The US Department of Justice has issued grand jury subpoenas to International Paper, Smurfit Westrock and Packaging Corporation of America as part of an antitrust investigation into containerboard pricing, run out of the Northern District of Illinois. The companies disclosed the subpoenas, issued in September 2026, in SEC filings in the first week of November 2026 and say they are cooperating; no charges have been announced. The probe follows a private class action alleging coordinated price increases, which a federal judge allowed to proceed to discovery on 4 September 2026.
Why this mattersA grand jury antitrust probe of three major North American containerboard producers adds legal exposure while 2026 containerboard prices run about 20% above year-earlier levels.
- DOJ grand jury subpoenas issued in September 2026 to Smurfit Westrock, International Paper and Packaging Corporation of America
- Investigation is based in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Companies disclosed the subpoenas in SEC quarterly filings in the first week of November 2026
- 2026 containerboard prices are running roughly 20% above the same point in 2025 after three announced increases
- A separate private class action filed in July 2025 alleges near-lockstep price increases since November 2020
- Judge Mary M. Rowland denied motions to dismiss the class action on 4 September 2026, allowing discovery to proceed
Mativ reported third-quarter 2026 net sales down nearly 3% to USD 500m and adjusted EBITDA down 7% to USD 62m, after a July tornado cut sales by an estimated USD 20m to 25m and added distribution costs. Growth in the Filtration & Advanced Materials segment, up more than 11% organically, partly offset the disruption. Management expects volume growth in both segments in the fourth quarter but a low-single-digit percentage decline in adjusted EBITDA due to tariffs, storm-related inefficiencies and healthcare destocking.
Why this mattersA single weather event cost Mativ USD 20m-25m of quarterly sales, showing how exposed its paper and packaging business is to disruption in its distribution network.
- Q3 2026 net sales fell nearly 3% year over year to USD 500m, organic sales down more than 2%
- Adjusted EBITDA fell 7% to USD 62m, margin down 50 basis points to 12.5%
- July tornado reduced Q3 sales by an estimated USD 20m to 25m, CFO Scott Minder said
- Filtration & Advanced Materials segment sales rose more than 10% reported and more than 11% organically to USD 219m; adjusted EBITDA up 20% to USD 40m
- Specialty films revenue for commercial space applications rose more than 30% year over year
- Net debt stood at USD 879m, with leverage targeted within 2.5x to 3.5x by mid-2027
Quebec's deposit-return system is being extended to milk and juice cartons, adding about 600 million containers a year that must now be recovered through Consignaction's network rather than kerbside collection. The province has only one qualified recycler, Sustana's Levis plant, whose current 3,000-4,000 tonne annual capacity falls well short of the 13,000-15,000 tonnes expected once the scheme is fully ramped up; Sustana plans a CAD 10m (USD 7m) upgrade, but it will not be ready until end 2028, against a regulatory requirement for 80% of these containers to be recovered locally by 2030.
Why this mattersQuebec's deposit mandate is outrunning local carton recycling capacity, leaving one recycler's 2028 expansion as the main route to the 80% local-recovery target.
- Quebec's deposit-return system is extending to milk and juice cartons, adding roughly 600 million containers a year to the scheme.
- Consignaction, the scheme operator, expects 13,000-15,000 tonnes of multilayer cartons annually once ramped up, starting at 5,000-8,000 tonnes.
- Sustana's Levis plant is currently the only Quebec recycler able to process this carton material, with capacity of 3,000-4,000 tonnes a year.
- Quebec regulation requires 80% of these containers to be recovered locally by 2030.
- Sustana plans a CAD 10m (USD 7m) investment to expand and modernise the Levis plant, due to be operational only at end 2028.
- From 1 March, about 5 billion beverage containers will fall under the deposit system, with 182 of 400 planned return points open plus 800 retailer points.
Sofidel has brought online a 4.65 megawatt photovoltaic system at its Circleville, Ohio tissue plant, mounted on the warehouse built during the mill's recent expansion. The 8,010-panel array helped avoid about 1,084 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions between January and June 2026. The project follows the start-up of Circleville's third paper machine, which took the plant's annual capacity above 200,000 tonnes.
Why this mattersOn-site renewable power at a newly expanded US mill shows tissue producers pairing capacity growth with decarbonisation to manage energy costs and emissions exposure.
- The photovoltaic system has 8,010 panels and 4.65 megawatts of installed capacity.
- It is installed on the roof of the reel warehouse built during Circleville's expansion.
- The system avoided about 1,084 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions from January to June 2026.
- Circleville's third paper machine lifted the plant's annual capacity to over 200,000 tonnes.
- Sofidel also runs a biomass boiler at its Frouard, France plant and a solar system at Rothley Lodge, UK.
- Sofidel rejoined CDP's Supplier Engagement Assessment Leaderboard in 2026 after an 'A' rating in 2025.
Lee & Man Paper expects its Guigang plant in Guangxi, with 750,000 tonnes a year of pulp capacity and 300,000 tonnes of tissue capacity, to start operating in August 2027, adding fluff pulp for products such as baby diapers and sanitary napkins, its chief executive said in an interview published on 5 November 2026. Attributable net profit for the first half of 2026 rose 69.3% to USD 175m (HKD 1,373m), which he attributed to recovering containerboard demand and better tissue margins. The dividend payout ratio stays at about 35% of net profit.
Why this mattersFluff pulp output in Guangxi would give Lee & Man a domestic hygiene feedstock in a Chinese market that has relied largely on US imports.
- Guigang, Guangxi plant: 750,000 tonnes pulp and 300,000 tonnes tissue capacity, start-up expected August 2027
- The plant adds fluff pulp, which China has largely imported from the US, with few domestic producers
- H1 2026 attributable net profit rose 69.3% year on year to USD 175m (HKD 1,373m)
- Malaysia (1.4m tonnes) and Vietnam (550,000 tonnes) bases are running at high utilisation
- Group targets raising tissue to 20%-30% of group revenue over coming years
- Dividend payout ratio held at about 35% of net profit
Shanying International said on 3 November 2026 that chairman and controlling shareholder Wu Mingwu is under investigation by the China Securities Regulatory Commission over suspected insider trading and short-swing trading; the company says the case concerns him personally and is unrelated to its operations. The shares fell by the daily limit intraday on 4 November and closed at USD 0.16 (CNY 1.05). The containerboard producer's nine-month 2026 net loss widened to USD 171m (CNY 1.143bn) as gross margin fell to 4.37% from 7.91%.
Why this mattersA governance probe into the controlling shareholder of a top Chinese containerboard producer adds uncertainty for a company already hit by margin compression from industry overcapacity.
- CSRC opened a case against chairman and controlling shareholder Wu Mingwu over suspected insider trading and short-swing trading, disclosed on 3 November 2026
- Shares hit limit-down intraday on 4 November 2026 and closed at USD 0.16 (CNY 1.05)
- Nine-month 2026 net loss attributable to shareholders was USD 171m (CNY 1.143bn), a 294.64% deterioration year on year
- Gross margin fell to 4.37% in the first nine months of 2026 from 7.91% a year earlier
- Nine-month 2026 revenue was USD 3.240bn (CNY 21.612bn), up 2.26% year on year
- Shanying said the investigation concerns the individual and is unrelated to its operations
M.A.H.Y. Khoory Group is investing more than AED 1 billion in a new PM4 paper machine at Union Paper Mills' Al Dhafra plant in Abu Dhabi, adding premium containerboard and gypsum-liner grades. The project headlines over AED 1.3 billion of paper mill investments unveiled at Propaper Dubai 2026, including capacity additions by Star Paper Mill, Oryx Paper Mills and Keryas Paper Industry across the UAE and Oman.
Why this mattersMore than AED 1.3bn of new containerboard, kraft and tissue capacity in the UAE and Oman adds regional supply and competition in Gulf packaging paper.
- M.A.H.Y. Khoory Group plans to invest more than AED 1 billion in PM4 at Union Paper Mills' Al Dhafra plant, Abu Dhabi, for containerboard and gypsum-liner paper
- Star Paper Mill's AED 200 million recycled containerboard plant in KEZAD Abu Dhabi started output in April 2026 and reached 50% of its 135,000 tonnes per year capacity by September
- Oryx Paper Mills is building an integrated kraft paper plant at KEZAD Al Ma'mourah targeting Q1 2028 commercial start-up with 150,000 tonnes per year capacity
- Keryas Paper Industry signed an MoU with Al Karama Hypermarket Group for a 20,000 tonnes per year tissue plant in Sohar Industrial City, Oman, with investment of about USD 12 million
- Total investments announced at Propaper Dubai 2026 exceed AED 1.3 billion
TCPL Packaging is setting up a subsidiary, TCPL Energy Materials Limited, to manufacture lithium-ion battery separator films for the electric vehicle sector, alongside its core packaging business. The move was disclosed with second-quarter FY27 results published on 5 November 2026, in which net profit rose 58% to USD 4.82m (INR 453m) and revenue rose 20% to USD 60.1m (INR 5,646m). The report gave no investment amount or timetable for the venture.
Why this mattersA packaging converter moving into battery separator films shows packaging groups looking for growth in adjacent materials markets outside packaging.
- TCPL Packaging will form a subsidiary, TCPL Energy Materials Limited, to make lithium-ion battery separator films for the EV sector
- Q2 FY27 net profit rose 58% year on year to USD 4.82m (INR 453m)
- Q2 FY27 revenue rose 20% to USD 60.1m (INR 5,646m)
- EBITDA rose 27.5% to USD 10.66m (INR 1,001m), exceeding USD 10.65m (INR 1,000m) for the first time
- Operating margin rose 101 basis points to 17.7%
- Cash profit rose 44.2% to USD 9.04m (INR 849m)
India's National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench, has sanctioned the amalgamation of Pakka Impact Limited into listed Pakka Limited, the company told exchanges on 6 November 2026. Pakka had a market value of about USD 35.9m (INR 337 crore) at the time.
Why this mattersThe ruling folds Pakka Impact into the listed company, simplifying the structure of a micro-cap Indian producer.
- Pakka disclosed the sanction by the National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench, Prayagraj to exchanges on 6 November 2026
- The scheme amalgamates Pakka Impact Limited into Pakka Limited
- Pakka's market value was about USD 35.9m (INR 337 crore) at disclosure
- Q2 FY27 consolidated revenue was USD 25.7m (INR 241 crore), up from USD 12.5m (INR 117 crore) in Q1 FY27
Bohui Paper's newly constituted 12th board held its first meeting on 4 November 2026, unanimously re-electing Lin Xinyang as chairman for the new term. The board also appointed Liu Jichun as general manager and filled other senior posts, alongside new line-ups for its four board committees.
Why this mattersContinuity in leadership signals steady strategic direction at this Chinese integrated pulp and paper group, with no change of course expected.
- Bohui Paper's board held its first meeting of the 12th term on 4 November 2026
- Lin Xinyang was re-elected chairman with 9 votes for, none against and none abstaining
- Liu Jichun was appointed general manager, with new appointments also made for CFO, board secretary and two deputy general managers
- Four board committees (nomination, strategy and ESG, audit, remuneration) were staffed, each chaired by a different director
- Lin Xinyang also heads the strategy and ESG committee
South Africa's trade regulator Itac has introduced a provisional 21% safeguard duty on imported A3 and A4 office paper, following an application by Mondi South Africa backed by Sappi. Sappi CEO Steve Binnie said the tariff alone will not restore competitiveness and called for fixes to ports, rail and electricity supply, while also seeking protection against newsprint imports. Port of Durban congestion delayed about 38,000 tonnes of Sappi's dissolving wood pulp shipments in its fourth quarter.
Why this mattersA 21% duty shields South African office paper producers from imports, but port, rail and power constraints still limit their competitiveness, as Sappi's delayed pulp shipments show.
- Itac imposed a provisional 21% safeguard duty on imported A3 and A4 office paper
- Mondi South Africa applied for the duty, supported by Sappi
- Sappi is separately seeking protection against newsprint imports
- Port of Durban congestion delayed about 38,000 tonnes of Sappi dissolving wood pulp in Q4
- Sappi generates about 65% of its own power and relies on Eskom for roughly a third of electricity
- Dissolving wood pulp prices rose USD 22 a tonne during the quarter to about USD 920
Ence reported net profit of over EUR 10m (USD 11m) for the third quarter of 2026, its second consecutive profitable quarter, while its nine-month net loss narrowed to EUR 6.9m (USD 7.7m) from EUR 22m (USD 25m) a year earlier. The Spanish pulp and renewable energy group cited higher short-fibre pulp (BHKP) prices, which averaged EUR 1,195 (USD 1,334) per tonne in the quarter, up 35% year on year, and renewable energy EBITDA that nearly tripled from the second quarter.
Why this mattersA sustained hardwood pulp price recovery is restoring margins at market pulp producers and raising fibre costs for tissue and paper makers that buy BHKP.
- Q3 2026 net profit exceeded EUR 10m (USD 11m), the second consecutive profitable quarter
- Nine-month net loss narrowed to EUR 6.9m (USD 7.7m) from EUR 22m (USD 25m) in the same period of 2025
- Average BHKP price was EUR 1,195 (USD 1,334) per tonne in Q3, up 35% year on year
- Q3 consolidated EBITDA reached EUR 46m (USD 51m), up about 70% quarter on quarter
- Nine-month EBITDA rose 5.2% year on year to EUR 74.4m (USD 83.1m)
- Nine-month revenue totalled EUR 571m (USD 638m), up 2% year on year
Chenming Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Chenming Paper, has notified the company that a court plans to auction about 21.2006m of its A-shares. Should the auction go through in full, Chenming Holdings' stake would fall from 27.17% to 26.45% of total share capital, with control of the company unaffected.
Why this mattersA modest forced sale trims the controlling shareholder's stake without altering governance, limiting read-through for Chenming's strategy or creditors.
- Chenming Holdings currently holds 799,086,869 shares of Chenming Paper, 27.17% of total share capital
- A court plans to auction approximately 21,200,600 of these A-shares
- If fully sold, the stake would fall to 777,886,286 shares, or 26.45% of total share capital
- Chenming Paper states the auction will not change control of the company
- The company says the sale will have no significant adverse impact on governance or operations
- Disclosure made via a letter from Chenming Holdings to Chenming Paper, reported 6 November 2026
Ardagh Metal Packaging is accelerating and upsizing previously announced investments to build two new beverage can lines at existing plants in the UK and Spain, backed by customer commitments, with growth capital expenditure rising from USD 90m in 2026 to approximately USD 250m in 2027. The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to USD 785m-795m after third-quarter adjusted EBITDA of USD 213m beat its forecast on 2% global shipment growth, led by a 6% rise in Europe.
Why this mattersCustomer-backed can lines in the UK and Spain, where AMP says European capacity is tight, add supply from 2028 and signal sustained beverage can demand.
- Growth capex to rise from USD 90m in 2026 to approximately USD 250m in 2027 to fund two new can lines in the UK and Spain
- AMP expects the new lines to drive meaningful European adjusted EBITDA growth from 2028
- Full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to USD 785m-795m
- Q3 2026 adjusted EBITDA was USD 213m, ahead of management's guidance
- Europe Q3 revenue rose 11% to USD 693m and adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to USD 91m, with shipments up 6%
- Net leverage stood at 5.1x adjusted EBITDA and liquidity was USD 736m at quarter end
A&C International Packaging, part of Camel Group, has inaugurated an aluminium packaging plant at the Quan Ngang Industrial Park in Quang Tri province, Vietnam, with total planned investment of VND 2,700bn. The first phase, costing almost VND 2,300bn, gives the plant capacity for 700 million units a year, rising to a design capacity of 1 billion units a year at full build-out; the company says the plant is aimed at supplying the beverage packaging supply chain with recyclable aluminium products.
Why this mattersUp to 1 billion units a year of new aluminium packaging capacity in central Vietnam widens supply options for beverage producers in the region.
- Plant inaugurated 6 November 2026 at Quan Ngang Industrial Park, Gio Linh, Quang Tri province, Vietnam
- Total investment VND 2,700bn across a site of almost 10 hectares
- Design capacity 1 billion packaging units per year at full build-out
- Phase 1 investment of nearly VND 2,300bn delivers capacity of 700 million units per year
- Plant produces recyclable aluminium packaging aimed at the beverage supply chain
- Automated production lines for forming, surface treatment, printing and coating were imported from the US and Europe
Tinplate maker Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein has had its recycled tin supply chain independently audited by DEKRA for the first time, covering recovery partners Nederlandse Onttinningsfabriek and Aurubis Beerse. The company now sources 22% of its tin needs from recycled material, recovered from its own production scrap and from customers' tinplate offcuts.
Why this mattersThird-party verification of a 22% recycled-tin share gives can makers auditable secondary-material data and a closed loop for their own tinplate scrap.
- Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein sources 22% of its tin requirement from recycled secondary tin
- DEKRA audited the secondary tin supply chain for the first time
- Audit covered Nederlandse Onttinningsfabriek, Europe's largest tinplate detinning plant, and Aurubis Beerse, which produces secondary tin of up to 99.99% purity
- The company has used secondary tin for about five years, supported by its subsidiary DWR
- Primary tin comes from long-term partners in Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Thailand under EU Regulation 2017/821
- Tin coating on tinplate is usually 1.0-11.2 g/m2
Cosmo First reported Q2 FY27 profit after tax of USD 10.5m (INR 99 crore), up 111% year on year, as net revenue rose 51% to USD 147.8m (INR 1,388 crore) and EBITDA rose 38% to USD 18.8m (INR 177 crore). The quarter included a USD 2.6m (INR 24.8 crore) write-back from a US customs-duty refund and a benefit from a concessional tax regime, while EBITDA margin fell to 12.8% from 14.0%. The speciality films group plans to add 16,000 tonnes of chemical-coated film capacity and a 10,000-tonne nine-layer barrier-sheet line in the second half of FY27.
Why this mattersCosmo First's doubled profit rests partly on a one-off US duty refund and a tax change; EBITDA margin fell 120 basis points as revenue outgrew EBITDA.
- Q2 FY27 profit after tax rose 111% to USD 10.5m (INR 99 crore) from USD 5.0m (INR 47 crore)
- Net revenue rose 51% to USD 147.8m (INR 1,388 crore); EBITDA rose 38% to USD 18.8m (INR 177 crore)
- EBITDA included a USD 2.6m (INR 24.8 crore) US customs-duty write-back and a USD 0.7m (INR 7 crore) stock loss
- EBITDA margin fell to 12.8% from 14.0%
- Net debt fell to USD 112.5m (INR 1,057 crore) at September 2026 from USD 123.4m (INR 1,159 crore) at March 2026, 1.9x EBITDA
- H2 FY27 additions planned: 16,000 tonnes of chemical-coated film and 10,000 tonnes of nine-layer barrier sheet capacity
Polyplex Corporation has signed a letter agreement with investor AGP HoldCo and members of its Promoter Group to revisit timelines under a 2023 call and put option agreement and shareholders' agreement. The parties aim to finalise a formal amendment by 15 January 2027. The letter agreement does not currently change Polyplex's shareholding, board composition or control.
Why this mattersReworked put and call timelines with 24.28% shareholder AGP HoldCo leave Polyplex's future ownership structure open until the amendment, targeted by 15 January 2027, is signed.
- Letter agreement dated 6 November 2026 between Polyplex, AGP HoldCo and the Promoter Group.
- Original call and put option agreement and shareholders' agreement were dated 3 October 2023.
- Target date to finalise a formal amendment agreement is 15 January 2027.
- AGP HoldCo holds 24.28% of Polyplex shares; the Promoter Group holds 26.68% collectively.
- The investor has one nominee on Polyplex's board and on the board of its material Thai subsidiary.
- The interim CPA and SHA remain in full force pending the formal amendment.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has lowered its adjusted EBITDA margin guidance for financial year 2026/27 to 5.6-6.6 per cent, having previously expected an improvement on the prior year's 6.6 per cent. The company cited a weaker global economic environment, cost pressure, an unfavourable product mix linked to Middle East developments, and delays in its Technologies segment, while keeping its forecast of stable group sales unchanged. Full first-half results are due on 12 November 2026.
Why this mattersHeidelberg's margin cut, despite higher order intake, shows cost pressure, Middle East mix effects and project delays squeezing a leading printing-press maker.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance for FY2026/27 cut to 5.6-6.6 per cent, from an expected improvement on the prior year's 6.6 per cent
- H1 FY2026/27 adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 3.7 per cent from 6.4 per cent a year earlier, though it recovered to 6.4 per cent in Q2 alone
- H1 sales were EUR 913m, down from EUR 985m a year earlier; Q2 sales were EUR 509m versus EUR 519m
- H1 net result after tax was EUR -9m versus EUR 0m a year earlier; free cash flow was EUR -125m versus EUR -64m
- Incoming orders rose to EUR 1,141m in H1 from EUR 1,111m a year earlier
- Full FY2026/27 group sales are still expected to be stable versus the prior year's EUR 2,293m (USD 2,560m)
LyondellBasell's CEO Peter Vanacker said the group's second MoReTec chemical recycling plant is now expected to be sited in Europe rather than the US, citing stronger regulatory backing for circularity, though no final investment decision has been taken. The shift follows the group's 30 October agreement to sell its former Houston refinery site, once earmarked as a potential second recycling hub, to Valero for USD 320.5m in cash, a deal expected to close by end-2026.
Why this mattersLyondellBasell's preference for Europe over the US for a second MoReTec plant ties chemical recycling capacity to regulatory support, favouring European supply of circular polymers.
- CEO Peter Vanacker said on the Q3 2026 analyst call that MoReTec-2 is now more likely to be built in Europe than in the US, citing stronger regulatory support for circularity there.
- No final location or investment decision has been made; LyondellBasell postponed the MoReTec-2 investment decision last year and revised its circularity volume and value targets earlier this year.
- The first MoReTec plant, a semi-industrial unit, is under construction in Wesseling, Germany, and must be commissioned before MoReTec-2 proceeds.
- On 30 October LyondellBasell agreed to sell its former Houston refinery site, once considered for a second integrated recycling hub, to Valero for USD 320.5m in cash.
- The Houston sale is expected to close by end-2026 subject to regulatory approval and is forecast to improve LyondellBasell's annual cash flow by USD 50m-100m.
- The refinery at the Houston site was shut down in 2025.
Spain will miss the 22 November 2026 legal deadline to launch its deposit, return and refund system (SDDR) for drinks containers, after a dispute between the central and Madrid regional governments left none of the four applicant operators authorised. Collection continues through yellow kerbside bins, and Spain could face EU penalties in a little over two years if it fails to recover 90% of the targeted containers.
Why this mattersWithout an authorised operator, fillers, retailers and reverse-vending suppliers cannot plan Spanish deposit-system investment, and bottle collection stays on kerbside bins that reached only 43%.
- Spain's SDDR for drinks cans and bottles up to three litres was due by 22 November 2026 and will not start on time
- Consumers would pay a deposit of about EUR 0.10 per container, refunded on return
- Law 7/2022 sets single-use plastic bottle collection targets of 70% in 2023, 77% in 2025, 85% in 2027 and 90% in 2029
- The 2023 collection rate was just over 43% against the 70% target, triggering the requirement for a deposit scheme
- Ecoembes, Procircular, CorePET and Asociación SDDR have applied to operate the scheme; all are based in Madrid, whose regional government must authorise them
- Sector estimates put required infrastructure at 20,000-35,000 reverse vending machines across about 500,000 points of sale
Spanish plastics manufacturers are considering shifting part of their production to Morocco, Portugal and France, citing Spain's EUR 0.45 per kilogram tax on non-recycled plastic, in force since early 2023, and growing import competition. Plastic-film imports into Spain rose 58% to 77,014 tonnes between 2023 and 2025 and a further 34% through April 2026. The Spanish Association of Plastics Manufacturers wants the tax reviewed, tighter import controls and verification of recycled-content claims.
Why this mattersSpain's EUR 0.45/kg plastic tax is prompting domestic converters to weigh moving output abroad while imported plastic film takes a growing share of the market.
- Spain's tax on non-recycled plastic, EUR 0.45 per kilogram, took effect in early 2023
- Plastic-film imports into Spain rose 58% from 48,844 tonnes in 2023 to 77,014 tonnes in 2025
- Imports climbed a further 34% in the period to April 2026
- Manufacturers are considering relocating production to Morocco, Portugal and France
- The Spanish Association of Plastics Manufacturers wants the tax reviewed and tighter import controls
The European Commission will introduce a dedicated customs code for PET flakes from 1 January 2027, under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2163, which amends the Combined Nomenclature. Petcore Europe, the European PET recycling association, says the change will separate flakes from other PET forms and improve monitoring of imports from outside the EU, though it still does not distinguish virgin from recycled PET or food-contact grade from other grades.
Why this mattersSeparate trade data on PET flake imports gives regulators and recyclers the statistical basis to track low-cost inflows and support future trade measures amid overcapacity in European PET recycling.
- New EU customs codes for PET flakes take effect 1 January 2027 under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2163
- Code 39076100 (viscosity >=78 ml/g) splits into 39076110 for flakes and 39076190 for other PET forms, with a parallel split for viscosity <78 ml/g
- Petcore Europe announced the change on 4 November 2026
- The new codes do not distinguish virgin PET from recycled PET (rPET), nor food-contact grade from other applications
- Petcore Europe says it will keep pushing for a dedicated code for rPET
- The EU has separately opened a safeguard investigation into PET and upstream raw material imports
Vietnam's prime minister has approved a strategy for the paper industry to 2045 (Decision 2082/QĐ-TTg, dated 2 November 2026) that from 2030 encourages pulp, packaging paper, printing and writing paper lines below 5,000 tonnes per year to restructure or merge and relocate into dedicated industrial zones. From 2040 the threshold rises to 20,000 tonnes per year for those grades, while tissue stays at 5,000 tonnes and high-grade coated and speciality papers are exempt from the capacity limits.
Why this mattersA capacity-based consolidation push could squeeze small Vietnamese packaging-paper and pulp producers and reshape supply for converters sourcing locally.
- Decision 2082/QĐ-TTg was signed by Vietnam's prime minister on 2 November 2026.
- From 2030, mills making pulp, packaging paper, printing and writing paper below 5,000 tonnes/year are encouraged to merge or relocate.
- From 2040, the threshold for those product lines rises to 20,000 tonnes/year; tissue stays at 5,000 tonnes/year.
- High-grade coated paper and speciality paper lines are exempt from the capacity thresholds.
- The strategy encourages at least three dedicated paper industrial zones in Vietnam's north, centre and south.
- Vietnam targets a post-use paper recovery rate above 60% by 2030.
China's revised national standard for corrugated board, GB/T 6544-2026, took effect on 1 November 2026, replacing the 2008 version in force for 18 years. Two related testing standards, covering board bursting strength and edge crush strength, also took effect the same day. Corrugated board and carton producers must update purchasing contracts, inspection reports and work instructions to reference the new standard.
Why this mattersCorrugated producers and box makers in China must realign quality-control and customer acceptance procedures, with compliance risk for firms still citing the withdrawn 2008 standard.
- GB/T 6544-2026 was published on 30 April 2026 and took effect 1 November 2026, issued by China's State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardisation Administration
- It replaces GB/T 6544-2008, which had been in force for 18 years and is now withdrawn
- GB/T 1539-2026, covering board bursting strength testing, took effect the same day
- GB/T 2679.17-2026, covering edge crush strength testing for corrugated board, also took effect 1 November 2026
- The standards are administered by the China National Light Industry Council
Romania placed 2.56 million tonnes of packaging on the market in 2025, up 2.67% from 2.50 million tonnes in 2024, according to an ECOTECA analysis of Administrația Fondului pentru Mediu (AFM) data. Paper-and-board and wood packaging accounted for 90.5% of the net increase, while plastic volumes were flat and glass declined slightly. Separately, AFM reported 521,927 tonnes of packaging waste recycled via extended-producer-responsibility operators (OIREP) in the first half of 2026.
Why this mattersA shift toward paper, board and wood over plastic and glass signals substrate substitution trends that could affect demand across Romania's converting and recycling supply chains.
- Total packaging placed on the Romanian market reached 2,564,353 tonnes in 2025, up 2.67% from 2,497,612 tonnes in 2024
- Paper and board packaging rose 3.95% to 806,566 tonnes, adding 30,613 tonnes
- Wood packaging rose 4.64% to 672,657 tonnes, adding 29,808 tonnes
- Paper-board and wood together drove 90.5% of the net market growth and made up 57.7% of total tonnage
- Plastic packaging was flat at 526,793 tonnes (+0.05%), with PET down 1.86% to 150,363 tonnes while metal packaging rose 8.32% to 75,211 tonnes and aluminium rose 5.77% to 33,718 tonnes
- OIREP operators recycled 521,927 tonnes of packaging waste in January-June 2026, led by paper-board (274,182 tonnes) and wood (102,848 tonnes)
