CMPC's proposed Natureza eucalyptus pulp project in Barra do Ribeiro, Brazil, has received a preliminary environmental licence from state regulator Fepam, handed over on 23 October 2026. The BRL 27bn (USD 5.0bn) development would add a new mill with design capacity of 3m tonnes a year of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp alongside CMPC's existing Guaiba mill, plus a BRL 1.5bn (USD 280m) export terminal at Rio Grande port. The approval only establishes environmental viability; CMPC must still obtain an installation licence before construction can start.
Why this mattersA 3m-tonne greenfield line would add materially to global bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp supply, though CMPC still needs an installation licence before construction can start.
- Rio Grande do Sul regulator Fepam granted a preliminary environmental licence on 23 October 2026 for CMPC's Natureza pulp project in Barra do Ribeiro
- Project cost is estimated at BRL 27bn (USD 5.0bn), including BRL 1.5bn (USD 280m) for an export terminal at Rio Grande port
- Fepam states design capacity of 3m tonnes a year of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp, up from the 2.5m tonnes previously cited by CMPC
- CMPC's existing Guaiba mill would continue operating alongside the new plant
- Projected employment reaches 12,000 at peak construction, falling to about 800 direct and 1,500 contractor roles in operation
- The preliminary licence confirms environmental viability only; CMPC still needs an installation licence before construction can begin
The Navigator Company posted third-quarter 2026 earnings per share of USD 0.02, below the USD 0.06 analyst estimate, on revenue of USD 464.7m against an estimate of USD 485m. The Portuguese pulp and paper group attributed the shortfall to planned maintenance at its Setubal, Aveiro and Figueira da Foz mills, a cyberattack and power grid disturbances, and said it expects operations to normalise in the fourth quarter. Nine-month 2026 revenue reached EUR 1.333bn with EBITDA of EUR 212m, while net debt rose to EUR 765m, 2.66 times EBITDA.
Why this mattersA major European pulp and paper producer absorbing cyber and grid disruptions alongside planned shutdowns shows how fragile capacity utilisation remains even as pricing stays firm.
- Q3 2026 EPS of USD 0.02 missed the USD 0.06 consensus estimate by 66.67%
- Q3 2026 revenue of USD 464.7m was USD 20.3m, or 4.19%, below the USD 485m estimate
- Nine-month 2026 turnover was EUR 1.333bn and EBITDA EUR 212m; free cash flow was EUR 19m after EUR 174m of capital expenditure
- Net debt was EUR 765m, up EUR 61m from year-end 2025, equal to 2.66 times EBITDA
- Packaging and tissue account for about 30% of turnover and roughly one-third of group EBITDA
- Liquidity comprised EUR 147m of cash and EUR 323m of undrawn committed long-term facilities
Keryas Paper Industry and Al Karama Hypermarket Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a USD 12m, 20,000-tonne-a-year tissue mill in Phase 7 of Sohar Industrial City, Oman, through a jointly owned vehicle, Sohar Paper Products LLC. The project will use tissue machinery sourced from Taiwan, with engineering by India's C2C Consultancy, and targets commercial start-up by the end of 2027. It extends Keryas's existing 150,000-tonne kraft paper business, which supplies fluting and testliner for packaging, into domestic tissue production for Oman and the wider Gulf.
Why this mattersA Gulf kraft paper producer diversifying into tissue signals local substitution of imported grades and broader paper capacity build-out in Oman.
- Keryas Paper Industry and Al Karama Hypermarket Group signed an MoU for a USD 12m tissue mill in Sohar Industrial City, Oman.
- The planned facility has capacity of 20,000 tonnes a year and is being developed via joint venture Sohar Paper Products LLC.
- Commercial operations are targeted for the end of 2027.
- Machinery and tissue manufacturing technology will be sourced from Taiwan; India's C2C Consultancy will handle engineering and design.
- Keryas already operates a 150,000-tonne-a-year kraft paper mill producing fluting and testliner.
- Al Karama operates 15 hypermarkets in Oman and has an existing retail packaging relationship with Keryas.
Elopak reported third-quarter 2026 group EBITDA of EUR 51.9m, a 16.8% margin and the highest quarterly figure in its history, on revenue of EUR 308.4m, up 6.5% year on year. Americas EBITDA fell 8.2% to EUR 20.1m as board supply disruption linked to the Nippon incident limited volume growth, while EMEA posted adjusted EBITDA of EUR 44.5m, a 20.4% margin, on revenue up 7.5%.
Why this mattersA leading carton maker's results show European carton demand and pricing holding up while a single supplier disruption still constrains its US growth and margins.
- Q3 2026 group EBITDA was EUR 51.9m at a 16.8% margin, the highest quarterly EBITDA in company history
- Q3 group revenue was EUR 308.4m, up 6.5% year on year (6.0% at constant currency)
- Americas revenue rose 5.9% to EUR 97.5m but EBITDA fell 8.2% to EUR 20.1m, margin 20.6% from 23.8%, on board supply disruption linked to the Nippon incident
- Supply disruption cost EUR 2.6m in Q3 not yet covered by insurance; group margin would have been about 17.5% without it
- EMEA revenue was EUR 218.1m, up 7.5%, with adjusted EBITDA of EUR 44.5m, a 20.4% margin
- Adjusted EPS rose 37.8% to EUR 0.09; leverage held at 2.2x
Monterey Wine Company's King City plant in California, the first US site making Frugalpac's Frugal Bottle paper bottles, has moved from its 2024 start-up to repeat orders and exports, with an assembly machine rated at up to 2.5 million bottles a year. Its bottles are used for wine and spirits sold through Target, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven and Total Wine & More. It has also supplied Blessed Remedy Spirits' Mezcologo, presented as the first mezcal in a paper bottle sold in Mexico, and a second mezcal destined for Australia.
Why this mattersRepeat orders and exports from a single US plant show paper bottles moving from pilot format to a commercially repeatable alternative to glass for wine and spirits.
- Monterey Wine Company's King City, California plant began producing Frugal Bottle paper bottles in 2024, the first such facility in the US
- The installed assembly machine has capacity of up to 2.5 million bottles a year
- Bottles have been used for wine and spirits sold through Target, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven and Total Wine & More
- Full Glass Wine Co. placed a repeat order for its Petalscape wines after the first production run sold out
- Blessed Remedy Spirits launched Mezcologo, presented as the first mezcal in a paper bottle sold in Mexico, in bottles made at the plant
- A second Blessed Remedy Spirits product, Metoro Mezcal, will be exported to Australia
Clearwater Paper reported third-quarter 2026 sales of USD 385 million, down from USD 399 million a year earlier, with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations up to USD 24 million from USD 18 million, aided by maintenance timing at its Lewiston mill. A disruption at the Augusta mill cut volumes and raised costs late in the quarter and into October, while the company refinanced its debt and cut net debt by USD 56 million year to date.
Why this mattersAugusta's ongoing disruption and soft SBS pricing show the paperboard producer still relies on cost cuts and balance-sheet work rather than demand to rebuild margins.
- Q3 2026 sales were USD 385 million, against USD 399 million in Q3 2025.
- Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations rose to USD 24 million from USD 18 million a year earlier.
- Net loss narrowed to USD 2 million, or USD 0.10 per diluted share, from a USD 53 million loss including a USD 48 million goodwill impairment.
- Paperboard deliveries fell 1% to 322,265 tons; average net pricing was USD 1,111 per ton, 4% below a year earlier.
- Clearwater refinanced its debt, received USD 17.5 million in additional representation and warranty insurance proceeds, and cut net debt by USD 56 million year to date.
- Nine-month sales reached USD 1.12 billion with adjusted EBITDA of USD 18 million, down from USD 87.4 million a year earlier.
Kazakhstan is adding paper and board recycling capacity, but underdeveloped separate collection and sorting of paper waste risks leaving the new plants short of recovered fibre. The largest project, Sever-Kombinat's KZT 6.9bn plant in Kostanay, had five of seven lines in operation and is scheduled to start up in the fourth quarter of 2026, with capacity to process up to 15,000 tonnes of paper waste and 2,300 tonnes of Tetra Pak packaging a year.
Why this mattersCollection and sorting gaps could leave Kazakhstan's new recycling capacity underutilised, limiting the growth of a nascent domestic recovered-fibre supply chain.
- Sever-Kombinat's KZT 6.9bn plant in Kostanay had five of seven production lines in operation, with launch scheduled for Q4 2026
- At design capacity the plant will process up to 15,000 tonnes of paper waste and 2,300 tonnes of Tetra Pak packaging a year into corrugated board, boxes, paper and egg trays
- A paper and board project in Aktobe region is worth more than KZT 10bn; an Abay region project plans to recycle over 17,500 tonnes of paper waste a year
- The utilisation fee has funded 30 waste-management projects worth about KZT 116bn
- Kazakhstan collected 119,900 tonnes of recovered paper, board and paper waste in 2023; paper and board made up 9.4% of sorted municipal waste in 2025
- Kostanay region recycled or disposed of about 75,000 of 276,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste last year; its recycling share was 23% in H1 2026 against a 28% annual target
Chinese packaging group Forest Packaging (605500.SH) reported operating revenue of USD 461m (CNY 3.073bn) for the first nine months of 2026, up 55.13% year on year, while net profit attributable to the parent fell 15.59% to USD 3.83m (CNY 25.51m). Net profit excluding non-recurring items fell 11.72% to USD 3.35m (CNY 22.32m), and basic earnings per share were USD 0.01 (CNY 0.06).
Why this mattersRevenue up 55% while attributable profit fell 16% shows a Chinese packaging group adding volume at thinner margins.
- Nine-month 2026 operating revenue was USD 461m (CNY 3.073bn), up 55.13% year on year
- Net profit attributable to the parent fell 15.59% to USD 3.83m (CNY 25.51m)
- Net profit excluding non-recurring items was USD 3.35m (CNY 22.32m), down 11.72%
- Basic earnings per share were USD 0.01 (CNY 0.06)
- The company is listed in Shanghai under 605500.SH
Shenzhen-listed Jingxing Paper reported revenue of USD 719.6m (CNY 4.798bn) for the first nine months of 2026, up 14.31% year on year. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 343.32% to USD 27.1m (CNY 181m), and profit excluding non-recurring items rose 390.29% to USD 24.6m (CNY 164m); basic earnings per share were USD 0.02 (CNY 0.12).
Why this mattersProfit rising more than fourfold on 14% higher revenue shows margin recovery rather than volume driving earnings at a listed Chinese paper producer.
- Nine-month 2026 revenue was USD 719.6m (CNY 4.798bn), up 14.31% year on year
- Net profit attributable to shareholders was USD 27.1m (CNY 181m), up 343.32%
- Net profit excluding non-recurring items was USD 24.6m (CNY 164m), up 390.29%
- Basic earnings per share were USD 0.02 (CNY 0.12)
- Figures are from the company's third-quarter 2026 report; it is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under 002067.SZ
Tricel Honeycomb has acquired the Verticel paper honeycomb manufacturing operations, brand, trademark and customer list from Hexacomb, a division of Packaging Corporation of America, in a deal that closed on 1 October 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed. Tricel, based in Gurnee, Illinois, began producing Verticel products immediately after closing to ensure uninterrupted supply to existing customers.
Why this mattersPCA exits a niche non-corrugated honeycomb line, while Tricel gains capacity, a brand and a customer base in North American composite-panel cores.
- Tricel Honeycomb acquired Verticel's manufacturing operations, brand, trademark and customer list from Hexacomb, a division of Packaging Corporation of America
- The transaction closed on 1 October 2026
- Financial terms were not disclosed
- Tricel, based in Gurnee, Illinois, began producing Verticel products immediately after closing to maintain supply continuity
- Vertical paper honeycomb is used in composite panels for automotive, marine and furniture applications
- The deal expands Tricel's North American manufacturing capacity and product range
Stora Enso has agreed to build a demonstration line for lignin-based hard carbon anodes with China's Shanshan Technology, to be sited at Shanshan's Ningbo facility. The line aims to validate wood-based hard carbon for sodium-ion battery anodes at industrial scale, supporting Stora Enso's plan to set up large-scale hard carbon production in Europe.
Why this mattersA credible path to commercial-scale wood-based anode material would open a new revenue line for forestry groups beyond packaging and pulp.
- Demonstration line to be built at Shanshan Technology's facility in Ningbo, China
- Line targets lignin-derived hard carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries
- Stora Enso aims to establish large-scale hard carbon anode production in Europe
- Stora Enso recorded sales of EUR 9.3 billion in 2025 and employs about 19,000
Vidrala has rebranded its UK and Ireland glass container and filling business from Encirc to Vidrala UK & Ireland, announced on 27 October 2026. The unit employs nearly 2,000 people across Derrylin, Elton and Bristol, producing around three billion glass containers and filling up to 500 million litres of beverages a year. Vidrala said the change follows significant recent investment in operations, technology and sustainability at the business.
Why this mattersRetiring the Encirc name ties Vidrala's UK and Ireland glass, filling and logistics business to the group brand at what the company calls a demanding time for glass.
- Rebrand from Encirc to Vidrala UK & Ireland effective 27 October 2026
- Unit employs nearly 2,000 people across Derrylin, Elton and Bristol sites
- Produces around three billion glass containers a year
- Fills up to 500 million litres of beverages annually
- Offer includes access to one of Europe's largest bonded warehouses
Saudi Printing & Packaging's extraordinary general assembly approved on 26 October 2026 an 89.42% cut in share capital, from USD 173.9m (SAR 652m) to USD 18.4m (SAR 68.9m), to absorb accumulated losses of USD 155.5m (SAR 583.1m). The company will cancel 58,309,630 shares, 0.8942 for every share held, reducing the share count from 65,207,064 to 6,897,434; it says the move does not affect its financial obligations or operations.
Why this mattersWriting off 89% of share capital against SAR 583m of accumulated losses resets the equity base of a Gulf converter that has lost most of its capital.
- Share capital reduced from SAR 652 million to SAR 68.9 million, a cut of 89.42%
- The reduction offsets SAR 583,096,300 in accumulated losses
- 58,309,630 shares will be cancelled, 0.8942 shares for every one held
- Shares outstanding fall from 65,207,064 to 6,897,434
- Post-reduction share capital stands at SAR 68,974,340
- The company says the move does not affect its financial obligations or operations
UFlex's ASEPTO division has commissioned two Boardmaster web flexo printing presses from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen at a new facility in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, part of a USD 126m investment in aseptic liquid packaging production. The new lines add 12 billion aseptic packages a year of capacity, taking UFlex's combined India and Egypt capacity to 24 billion packages annually.
Why this mattersDoubling of UFlex's aseptic carton capacity signals Indian converters expanding globally to compete with incumbent liquid-packaging suppliers in export markets.
- UFlex ASEPTO's new Egypt facility represents a total investment of USD 126m
- The plant is located in Ain Sokhna, Egypt
- Two Heidelberg Boardmaster web flexo printing presses have been commissioned at the site
- The new capacity adds 12 billion aseptic packages a year
- Combined India and Egypt capacity rises to 24 billion aseptic packages a year
- Boardmaster presses run at up to 600 metres a minute with availability of up to 90%
Indian bulk-bag (FIBC) maker Kanpur Plastipack reported consolidated revenue from operations of USD 23.47m (INR 223.23 crore) for the quarter to 30 September 2026, up 37.8% year on year, with net profit more than doubling to USD 1.69m (INR 16.06 crore). The company is adding 6,000 tonnes of FIBC capacity over five years and plans to commission a non-woven fabrics facility this quarter. Debt is expected to rise from USD 3.6m (INR 34 crore) to about USD 7.8m (INR 74 crore) by year-end.
Why this mattersWith debt set to roughly double to fund FIBC and non-woven capacity, an export-led Indian bulk-bag maker is committing capital on the expectation that current volume growth lasts.
- Q2 FY27 consolidated revenue from operations was USD 23.47m (INR 223.23 crore), up 37.8% year on year
- Net profit was USD 1.69m (INR 16.06 crore), up about 108% year on year
- More than 70% of the company's FIBCs are shipped overseas
- The company plans to add 6,000 tonnes of FIBC capacity over five years and targets production of 5,000 tonnes a quarter by Q1 FY28
- A non-woven fabrics facility is scheduled for commissioning this quarter
- Debt is expected to rise from USD 3.6m (INR 34 crore) to about USD 7.8m (INR 74 crore) by year-end
International Packaging Films Limited (IPAK) reported consolidated revenue of PKR 11.13bn for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up 9.2% year on year, while profit after tax was flat at PKR 705m. Gross profit fell to PKR 1.62bn from PKR 1.75bn as margins normalised after two unusually strong quarters, with a 16% drop in finance costs partly offsetting the impact.
Why this mattersExport sales nearly doubling while gross profit fell shows a Pakistani film producer growing volume abroad at the cost of margin.
- Consolidated revenue rose 9.2% to PKR 11.13bn for Q1 ended 30 September 2026
- Consolidated profit after tax was PKR 705m, against PKR 704m a year earlier
- Gross profit fell to PKR 1.62bn from PKR 1.75bn
- Group export sales nearly doubled to PKR 3.52bn (about USD 12.68m) from PKR 2.44bn
- Finance costs dropped 16% year on year
- Standalone revenue was PKR 3.42bn with profit after tax of PKR 211m
French ready-meal brand Marie, owned by LDC, has developed a tray made of 92% wood fibre to replace its plastic ready-meal container, following five years of research and development and EUR 500,000 of investment in trials, a new doser and a mould. The tray, which retains a thin recycled-plastic liner that consumers must remove before recycling, is designed for the paper-board recycling stream rather than energy recovery, and launches first on two pasta gratin recipes.
Why this mattersA second major chilled ready-meal brand after Fleury Michon moves away from plastic trays, signalling a format shift that paper-board converters could capture from flexible and rigid plastics packers.
- Marie's new tray is composed of 92% wood fibre with a thin recycled-plastic liner removed by the consumer before recycling
- Development took five years of R&D and EUR 500,000 of investment in industrial trials, a new doser and a new mould
- The tray is designed for the paper-board recycling stream rather than energy-recovery incineration used for typical wood trays
- Launch recipes are two pasta gratins (fusilli ham-cheese and three-cheese penne) in 300g trays sold at around EUR 3.50
- Marie follows Fleury Michon, which previously made a similar switch from plastic to fibre trays
Danone has called for closer cooperation between drinks producers and retailers ahead of the UK deposit return scheme, due to launch in October 2027. In a company update dated 22 October 2026, the group said it has briefed around 100 retail contacts and trialled reverse vending technology at the Wimbledon qualifying competition. Danone cited a 2,000-person consumer survey showing almost two-thirds do not always recycle bottles and cans away from home.
Why this mattersRetailer and brand-owner readiness for reverse vending logistics will shape collection rates and equipment demand ahead of the UK scheme's 2027 start.
- UK deposit return scheme is due to start in October 2027
- Danone's update is dated 22 October 2026
- Danone has briefed around 100 retail contacts on store preparation
- Danone trialled reverse vending technology at the Wimbledon Championships qualifying competition
- A Danone survey of 2,000 UK consumers found almost two-thirds do not always recycle away from home
- Danone cites rising plastic bottle and can collection rates in Ireland since deposit returns began there
Valmet will deliver a complete bleached chemi-thermo mechanical pulping (BCTMP) line, including an evaporation plant, flash drying and baling, to ITC's Bhadrachalam paperboard mill in India. The order was booked in Valmet's second-quarter 2026 orders received, with the value undisclosed, and the line is scheduled to start up in the second quarter of 2028.
Why this mattersThe upgrade lets ITC produce higher-quality pulp more energy-efficiently, strengthening a leading Indian paperboard producer's cost and quality position.
- BCTMP line capacity is 350 bone-dry tonnes per day
- Order was included in Valmet's Q2 2026 orders received; value undisclosed
- New line scheduled to start up in Q2 2028
- Scope includes BCTMP evaporation plant, flash drying, baling, Valmet DNA control system and a new White Liquor Disc Filter
- Uses Valmet's HT-CTMP high-temperature technology for improved fibre quality and lower refining energy use
- ITC Bhadrachalam has used Valmet technology since a multilayer paperboard machine delivery in the 1990s
Speira has commissioned a new furnace for beverage can scrap at its Rheinwerk site in Neuss, Germany, with annual capacity of about 60,000 tonnes. The company invested roughly EUR 40m (USD 44.6m) in the furnace and related upgrades, including adapting a casting line and adding 6,500 tonnes of scrap storage. Red Bull, which sources recycled aluminium from Speira for its cans, attended the opening.
Why this mattersAdds European scrap-processing capacity for can stock at a time when beverage brands are pushing for more recycled aluminium content.
- Speira invested about EUR 40m (USD 44.6m) in the Rheinwerk site upgrade
- New furnace has annual capacity of about 60,000 tonnes of can scrap
- Third of four casting lines adapted for recycled-alloy processing
- New scrap storage area of 6,500 tonnes built in former primary smelter halls
- Furnace is designed to allow future hydrogen operation if a hydrogen network connection becomes available
- Red Bull uses recycled aluminium from Speira for its energy drink cans
Petkim Petrokimya Holding has selected Univation's UNIPOL PE Process technology for a planned polyethylene complex at its Aliaga-Izmir site in Türkiye, ahead of a final investment decision. The project envisages 850,000 tonnes a year of licensed PE capacity across two 425 kTA swing reactor lines, which Univation describes as one of the largest PE technology licences awarded in Türkiye.
Why this mattersAdded domestic PE capacity would affect resin availability and import dependence for Turkish and regional flexible and rigid plastic packaging converters.
- Petkim selected Univation's UNIPOL PE Process Technology for a planned complex in Aliaga-Izmir, Türkiye
- Planned capacity is 850,000 tonnes a year of polyethylene across two 425 kTA swing reactor lines
- The selection comes ahead of Petkim's final investment decision on the project
- It would be the first UNIPOL PE installation at the Petkim site
- Petkim is a subsidiary of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
- Univation describes the project as one of the largest PE technology licences awarded in Türkiye
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has released 122.6 billion tenge in recycling-fee revenue to fund 34 waste management infrastructure projects, part of 67 approved projects worth 440 billion tenge. State-linked EPR operator Zhasyl Damu is financing new recycling plants, sorting complexes and equipment purchases, adding a combined 1.08 million tonnes per year of sorting and recycling capacity.
Why this mattersA large recurring recycling-fee pool is being channelled into sorting and recycling capacity, a funding model other extended-producer-responsibility regimes may watch.
- 122.6 billion tenge allocated to 34 projects as of 27 October 2026
- 67 projects worth 440 billion tenge approved in total by the Investment Headquarters
- Six funded projects add 650,000 tonnes/year of sorting capacity
- 18 projects add a combined 435,000 tonnes/year of recycling capacity
- 10 projects fund purchase of 177 units of specialised equipment
- 15 projects already commissioned, adding 290,000 tonnes/year sorting and 19,300 tonnes/year recycling capacity
The Bureau of International Recycling's Q3 2026 European report finds recovered paper prices steady or slightly higher in Germany, France, Italy and the UK, driven by scarce collected fibre rather than stronger demand. European paper and board output fell about 1.6% in 2025 with early 2026 data still showing a year-on-year contraction. Spain diverges, with recovered corrugated prices under pressure from rising imports and ample supply despite higher domestic consumption.
Why this mattersA price rise built on fibre scarcity rather than demand recovery leaves mills exposed if collection volumes normalise in the fourth quarter.
- BIR's Q3 2026 European report was compiled by John Atehortua of REMONDIS Trade and Sales.
- Recovered corrugated (OCC) prices rose notably in September, led by UK export demand and low collection volumes.
- European paper and board production fell about 1.6% in 2025, with early 2026 indicators still showing year-on-year contraction.
- Spanish corrugated grade 1.05 average prices rose from EUR 73.17-73.62 per tonne in Q1 2026 to EUR 81.45-82.18 per tonne in Q2 2026, per Universidad Complutense de Madrid/RECIPAP data.
- Spain's recovered corrugated market remains under pressure from rising imports and abundant supply despite growing domestic consumption.
- BIR flags upcoming 2027 regulatory changes affecting waste trade as a factor operators must prepare for.
The European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) reports that Europe recycled 76.4% of all paper and board in 2025, matching the prior year's rate as collection volumes and consumption fell by similar margins. The industry collected and recycled 53.9m tonnes against consumption of 70.5m tonnes, with the EU paper packaging recycling rate at 86.6%.
Why this mattersA stable, high recycling rate underpins the fibre industry's circularity case as PPWR recycled-content and collection targets tighten across the EU.
- Europe recycled 76.4% of paper and board in 2025, unchanged from the previous year.
- The industry collected and recycled 53.9m tonnes of paper and board in 2025, down 0.3% year on year.
- European paper and board consumption was 70.5m tonnes in 2025, down 0.4% year on year.
- The EU average recycling rate for paper packaging was 86.6% in 2025.
- EPRC calculates the recycling rate by comparing recycled paper volumes, including net trade in recovered paper, against consumption.
- Most European countries surveyed maintained a paper recycling rate above 70%.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation has published a revised recommended national standard for biopolyester polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) blown film, covering film for commodity packaging, which takes effect on 1 April 2027. According to the report, the standard gives film producers and packaging buyers a more specific technical basis and prompts companies to distinguish material biodegradability from a finished pack's performance in use.
Why this mattersA defined performance standard gives converters and brand owners a common technical basis to qualify PHA film, a precondition for scaling biodegradable packaging beyond pilot use.
- The revised recommended national standard is titled Biopolyester Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Blown Film
- It is one of two revised biodegradable-material standards published by the State Administration for Market Regulation
- The standard takes effect on 1 April 2027
- It covers blown film used for commodity packaging
Pakistan's National Tariff Commission issued an affirmative preliminary determination on 21 October 2026 in its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese Alu Alu Foil, imposing a provisional duty of 9.03% effective immediately for four months. The foil, used for pharmaceutical cold-forming and tropical packaging, is classified under Pakistani tariff codes 7607.1990 and 7607.2000. A final ruling is expected within 180 days of the preliminary decision.
Why this mattersA duty on Chinese Alu Alu foil raises costs for pharmaceutical packaging converters sourcing from China and could redirect import flows to other suppliers.
- NTC's affirmative preliminary determination was issued on 21 October 2026.
- The provisional anti-dumping duty is 9.03%, effective immediately for four months.
- The investigation covers Cold Forming Foil and Tropical Foil under tariff codes 7607.1990 and 7607.2000.
- The case was launched on 23 July 2026, examining dumping from April 2025 to March 2026 and injury data from April 2023 to March 2026.
- A final ruling is expected within 180 days of the preliminary announcement.
