UPM has inaugurated its biorefinery at Leuna, Germany, an investment of EUR 1.37bn (USD 1.54bn) with annual production capacity of 220,000 tonnes. The plant uses enzymatic hydrolysis to turn beechwood thinnings and sawmill residues sourced within about 200km into industrial sugars and lignin, feedstock for chemicals used in packaging, clothing, cosmetics, construction materials and tyres. Hydrolysis and lignin-based speciality chemicals have reached stable operation, and UPM is raising sales as the wider ramp-up continues.
Why this mattersA 220,000-tonne wood-to-chemicals plant gives packaging and other manufacturers fossil-free sugar and lignin feedstock at industrial scale, drawn from regional beechwood thinnings and sawmill residues.
- Investment of EUR 1.37bn (USD 1.54bn) at the Leuna site in Germany
- Annual production capacity of 220,000 tonnes of wood-based biochemicals
- Feedstock is beechwood forest thinnings and sawmill residues sourced within about 200km
- Enzymatic hydrolysis and lignin-derived specialty chemical production have reached stable operation
- Output can replace fossil-based inputs in packaging, clothing, cosmetics, construction and tyres
- UPM also runs a biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland
Asia Pulp & Paper and CVC Capital Partners are separately weighing bids for Essity's consumer tissue division, with RGE also named as a potential bidder, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the process. The business, which includes the Cushelle, Tempo and Tork brands, could be valued at around EUR 3bn (USD 3.4bn), and a sale process is expected to start this month. Essity says its strategic review remains open and it may decide not to divest.
Why this mattersA sale would transfer the Cushelle, Tempo and Tork brands from Essity to an Asian pulp and paper group or a financial sponsor, changing ownership of a major European tissue portfolio.
- Asia Pulp & Paper and CVC Capital Partners are separately considering bids for Essity's consumer tissue division, according to Bloomberg sources
- RGE is also named as a potential bidder
- The tissue business, including the Cushelle, Tempo and Tork brands, could be valued at around EUR 3bn (USD 3.4bn)
- The sale process is expected to start this month
- Essity says its strategic review remains open, including the possibility of not divesting
The Navigator Company has launched a programme to mobilise up to EUR 84m (USD 94.5m) in incentives for 124 partners of its Navigator Forest Producers Club. The scheme, called Rede de Fornecedores Inovadores, is run with AGROGES under Portugal's EU-funded Portugal 2030 and COMPETE 2030 programmes and offers grants of up to 50% of eligible investment in machinery, technology and digitalisation for wood suppliers, forestry service providers and hauliers in Navigator's supply chain.
Why this mattersCo-funding suppliers' machinery, technology and haulage upgrades ties Portuguese wood supply more closely to Navigator, supporting feedstock security for its pulp and paper operations.
- Programme can mobilise up to EUR 84m (USD 94.5m) for 124 partners of the Navigator Forest Producers Club
- Grants can cover up to 50% of eligible investment
- Base aid rates of 40% for micro/small firms and 30% for medium firms under the Sistema de Incentivos à Inovação Produtiva
- A further 10 percentage point bonus applies for closer ties with Navigator, plus up to 10 points more in some sub-regions
- Run with AGROGES under Portugal 2030 and COMPETE 2030, with preferential financing via Crédito Agrícola and insurance terms via Empremédia
- Navigator reported 2025 turnover of EUR 1,970m (USD 2,217m)
Hansol Paper signed an investment agreement with the Daejeon city government on 14 October 2026 to expand its existing paper mill in the city, adding production equipment for new materials. The agreement, co-signed with two other companies in the same investment programme, covers total planned investment of KRW 73.45bn (USD 55.1m) and is expected to create 104 jobs. Hansol Paper is developing nanocellulose-based sustainable materials for cosmetics and secondary batteries, and the new capacity will support scale-up of that production.
Why this mattersThe expansion extends Hansol Paper's push from paper into higher-value nanocellulose materials, broadening its revenue base beyond traditional graphic and speciality paper.
- Agreement signed 14 October 2026 between Hansol Paper and the Daejeon city government.
- Plan expands Hansol Paper's existing Daejeon factory with new mass-production equipment for eco-friendly new materials.
- Three companies in the programme (Hansol Paper, Axvis, Pami) plan combined investment of KRW 73.45bn (USD 55.1m).
- Programme expected to create 104 jobs across Daedeok and Yuseong districts of Daejeon.
- Hansol Paper is developing nanocellulose-based materials for cosmetics and secondary-battery applications.
- Daejeon city government will provide administrative and financial support to the participating companies.
Ahlstrom will install a new yankee cylinder on paper machine 6 at its Billingsfors mill in Sweden this autumn, following an unexpected technical incident in summer 2026. The site manager says the replacement is needed to ensure safe and stable long-term operation of the plant.
Why this mattersAn unplanned equipment failure forcing a cylinder replacement signals downtime risk at an Ahlstrom specialty paper site during the repair window.
- Ahlstrom's Billingsfors mill will install a new yankee cylinder on paper machine 6
- The replacement follows an unexpected technical incident in summer 2026
- Work is scheduled for autumn 2026
- Site manager Stefan Åbom cited the need for safe, stable long-term operation
A fire broke out at about 03:00 on 14 October on the eighth floor of Papel Prensa's paper mill in San Pedro, Argentina, affecting a section of the paper machine. Firefighters and plant emergency staff took about two and a half hours to put it out; the first assessment puts the main damage on motors and electrical cable trays rather than the machine itself. The cause and the full extent of the damage had not been established.
Why this mattersDamage reported so far is to motors and cable trays rather than the paper machine, but Papel Prensa has not stated the full extent or any effect on output.
- Fire broke out around 03:00 on Wednesday 14 October on the eighth floor of Papel Prensa's San Pedro paper mill, Argentina.
- Firefighters and plant emergency staff took about two and a half hours to extinguish the blaze.
- Damage was concentrated in motors and electrical cable trays, with the paper machine itself reported less affected.
- Some sections of the machine were shut down progressively while others kept running during the incident.
- The cause of the fire had not been established at the time of reporting.
- The full extent of damage to equipment and installations remained unconfirmed.
Mondi has cut the recoverable value of the land, buildings and plant at its Duino mill in Italy to EUR 37m from a book value of EUR 234m, a EUR 197m write-down disclosed in the notes to the subsidiary's 2025 accounts and to be booked this year. The former Burgo coated-paper site, bought in 2022 and converted to recycled containerboard, started production in May 2025 and lost EUR 57m on revenue of EUR 46.6m in 2025. Mondi injected a further EUR 235m of capital in July 2026 and expects 2026 revenue to more than double.
Why this mattersAn 84% impairment soon after start-up shows how overcapacity, price pressure and energy costs have undermined the case for converting European graphic-paper mills to containerboard.
- Recoverable value of the Duino mill's land, buildings and plant cut to EUR 37m from EUR 234m, a write-down of EUR 197m (84%).
- Mondi Duino posted a 2025 net loss of EUR 57m on revenue of EUR 46.6m, with EBITDA of minus EUR 41.1m; production started in May 2025.
- Mondi paid EUR 40m for the former Burgo site at San Giovanni di Duino in 2022 and invested a further EUR 212m.
- Mondi made capital contributions of EUR 80m in 2025 and EUR 235m in July 2026; its financial commitment exceeded EUR 250m up to 2025.
- Mondi expects Duino's 2026 revenue to more than double from 2025 and says production is on plan.
- The accounts' notes state the mill could not currently be sold to another operator; Mondi has not decided to close or sell it.
Real estate manager Dunas Capital has bought Reno de Medici's closed carton mill at Castellbisbal near Barcelona after a reindustrialisation process involving the Catalan government and unions ended without an industrial buyer. The plant has been demolished, and construction of a logistics distribution centre is due to start in early 2027. RDM closed the mill citing falling carton demand in Spain and Portugal and supplies the Iberian market from its Paprinsa mill in Mollerussa, Lleida.
Why this mattersWith no industrial buyer found and the plant demolished, the Castellbisbal carton capacity leaves the Iberian market for good, leaving Paprinsa as RDM's Spanish mill.
- Dunas Capital acquired the former Reno de Medici carton mill in Castellbisbal, Barcelona, its first real estate asset in Catalonia.
- A reindustrialisation negotiation involving the Catalan government and unions ended without an industrial buyer.
- The existing plant has been demolished; construction of a new logistics facility is expected to start in early 2027.
- Reno de Medici cited falling carton demand in Spain and Portugal as the reason for closing the Castellbisbal plant.
- Reno de Medici continues to supply the Iberian market from its Paprinsa mill in Mollerussa, Lleida.
Huhtamaki has extended the maturity of its EUR 450m (USD 506m) sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility by one year to 7 November 2031, using an existing extension option in the loan agreement. The facility size is unchanged and proceeds continue to be used for the group's general corporate purposes.
Why this mattersExtending committed liquidity to November 2031 at unchanged size keeps Huhtamaki's refinancing horizon clear without adding new borrowing capacity.
- Facility size is EUR 450m (USD 506m)
- New termination date is 7 November 2031
- Extension exercised under the loan agreement's existing extension option
- Facility is sustainability-linked and syndicated
- Proceeds are for the group's general corporate purposes
Rengo, Japan's largest corrugated board maker, said on 13 October 2026 it will raise prices for paperboard, corrugated board and converted paper products by 10% or more from deliveries on 1 January 2027. The company cited cost increases from global inflation, higher interest rates and Middle East tensions that it says can no longer be absorbed internally. Specific terms will be set individually with each customer.
Why this mattersA double-digit increase from Japan's leading corrugated producer raises packaging input costs for e-commerce and other box users across the market.
- Rengo announced the increase on 13 October 2026
- Price rise applies to paperboard, corrugated board, corrugated boxes and kraft pulp products
- Increase is 10% or more on current prices
- Takes effect for deliveries from 1 January 2027
- Rengo previously requested a price revision from customers in July 2025
- Exact terms will be set per customer based on trading conditions
The Nackawic mill in New Brunswick, Canada, will temporarily idle from 4 November, with the company citing prevailing market conditions and other challenges. Mill workers and their union are pressing for government action ahead of the shutdown.
Why this mattersA temporary idling blamed on market conditions takes the Nackawic mill offline from November and has drawn calls from workers and their union for government intervention.
- The Nackawic mill is scheduled to idle temporarily on 4 November 2026.
- The operator cited prevailing market conditions and other unspecified challenges for the decision.
- Mill workers and their union are seeking government action in response to the planned idling.
Klabin has renegotiated the project finance loans backing its Puma II pulp and paper complex, extending maturities and lowering the interest margin. The A Loan now matures in 2034 instead of 2032 and the B Loan in 2033 instead of 2029, with the facilities repriced at SOFR plus 2.04% a year. The amendments were signed with IDB Invest, the International Finance Corporation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and a group of commercial banks.
Why this mattersLengthening and repricing debt on the group's largest-ever project reduces near-term refinancing pressure and signals continued lender support for Klabin's expansion capital structure.
- Puma II is Klabin's largest investment to date, costing about BRL 12.9bn (USD 2.54bn)
- A Loan maturities extended from 2032 to 2034
- B Loan maturities extended from 2029 to 2033
- New financing cost set at SOFR plus 2.04% a year
- Lenders include IDB Invest, IFC, JICA and commercial banks
- Puma II, in Ortigueira, Parana, started up in 2021 with 450,000 tonnes a year of kraftliner capacity
Suzano says it is not yet ready to merge its own consumer-goods operations with Arbex, the tissue joint venture it formed with Kimberly-Clark covering 22 plants in 14 countries. Executive vice-president Pablo Machado said a merger could be considered once Suzano judges its own tissue business has matured and Arbex has captured its planned efficiency gains. The group is targeting USD 175m in operational efficiency at Arbex over three years.
Why this mattersA future combination would consolidate Suzano's downstream tissue footprint with Kimberly-Clark's international hygiene assets, deepening its shift beyond pulp.
- Arbex, the Suzano-Kimberly-Clark joint venture, comprises 22 industrial units across 14 countries making and selling hygiene paper products.
- Suzano is targeting USD 175m in operational efficiency gains at Arbex over three years, a goal stated earlier in 2026 by CEO Beto Abreu.
- Suzano acquired Kimberly-Clark's Brazilian tissue operations in 2023, including the Neve brand and the Mogi das Cruzes mill with 130,000 tonnes a year of semi-finished paper capacity.
- Suzano says it cut costs at the Mogi das Cruzes plant by around 40% within six months of taking it over.
- Executive vice-president Pablo Machado said Suzano does not currently see merit in combining operations, citing unrealised gains still to be captured at Arbex.
UPM Adhesive Materials has started operations at a new label material distribution terminal in Delhi-NCR, India, covering about one acre with initial annual delivery capacity of 30-35 million square metres. The facility cuts delivery lead times for northern and eastern Indian narrow-web converters from 8-9 days to 1-2 days, replacing supply previously routed via western ports or UPM's Mumbai terminal.
Why this mattersA regional distribution hub shortens lead times for Indian label converters and supports UPM's push into premium wine and spirits label substrates in a growing market.
- Terminal became operational in Q3 2026
- Facility spans approximately one acre in Delhi-NCR
- Initial annual delivery capacity of 30-35 million square metres
- Lead times cut from 8-9 days to 1-2 days for northern and eastern Indian converters
- Previously, supply relied on western ports or UPM's Mumbai terminal
- UPM targets the North Indian wine and spirits label segment, including ice-bucket and high-humidity applications
Lynoo Pharmaceutical Packaging, a Chinese pharmaceutical glass packaging maker, has filed with the Hong Kong stock exchange for a dual A+H listing, with CMS International as one of two joint sponsors. In H1 2026 revenue rose 34.93% year on year to RMB 673m (USD 101m), driven by heat-resistant glassware, while net profit attributable to shareholders fell 23.95% to RMB 31.16m (USD 4.66m). Operating cash flow was negative, and the controlling shareholder has pledged 78.28% of its stake to guarantee borrowings of affiliated group companies.
Why this mattersFalling vial prices and volumes, negative operating cash flow and a 78% share pledge leave Lynoo's semiconductor-glass plan at the centre of its Hong Kong listing case.
- Lynoo Pharmaceutical Packaging filed a Hong Kong listing application for a dual A+H structure, with CMS International as one of two joint sponsors.
- H1 2026 revenue rose 34.93% year on year to RMB 673m (USD 101m), but net profit attributable to shareholders fell 23.95% to RMB 31.16m (USD 4.66m).
- Operating cash flow was negative RMB 68.3m (USD 10.2m) in H1 2026, after negative RMB 19.33m (USD 2.89m) in full-year 2025.
- The average selling price of tubular glass vials fell about 17% between 2023 and 2025, and volumes dropped 20.7% in 2025 to 3.199bn units.
- Controlling shareholder Lynoo Investment Holding has pledged 78.28% of its stake (20.16% of total share capital) to banks to guarantee borrowings of affiliated companies including Lynoo Group.
- IPO proceeds are earmarked for a 4.8m-units-a-year line for semiconductor packaging glass substrates; the pilot furnace was only ignited in June 2026.
A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on 15 October 2026 places three foreign-linked packaging producers in Russia under temporary management by OOO Management Company Capital Center: 12,600 ordinary shares of Kappa Rus, 99.71% of Menshen Packaging CIS and 100% of Eviosys Packaging Kuban. TASS names the owners as Georg Menshen, Sonoco Packaging Netherlands Investments and Sverige International Holdings, the vehicle through which Smurfit Kappa sold Kappa Rus to management in 2023. The decree responds to EU support for Ukraine; the Kremlin says it can be reversed.
Why this mattersState management of Russian units tied to Sonoco and Menshen shows the exposure still carried by Western groups with Russian assets, and by the buyers of businesses they sold.
- Decree of 15 October 2026 transferred 12,600 ordinary shares of Kappa Rus, 99.71% of Menshen Packaging CIS and 100% of Eviosys Packaging Kuban into temporary management.
- The foreign owners named by TASS are Georg Menshen GmbH & Co. KG, Sonoco Packaging Netherlands Investments B.V. and Sverige International Holdings AB.
- OOO Management Company Capital Center was appointed as manager.
- Kappa Rus, a Smurfit Kappa subsidiary until its 2023 sale to management, makes corrugating medium, containerboard and corrugated packaging; 2025 revenue was RUB 16.5bn.
- Eviosys Packaging Kuban is among Russia's largest tin can producers; Menshen Packaging CIS makes plastic packaging.
- The decree is a response to EU support for Ukraine; the Kremlin said the measure could be reversed.
Industrias Termoplasticas Argentinas (ITA) has developed a 20-litre agrochemical container weighing 780 grams, cutting plastic use by 30% versus standard market containers, and the design has been approved by Syngenta for use in Argentina. The launch follows other plastic-reduction packaging Syngenta has introduced, including a 1,000-litre IBC container said to cut plastic use by 95% and a three-layer container launched in 2024 with 30% recycled content.
Why this mattersA major agrochemical brand owner backing a lightweighted container signals pressure on plastic packaging converters serving the agro sector to cut material use.
- The 20-litre container weighs 780 grams, 30% less plastic than standard market containers
- Container developed by Industrias Termoplasticas Argentinas (ITA) and approved by Syngenta
- Syngenta's 1,000-litre IBC container is said to cut plastic use by 95%
- A three-layer Syngenta container launched in 2024 uses 30% recycled plastic
- CampoLimpio manages post-use recovery of empty containers via transitory storage centres and collection campaigns across Argentina
REWE E-Grocery has started regular use of va-Q-tec's vacuum-insulated transport boxes at its Cologne fulfilment centre after an operational trial, reducing its use of dry ice for chilled and frozen home deliveries. The boxes combine vacuum insulation panels with a phase-change cooling element in the lid and hold the cold chain at ambient temperatures up to +35C without refrigerated vehicles. Further German locations are due to switch in 2027.
Why this mattersGermany's largest online grocery delivery service cutting dry ice with passive insulated boxes shows chilled last-mile delivery can run without refrigerated vehicles, a model other grocers can adopt.
- REWE E-Grocery, Germany's largest online grocery delivery service, begins regular use of va-Q-tec VIP boxes at its Cologne fulfilment centre.
- The boxes combine vacuum insulation panels with a phase-change material cooling element in the lid.
- The system maintains cold-chain temperatures up to ambient +35C without actively refrigerated delivery vehicles.
- REWE operates 16 fulfilment centres and about 2,200 Click & Collect stores across Germany.
- Additional German REWE E-Grocery locations are scheduled to adopt the technology in 2027.
- The technology was validated through an operational field trial at the Cologne fulfilment centre before rollout.
Shandong Shenghe Film New Materials, a PETG film producer based in Weifang's bonded zone, has led drafting of China's first national standard for PETG film, filling a gap that had left the market without unified quality benchmarks. The standard takes effect on 1 February 2027 and sets terminology, classification, technical requirements, test methods and inspection rules for the material. The company produces 32,000 tonnes of PETG film a year, exported to more than 60 countries.
Why this mattersA unified national standard could raise quality floors and reduce fragmentation in China's PETG film supply, used widely for bottle labels and protective films.
- China's first national standard for PETG film takes effect 1 February 2027
- Shandong Shenghe Film New Materials acted as lead drafting unit
- The standard sets terminology, classification, technical requirements, test methods and inspection rules
- Shandong Shenghe produces 32,000 tonnes of PETG film per year
- Products are exported to more than 60 countries and regions
- The company holds 15 patented technologies developed over 14 years of research
Plastipak Packaging has opened a PET Material Center in Verbania, Italy, producing pakPET Single Pellet Solution, a PET resin with 30% recycled content built into a single pellet. The company invested more than EUR 25m (USD 28m) in the facility, opened on 14 October 2026, which adds to its five recycling plants worldwide.
Why this mattersSupplying 30% recycled content in a single food-contact pellet lets converters meet recycled-content requirements without blending virgin and recycled resin on their own lines.
- Plastipak invested more than EUR 25m (USD 28m) in the PET Material Center in Verbania, Italy
- Opening ceremony held on 14 October 2026, attended by Italian government officials and CEO Ed Morgan
- The center produces pakPET Single Pellet Solution, a PET resin with 30% recycled content in a single pellet
- The resin is certified under EN15343 for post-consumer feedstock traceability and has food-contact approval
- Plastipak now operates five recycling facilities globally plus the new Verbania material center
- Target applications include food and beverage containers, home and personal care, pharmaceutical packaging and thermoforming
Storopack has set a target of 85% renewable or recycled content across its product range by 2035, citing EU packaging waste regulation and customer decarbonisation demands. The German protective-packaging group reached 54% in 2025, up from 49% in 2024, against a 50% target for the year. Its R&D site in Anetz, France, which supports the Molding Europe foam-packaging division, is central to the push.
Why this mattersLifting renewable or recycled content from 54% to 85% by 2035 sets a substantial material shift for Storopack, including its expanded-foam business, as PPWR rules apply.
- Storopack set a target of 85% renewable or recycled content across its product range by 2035
- The group reported 54% of in-house manufactured products from renewable or recycled materials in 2025, up from 49% in 2024, against a 50% target for 2025
- Storopack posted EUR 565m revenue in 2025 and employs 2,500 people
- The group cites the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), generally applicable since 12 August 2026, as a driver
- Storopack's R&D site at Anetz, France, serves the Molding Europe division, which makes custom packaging and technical parts from expanded foams
- Storopack France has invested over EUR 10m in five years to modernise its French production sites
Sealed Air has added manufacturing capacity for closed-cell polyethylene foam at its Madera, California plant, part of its specialty foam network serving North and Latin America. The company said the expansion will balance demand across its global foam facilities, which span Europe, Asia and North America.
Why this mattersExtra closed-cell PE foam capacity in California answers fabricators' calls for dependable supply across the Americas and lets Sealed Air rebalance demand within its global foam network.
- Expansion took place at Sealed Air's Madera, California manufacturing facility
- Products are Ethafoam and Stratocell closed-cell polyethylene foam sheet
- Output supplies fabricators, distributors and end users across North and Latin America
- Sealed Air operates specialty foam plants in Europe, Asia and North America
- No investment figure or added capacity volume was disclosed
- Protective packaging president Byron Racki said the move responds to fabricator demand for reliable PE foam access
Rotor Print by SPG, a flexible-packaging printer, has acquired 51% of French packaging printer Livcer Impression Flexographique, which becomes a subsidiary. The deal adds Livcer's 10m square metres of annual printing capacity to Rotor Print's 90m, taking the combined group to around 100m square metres a year, with the French pharmaceutical market as the main target.
Why this mattersThe bolt-on gives Rotor Print a French manufacturing base and extends its reach in the European pharmaceutical flexible-packaging market.
- Rotor Print by SPG has acquired 51% of Livcer Impression Flexographique.
- Livcer adds 10m square metres of annual printing capacity to Rotor Print's existing 90m, for a combined circa 100m square metres a year.
- Livcer employs 20 staff and had revenue of about EUR 6m (USD 7m) in 2025.
- Livcer operates three flexographic printing lines and becomes a subsidiary of Rotor Print by SPG.
- The deal targets growth in the French and European pharmaceutical packaging market.
- The announcement coincided with Rotor Print's participation at the CPHI Milan trade fair.
German beverage producer and co-packer Rhodius Mineralquellen und Getränke and machinery supplier KHS have converted an existing KHS can line at Burgbrohl into what they describe as Germany's first high-speed line for reclosable, screw-capped aluminium bottles. The line, with output of up to 50,000 containers an hour, was rebuilt in about nine months with new unscrambling, filling, labelling and inspection equipment; filling uses KHS's Innofill Glass DNRF long-tube filler instead of a can filler.
Why this mattersConverting an existing can line shows European fillers can add reclosable aluminium bottles, common in Japan but rare in Europe, without a greenfield investment.
- The converted line at Rhodius's Burgbrohl site has output of up to 50,000 containers per hour
- Conversion of the existing KHS can line took about nine months
- Rhodius invested in new unscrambling, filling, labelling and inspection equipment
- Filling uses the KHS Innofill Glass DNRF long-tube filler rather than a standard can filler
- Rhodius operates six KHS lines: three for cans and one each for keg, glass and PET bottles
- Rhodius targets ready-to-drink categories such as functional drinks, flavoured water and energy drinks
India Ratings & Research has raised LEAP India's long-term bank loan rating to IND A+ from IND A and its short-term rating to IND A1+ from IND A1, both with stable outlook. The pallet-pooling company used proceeds from its August 2026 IPO, which raised USD 50.5m (INR 4,800m), to prepay USD 37.9m (INR 3,600m) of debt.
Why this mattersLower leverage gives LEAP India more headroom for capex and acquisitions in India's capital-intensive pallet-pooling market.
- India Ratings raised LEAP India's long-term bank loan rating to IND A+ from IND A, stable outlook.
- Short-term rating raised to IND A1+ from IND A1.
- LEAP India's August 2026 IPO raised USD 50.5m (INR 4,800m).
- Proceeds funded prepayment of USD 37.9m (INR 3,600m) of debt.
- FY26 revenue rose 54.8% year on year to USD 77.1m (INR 7,320.6m).
- Ind-Ra said LEAP India must keep net leverage below 2.75x to maintain the rating.
Mensing Gruppe plans to build a recycling plant for used polypropylene big bags in Hohenwestedt, Schleswig-Holstein, at an investment of around EUR 22m (USD 25m). The plant is due to start at the end of 2028 with about 17,000 tonnes a year of PP regranulate, with infrastructure designed from the outset for a later expansion to 35,000 tonnes a year.
Why this mattersA plant sized from the outset for 35,000 tonnes a year adds dedicated German capacity to turn used PP big bags, an industrial packaging waste stream, into regranulate from 2028.
- Investment of around EUR 22m (USD 25m)
- Plant to be built in Hohenwestedt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
- Start-up planned for end of 2028
- Initial capacity about 17,000 tonnes of PP regranulate per year
- Planned later expansion to 35,000 tonnes per year
- Group to acquire about 50,000 square metres in a new roughly 42-hectare industrial park
Alpek has confirmed it will close a PET recycling plant in Pennsylvania, citing deteriorating market conditions in the US bottle-recovery sector. The company has not disclosed the site name, annual throughput, headcount or a closure timeline. The move adds to a series of PET reclaim capacity reductions across North America since 2023.
Why this mattersAnother US PET reclaim exit tightens food-grade rPET supply just as state recycled-content mandates are escalating demand on converters.
- Alpek will close a PET recycling plant in Pennsylvania, per a Plastics News report
- No site name, closure date, annual throughput or employee count has been disclosed
- Reason cited is worsening US bottle-recovery market conditions
- Closure follows a wave of PET recycling capacity reductions in North America since 2023
- California, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Maine have enacted rPET minimum recycled-content thresholds escalating through the decade
Kazakhstan has approved rules on how producers of oils, polymer, glass, paper and carton packaging, and batteries confirm that at least 30% of their output uses waste from products under extended producer responsibility that was processed in the country. The order takes effect on 23 October 2026; applicants file every six months with the extended producer responsibility operator, documenting the collection, transport and processing of the waste and the sale of finished products.
Why this mattersThe rules define the document trail behind a 30% recycled-content claim in Kazakhstan, from weighbridge records to sales evidence, adding compliance work for producers making such claims.
- Order takes effect 23 October 2026.
- Use of at least 30% waste is confirmed separately for each product: used oils, plastics, glass, paper and carton, and used batteries.
- The waste must come from products under extended producer responsibility and be processed in Kazakhstan.
- Applications are filed electronically every six months, by the 20th of the month after the reporting period.
- Required documents include environmental permits, a technological regulation, an inventory of recycling assets and records of waste collection, transport, processing and product sales.
- Collection must be backed by weighing records from verified scales.
India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has opened the annual-return module on its new Common EPR Portal after a three-month migration gap, setting 31 October 2026 as the deadline for plastic waste processors and 31 December 2026 for producers, importers and brand owners to report FY2025-26 recycled content, including a 30% target for rigid packaging. A CPCB notice of 27 August says the portal will stop recording transactions with unregistered entities, with limited exceptions, and the Odisha and Nagaland pollution boards followed in September. PACE says food-grade rPET supply falls short of the FY2026-27 40% mandate; APR Bharat says capacity is available.
Why this mattersWith trades involving unregistered suppliers no longer recorded on the portal, brand owners must confirm their recycled-plastic suppliers are registered before the 31 December filing deadline.
- CPCB's old plastic EPR portal (eprplastic.cpcb.gov.in) went dark on 28 June 2026, with no annual-return filing possible for three months.
- Plastic waste processors must file FY2025-26 annual returns by 31 October 2026; producers, importers and brand owners by 31 December 2026.
- Category I rigid plastic packaging carries a 30% recycled-content target for FY2025-26, rising to 60% by 2028-29.
- CPCB's 27 August 2026 notice said it will stop recording portal transactions with unregistered entities, with limited exceptions.
- PACE told India's Environment Ministry in April 2026 that food-grade recycled PET supply was about 354,000 tonnes against a 684,000-tonne requirement for the FY2026-27 40% mandate.
- APR Bharat said in May 2026 that India has about 439,000 tonnes of food-grade rPET capacity, of which 20-25% is idle.
Brazil's health regulator Anvisa has opened Public Consultation No. 1.426/2026 to revise RDC 88/2016 and RDC 90/2016, the rules governing cellulosic materials used in direct contact with food. Comments are due by 23 November 2026, and any resulting changes could force paper and paperboard packaging makers to revise raw materials, update technical specifications and renegotiate supply contracts.
Why this mattersAny tightening of Brazil's food-contact paper rules would raise compliance costs and reshape supplier qualification across the country's cellulosic packaging supply chain.
- Anvisa has opened Public Consultation No. 1.426/2026, reported on 15 October 2026
- The consultation proposes changes to RDC 88/2016 and RDC 90/2016, the rules governing cellulosic materials in direct food contact
- Comments can be submitted until 23 November 2026
- Possible outcomes include revised technical requirements for raw materials and manufacturing substances used in food-contact paper
- Paper, paperboard and cellulosic packaging makers may need to update technical specifications and compliance documentation
- Changes could require renegotiation of supply contracts and supplier qualification between producers and buyers
US Customs and Border Protection has imposed interim measures against three companies in an investigation into suspected evasion of antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese thermoformed molded fiber products via alleged transshipment through Malaysia. The case, EAPA Consolidated Case No. 8308, was opened on 9 September 2026 and targets Teh Tung Corporation, Acadian Crossing Consumer Products and Verde Winsight Group, with a final determination due by 30 March 2027. The American Molded Fiber Coalition, United Steelworkers and US producers Genera and Tellus Products welcomed the interim enforcement action.
Why this mattersInterim measures on suspected transshipment through Malaysia narrow a possible route around US duties on Chinese molded fibre while the case runs to its March 2027 determination.
- CBP initiated EAPA Consolidated Case No. 8308 on 9 September 2026
- Interim measures target Teh Tung Corporation, Acadian Crossing Consumer Products and Verde Winsight Group, Inc.
- Allegations concern Chinese thermoformed molded fiber products transshipped through Malaysia and mislabelled as Malaysian origin to avoid US antidumping and countervailing duties
- CBP's action is based on reasonable suspicion, not a final determination
- Final determinations in the case are scheduled by 30 March 2027
- AMFC, United Steelworkers and producers Genera and Tellus Products welcomed the enforcement action
Belgian innovation centres VIGC, Pack4Food and Centexbel-VKC have started CircuPrint, a VLAIO-funded project researching how inks, substrates and printing processes affect the recyclability of flexible plastic packaging and the reprintability of recycled films. The project, which began on 1 October 2026, responds to EU PPWR requirements on recyclability and recycled content, and will hold an industry kick-off event on 13 November 2026 in Kortrijk.
Why this mattersPPWR compliance forces printers, converters and film suppliers to coordinate ink and substrate choices with recyclers, a shift from siloed decisions.
- The VLAIO-funded CircuPrint project started on 1 October 2026
- Partners are VIGC, Pack4Food and Centexbel-VKC
- The project studies how inks and printing processes affect recyclability of flexible plastic packaging
- It also examines how films made with recycled content can be printed again at commercial quality
- The work is framed as a response to PPWR recyclability and recycled-content requirements
- A kick-off event for industry participants is scheduled for 13 November 2026 in Kortrijk
Five EU member states have asked the European Commission to impose measures against PET imports, citing damage to domestic producers from a surge in shipments, according to lawyers cited in a report. The Commission has 30 days to decide whether to introduce safeguard measures or tariffs.
Why this mattersA safeguard duty on PET, the resin used in bottles and much rigid food and beverage packaging, could raise input costs for European converters and bottlers.
- Five EU member states filed the request with the European Commission.
- The request cites a surge in PET import shipments harming domestic producers.
- The Commission has 30 days from the request to decide on safeguard measures or tariffs.
