Belgian custom label printer Asteria Group has acquired Abbey Labels, a UK self-adhesive label manufacturer founded in the early 1970s that makes more than 500 million labels a year for UK customers on flexographic and digital lines. The deal follows Asteria Group's purchase in August of GT Etiketten & Labels, a label maker based in Schoonebeek, the Netherlands.
Why this mattersThe bolt-on adds UK flexo and digital label capacity to a European roll-up strategy, continuing consolidation among independent label converters.
- Asteria Group has added UK self-adhesive label maker Abbey Labels to its portfolio.
- Abbey Labels makes more than 500 million labels a year for UK customers.
- Abbey Labels runs both flexographic and digital label production.
- Abbey Labels was founded in the early 1970s by Peter Allum and holds AA BRC and ISO 14001 certification.
- Asteria Group acquired GT Etiketten & Labels of Schoonebeek, the Netherlands, in August 2026.
- Asteria Group aims to be a sustainable frontrunner in the European label and packaging industry by 2030.
Burgo Group has legally absorbed its subsidiary Mosaico Spa, with the merger taking effect on 1 November 2026. The Altavilla Vicentina-based group says the move simplifies its corporate structure and integrates management of its activities, particularly in specialty papers.
Why this mattersAbsorbing Mosaico places Burgo's speciality-paper activities under a single legal entity, simplifying the structure behind a segment the group calls strategic.
- Merger of Mosaico Spa into Burgo Group Spa took legal effect on 1 November 2026.
- Burgo Group is headquartered in Altavilla Vicentina, Italy.
- The company describes specialty papers as a strategic segment for the enlarged structure.
- Burgo says the reorganisation aims to pool skills and streamline organisational coordination between the two units.
- Next steps involve integrating functions and processes between the former Mosaico operations and the parent.
Saudi group Nabco National will start up three new plants in Saudi Arabia in January or February 2027, covering paper recycling and conversion, wet wipes, and household and institutional chemical cleaning solutions. The plants, one in the Western Region and two in the Eastern Region, are expected to generate output valued at SAR 150m to 200m in their first year, with half aimed at the domestic market and the rest for export.
Why this mattersThe expansion adds paper-recycling and converting capacity in the Gulf and signals continued diversification by a regional packaging and consumer-products group into export markets.
- Three new plants to start operations in January or February 2027
- First-year output valued at SAR 150m to 200m
- One plant in Saudi Arabia's Western Region, two in the Eastern Region
- Plants cover paper recycling/conversion, wet wipes, and chemical cleaning solutions
- 50% of new output targeted at the Saudi market, remainder for export
- Nabco holds 30-40% share of the Saudi market in some of its product categories, per COO Mazen Faran
Spanish start-up Fibtray has signed a sublicensing agreement with converter Grupo La Plana to produce its cellulose-fibre food tray, which replaces up to 96% of the plastic used in conventional meat and fish trays. Grupo La Plana will manufacture and sell the trays under the deal, targeting capacity of up to 250 million units a year, with commercial sales due to start in December 2026.
Why this mattersA fibre tray that runs on existing thermosealing lines gives meat and fish packers a low-capex route away from plastic trays as PPWR recyclability rules take hold.
- Sublicensing agreement with Grupo La Plana targets production capacity of up to 250 million trays a year
- Commercial sales planned for December 2026 after industrial adjustments in November
- Tray replaces up to 96% of the plastic in conventional food trays with cellulose fibre, leaving 4% plastic
- Patented sealing system allows modified-atmosphere packaging; trays fit existing thermosealing lines without new machinery
- Fibtray licenses its technology to converters rather than building its own plants
- Fibtray raised EUR 250,000 in a round with Redit Ventures and its investment club
The US Department of Commerce has set a preliminary weighted-average dumping margin of 28.52% for International Packaging Limited Company, the only mandatory respondent left in its administrative review of the antidumping order on Vietnamese paper shopping bags covering 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025. The Vietnam-wide rate of 92.34% was not under review and stays in place, and the review was ended for exporters that withdrew their requests. The final results will set assessment rates on past entries and cash deposits on future shipments.
Why this mattersThe final margin will set US cash-deposit costs for the reviewed exporter, while Vietnamese suppliers without a separate rate still face 92.34%.
- Preliminary weighted-average dumping margin of 28.52% for International Packaging Limited Company, the sole remaining mandatory respondent
- Review period runs from 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025
- Vietnam-wide entity rate stays at 92.34% as it was not subject to this review
- Review terminated for Blue Sea Pack Import Export, Goldsun Packaging and Printing and Vietnam Red Star Industry after their requests were withdrawn
- Antidumping order on Vietnamese paper shopping bags took effect on 18 July 2024
- Scope covers paper shopping bags with handles; reference HTSUS codes 4819.30.0040 and 4819.40.0040
Revenue in ITC's Paperboards, Paper and Packaging segment rose 35.85% year on year to USD 317.8m (INR 3,015.85 crore) in the quarter to 30 September 2026. Growth was helped by the Century Pulp and Paper undertaking at Lalkuan, Uttarakhand, acquired on 1 August; like-for-like growth was 10%, and segment operating profit rose 47.59% to USD 29.7m (INR 281.93 crore). Group standalone net profit fell 20% to USD 435.9m (INR 4,137.12 crore) as a cigarette tax increase cut that segment's profit. India has extended its minimum import price on virgin multi-layered paperboard to 31 March 2027.
Why this mattersCentury Pulp adds scale to ITC's paperboard business, and the extended minimum import price keeps Indian virgin-board producers protected against imports until March 2027.
- Paperboards, Paper and Packaging revenue rose 35.85% to USD 317.8m (INR 3,015.85 crore) in the quarter to 30 September 2026; like-for-like growth was 10%
- ITC completed the acquisition of the Century Pulp and Paper undertaking at Lalkuan, Uttarakhand, on 1 August 2026
- Segment operating profit rose 47.59% to USD 29.7m (INR 281.93 crore), with PBIT margin up 320 bps
- India's minimum import price on virgin multi-layered paperboard extended to 31 March 2027
- Standalone net profit fell 20% to USD 435.9m (INR 4,137.12 crore); cigarette segment operating profit fell 27.23% after a tax increase
- Consolidated net revenue rose 5% and consolidated EBITDA fell 16%
Nine Dragons Paper is raising corrugated medium and kraftliner prices by USD 8/t (CNY 50/t) at its Quanzhou and Chongqing bases in China between 3 and 9 November 2026, citing higher costs for recovered paper, coal and chemical auxiliaries. Quanzhou raises corrugated medium from 3 November and recycled kraftliner from 5 November, both for 100 gsm and above. Chongqing follows with corrugated medium from 7 November and Jianglong kraftliner from 9 November.
Why this mattersNine Dragons is passing recovered-paper and coal cost inflation into Chinese containerboard, a test of whether box converters will accept higher board prices.
- Quanzhou base raises corrugated medium (100 gsm and above) by USD 8/t (CNY 50/t) from 3 November 2026
- Quanzhou base raises recycled kraftliner (100 gsm and above) by USD 8/t (CNY 50/t) from 5 November 2026
- Chongqing base raises corrugated medium by USD 8/t (CNY 50/t) from 7 November 2026
- Chongqing base raises Jianglong kraftliner by USD 8/t (CNY 50/t) from 9 November 2026
- Increases attributed to rising costs of recovered paper, coal and chemical auxiliaries
Romanian funding consultancy REI Grup has started building a kraft paper bag factory in Calan, Hunedoara County, through its REI International Consulting unit. The project costs more than EUR 2.5m (USD 2.8m), 61.98% of it covered by non-reimbursable funding from the EU Just Transition programme, with completion planned for the first half of 2027 and a workforce of at least 15.
Why this mattersA consultancy entering kraft bag manufacturing with EU just-transition funding adds small-scale domestic capacity in Romania, where plastic carrier bags have been banned since 2019.
- Total investment exceeds EUR 2.5m (USD 2.8m), with 61.98% non-reimbursable EU funding via the Regional Development and Just Transition Program
- Construction began in the second half of 2026, with completion planned for the first half of 2027
- Plant to produce printed kraft paper bags for e-commerce, food, fashion and cosmetics customers
- Production and storage buildings cover over 1,000 sqm on a 17,000 sqm plot in Calan Industrial Park
- Facility will employ at least 15 people, with 75% from Hunedoara County and a third from vulnerable groups
- Romania banned the sale of plastic bags from January 2019
DS Smith Packaging Sud-Est, part of International Paper, has spent close to EUR 15m (USD 17m) renewing equipment at its Saint-Jean-de-Bournay corrugated plant in Isère, France. Of that, EUR 5m (USD 6m) went on a work-in-progress system with autonomous conveying and a robotic stacker crane, which fully automates the plant's internal logistics. The business has 205 employees, produces 65,000 tonnes of corrugated board a year from recycled paper and had EUR 77m (USD 86m) revenue in 2025. The site director expects broadly stable volumes in 2026 even though lower food consumption is hurting the corrugated market.
Why this mattersAutomating internal logistics at a regional box plant serving mainly food customers shows converters cutting handling costs as food-sector demand for corrugated weakens.
- Close to EUR 15m (USD 17m) spent renewing equipment at the Saint-Jean-de-Bournay plant
- EUR 5m (USD 6m) of that went on a work-in-progress system with autonomous conveying and a robotic stacker crane
- DS Smith Packaging Sud-Est has 205 employees and had EUR 77m (USD 86m) revenue in 2025
- The business produces 65,000 tonnes of corrugated board a year from recycled paper only
- 85% of customers are in the food sector and 15% in industry
- Site director Emmanuel Alriq expects broadly stable 2026 volumes despite weaker food consumption
Culpitt, parent of Doric FPD, has begun a consultation process that could close the Doric FPD manufacturing site in Burnley, Lancashire, putting 71 jobs at risk. The company cited recurring losses at the facility alongside rising material and labour costs. No final decision has been made, and if the closure proceeds the process could run until mid-December or the end of the year.
Why this mattersA UK folded-carton and cake-board specialist facing sustained losses underscores cost pressure on smaller converters serving retail and food packaging.
- 71 employees are potentially affected at the Burnley, Lancashire site.
- The facility makes greaseproof paper liner sheets and folded box boards, including cake collars, pizza discs and takeaway box lids.
- Culpitt cited recurring losses, rising material costs and rising labour costs as the reasons for the proposal.
- A collective consultation of at least 30 days is expected to follow selection of employee representatives, which could take up to 10 days.
- Other UK operations within the Culpitt group, including Doric Crimped and Sugarfayre, are not included in the proposal.
- No closure date has been set and no final decision has been taken.
New Brunswick's government has submitted a confidential bid for privately owned timberlands linked to AV Nackawic's dissolving pulp mill, to secure wood-fibre access as the facility halts production on 4 November 2026. The province has separately engaged AFRY to review options for the mill, including potential buyers, while LandVest markets a related 106,574-acre timberland portfolio with sealed bids due 17 December 2026.
Why this mattersA government move to control fibre supply signals a possible restart path for a major dissolving-pulp asset, shaping regional wood markets and mill employment.
- Mill production is scheduled to stop on 4 November 2026.
- The facility employs approximately 350 people.
- Annual dissolving-pulp capacity is around 190,000 tonnes.
- LandVest's Project Riverwood portfolio covers 106,574 acres (about 43,130 hectares) in York and Carleton counties.
- Sealed bids for the timberland portfolio are due 17 December 2026.
- New Brunswick's government also engaged AFRY to assess options for the mill, including prospective buyers.
Stora Enso reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted EBIT of EUR 161m, up from about EUR 126m a year earlier, while revenue was flat at EUR 2,280m. Net debt fell to EUR 2.5bn and operating cash flow was EUR 245m, but net income excluding extra items dropped to EUR 22m from EUR 198m a year earlier.
Why this mattersStora Enso is rebuilding operating margin on flat sales through volume, cost and pricing gains, but net income of EUR 22m shows the pressure below operating level.
- Q3 2026 adjusted EBIT was EUR 161m, up from about EUR 126m in Q3 2025, a 28% increase
- Q3 2026 revenue was EUR 2,280m, broadly flat versus EUR 2,283m a year earlier
- Net income excluding extra items fell to EUR 22m from EUR 198m, down about 89%
- Basic EPS was EUR 0.01 versus EUR 0.25 in Q3 2025
- Operating cash flow was EUR 245m in the quarter
- Net debt was reduced to EUR 2.5bn
IFCO will build a washing and inspection centre for reusable fresh-produce containers at Alcantarilla, Murcia, in partnership with growers' association PROEXPORT, investing EUR 30m (USD 34m) according to Italian trade coverage and EUR 32.5m (USD 36.5m) according to Spanish regional reporting. Construction starts in December 2026; a first phase of four lines and 70 million washes a year is due in May 2028, and a second phase doubles capacity to 140 million in January 2029. The site will be IFCO's third high-volume service plant in Spain, after Picassent and Yunquera de Henares.
Why this mattersWashing capacity inside Spain's main produce-export region shortens crate turnaround for Murcia growers who now rely on plants outside the region, strengthening IFCO's reusable network.
- Capacity of up to 140 million reusable containers a year once the second phase opens in January 2029
- Investment cited as EUR 30m (USD 34m) in Italian coverage and EUR 32.5m (USD 36.5m) in Spanish regional reporting
- First phase due in May 2028 with four washing lines and 70 million washes a year; construction to start December 2026
- Site in the San Andrés industrial estate covers more than 23,000 sq m
- About 70 direct jobs in the first phase, rising to 140 at full capacity
- Third IFCO high-volume service plant in Spain, after Picassent (Valencia) and Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara)
Jindal Poly Films has filed a petition before the NCLT in New Delhi against Project Holdings Fourteen (DIFC), an investment vehicle affiliated with Brookfield Corporation, alleging oppression and mismanagement at subsidiary IPFL Films. The filing follows a Singapore arbitration notice served by the investor on 16 October 2026 and a separate Delhi High Court petition for interim measures; financial implications are not yet quantifiable.
Why this mattersA cross-border dispute over IPFL Films, a material subsidiary, leaves Jindal Poly Films facing parallel proceedings in Singapore, the Delhi High Court and the NCLT.
- Jindal Poly Films filed an NCLT petition on 2 November 2026 under Sections 241, 242 and 244 of the Companies Act, 2013.
- The dispute concerns IPFL Films Private Limited, a material subsidiary of Jindal Poly Films.
- Project Holdings Fourteen (DIFC) Limited, a Brookfield-affiliated vehicle, holds 20 equity shares and all 79,990 compulsorily convertible preference shares of IPFL Films.
- The investor served a Singapore International Arbitration Centre notice dated 16 October 2026 alleging breach of a shareholders' agreement dated 16 March 2022.
- Jindal Poly Films objected to the tribunal's jurisdiction on 25 October 2026, arguing the matter falls under NCLT jurisdiction.
- The investor also filed a Section 9 petition at the Delhi High Court for interim measures, received by the company on 30 October 2026.
Filling & Packing Materials Manufacturing Co (FIPCO) has renewed Shariah-compliant credit facilities worth SAR 43.61m with Riyad Bank, the Saudi packaging maker said on 2 November 2026. The facilities, agreed on 30 September 2026, cover working capital, letters of credit and guarantee, and financing for replacement machinery and equipment, with tenors of 12 to 48 months.
Why this mattersThe renewal keeps working-capital and machinery-replacement funding in place at FIPCO for up to 48 months, a rollover rather than new expansion financing.
- Facilities total SAR 43.61m, renewed with Riyad Bank.
- Agreement concluded on 30 September 2026; disclosed to Tadawul on 2 November 2026.
- Tenors range from 12 months for working capital to 48 months for medium-term financing.
- Funds cover working capital, letters of credit, letters of guarantee and short-term credit, plus machinery replacement.
- Promissory notes issued to Riyad Bank as guarantee; no related parties involved in the agreement.
PT Argha Karya Prima Industry Tbk, an Indonesian plastic packaging and speciality chemicals producer, reported net profit attributable to owners of IDR 110.75bn for the nine months to 30 September 2026, up from IDR 3.16bn a year earlier, on net sales of IDR 2.77 trillion, up 24% year on year. Operating cash flow fell to IDR 43.47bn from IDR 146.97bn as trade receivables rose to IDR 958.62bn from IDR 638.46bn and short-term bank borrowings increased to IDR 911.84bn from IDR 786.85bn.
Why this mattersA sharp swing to profit alongside shrinking operating cash flow signals improving core margins but rising working-capital and debt pressure at the company.
- Nine-month net profit attributable to owners rose to IDR 110.75bn from IDR 3.16bn a year earlier
- Net sales grew 24% to IDR 2.77 trillion from IDR 2.23 trillion
- Operating profit more than tripled to IDR 208.48bn from IDR 62.99bn
- Operating cash flow fell to IDR 43.47bn from IDR 146.97bn as trade receivables rose to IDR 958.62bn
- Short-term bank borrowings rose to IDR 911.84bn from IDR 786.85bn at end-2025
- Total assets stood at IDR 4.07 trillion as of 30 September 2026, up from IDR 3.64 trillion at end-2025
Envirotainer has appointed Roxane Dufour as Chief Financial Officer, effective 2 November 2026, succeeding interim CFO Marcus Brüning. Dufour joins the Executive Management Team from Global Blue, where she was Group CFO, and previously held senior finance roles at Edenred and Accor.
Why this mattersEnvirotainer replaces an interim arrangement with a permanent finance chief who led major corporate transactions at Global Blue, as it pursues its stated growth ambitions.
- Roxane Dufour becomes CFO of Envirotainer effective 2 November 2026.
- She joins the company's Executive Management Team and leads global finance.
- She was previously Group CFO of Global Blue.
- She held earlier senior finance roles at Edenred and Accor.
- She succeeds Marcus Brüning, who served as Interim CFO.
- Envirotainer CEO is Aymeric Chandavoine.
United Airlines is replacing its plastic cups for cold and alcoholic drinks, and its hot-drink paper cup, with a single dual-layer paper cup with a water-based coating. The fleet-wide switch is timed to its November in-flight menu, after a rollout that began on 1 August 2026 on selected international and United Express flights. United expects the change to remove 250 million single-use plastic cups a year; the switch also brings it into line with regulations in several international destinations it serves.
Why this mattersA major airline's fleet-wide move from plastic to a universal paper cup signals growing brand-owner demand for mono-material, recyclable foodservice packaging ahead of tightening plastics rules.
- The switch is expected to eliminate 250 million single-use plastic cups a year.
- One dual-layer paper cup with a water-based coating replaces plastic cups and the former hot-drink paper cup for hot, cold and alcoholic drinks.
- Rollout began on 1 August 2026 on selected international and United Express flights.
- Fleet-wide completion is timed to the November 2026 in-flight menu.
- The new cups are described as recyclable and compostable.
- The switch brings United into line with regulations in several international destinations it serves.
SCG Chemicals (SCGC) and PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) have agreed key terms, including shareholding structure, to combine their olefin and polyolefin businesses in Thailand into a joint venture. The companies plan to launch the JV in the second half of 2027, following a period of study into the tie-up.
Why this mattersA combined SCGC-PTTGC venture would merge two Thai olefin and polyolefin businesses into one supplier, changing the counterparty for packaging converters buying resin from either.
- SCG Chemicals and PTT Global Chemical have reached agreement on key terms for a joint venture.
- The JV would combine the two companies' olefin and polyolefin businesses in Thailand.
- Terms agreed include the shareholding structure and transaction details.
- The joint venture is planned to be formed in the second half of 2027.
Repsol is approaching the startup of two polyolefin plants at its Sines refining and chemicals complex in Portugal, each with capacity of 300,000 mt per year for LLDPE and PP respectively. The plants were originally due to start up in 2025. Repsol reported a narrower chemical margin in the third quarter of 2026 after a surge in the second quarter.
Why this mattersAn added 600,000 mt/year of European LLDPE and PP capacity, once live, adds to resin supply that converters of flexible and rigid packaging buy as feedstock.
- Repsol is nearing startup of two polyolefin plants at its Sines site in Portugal.
- Each plant has capacity of 300,000 mt/year, one for LLDPE and one for PP.
- The plants were originally scheduled to start up in 2025.
- Repsol's chemical margin narrowed in the third quarter of 2026 after a surge in the second quarter.
The EU decision on harmonised PPWR pictograms for sorting packaging waste has been postponed to the second quarter of 2027, Swedish packaging producer responsibility organisation NPA reports. The rules were originally due in August 2026; mandatory labelling in member states is now expected only from around mid-2029. The Nordic countries' existing sorting-symbol system will have to be adapted once the harmonised labelling applies.
Why this mattersA later deadline gives brand owners and converters more time to redesign pack labelling but extends the uncertainty over PPWR compliance timelines sector-wide.
- Decision on EU PPWR pictograms postponed to Q2 2027
- Original deadline for the rules was August 2026
- Mandatory labelling now expected to apply from around mid-2029
- Pictograms will show waste sorting, reusability, deposit-system and recycled/bio-based content information
- Nordic countries' existing sorting-symbol system will need adapting to the EU harmonised labelling
- Reported by Swedish producer responsibility organisation NPA
Campo Limpio, Argentina's recovery system for empty agrochemical containers, has collected more than 27 million kg of plastic packaging since it began, institutional relations manager Juan Manuel Medina said. Its network grew from seven to 94 storage centres in 22 provinces over five years, and the industry has invested more than USD 100m in the system. Recovered plastic goes to provincially licensed operators that make posts, rods and corrugated pipe for mining sites, and Campo Limpio has its first agrochemical drum made with 35% recycled plastic from recovered containers.
Why this mattersAn industry-funded network now feeding recovered plastic back into agrochemical drums shows closed-loop rigid packaging taking hold in a major farm economy.
- Campo Limpio has recovered over 27 million kg of empty agrochemical packaging since it began.
- The storage network grew from 7 to 94 centres over five years, covering 22 Argentine provinces.
- Industry has invested more than USD 100m in running the system.
- Recovered plastic is converted by provincially licensed operators into posts, rods and corrugated pipe for mining installations.
- Campo Limpio has a first agrochemical drum made with 35% recycled plastic from recovered containers.
Vietnam's government has approved a strategy for the paper industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045, targeting average annual growth of at least 10% in paper and pulp output and at least 4% annual growth in exports. The plan calls for at least three dedicated raw-material forestry zones, three paper industrial parks, consolidation of small mills from 2030, and a domestic recovered-paper collection rate above 60%.
Why this mattersThe strategy sets investment and capacity benchmarks that will shape where paper and packaging-board producers can build mills and secure fibre in one of Asia's fastest-growing markets.
- Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc signed Decision No. 2082 on 2 November 2026 approving Vietnam's paper industry strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.
- Target: average annual growth of at least 10% in combined paper and pulp output through 2030.
- Target: paper export revenue to grow by at least 4% a year to 2030.
- Plan calls for at least three key pulpwood raw-material zones in the north, centre and Central Highlands.
- Government will encourage development of at least three dedicated paper industrial parks across north, centre and south Vietnam.
- From 2030, small-capacity mills are to be restructured or merged into these industrial parks; domestic recovered-paper collection is targeted above 60%.
The US International Trade Commission has made affirmative preliminary determinations that a US industry may have been materially injured by imports of corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes from China, Malaysia and Turkey, allegedly sold below fair value, with Turkey also accused of receiving government subsidies. The decision lets the Department of Commerce proceed with its antidumping and countervailing-duty investigations; no duties have yet been imposed. The commission's public report is due by 18 December 2026.
Why this mattersA final affirmative ruling would raise landed costs for Chinese, Malaysian and Turkish corrugated box imports, shifting US demand toward domestic converters.
- USITC made affirmative preliminary injury determinations on 2 November 2026 covering corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes from China, Malaysia and Turkey
- Allegations include sales below fair value from all three countries and government subsidies in Turkey
- The decision allows the Department of Commerce to continue its antidumping and countervailing-duty investigations
- Findings are preliminary and do not impose definitive duties
- Case numbers are 701-TA-806 and 731-TA-1805-1807
- Commission's public report, Publication 5810, is due by 18 December 2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council's Standing Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade has opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports from India, China and Thailand of uncoated writing, printing and graphic paper in reels or rectangular or square sheets. The decision followed a preliminary report from the GCC Technical Secretariat. The initiation notice was published in the Secretariat's official bulletin, issue 59, on 2 November 2026.
Why this mattersA finding of dumping could lead to duties on uncoated graphic paper imports into the six GCC states, raising costs and reshaping supply for paper buyers in the region.
- The GCC Standing Committee decided to open the anti-dumping investigation, as announced by the GCC Secretariat General
- Product covered: uncoated paper for writing, printing or graphic use, in reels or rectangular or square sheets
- Countries covered: India, China and Thailand, as country of origin or export
- Initiation notice published in the Technical Secretariat bulletin, issue 59, dated 2 November 2026
- Decision based on a preliminary report by the Technical Secretariat office
- Legal basis: the GCC unified anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard law and the relevant WTO agreement
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has proposed, in a draft decree under the Environmental Protection Law, replacing the planned ban on single-use plastics in shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels and tourist sites with a rule that such items and non-biodegradable bags may not be given away free. The draft pushes the end of production and import of plastic straws, cutlery, foam food boxes and thin non-biodegradable bags back to 2031. It also proposes minimum recycled content of 10% in plastic packaging and 20% in paper packaging.
Why this mattersThe delay and new recycled content mandates reshape compliance timelines and material sourcing for converters and brand owners in Vietnam.
- Draft decree replaces a ban with a restriction: single-use plastics and non-biodegradable bags may not be supplied free at shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels and tourist sites
- Halt to production and import of straws, cutlery and foam food containers proposed from 2031
- Halt for thin non-biodegradable plastic bags pushed back five years to 2031; thickness threshold cut from under 50 µm to under 30 µm
- Minimum recycled content proposed at 10% for plastic packaging for food, drinks, carrier bags and goods transport, and 20% for paper packaging
- Decree 08/2022 had required these venues to stop using single-use plastics after 2025
