, three-side-seal and stand-up pouch formats
MCC Global IML, the in-mold labeling arm of Multi-Color Corporation, is expanding its Founders site in Batavia, Ohio, adding production capacity and new-generation label manufacturing technology. The expansion, which includes capabilities for high-embellishment decoration, is expected to be completed and operational by the second quarter of 2027.
Why this mattersExtra in-mould label and embellishment capacity from Q2 2027 gives North American moulders a domestic alternative to imported decorated labels.
- MCC Global IML is expanding its Founders site in Batavia, Ohio.
- The expansion adds new in-mold label manufacturing technology and capabilities for high-embellishment decoration.
- Completion and operational start is expected by Q2 2027.
- MCC Global IML is the in-mold labeling business of Multi-Color Corporation.
- Alvaro Galindo is president of MCC Global IML.
Release liner maker Loparex is moving to a new ownership structure as part of a comprehensive recapitalisation, under which it announced a further investment at the beginning of September 2026. According to trade publication EUWID, that investment is to be made by Monarch Alternative Capital. Loparex, which produces silicone-coated release liners, is based in Cary, North Carolina.
Why this mattersA change of ownership at an internationally active silicone-coated release liner producer sets who funds capex on an input every pressure-sensitive label converter buys.
- Loparex announced a further investment at the beginning of September 2026 as part of a comprehensive recapitalisation
- The investment is to be made by Monarch Alternative Capital
- The recapitalisation gives Loparex a new ownership structure
- Loparex is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, and makes silicone-coated release liners
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has decided to cancel the listing of Greatview Aseptic Packaging, in a decision issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed by parent Xinjufeng on 8 October, after the shares passed the exchange's 18-month suspension limit on 18 August 2026. Trading has been halted since 19 February 2025, following a dispute over an overseas business restructuring that left auditors without complete financial records and a breach of the minimum public float once Xinjufeng reached 97.76%. Absent a review request within seven business days, the last trading day is 16 October 2026 and the listing ends on 20 October 2026.
Why this mattersDelisting removes the Hong Kong equity platform of a leading aseptic carton supplier, closing a cross-border funding and disclosure channel for its Chinese owner Xinjufeng.
- HKEX decided to cancel Greatview's listing; the decision was issued on 2 October 2026 and disclosed on 8 October 2026
- Shares have been suspended since 19 February 2025 and the 18-month suspension limit expired on 18 August 2026
- Last trading day is 16 October 2026 absent a review request; the listing is cancelled from 9am on 20 October 2026
- Xinjufeng holds 97.76% after buying 28.22% in 2023 and completing in March 2025 a general offer at HKD 2.65 (USD 0.34) per share, at a combined cost of CNY 3.355bn (USD 501m)
- The suspension followed an overseas restructuring that left incoming management without complete financial records, limiting the audit scope, alongside the public float breach
- Greatview's revenue fell from CNY 3.937bn (USD 588m) in 2022 to CNY 1.857bn (USD 277m) in 2025
Nine Dragons Paper plans a USD 374m (CNY 2.5bn) technical upgrade at its Taicang mill in Jiangsu to build 600,000 tonnes a year of wood-fibre capacity, replacing a roughly equal volume of externally purchased wood fibre. The project is self-funded, built entirely within the existing site with no new land, adds no paper-making capacity, and is scheduled to start production in the second quarter of 2028.
Why this mattersA major containerboard producer brings virgin wood fibre in-house as China's 2021 ban on recovered-paper imports keeps external fibre supply tight.
- USD 374m (CNY 2.5bn) investment announced for the Taicang mill, Jiangsu province
- New line adds 600,000 tonnes/year of wood-fibre capacity
- Output replaces around 600,000 tonnes of currently purchased wood fibre
- Project funded from the company's own resources, with no new land used
- Production scheduled to start in Q2 2028
- Existing paper machines continue to use recovered paper as main feedstock; the project includes zero-liquid-discharge wastewater treatment
Nine Dragons Paper lifted prices of corrugated medium, kraftliner and recycled kraftliner by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne at six plants across China, phased in on 6, 8 and 10 October 2026. Wuzhou Special Paper matched the increase on its Baixi packaging paper line, and Nine Dragons' Chongqing board unit raised board prices by 3% from 8 October, cancelling existing discounts. Producers cite higher recovered paper, coal, chemical and logistics costs.
Why this mattersA price rise spanning five Chinese regions tests whether box makers can pass on higher recovered paper, coal and freight costs into fourth-quarter contracts.
- Nine Dragons raised prices by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne at Taicang, Dongguan, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Tianjin/Hebei and Shenyang plants
- Increases were phased in on 6, 8 and 10 October 2026
- Wuzhou Special Paper raised its Baixi packaging paper series by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne from 8 October 2026
- Nine Dragons Intelligent Packaging (Chongqing) raised board prices by 3% from 18:00 on 8 October 2026 and cancelled existing discounts
- Increases cover corrugated medium, kraftliner and recycled kraftliner across East, South, North, Northeast and Southwest China
- Producers cite rising recovered paper, coal, chemical additive and logistics costs as drivers
Quality Packaging Inc (QPI) of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has acquired manufacturing equipment and operating assets of two Wisconsin Green LLC facilities in West Bend, totalling about 150,000 square feet. The deal, whose terms were not disclosed, has closed and brings corrugated shipping container and point-of-purchase display production in-house for QPI, a material it had previously sourced externally. The West Bend site becomes a new QPI branch, to be integrated over the coming months.
Why this mattersVertical integration into corrugated removes an external supplier dependency for a regional converter, a pattern smaller packaging groups use to control cost and lead times.
- QPI acquired manufacturing equipment and related operating assets of two Wisconsin Green LLC facilities on Stonebridge Road, West Bend, Wisconsin.
- The two facilities total approximately 150,000 square feet combined.
- Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
- The West Bend site manufactures corrugated shipping containers and point-of-purchase displays.
- QPI now operates two Fond du Lac plants, a St Francis co-packing facility, a Germantown warehouse and the new West Bend location.
- QPI brought on an existing team at West Bend and plans to integrate the operation over coming months.
The Foodservice Packaging Institute reports that 20 percent of US residents now have access to paper cup recycling, up from 5 percent in 2017, even as the number of mills accepting paper cups has fallen from 40 to 35. Graphic Packaging International has built a new mill in Waco, Texas, designed to process fibre recovered from used paper cups. The Recycled Materials Association has added paper cups to its materials specification list without mandating acceptance.
Why this mattersA mill base down from 40 to 35 outlets undercuts fibre-cup recyclability claims even as household collection access quadruples from the 2017 level.
- FPI says 20 percent of US residents now have access to paper cup recycling, up from 5 percent in 2017.
- The number of mills accepting paper cups has fallen from 40 to 35.
- Graphic Packaging International has built a new mill in Waco, Texas, designed to process fibre from used paper cups.
- The Recycled Materials Association has added paper cups to its materials specification list, without mandating acceptance.
- FPI's community partnership programme has engaged more than 30 communities since launch.
The US Department of Commerce has issued preliminary results in its antidumping duty administrative review of paper shopping bags from Cambodia for the period 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025. Nice Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. was assigned a 20.08 percent dumping margin, also applied to non-examined exporters Brandart S.p.A. and TB Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., while UUPak Company Limited received a 73.30 percent margin based on adverse facts available. Interested parties may comment before Commerce finalises the results and instructs US Customs and Border Protection on duty collection.
Why this mattersPreliminary margins of 20.08% and 73.30% raise landed costs for US importers of Cambodian paper shopping bags, favouring domestic converters or alternative sourcing origins.
- Review period: 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- Nice Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. assigned a 20.08 percent dumping margin.
- UUPak Company Limited assigned a 73.30 percent margin based on adverse facts available.
- Brandart S.p.A. and TB Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. received the same 20.08 percent rate as non-examined exporters.
- The review covers an existing US antidumping order on paper shopping bags from Cambodia.
- Final results will follow a public comment period and set duty collection instructions for US Customs and Border Protection.
CMPC is investing more than USD 90m to modernise and automate two wood-products facilities in Chile's Biobío region. USD 72m goes to the Remanufactura Los Ángeles plant and USD 20.6m to the Aserradero Mulchén sawmill, raising capacity and the share of higher-value output. The projects are part of a two-year CMPC capital plan exceeding USD 1,000m across forestry, pulp and consumer goods.
Why this mattersThe upgrade shifts CMPC's wood output toward higher-value products, strengthening its position against regional sawmill competitors.
- CMPC is investing more than USD 90m in its Biobío region wood operations in Chile.
- USD 72m is allocated to the Remanufactura Los Ángeles plant, including about USD 33m for new automated cutting, planing, pressing, moulding, panel finishing and finger-joint equipment.
- USD 20.6m goes to the Aserradero Mulchén sawmill to modernise debarking, sawing and drying equipment.
- Mulchén capacity is set to rise from about 335,000 to 365,000 cubic metres a year.
- The investments form part of a two-year CMPC capital plan exceeding USD 1,000m covering forestry, pulp and consumer goods (Softys).
Mercer International has resumed discharging treated wastewater from its Rosenthal pulp mill in Germany into the Saale, after water samples showed pollutant levels back to normal and the Saale-Orla district lifted its precautionary swimming ban on the southern Bleiloch Reservoir. Discharge had been halted in early October, with effluent held in on-site buffer basins, after discolouration and dead fish were found near the outfall following a four-week maintenance period. The company says it is preparing to resume cellulose production; the substances involved have not been identified.
Why this mattersThe all-clear lets Rosenthal move back toward pulp production after an early-October discharge halt, though the substances behind the fish kill remain unidentified.
- Mercer says it resumed discharging treated effluent at the Rosenthal mill on 3 October 2026 after water samples showed pollutant levels back to normal
- The Saale-Orla district authority lifted its precautionary swimming ban in the southern Bleiloch Reservoir following the test results
- Discolouration and dead fish were detected near the discharge point in early October 2026, after a four-week maintenance period
- Wastewater was held in on-site buffer basins during the investigation
- The specific contaminants have not been identified; the mill is preparing to resume cellulose production
Brazil's rail regulator ANTT has registered Arauco Celulose do Brasil as a dependent user of the public freight rail network, a step toward moving future output of the Sucuriu pulp project to the Port of Santos. The USD 4.6bn mill under construction in Inocencia, Mato Grosso do Sul, is designed to produce about 3.5m tonnes a year of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp; in its decision ANTT describes the project as the largest mill of its type in the world. The 17 September 2026 registration sets no start date for rail shipments and does not specify wagon numbers or required rail infrastructure spending.
Why this mattersRail access to Santos underpins the export economics of a 3.5m tonne eucalyptus pulp line, reinforcing Arauco's cost position in global BHKP supply.
- ANTT registered Arauco Celulose do Brasil as a dependent user of public freight rail service on 17 September 2026
- Sucuriu project represents an estimated USD 4.6bn investment in Inocencia, Mato Grosso do Sul
- Planned capacity is approximately 3.5m tonnes per year of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp
- Rail corridor will run from Inocencia to a dedicated private-use terminal at the Alemoa area of the Port of Santos
- Rail haulage is to be provided by Rumo Malha Norte and Rumo Malha Paulista
- The registration sets no start date for rail movements and does not detail wagon numbers or infrastructure spend
Toppan has won adoption of its EB offset printing process for the lid film of Nissin Foods' Nissin no Assari Odashi ga Oishii Donbei instant cup noodle range, the first such use for a cup noodle lid in Japan. Shipments begin from October 2026, replacing gravure printing and removing a plastic film layer. Toppan targets JPY 3.0bn (USD 19m) in related sales from the process by fiscal 2028.
Why this mattersA named instant-noodle brand switching lid printing to a lower-solvent, layer-reduced process signals a path to cut plastic and CO2 in flexible food packaging at scale.
- First adoption of EB offset printing for an instant cup noodle lid in Japan, per Toppan.
- Shipments of the new lid begin from October 2026.
- Toppan estimates annual plastic use cut by about 20 tonnes for this product line versus prior gravure printing.
- Toppan estimates annual CO2 emissions cut by about 148 tonnes for the line.
- Toppan began mass production of EB offset-printed flexible packaging in May 2026.
- Toppan targets JPY 3.0bn (USD 19m) in related sales by fiscal 2028.
AkijBashir Group has joined RE100, the Climate Group's renewable electricity initiative, becoming the first Bangladeshi company to do so and committing to source 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2050 at the latest. The diversified industrial group, whose manufacturing spans particle board, ceramics and glass, has installed around 90 MW of solar generation capacity across its plants.
Why this mattersA Bangladeshi industrial group with 90 MW of solar installed sets a regional reference point for renewable electricity sourcing among South Asian manufacturing suppliers.
- AkijBashir Group is the first Bangladeshi company to join RE100, a Climate Group initiative of over 400 businesses
- The group commits to 100% renewable electricity by 2050 at the latest
- Around 90 MW of solar generation capacity has been developed across particle board, ceramics, glass and other manufacturing facilities
- A 24.39 MWp rooftop solar system at Akij Ceramics in Trishal is expected to generate about 28,050 MWh annually, with 10 MW fed to the national grid via net metering
- An 18.2 MW rooftop solar system with battery storage at AkijBashir Glass in Habiganj sources 71% of its energy from renewables
- An 8.1 MWp rooftop solar system at Akij Particle Board Mills is projected to generate 9.3 million kWh annually
The US Flexible Film Initiative (USFFI), a nonprofit funded by consumer brands, has signed its first offtake contracts with MRF operators Valemi and GreenWaste and reclaimers EFS Plastics and Merlin Plastics, moving more than 3 million pounds of California flexible plastic packaging to US and Canadian processors. The contracts support up to eight truckloads of recycled film per month and aim to make bale economics viable ahead of California's SB 54 producer-responsibility deadlines. USFFI has opened a second request for information for additional California MRFs and reclaimers, closing 18 December 2026.
Why this mattersIf the offtake model holds, it could become a template for EPR-driven film recycling economics in other states, addressing a resin stream that has lagged behind other plastics.
- USFFI has moved more than 3 million pounds of California flexible film to US and Canadian reclaimers since its first offtake contracts.
- Contracted companies are MRF operators Valemi and GreenWaste and reclaimers EFS Plastics and Merlin Plastics.
- The deals support up to eight truckloads of recycled flexible plastic per month.
- California's SB 54 requires single-use packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032 and a 30% packaging recycling rate by 2028.
- USFFI's initial request for information in late 2025 drew 32 applicants before a working subset was selected.
- A second RFI for additional California MRFs and reclaimers closes 18 December 2026.
SCS Standards and Assurance Systems has published what it describes as the chemical recycling sector's first independent, third-party certification standard, offering processors, brand owners and waste holders an audit route separate from existing industry-authored frameworks. The launch materials do not yet disclose the full standard text, mass-balance rules, feedstock eligibility criteria, audit methodology, pricing or any accredited auditors or applicant facilities. Commercial relevance will depend on recognition under the FTC Green Guides, EU PPWR recycled-content rules and US state-level EPR definitions.
Why this mattersAn independent audit route could tighten scrutiny of mass-balance claims in chemical recycling just as PPWR recycled-content rules take shape.
- SCS Standards and Assurance Systems released the standard on 10 October 2026.
- It is billed as the first independent, third-party certification standard for responsible chemical recycling.
- Existing chemical recycling assurance frameworks have largely been authored by the plastics and petrochemical industries.
- The launch materials omit thresholds, mass-balance rules, feedstock eligibility criteria, audit frequency and chain-of-custody requirements.
- No accredited auditors or applicant facilities have been named.
- Mass-balance accounting in chemical recycling has drawn US legal complaints and EU competition-authority scrutiny.
Senator John Curtis has introduced the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (S. 5674) in the US Senate, a companion to a House bill, to set consistent national standards for recycled-content marketing claims on packaging and to recognise third-party certified mass-balance accounting. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to update its Green Guides on environmental marketing claims and has drawn support from America's Plastic Makers and the Recycling Leadership Council.
Why this mattersA single federal standard for recycled-content claims and mass-balance recognition would remove a patchwork of state rules and give packaging makers more certainty for recycling investment.
- S. 5674 was introduced by Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) as a Senate companion to a House bill led by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY)
- The House version recently passed a House subcommittee
- The bill would direct the FTC to update its Green Guides on environmental marketing claims
- It would recognise third-party certified mass-balance accounting for tracking recycled content
- America's Plastic Makers, part of the American Chemistry Council, and the Recycling Leadership Council both support the bill
- An ExxonMobil-commissioned survey cited found 79 percent of respondents consider mass balance appropriate for labelling recycled content
