Mondi sold one solid board converting plant at the end of September 2026 and agreed to sell a second, as part of streamlining its asset base; it is also moving customer volumes out of converting plants due to close later in 2026. The disposals were disclosed in its Q3 2026 trading update on 15 October, which showed underlying EBITDA of EUR 196m against EUR 167m in Q2; excluding forestry fair value movements, EBITDA fell quarter on quarter because of planned maintenance shutdowns.
Why this mattersMondi is shrinking its converting footprint to contain fixed-cost inflation while relying on further paper price increases to recover margins squeezed by energy and wood costs.
- Mondi sold one solid board converting plant at the end of September 2026 and agreed to sell a second.
- Mondi is transferring customer volumes from converting plants scheduled to close later in 2026.
- Q3 2026 underlying EBITDA was EUR 196m, against EUR 167m in Q2, which included a EUR 43m negative forestry fair value impact.
- Excluding forestry fair value, underlying EBITDA fell quarter on quarter, mainly due to planned maintenance shutdowns.
- Mondi announced further price increases for several paper grades in Q3, with the benefit expected from late 2026 into 2027.
- Energy costs rose through Q3 and wood costs in Central and Eastern Europe increased.
Corrugated packaging maker Straub Verpackungen has opened its new Werk 3 in the Niederwiesen industrial estate in Bräunlingen, Germany, after two years of construction and an investment of EUR 45m. The hall has about 24,000 sq m of usable floor space and has been printing corrugated packaging and preparing it for dispatch since June 2026.
Why this mattersA EUR 45m single-site investment adds about 24,000 sq m of printing and dispatch floor space to Straub's corrugated converting in Germany.
- Investment of EUR 45m in the new Werk 3.
- Werk 3 has about 24,000 sq m of usable floor space.
- Construction took two years.
- Corrugated packaging has been printed and prepared for dispatch at the site since June 2026.
- The site is in the Niederwiesen industrial estate in Bräunlingen, Germany.
Tetra Pak has launched Cartons for Communities in Vietnam, a programme linking government agencies, food and beverage companies, collectors, recyclers and consumers to widen collection and recycling of used beverage cartons as the country steps up extended producer responsibility. Tetra Pak has set up collection and exchange points with TH true Milk in more than 40 TH true Mart stores and is running a model with Vinamilk backed by the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund.
Why this mattersTetra Pak is tying carton collection in Vietnam to its dairy customers TH true Milk and Vinamilk as extended producer responsibility raises pressure to show recovery.
- Tetra Pak has launched the Cartons for Communities programme in Vietnam to expand beverage carton collection and recycling.
- Collection and exchange points with TH true Milk operate in more than 40 TH true Mart stores.
- Tetra Pak and Vinamilk are implementing a collection model backed by the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund.
- A bilingual programme website is the hub for consumers, collectors and recyclers.
- Vietnam generates about 25.3 million tonnes of household waste a year, per the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass published a prospectus on 9 October 2026 for a private placement of new A-shares raising up to USD 483.86m (CNY 3,235.12m) from China National Pharmaceutical International and Shandong Yaoxin Health Industry. On completion, China National Pharmaceutical International becomes controlling shareholder, its parent Sinopharm actual controller and the State Council's state assets commission ultimate controller, replacing the Yiyuan county finance bureau. The final share count requires Shanghai Stock Exchange approval and China Securities Regulatory Commission registration.
Why this mattersControl of a listed maker of pharmaceutical bottles, stoppers and caps passes from a county finance bureau to Sinopharm, bringing part of a drug group's packaging supply in-house.
- After the placement, China National Pharmaceutical International becomes controlling shareholder, with Sinopharm as actual controller.
- The placement raises up to USD 483.86m (CNY 3,235.12m) in cash.
- Up to 199,084,233 new shares will be issued, capped at 30% of the pre-issue share count.
- At the cap, the two subscribers would hold 23.08% of the enlarged share capital.
- Current controlling shareholder Shandong Luzhong Investment holds 19.50%; the Yiyuan county finance bureau is actual controller.
- Shandong Pharmaceutical Glass (SSE: 600529) makes pharmaceutical bottles, stoppers and caps.
Polinas, the flexible packaging film producer owned by Turkey's Yildiz Holding through its Gozde Girisim arm, is preparing to acquire sole control of Imaj Ambalaj, a Turkish packaging exporter with around EUR 40m (USD 45m) annual revenue. Imaj Ambalaj, based in Gebze and part of Aktif Holding, exports to more than 30 countries and employs over 250 people. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Why this mattersPolinas, a flexible packaging film producer, would gain 15,000 tonnes of annual packaging capacity and export customers in more than 30 countries.
- Polinas, held by Yildiz Holding through Gozde Girisim, is preparing to take sole control of Imaj Ambalaj.
- Imaj Ambalaj, part of Aktif Holding, has annual revenue of about EUR 40m.
- Imaj Ambalaj has annual production capacity of 15,000 tonnes at a 41,500 sq m plant in Gebze.
- Imaj Ambalaj exports to more than 30 countries, from Europe to North America.
- Imaj Ambalaj was founded in 2001 and employs more than 250 people.
- Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
US investor Siris, owner of Electronics for Imaging (EFI), and Belgian technology group Agfa-Gevaert plan to combine EFI's industrial inkjet business with Agfa's Digital Printing Solutions division in a joint company. The two signed an agreement on 28 September 2026.
Why this mattersCombining EFI's and Agfa's industrial inkjet businesses reduces the number of independent digital printing suppliers that packaging and label converters can buy from.
- Siris and Agfa-Gevaert signed an agreement on 28 September 2026 to combine industrial inkjet activities
- EFI's industrial inkjet business is to be merged with Agfa's Digital Printing Solutions (DPS) division
- Siris is the owner of Electronics for Imaging (EFI)
- Agfa-Gevaert is a Belgian technology group
German mineral water producer and contract filler Rhodius Mineralquellen und Getränke has commissioned a filling line for reclosable aluminium bottles, branded Alu Bottle, at its headquarters in Burgbrohl. The company announced the investment about a year ago.
Why this mattersRhodius also works as a contract filler, so brands can use reclosable aluminium bottles without investing in their own filling line.
- Rhodius has commissioned a filling line for reclosable aluminium bottles at Burgbrohl, Germany, as reported on 16 October 2026.
- The format is branded Alu Bottle.
- The investment was announced about a year earlier.
- Rhodius operates both as a beverage producer and as a contract filler.
Kraft Heinz Canada is rolling out its HEINZ Soup Collection nationally in flexible, easy-open bags, its first ready-to-eat soup line in a pouch, in a category where steel cans have held more than 80% of ready-to-serve and condensed soup sold in Canada. Six varieties reach Canadian retailers in October 2026.
Why this mattersA national brand owner putting soup in pouches tests a Canadian category where steel cans hold more than 80% of packaging, putting can makers' volumes at stake.
- Kraft Heinz Canada rolled out the HEINZ Soup Collection in flexible bags nationally in October 2026.
- More than 80% of ready-to-serve and condensed soup in Canada has traditionally been packaged in steel cans.
- The initial range includes six varieties: Homestyle Chicken Noodle, Thai Style Chicken Coconut Curry, Hearty Tomato and White Bean, Cheesy Potato, Rich Mushroom and Curry Butternut Squash.
- Kraft Heinz products reach over 97% of Canadian households, according to the company.
- Kraft Heinz Canada's Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Fleming said the launch targets a grocery category the company sees as ready for a new format.
Loop Industries has rescaled its planned first commercial Infinite Loop facility in India to 45 kilotonnes a year after an engineering review, to lower capital requirements and speed construction, which it targets for completion by the end of 2028. A board special committee formed in September 2026 is still seeking financing for Loop's share of the India joint venture equity, and the company reported total available liquidity of USD 1.9m at 31 August 2026.
Why this mattersA smaller first phase and thin liquidity signal that Loop's push to commercialise PET depolymerisation technology depends on financing yet to be secured.
- India facility capacity rescaled to 45 kilotonnes a year after an engineering review.
- Construction targeted for completion by end of 2028, with startup and commissioning in 2029.
- Total available liquidity was USD 1.9m at 31 August 2026.
- A board special committee formed in September 2026 is evaluating equity, debt and non-dilutive financing for the India joint venture.
- Cash operating expenses for the quarter were USD 1.6m, down USD 0.8m year on year.
- A second, larger facility is planned at the India site after start-up of the first.
ALTEO Group has opened a fully automated waste processing plant in Kistarcsa, Hungary, capable of handling 14,000 tonnes a year of returned beverage packaging under the national deposit-return scheme. The addition lifts the group's total DRS processing capacity to 28,000 tonnes a year.
Why this mattersMore domestic processing capacity for returned beverage packaging supports local recycled-content supply as Hungary's deposit-return scheme scales up.
- New fully automated plant opened in Kistarcsa, Hungary
- New plant adds 14,000 tonnes a year of beverage packaging processing capacity
- Group's total DRS processing capacity rises to 28,000 tonnes a year
- Plant processes returned beverage packaging under Hungary's deposit-return scheme
Five EU member states have asked the European Commission to impose safeguard measures on PET imports, which would set country quotas and tariff or block out-of-quota volumes. The Commission has 30 days from the request to decide whether to open a formal investigation, adding to a wider wave of trade-defence actions in Europe's PET and chemicals sectors.
Why this mattersSafeguard quotas would raise PET resin costs and restrict supply for European bottle and packaging converters that depend on imported material.
- Five EU member states have asked the European Commission for PET safeguard measures, Reuters reported on 14 October 2026, citing EU trade lawyers.
- The European Commission has 30 days to decide whether to open a safeguard investigation.
- Proposed safeguards would set import quotas per exporting country, with out-of-quota PET volumes tariffed or blocked.
- The UK Trade Remedies Authority opened a separate PET safeguard investigation in August 2026 following an application from Alpek Polyester UK.
- Turkey (47,223 tonnes) and Vietnam (44,850 tonnes) were the EU's largest PET suppliers in July 2026, ahead of Egypt (12,519 tonnes) and Pakistan (12,475 tonnes).
- The EU terminated its antidumping investigation into Vietnamese PET in June 2026 after PET Europe withdrew its complaint.
Ganesha Ecopet Private Limited, the wholly owned recycling subsidiary of India's Ganesha Ecosphere, has received Food Safety and Standards Authority of India authorisation for a fourth recycled PET production line at its Warangal, Telangana plant. The approval, dated 15 October 2026 and valid for two years, permits manufacture of food-contact-grade rPET using Starlinger recoSTAR PET technology, opening access to higher-value food-packaging end-uses.
Why this mattersFood-grade certification lets the recycler sell into higher-value food-contact rPET demand that India's extended producer responsibility rules are pushing packaging buyers toward.
- FSSAI authorisation granted 15 October 2026 for Ganesha Ecopet's fourth rPET production line
- Line is sited at Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, Warangal, Telangana
- Process uses Starlinger recoSTAR PET technology
- Authorisation covers food-contact-material grade rPET (FCM-rPET)
- Validity runs two years, from 15 October 2026 to 14 October 2028
- Disclosed to NSE and BSE on 16 October 2026 under SEBI Regulation 30
Kaolin producers KaMin and CADAM will raise prices on their kaolin products by up to 9.5% from 1 December 2026, with the adjustment varying by grade and region. The companies cite rising mining, raw material, labour and energy costs, plus higher logistics costs from shipping disruption and longer transit times.
Why this mattersKaolin is a key coating pigment and filler for graphic paper, speciality paper and coated board, so the increase adds input-cost pressure for paper and board producers.
- Price rise of up to 9.5% takes effect from 1 December 2026
- Announced on 12 October 2026 by KaMin and CADAM
- Increase varies by kaolin grade and region
- Companies cite higher mining, raw material, labour and energy costs
- Shipping route disruption, longer transit times, fuel costs and insurance premiums add to logistics costs
- Kaolin is used in paper and board coating and as a mineral filler, affecting graphic paper, speciality paper and coated board producers
Südroh Recycling took a majority stake in M. Becker Altpapier Recycling, a waste-paper recycler in Kehl, Germany, on 23 September 2026. Südroh did not name the size of the stake and said the move is intended to build synergies across its group and expand its presence in south-west Germany.
Why this mattersRegional consolidation among German waste-paper merchants concentrates recovered fibre collection that feeds recycled containerboard and carton board mills.
- Südroh Recycling acquired a majority stake in M. Becker Altpapier Recycling on 23 September 2026.
- Becker is based in Kehl, Germany.
- Südroh did not name the size of the stake.
- Südroh aims to use synergies between its companies and expand its presence in south-west Germany.
Perpetual, the organisation behind Hawaii's reuse programme, has chosen metal containers over plastic after procurement work showed gaps in US manufacturing capacity for containers suited to local needs. According to the report, California's extended producer responsibility funds alone could create a USD 600m market opportunity for reusable packaging.
Why this mattersPerpetual's sourcing problems point to gaps in US capacity for reuse-grade containers, an opening for container makers as EPR money, put at USD 600m in California, funds reuse.
- Hawaii's reuse programme will use metal rather than plastic containers, according to Perpetual.
- Perpetual says procuring containers that fit local needs exposed gaps in US manufacturing capacity.
- Perpetual frames the manufacturing gap as a structural issue that comparable US reuse programmes would face.
- California EPR funds alone could create a USD 600m market opportunity for reusable packaging, according to the report.
Indonesia has suspended import duty on six polyethylene and polypropylene tariff lines for six months, under Finance Ministry Regulation No. 68 of 2026 promulgated on 2 October. The move follows a sharp rise in international resin prices, with polypropylene up 42.79 percent and polyethylene up 27.87 percent year on year as of 13 October, and is aimed at securing raw material supply for domestic plastics processors.
Why this mattersCheaper resin imports for six months could ease input costs for Indonesian plastics packaging converters at a time of sharply rising global polyolefin prices.
- Finance Ministry Regulation No. 68 of 2026, promulgated 2 October, sets the duty on the six lines at zero percent under the most favoured nation rate for six months
- The waiver covers four polyethylene and two polypropylene tariff lines
- International polypropylene prices were 42.79 percent higher on 13 October 2026 than a year earlier
- Polyethylene prices over the same period were 27.87 percent higher
- Economic affairs minister Airlangga Hartarto cited domestic raw material supply needs and international price moves as the rationale
South Korea's environment ministry has pre-announced a draft rule change that creates a dedicated Product Packaging Management Support Centre inside Korea Environment Corporation and sets out formal procedures for on-site inspections and surveys of excess-packaging compliance. The draft implements a July 2026 revision to the Resource Saving and Recycling Promotion Act, due to take effect in January 2027, with public comments open until 25 November 2026.
Why this mattersStandardised inspection procedures and a dedicated enforcement body raise compliance predictability but also administrative burden for brand owners and converters selling into South Korea.
- South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment pre-announced a draft amendment to packaging material and method rules on 16 October 2026
- Public comments on the draft are open until 25 November 2026
- The amendment implements a Resource Saving and Recycling Promotion Act revision passed in July 2026, effective January 2027
- It establishes a Product Packaging Management Support Centre within Korea Environment Corporation
- The draft codifies procedures for on-site inspections and fact-finding surveys to check compliance with excess-packaging rules
Federal Decree 12.688/2025 requires Brazilian industries using plastic packaging to incorporate recycled content and meet packaging recovery targets, reported via the SISREV platform. Recycled-content targets start at 22% in 2026 and rise to 40% by 2040, while recovery targets move from 32% in 2026 to 50% in 2040. Large companies must report data for January-December 2026, with deadlines of 30 April for data entry and 30 July for the system report.
Why this mattersConverters and brand owners selling into Brazil must secure traceable recycled-content supply chains or face compliance gaps under a binding national reporting regime.
- Decree 12.688/2025 sets recycled-content targets of 22% in 2026 rising to 40% in 2040 for plastic packaging placed on the Brazilian market.
- Packaging recovery targets are set at 30% for 2025, 32% for 2026 and 50% for 2040, tracked cumulatively with recycled-content incorporation.
- Compliance is declared through the SISREV platform, with large companies covering January-December 2026 and small/medium companies July-December 2026.
- Deadlines are 30 April for data entry into SISREV and 30 July for the system report.
- ABRALIMP's chemicals sector chamber director Fabio Stort says companies must qualify suppliers that can provide traceable, homologated recycled material (PCR) with documented origin.
- Responsibility spans recyclers, packaging makers and user industries, which must homologate suppliers and request detailed recycled-content reports.
The Fédération Nationale du Bois (FNB) has disputed the contribution tariffs set by France's three eco-organismes for the new extended producer responsibility scheme covering professional wood packaging, due to start on 1 January 2027. The federation says the French rates of EUR 7.91-9.00 per tonne are 32-50% higher than the EUR 6 per tonne tariff announced in Spain, despite France's established pallet repair and recycling networks, and is demanding publication of the calculation methods.
Why this mattersHigher EPR costs than in Spain could weigh on the cost base and competitiveness of French wood pallet, crate and case makers from 2027.
- EPR scheme for professional wood packaging takes effect in France on 1 January 2027
- Citeo Pro set a tariff of EUR 9.00 per tonne, Leko Pro EUR 8.07 per tonne and TWIICE EUR 7.91 per tonne
- Spain's announced tariff for wood packaging is EUR 6.00 per tonne, a gap of about 32-50%
- FNB says it has repeatedly asked the three eco-organismes, coordinator OCAEPRO and the Ministry of Ecological Transition for the economic assumptions behind the tariffs without success
- The scheme mainly covers wooden pallets but also crates and cases used for transport and packaging
Industry association IPV reports German flexible packaging makers' sector revenue fell 0.7% to about EUR 2.045bn in 2025, with volumes stable at low levels in the first half of 2026. The association cites weak demand, high material and energy costs, labour shortages and mounting regulatory requirements including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as pressures on the sector.
Why this mattersWith volumes flat at low levels and material costs not easing, German flexible packaging converters face PPWR obligations and a possible plastic packaging tax with little margin headroom.
- IPV estimates German flexible packaging sector revenue fell 0.7% to about EUR 2.045bn in 2025
- German packaging industry overall production value fell 1.7% to EUR 36.4bn in 2025, with volume down 2.4% to about 16.7m tonnes
- Paper, board and film converting sector revenue fell 1.0% to EUR 20.03bn in 2025
- Food retail nominal sales rose 3.4% in 2025 but only 1.1% in real terms; out-of-home catering volumes fell 2.1% in real terms
- First PPWR requirements on recyclability, recycled content and extended producer responsibility took direct effect in EU states from 12 August 2026
- IPV opposes a proposed national plastic packaging tax in Germany, citing additional cost burden
The European Outdoor Group has wound down its Single Use Plastics Project, an eight-year collaboration among 31 brands, retailers and national associations to cut poly bag packaging in outdoor gear. The project produced shared technical standards, a collection and handling system, retailer guidance and design guidance for recyclable or reusable packaging, and its public outputs will remain online after the formal close.
Why this mattersThe project's standards and design guidance now double as early compliance groundwork for the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which sets recycled-content and recyclability thresholds from 2030.
- The Single Use Plastics Project (SUPP) ran from 2018 to 2026 across 31 brands, retailers and national associations.
- By 2023 the project reported collecting, diverting and recycling 14.31 tonnes of single-use plastic since inception.
- Two UK pick-up points alone collected 4.6 tonnes of poly bags, diverting roughly 691,000 individual bags.
- Outputs include a Poly Bag Standards document, a final project report on collection and handling, retailer guidance and member-only resources.
- The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation entered into force in February 2025 and began general application on 12 August 2026, with mandatory recycled-content thresholds of roughly 30 to 65 percent phased in from 2030.
- EOG says it will continue working with partners on remaining gaps, including recycling infrastructure for thin plastic films, without SUPP as a standing project.
