Silgan Holdings reported third-quarter 2026 net sales up 2% to USD 2.04bn, mainly on pass-through of higher raw material costs, while net income fell to USD 105.0m from USD 113.3m a year earlier; rationalisation charges rose to USD 17.1m and acquisition costs were USD 10.3m. The group raised its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to USD 3.83-3.93, from USD 3.73-3.93, and reaffirmed free cash flow of about USD 450m. The results follow Silgan's USD 3.4bn agreement, announced earlier in October with American Industrial Partners, to acquire Trivium Packaging.
Why this mattersSilgan is raising its earnings outlook despite softer consumer demand and lower can volumes, as it prepares to absorb Trivium in a USD 3.4bn deal.
- 2026 adjusted EPS guidance raised to USD 3.83-3.93 from USD 3.73-3.93; Q4 adjusted EPS guided at USD 0.76-0.86; free cash flow of about USD 450m reaffirmed
- Q3 2026 net sales rose 2% to USD 2.04bn from USD 2.01bn, mainly on pass-through of higher raw material costs
- Q3 2026 net income fell to USD 105.0m (USD 0.99/diluted share) from USD 113.3m (USD 1.06)
- Q3 adjusted diluted EPS was USD 1.31 against USD 1.22 a year earlier
- EBIT fell to USD 191.7m from USD 198.7m; rationalisation charges rose to USD 17.1m from USD 7.2m and acquisition costs were USD 10.3m
- Silgan agreed earlier in October, with American Industrial Partners, to buy Trivium Packaging in an all-cash deal worth USD 3.4bn
Avery Dennison reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of USD 2.42, up 2% year on year, on sales of USD 2.3bn, up 5%, as customer inventory destocking eased. The company narrowed full-year adjusted EPS guidance to USD 10.10-10.24 and now expects more than USD 65m in 2026 restructuring savings. It generated USD 246m of adjusted free cash flow in the quarter and returned about USD 135m to shareholders.
Why this mattersSlower destocking supports label materials demand, but Walmart's postponement of its fresh-food rollout to 2027 delays a key intelligent-label growth driver.
- Q3 2026 adjusted EPS rose 2% year on year to USD 2.42, reported sales up 5% to USD 2.3bn
- Organic sales grew 4%, with the Taylor Adhesives acquisition adding more than 1 percentage point to reported growth
- Customer destocking cut Q3 sales growth by about 2 percentage points and adjusted EPS by roughly USD 0.15
- Materials Group sales rose 8.5% to USD 1.6bn, including 5% organic growth, with a 3-point destocking headwind
- Full-year adjusted EPS guidance narrowed to USD 10.10-10.24, implying about 7% growth, with over USD 65m of 2026 restructuring savings expected
- Q3 adjusted free cash flow was USD 246m; the company returned about USD 135m to shareholders via dividends and buybacks
Hansol Paper reported a third-quarter 2026 consolidated operating loss of USD 10.3m (KRW 13.7bn) on revenue of USD 393.6m (KRW 525.5bn), up 2.5% year on year. It cited higher raw material and freight costs and a stronger won. The loss more than doubled from USD 4.8m (KRW 6.4bn) a year earlier and follows a second-quarter operating profit of USD 34.2m (KRW 45.7bn). Nine-month operating profit still rose 61.2% to USD 36.4m (KRW 48.6bn).
Why this mattersInput, freight and currency pressure turned a profitable second quarter into a loss, showing how thin margins remain for Korean paper producers.
- Q3 2026 operating loss was USD 10.3m (KRW 13.7bn), against a loss of USD 4.8m (KRW 6.4bn) a year earlier
- Q2 2026 operating profit was USD 34.2m (KRW 45.7bn); Q3 revenue fell 7.8% quarter on quarter
- Q3 revenue was USD 393.6m (KRW 525.5bn), up 2.5% year on year
- Q3 pre-tax loss was USD 16.9m (KRW 22.5bn) and net loss USD 13.0m (KRW 17.4bn), both wider than a year earlier
- Nine-month operating profit rose 61.2% to USD 36.4m (KRW 48.6bn) on revenue of USD 1,218.8m (KRW 1.6271tn), up 1.3%
- The company cited higher raw material and freight costs and a lower exchange rate
Sylvamo and the French forest-protection network Canopée met on 30 October 2026 to discuss forestry projects linked to Sylvamo's Saillat-sur-Vienne paper mill near Saint-Junien. The meeting was arranged after about ten Canopée activists blockaded the mill roughly two weeks earlier. Canopée accuses Sylvamo of clear-felling in the Creuse and the wider Limousin; Sylvamo's position was not reported.
Why this mattersNGO action over clear-felling has already led to a mill blockade, showing that wood-sourcing practices can become an operating risk for French paper mills.
- Sylvamo and Canopée met on 30 October 2026 to discuss forestry projects linked to the Saillat-sur-Vienne mill
- The meeting followed a blockade of the Saillat-sur-Vienne mill by about ten Canopée activists roughly two weeks earlier
- Canopée accuses Sylvamo of clear-felling in the Creuse and the Limousin
- Canopée supporters displayed a banner reading "Stop au massacre en Creuse, en Limousin et ailleurs" outside the meeting venue
Visy said on 27 October 2026 that it has produced the first glass bottles at its new Yatala glass recycling and manufacturing plant in Queensland, from the first of two oxy-fuel furnaces now being commissioned. The plant cost about USD 351m (AUD 500m) and has been under construction since October 2022. Once both furnaces are running it is designed to process up to 200,000 tonnes of recycled glass a year and make up to 1bn bottles and jars annually.
Why this mattersUp to 1bn bottles and jars a year at about 70% recycled content adds substantial Australian glass container and cullet-processing capacity for Visy.
- Visy announced first bottle production at Yatala, Queensland, on 27 October 2026, from the first of two oxy-fuel furnaces
- Total investment is about USD 351m (AUD 500m); construction began in October 2022
- Designed capacity is up to 1bn bottles and jars a year once fully operational
- The plant is designed to process up to 200,000 tonnes of recycled glass a year
- Target average recycled content is about 70% at full operation
- About 200 permanent jobs are expected once commissioning is complete
Washington's Department of Labor and Industries has fined Nippon Dynawave USD 77,000 for a willful serious violation after a worker nearly sank into hot pulp at its Longview mill in March 2026, months before a white liquor tank failure there killed 11 workers. Nippon disputes the willful classification and intends to appeal. Separately, the estates of two of the workers killed filed the third wrongful death suit over the May 2026 tank failure on 23 October. The suit names Nippon and former owner Weyerhaeuser, which denies responsibility.
Why this mattersA citation for a pre-collapse incident and a growing set of wrongful death suits extend the regulatory and litigation exposure from the Longview mill's safety record.
- L&I citation issued 29 October 2026 carries a USD 77,000 fine over a March 2026 incident in which a worker waded through 145-degree pulp and fell into a sinkhole
- Nippon Dynawave disagrees with the 'willful serious' classification and intends to appeal
- On 26 May 2026 a 1.2 million-gallon tank failed and released 900,000 gallons of caustic white liquor, killing 11 workers
- The third wrongful death suit was filed on 23 October 2026 in Cowlitz County Superior Court by the estates of Dillon Andrew Miller and Clinton Lee Doran Jr.
- The suit alleges contractor inspections in July 2025, October 2025 and February 2026 found tank shell sections below minimum safe thickness; Weyerhaeuser, which built the tank in 1987 and sold the mill in 2016, denies responsibility
- L&I has investigated more than a dozen safety complaints at the mill since 2018; over USD 2.4m in workers' compensation claims has been paid for 169 injured employees since 2015
Saica Group has inaugurated a new Saica Pack corrugated packaging plant in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Barcelona, after an investment of more than EUR 100m (USD 112m). The facility consolidates the former Saica Pack Barcelona and Saica Pack El Prat sites and has production capacity of 200 million square metres. Saica reported consolidated sales of EUR 3.962bn (USD 4.43bn) for 2025.
Why this mattersMerging two Barcelona sites into one 200 million square metre plant shows Iberian corrugated converters still investing in scale and print capability.
- Investment of more than EUR 100m (USD 112m) in the Sant Esteve Sesrovires facility
- Plant has production capacity of 200 million square metres
- Facility is operational three years after the foundation stone was laid
- Combines operations previously run at Saica Pack Barcelona and Saica Pack El Prat
- Plant uses digital technology alongside flexographic and offset printing equipment
- Saica reported 2025 consolidated sales of EUR 3.962bn (USD 4.43bn) and more than 14,500 employees
Metsä Board's comparable operating profit rose to EUR 5.5m in the third quarter of 2026 from a loss of EUR 45.6m a year earlier, its fourth consecutive quarterly improvement. The net loss narrowed to EUR 5.6m. Sales fell to EUR 402.3m from EUR 441.2m; paperboard prices rose slightly, while the Husum mill ran at low rates and remained loss-making. The company expects seasonally lower deliveries in the fourth quarter, and the third quarter's tariff refunds of about EUR 10m will not recur.
Why this mattersCost measures and modest price gains are lifting earnings, but profitability remains clearly below target and Husum continues to lose money.
- Q3 2026 comparable operating profit was EUR 5.5 million, versus a loss of EUR 45.6 million a year earlier
- Q3 sales fell to EUR 402.3 million from EUR 441.2 million
- Comparable EBITDA margin rose to 7.5% from -4.1%, with EBITDA of EUR 30.1 million versus a loss of EUR 18.2 million
- Transformation programme reached an annualised EBITDA run-rate improvement of approximately EUR 148 million by end-September, with EUR 99 million realised
- Tariff refunds of approximately EUR 10 million offset high logistics costs in the quarter
- Husum integrated mill continued to operate at low rates and make a loss; nine-month net loss narrowed to EUR 27.9 million from EUR 69.8 million
Karsten Derks, chief executive of Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle in Kreuzau, has taken full ownership of the mill with economic effect from 1 October 2026, after the owner families Autenrieb and Meyer gave up their stakes. The change follows a sale process that ended in February 2026 without an acceptable offer, and a restructuring that has closed the smaller of the mill's two paper machines and cut jobs through a transfer company. Derks plans to continue the restructuring and strengthen sales of white-top testliner made with recycled beverage-carton fibre.
Why this mattersSingle ownership gives Germany's only mill recycling beverage-carton fibre into containerboard a route to restructure after a failed sale, with one of its two machines already closed.
- Karsten Derks took full ownership of Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle with economic effect from 1 October 2026
- The previous owner families Autenrieb and Meyer gave up their stakes
- In February 2026 the company ended a sale process because offers did not secure its long-term future
- The smaller of the mill's two paper machines has been shut down since the start of the year
- Job cuts are being handled through a transfer company; no figures on headcount or remaining capacity were given
- The mill is Germany's only paper producer recycling used beverage cartons into containerboard; its Eifel Liner Paper Loop contains at least 25% beverage-carton fibre
Stora Enso's board has approved a plan to demerge its Swedish forest business, Bergslagets Skogar, into a company listed in Stockholm and Helsinki. The business holds more than 1.2 million hectares of forest valued at EUR 5.8bn at 30 September 2026. Shareholders may vote at an extraordinary general meeting on 15 December 2026, and completion is planned for 31 March 2027. Stora Enso expects its own net debt to fall by about EUR 800m. Bergslagets Skogar targets a net loan-to-value ratio of 0-20% and a payout of 80-100% of adjusted net income.
Why this mattersThe demerger creates a large listed pure-play Swedish forest owner and leaves Stora Enso focused on packaging and renewable materials with about EUR 800m less net debt.
- Board approved the demerger plan on 30 October 2026; an EGM may vote on 15 December 2026, with completion planned for 31 March 2027
- Bergslagets Skogar holds more than 1.2 million hectares of Swedish forest, valued at EUR 5.8bn at 30 September 2026
- Stora Enso expects its net debt to fall by about EUR 800m as a result of the demerger
- The five largest shareholders, holding about 28.6% of shares and 69.9% of votes, have signalled support
- Targets: net loan-to-value of 0-20%, dividend of 80-100% of adjusted net income, 2% long-term free cash flow return, 1% annual growth in net standing stock
- Listing planned in Stockholm and Helsinki; first Capital Markets Day on 3 November 2026 in Stockholm
UPM said the European Commission restated its serious concerns about the planned graphic paper joint venture with Sappi in early October 2026. UPM has opened discussions on potential remedies while maintaining that its arguments address the concerns, and the transaction remains subject to merger control approval. UPM's third-quarter 2026 sales were EUR 2,202m and comparable EBIT fell 8% to EUR 131m amid customer destocking.
Why this mattersRemedy talks signal that the UPM-Sappi graphic paper consolidation may clear only with concessions, which could change the capacity the joint venture brings together.
- The European Commission restated serious concerns about the UPM-Sappi graphic paper joint venture in early October 2026
- UPM has opened discussions on potential remedies while saying it believes in the strength of its arguments
- The joint venture remains subject to merger control approvals
- UPM Q3 2026 sales were EUR 2,202m against EUR 2,226m; comparable EBIT fell 8% to EUR 131m
- Q3 operating cash flow rose to EUR 420m from EUR 218m
- The plywood business is to start trading as WISA Group on Nasdaq Helsinki in November
Klabin's total cash cost rose 12% year on year to USD 641 per tonne (BRL 3,480) in the third quarter of 2026; preventive El Niño measures and higher freight and input prices accounted for nearly half of the increase. Net revenue rose 3% to USD 1.02bn (BRL 5.56bn), but adjusted EBITDA fell 12% to USD 341m (BRL 1.85bn). Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 31% to USD 44.37m (BRL 241.06m). The company kept its 2026 cash cost guidance, although its nine-month average is above the top of the range.
Why this mattersClimate-related forestry measures and freight inflation are lifting Klabin's costs, and a nine-month cash cost already above full-year guidance leaves little room in the fourth quarter.
- Total cash cost rose 12% year on year to USD 641/t (BRL 3,480) in Q3 2026
- El Niño measures (early wood purchases, safety stocks, forest roads) added USD 20/t (BRL 111); freight and input inflation added USD 12/t (BRL 66)
- Net revenue rose 3% to USD 1.02bn (BRL 5.56bn); adjusted EBITDA fell 12% to USD 341m (BRL 1.85bn)
- Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 31% to USD 44.37m (BRL 241.06m); consolidated net profit fell 18% to USD 72.36m (BRL 393.12m)
- 2026 cash cost guidance kept at USD 589-607/t (BRL 3,200-3,300), against a nine-month average of USD 615/t (BRL 3,340)
- Klabin expects El Niño-related costs to continue weighing in the fourth quarter
O-I Glass has started a process that could lead to closing a European production plant and has cut its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to USD 925m-950m from USD 1,000m-1,100m, after third-quarter profit fell sharply on European price pressure, weak demand and energy inflation. The company withdrew its 2027 targets and now expects 2026 free cash flow of about negative USD 300m, worse than a prior forecast outflow of USD 50m-150m. Q3 2026 net sales fell to USD 1,620m from USD 1,650m a year earlier and the group swung to a net loss, with full-year shipments now expected down 3-4% and European earnings pressured into the first quarter of 2027.
Why this mattersO-I blames overcapacity and weak demand in Europe, where its segment margin fell to 0.3%; a plant closure would take capacity out of an oversupplied market.
- O-I Glass has started a process that could lead to the closure of a European production plant
- 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance cut to USD 925m-950m from a prior USD 1,000m-1,100m, and 2027 targets withdrawn
- 2026 free cash flow guidance revised to roughly negative USD 300m from a prior outflow of USD 50m-150m
- Q3 2026 net sales fell to USD 1,620m from USD 1,650m a year earlier, with a net loss of USD 13m versus net income of USD 30m a year earlier
- Europe segment operating profit fell to USD 2m from USD 95m, cutting the segment margin to 0.3% from 13.8%
- Full-year 2026 shipments are now expected to fall 3-4%, with European earnings pressured into the first quarter of 2027
Beatson Clark has started a capital expenditure programme at its Rotherham glass plant. It includes more than USD 4.8m (GBP 3.6m) over the next 12 months for four Euro palletisers, to support trade with European sister business Pont Packaging and wider exports. The programme also scales up the decorating facility opened in August 2024 with new screen printing equipment, and extends hot-end air curtains across the site; the company says these cut airborne particulates by about 95%.
Why this mattersEuro palletisers and expanded decoration add export logistics and premium-finish capacity at Rotherham, aimed at trade with Pont Packaging and personal care, spirits and homeware customers.
- Beatson Clark will spend more than USD 4.8m (GBP 3.6m) over the next 12 months installing four Euro palletisers at Rotherham
- The decorating facility opened in August 2024 is scaling up with new screen printing equipment for precious metal, organic and ceramic inks
- Beatson Clark says it is the first UK glass packaging maker to use air curtains for hot-end swabbing, reporting a roughly 95% cut in airborne particulates
- The palletisers are intended to support trade with European sister business Pont Packaging and the wider export network
- The investment coincides with 275 years of glassmaking since the company's founding in 1751
Gerresheimer reported preliminary third-quarter 2026 revenue of EUR 605m, up 8% year on year. Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 103m against EUR 106m, and the margin fell to 17.1% from 19.0%. After completing the Centor sale in October, Gerresheimer now expects its Primary Packaging Plastics sale to close in the first quarter of 2027. It targets nearly EUR 700m of debt repayment by year-end and expects leverage of about 3x adjusted EBITDA after both disposals. Full-year guidance was maintained.
Why this mattersDisposal proceeds are funding close to EUR 700m of debt repayment, cutting leverage to about 3x, while margins slip slightly despite 8% revenue growth.
- Q3 2026 revenue was EUR 605m, up 8% year on year, with growth in all three segments.
- Q3 2026 adjusted EBITDA was EUR 103m, a 17.1% margin, down EUR 3m year on year.
- Nine-month 2026 revenue was about EUR 1.7bn with adjusted EBITDA of EUR 272m.
- Centor sale completed in October 2026; the Primary Packaging Plastics sale is now expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.
- Nearly EUR 700m of debt is targeted for repayment by year-end; leverage is expected to fall to about 3x adjusted EBITDA after both disposals.
- Full-year guidance maintained at EUR 2.3bn to EUR 2.35bn revenue, 17% to 18% organic adjusted EBITDA margin, and negative EUR 50m to EUR 100m free cash flow before M&A.
Aptar deconsolidated its Russian subsidiary effective 21 September 2026, after a government decree placed it under external administration and the group lost control. It booked a USD 58.0m loss on deconsolidation, including about USD 30m of cash held by the unit, for a total pre-tax impact of USD 61.2m. Third-quarter reported sales rose 6% to USD 1.02bn while adjusted EPS fell 6% to USD 1.52. The board raised the quarterly dividend to USD 0.50 from USD 0.48, and Aptar guided fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of USD 1.39-1.47.
Why this mattersAptar's loss of control over its Russian unit, cash included, shows the remaining exposure of Western packaging groups that kept operations in Russia.
- Russian subsidiary deconsolidated effective 21 September 2026 after a government decree placed it under external administration
- USD 58.0m loss on deconsolidation, including about USD 30m of cash held by the subsidiary
- Total impact USD 61.2m before tax, including about USD 2.6m of receivable reserves and USD 0.5m of legal costs; USD 60.4m after tax, or USD 0.94 per diluted share
- Q3 2026 reported sales rose 6% to USD 1.02bn from USD 961m; core sales up 5%
- Reported EPS fell to USD 0.51 from USD 1.92; adjusted EPS fell 6% to USD 1.52 from USD 1.62
- Quarterly dividend raised to USD 0.50 from USD 0.48; Q4 2026 adjusted EPS guided at USD 1.39-1.47
Valmet and Metsä Fibre have settled their arbitration dispute over the Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland, ending proceedings that began in October 2024. Settlement terms, including any payment, are confidential, and Valmet will record the financial impact as an item affecting comparability in its fourth-quarter 2026 results.
Why this mattersRemoves a multi-year contractual overhang between a leading pulp producer and its mill technology supplier ahead of Valmet's Q4 reporting.
- Metsä Fibre filed for arbitration in October 2024 over the Kemi bioproduct mill, initially claiming about EUR 47 million.
- Metsä Fibre later flagged potential additional claims of about EUR 65 million.
- The open claim against Valmet stood at about EUR 33.5 million at the end of the third quarter of 2026.
- Valmet disputed the claims and pursued counterclaims against Metsä Fibre.
- Settlement terms, including any payment, are confidential.
- Valmet will reflect the financial impact as an item affecting comparability in its Q4 2026 results.
Exchange For Change, the industry-led body delivering the UK's deposit return scheme, has published its first list of reverse vending machines (RVMs) certified for the scheme, alongside artwork guidance for branding and signage. Each machine was tested against 77 requirements by an independent assessor. The scheme is due to launch on 1 October 2027, and intended producer fees are zero until December 2028.
Why this mattersCertification clarifies which RVM models retailers can safely procure, removing a key uncertainty for UK retailers planning deposit return infrastructure ahead of 2027.
- Exchange For Change has published its first list of reverse vending machines certified for the UK deposit return scheme.
- Each machine was tested against 77 separate requirements by an independent specialist assessment provider.
- The UK deposit return scheme is set to launch on 1 October 2027.
- Intended producer fees are zero from October 2027 to December 2028.
- From January 2029 producer fees are expected to rise to USD 0.008 (GBP 0.006) per unit for aluminium and steel containers and USD 0.031 (GBP 0.023) per unit for PET containers.
- A grant scheme is available to help eligible small independent retailers buy a reverse vending machine.
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has proposed in a draft decree that malls, supermarkets, hotels and tourist sites stop handing out single-use plastic bags, cups and food containers free of charge, in place of the outright ban due to apply from this year. The draft pushes the halt to production and import of thin plastic bags back five years to 2031. It recommends ending production and import of single-use straws, cutlery and foam food boxes from 2031, and proposes minimum recycled content of 10% for plastic packaging and 20% for paper packaging.
Why this mattersA five-year delay and a shift from a ban to charges reset compliance timelines for converters in Vietnam, while 10% and 20% recycled-content minimums would create demand for recycled material.
- The draft decree would bar malls, supermarkets, hotels and tourist sites from providing single-use plastics and non-biodegradable bags free of charge.
- The halt to production and import of thin non-biodegradable bags moves back five years to 2031; the threshold is cut to below 30 microns from 50 microns and the size limit is dropped.
- Production and import of single-use straws, cutlery and foam food boxes is recommended to end from 2031.
- Proposed minimum recycled content is 10% for plastic packaging for drinks, food, carrier and shipping bags, and 20% for paper packaging.
- Decree 08/2022 required no single-use plastics at malls, supermarkets, hotels and tourist sites after 2025.
- A ministry waste management official said in June that the ban had not been implemented and that taxes or fees would be more suitable.
Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department widened its paper recycling programme from Thursday to take paper bags, packaging boxes and wrapping paper, in addition to cardboard, newspaper and office paper. Since a pulping facility at EcoPark in Tuen Mun began operating in July, daily waste paper collection has reached a record 1,608 tonnes this month. The designated procurement price that operators must pay has risen to over USD 164 (HKD 1,290) per tonne from USD 153 (HKD 1,200) in July.
Why this mattersLocal pulping backed by floor prices for collectors cuts Hong Kong's reliance on waste paper exports and keeps more recovered fibre at home.
- Recycling of paper bags, packaging boxes and wrapping paper starts Thursday.
- The EcoPark pulping facility in Tuen Mun began operating in July 2026.
- Daily waste paper collection reached a record 1,608 tonnes this month, 4% above last year's average.
- The designated procurement price rose from USD 153 (HKD 1,200) per tonne in July to over USD 164 (HKD 1,290) per tonne.
- Frontline collectors have a guaranteed minimum purchase price of USD 0.08 (HKD 0.65) per kilogram.
- The Waste Paper Pulping and Export Services contract requires operators to buy at or above the designated prices.
Flexible Packaging Europe's quarterly raw material tracker shows European BOPP film prices down 24% in the third quarter of 2026 versus the second quarter, with HDPE and LDPE down 14% and 15% respectively, as prior supply tightness eased. Despite the pullback, BOPP remains 41% higher than a year earlier, and FPE's director general points to continued logistics disruption and elevated energy costs facing converters. BOPA film and aluminium foil moved in opposite directions, up 2% and down 3% respectively, while PET held flat.
Why this mattersEasing BOPP and polyethylene costs give flexible packaging converters some margin relief after a year of sharp input cost inflation, though prices stay well above year-ago levels.
- BOPP 20 micron film prices fell 24% in Q3 2026 versus Q2 2026, per Flexible Packaging Europe data.
- HDPE prices fell 14% and LDPE fell 15% quarter on quarter in the same period.
- Aluminium foil of 7 micron thickness declined 3%, while PET was unchanged.
- Coated one-side paper rose 2% and BOPA film rose 2% quarter on quarter.
- BOPP remains up 41% year on year despite the quarterly fall; HDPE is up 25% and LDPE up 23% versus Q3 2025.
- Wood Mackenzie attributes the BOPP decline to easing supply constraints that had propped up prices in the prior quarter.
Inaplas, Indonesia's olefins, aromatics and plastics industry association, has called for stronger trade defence instruments as Chinese imports of PE, PVC, PET and PTA erode domestic petrochemical production. The association said domestic PE output has fallen from 2m tonnes to about 1.8m tonnes, two of the country's PET plants have stopped production, and industry-wide upstream utilisation has dropped below 70%. It is urging closer coordination with Indonesia's Trade Safeguards Committee (KPPI) to pursue antidumping and safeguard measures.
Why this mattersChinese resin oversupply is idling Indonesian capacity; any antidumping or safeguard duties would lift resin costs for local packaging converters.
- Inaplas secretary-general Fajar Budiono spoke at the Bisnis Indonesia Forum on 29 October 2026
- Domestic polyethylene production fell from about 2m tonnes to about 1.8m tonnes
- PVC imports reached nearly 400,000 tonnes against domestic capacity of 1.2m tonnes
- PET imports reached almost 50% of domestic demand; two PET plants have halted operations, at least one because it could not compete with Chinese product
- Indonesian upstream petrochemical capacity utilisation has fallen below 70%
- China's PP capacity of about 45m tonnes a year against 40m tonnes of domestic demand sends roughly 5m tonnes into Asian markets including Indonesia
The Bureau of International Recycling's Paper Division has asked for at least a six-month postponement of the EU's Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) for recovered paper, which becomes mandatory on 31 December 2026. Speakers at the BIR World Recycling Convention in Malaga on 27 October 2026 said only tens of more than 1,000 Asian paper mills had registered. They warned that Europe could lose outlets for the 6-8 million tonnes of surplus recovered paper it exports each year. No postponement has been agreed; the calls were industry requests.
Why this mattersA registration shortfall could strand millions of tonnes of EU recovered paper, pressuring prices and the economics of municipal collection and sorting.
- DIWASS went live on 21 May 2026 and becomes mandatory for recovered paper shipments to, from and through the EU on 31 December 2026.
- BIR's Paper Division said only tens of more than 1,000 Asian paper plants had registered as of the Malaga convention on 27 October 2026.
- Europe exports 6-8 million tonnes of surplus recovered paper a year, mainly to Asia.
- A separate requirement from 21 May 2027 will require overseas receiving plants to be audited to equivalent European standards.
- Industry speakers cited India, Thailand and Malaysia as destinations with low buyer awareness of the new system.
- No regulatory postponement has been agreed; the calls were industry requests made at the convention.
