Mercer International and one non-operating subsidiary have filed voluntary prepackaged Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, moving its previously agreed recapitalisation into formal court process. The plan, backed by holders of more than 88% of its 2028 and 2029 senior notes, is designed to cut senior-note debt by about 88% and annual cash interest by over USD 100m, while raising USD 400m of new capital through a fully backstopped rights offering. Completion is targeted by year-end; operating subsidiaries are not part of the filing and continue normal business.
Why this mattersA prepackaged plan backed by over 88% of noteholders is designed to cut Mercer's senior-note debt by about 88% while its 2.1m tonnes of pulp capacity keeps operating.
- Mercer International and one non-operating subsidiary filed prepackaged Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division
- Holders of more than 88% of combined principal of the 12.875% Senior Notes due 2028 and 5.125% Senior Notes due 2029 support the plan
- Plan expected to reduce senior-note debt by approximately 88% and cut annual cash interest by over USD 100m
- USD 400m of new capital is to be raised through a fully backstopped rights offering
- Completion is targeted by year-end, subject to court confirmation and regulatory approvals
- Mercer expects Nasdaq to suspend trading of its shares, with timing to be disclosed in a subsequent SEC Form 8-K
Kruger Products, the Canadian tissue maker in which KP Tissue holds a 12.0% interest, has deferred the final site decision for its planned through-air-dried (TAD) tissue facility until the economic and trade environment is clearer, and no longer expects the plant to start operating in 2028. In Q3 2026 results published on 11 November, revenue rose 5.1% to USD 414.4m (CAD 589.7m) and Adjusted EBITDA rose 9.1% to USD 65.7m (CAD 93.5m); Q4 Adjusted EBITDA is expected slightly below Q3.
Why this mattersDeferring a TAD machine until trade terms settle holds back new premium tissue capacity at a producer growing its US consumer business.
- New TAD tissue facility delayed and will not start operations in 2028 as previously planned
- Final location decision deferred until there is greater certainty in the economic and trade environment
- Q3 2026 revenue USD 414.4m (CAD 589.7m), up 5.1% from USD 394.3m (CAD 561.1m) a year earlier
- Q3 2026 Adjusted EBITDA USD 65.7m (CAD 93.5m), up 9.1% year on year
- Q3 2026 net income USD 19.5m (CAD 27.7m), up from USD 10.3m (CAD 14.6m)
- Total liquidity USD 305.1m (CAD 434.2m) as of 30 September 2026
James Cropper reported interim revenue of USD 81.4m (GBP 61.2m), up 18.3% year on year, and Adjusted EBITDA up 90.2% to USD 10.4m (GBP 7.8m) for the six months to 26 September 2026. The UK advanced materials and paper and packaging group reinstated its dividend with an interim payment of USD 6.7 cents (5.0 pence) per share and expects full-year Adjusted EBITDA of USD 13.7m-15.0m (GBP 10.3m-11.3m).
Why this mattersPaper & Packaging's swing to an EBITDA profit, helped partly by a one-off customer stock build, has restored dividend capacity at a small specialist paper group.
- Group revenue rose 18.3% to USD 81.4m (GBP 61.2m) in H1 FY27 from USD 68.9m (GBP 51.8m) in H1 FY26
- Paper & Packaging revenue grew 28.7% to USD 56.2m (GBP 42.2m); Adjusted EBITDA moved from a USD 0.9m (GBP 0.7m) loss to a USD 5.2m (GBP 3.9m) profit
- Group Adjusted EBITDA rose 90.2% to USD 10.4m (GBP 7.8m)
- Net debt fell to USD 3.6m (GBP 2.7m) from USD 14.0m (GBP 10.5m) a year earlier, 0.2x Adjusted EBITDA
- Board declared an interim dividend of USD 6.7 cents (5.0 pence) per share, reinstating the dividend
- Full-year Adjusted EBITDA expected at USD 13.7m-15.0m (GBP 10.3m-11.3m), about 15-25% above FY26
Opal has opened a USD 48m (AUD 70m) folding-carton plant at Moorebank in south-west Sydney. The 27,233 square metre site, opened on 10 November 2026, houses a Heidelberg Boardmaster inline flexographic press for food-grade board, and Opal expects around 1,557 containers to move by rail in 2027.
Why this mattersMoorebank replaces an existing Opal carton plant, so the gain lies in faster changeovers and less board waste on short food-carton runs rather than stated new volume.
- Investment of USD 48m (AUD 70m) at Moorebank, south-west Sydney, opened 10 November 2026
- Site covers 27,233 square metres
- Heidelberg Boardmaster flexographic press rated up to 600 metres per minute with automated changeovers
- Opal says changeover technology can cut board waste to under 10 metres
- Opal expects around 1,557 containers by rail in 2027
- Site uses heat-recovery drying and water-based inks, with no natural gas use
Sofidel has finished a modernisation of the paper machine at its Roanne site in France, which has returned to full operation. The company has not disclosed the investment value, capacity change or scope of the works.
Why this mattersRoanne is back at full output after the machine upgrade; with no capacity figure disclosed, the effect on French tissue supply cannot yet be gauged.
- Sofidel's Roanne paper machine in France has returned to full operation following a modernisation, announced 11 November 2026
- No investment figure, capacity change or project scope has been disclosed
Indian speciality paper maker Pakka has pushed commissioning of Paper Machine 4, part of its Project Jagrati expansion, from October to December 2026, with commercial production now targeted for January 2027. It also disclosed a 100-tonne order from Reliance's solar-glass facility for interleaving paper, scalable to 500-800 tonnes, and a quarterly EBITDA margin of 14.2%. Refinancing of its special-situation debt is targeted for around December 2027 and depends on an EBITDA run-rate of USD 10.7m-11.7m (INR 100-110 crore).
Why this mattersA slipping capacity ramp-up delays the cash flow Pakka needs to refinance its debt, even as new speciality-paper demand from solar manufacturing emerges.
- Paper Machine 4 commissioning delayed from October to December 2026, with commercial production now targeted for January 2027
- Project Jagrati's pulp mill, recovery boiler and power plant are already commissioned
- The Reliance solar-glass interleaving-paper order starts at 100 tonnes, scalable to 500-800 tonnes
- Consolidated EBITDA margin improved to 14.2% in the quarter
- Debt of about USD 53m-64m (INR 500-600 crore); refinancing targeted for December 2027, contingent on an EBITDA run-rate of USD 10.7m-11.7m (INR 100-110 crore)
- Pakka's Guatemala expansion project remains paused with no resumption timeline
German moulded-fibre packaging maker PAPACKS has its Fiber Box, a paper and industrial hemp fibre fish crate, in daily use at wholesaler Transgourmet Seafood's Bremerhaven operation, replacing expanded polystyrene boxes. The crate won the Seafood Star 2027 award from trade magazine FischMagazin on 3 November 2026, and PAPACKS reports it held shape for up to ten days of fish and ice storage in February 2026 trials, though it still relies on external cooling rather than offering polystyrene's thermal insulation.
Why this mattersA moulded-fibre crate in daily use at a named seafood wholesaler shows paper can replace polystyrene fish boxes where a continuous cold chain is in place.
- Transgourmet Seafood uses PAPACKS' Fiber Box in daily seafood distribution at Bremerhaven, Germany
- Fiber Box is moulded from virgin paper and industrial hemp fibres, similar to egg-carton processing
- The crate received the Seafood Star 2027 award from FischMagazin on 3 November 2026 at Hamburg's seafood industry summit
- February 2026 trials showed the crates held shape and function for up to ten days filled with fish and ice at 0-2C and 90-95% humidity
- Institute cyclos-HTP assessed potential fibre recovery of the material at 85% under tested conditions
- The producer states the box lacks polystyrene-level thermal insulation and must be used within a continuous cold chain
Ex-pack Corrugated Cartons PLC, the Colombo-listed corrugated packaging producer controlled by Aberdeen Group, said chairman Sattar Kassim will retire from the board on 18 November 2026. Independent non-executive director Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director of the Port City Colombo development, has been appointed to succeed him from the same date.
Why this mattersThe chair of Sri Lanka's listed corrugated producer passes from the director who led its IPO to an independent non-executive; Aberdeen Group controls the company.
- Sattar Kassim retires from Ex-pack's board and as chairman effective 18 November 2026
- Thulci Aluwihare, an independent non-executive director, appointed chairman from the same date
- The board resolved the appointment at its meeting on 9 November 2026
- Kassim led Ex-pack through its IPO and listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange
- Aluwihare is Deputy Managing Director of Port City Colombo, a USD 15 billion township development
- Aluwihare also serves as independent non-executive director of Bank of Ceylon and Abans Finance PLC
Closed Loop Partners has provided a multi-million-dollar loan to LEI Packaging, a Minnesota-based molded fibre manufacturer, to fund its newly completed second production facility. The new plant adds a de-trashing system enabling LEI to process post-consumer recycled fibre bales for the first time, alongside the post-industrial material used at its first site, as it expands capacity for egg trays and cartons sold to food and agriculture customers.
Why this mattersAdds US end-market capacity for recycled paper fibre, reinforcing supply as food and beverage brands shift packaging from foam and plastic to fibre.
- Closed Loop Partners provided a multi-million-dollar loan via its Catalytic Capital & Private Credit strategy.
- LEI Packaging, founded in 2014, is based in Chisago City, Minnesota, and makes molded fibre egg trays and cartons.
- The financing backed construction of LEI's second production facility, now completed.
- The new facility includes a de-trashing system, letting LEI process post-consumer recycled fibre bales for the first time.
- LEI previously used only post-industrial recycled material at its first facility.
- The expansion is expected to create over 20 jobs plus about 15 construction jobs.
Malaysia-listed industrial packaging group L&P Global has proposed diversifying into wholesale and retail trade, and separately into general contracting, after a multi-year revenue decline in its core wooden packaging business. The group has signed preliminary agreements for retail distribution and accepted RM11.76 million of conditional construction subcontracts, with the moves subject to shareholder approval.
Why this mattersA packaging specialist pivoting into unrelated retail and construction signals how tariff-driven demand loss and cost inflation are pushing smaller industrial packagers to diversify away from the sector.
- L&P Global revenue fell from RM167.04m in FY2023 to RM74.69m in FY2025, with a net loss of RM1.33m in FY2025 versus a RM20.68m profit in FY2023.
- First-half 2026 revenue fell 29.31% year-on-year to RM30.01m, with profit before tax of RM2.85m boosted by a RM4.84m non-recurring asset disposal gain.
- The decline was driven by weaker wooden packaging demand from renewable energy clients facing US tariffs, plus a RM1.5m unrealised forex loss.
- L&P signed MoUs with Aspirasi Gua Sdn Bhd and Tru Mns Resources Sdn Bhd to supply hospitality products and groceries/FMCG respectively.
- The group accepted conditional construction subcontracts worth RM11.76m, comprising RM3.5m from Taghill Projects and RM8.26m from Nestcon Builders.
- Retail store set-up cost is estimated at about RM3m per location, with rollout planned to start in the second quarter of 2027.
DS Smith has redesigned a bag-in-box wine packaging line at Delhaize's Zellik plant in Belgium, combining a custom-built forming machine with a matched carton design. The project lifted line speed from 1,500 to 1,900 packs per hour, a 27% capacity gain, while also reducing operator requirements and line stoppages.
Why this mattersShows a fibre packaging supplier moving into integrated machinery-plus-material design to win capacity gains at a retailer's own site, beyond selling cartons alone.
- Line speed rose from 1,500 to 1,900 packs per hour, a 27% capacity increase
- DS Smith built a forming machine matched to Delhaize's bag-in-box format rather than supplying cartons and equipment separately
- Warehouse storage density at the line increased from 5,000 to 6,000 packs per location
- The project cut the number of operators needed to run the station and reduced line stoppages
- Delhaize is a banner of food retailer Ahold Delhaize
SIG said it signed agreements for 17 new filling lines with regional food and beverage producers at Gulfood Manufacturing 2026 in Dubai, held 3-5 November. The lines will add aseptic carton, spouted pouch and bag-in-box capacity across India, the Middle East and Africa. No customer names or financial terms were disclosed.
Why this mattersSeventeen line agreements across carton, pouch and bag-in-box formats at one trade fair widen SIG's installed filling base in India, the Middle East and Africa.
- SIG signed agreements for 17 new filling lines with regional food and beverage producers at Gulfood Manufacturing 2026
- Trade fair held 3-5 November 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre
- Lines will add aseptic carton, spouted pouch and bag-in-box capacity
- Capacity additions target India, the Middle East and Africa
- SIG also won the UAE Industrial Excellence Award for its Product Innovation & Application Hub in Dubai
ND Paper produced a first trial roll on the idled R12 paper machine at its Rumford mill in Maine on 5 November 2026, after several weeks of testing. The machine was idled in 2024 amid difficult market conditions; the company has not disclosed the grade trialled or a timetable for resuming regular production.
Why this mattersA return of R12, earlier expanded into unbleached recycled bag and converting papers, would bring idled Rumford capacity back to the North American market.
- First trial roll produced on R12 at Rumford, Maine, on 5 November 2026
- R12 was idled in 2024 as ND Paper adjusted capacity to demand
- No commercial production timetable or trial grade has been announced
- R12 was expanded in November 2020 to add unbleached recycled bag and converting papers
Yantai Guangming Color Printing Packaging has signed an agreement with Fengjie county authorities in Chongqing, China, to build a corrugated carton and packaging printing plant. The project carries a stated investment of USD 7.2m (CNY 48m) and is expected to reach annual output value of USD 4.5m (CNY 30m) once operational, creating 50 to 100 jobs.
Why this mattersA small local plant fills a gap in Fengjie's packaging supply chain, serving the county's navel orange industry.
- Signing ceremony held 11 November 2026 in Fengjie county, Chongqing
- Investment stated at USD 7.2m (CNY 48m)
- Plant to be sited in the county's eco-industrial park logistics centre
- Expected annual output value of USD 4.5m (CNY 30m) once at full capacity
- Products planned include five-layer corrugated board, agricultural produce boxes, industrial cartons and e-commerce boxes
- Project expected to create 50 to 100 jobs and about USD 0.2m (CNY 1.2m) in annual tax revenue
Millar Western has turned the temporary shutdown of its Quesnel River Pulp mill in British Columbia, announced in August, into an indefinite curtailment. The 375,000-tonne-a-year softwood pulp mill, idle since 4 September, will undergo an orderly wind-down over several weeks, affecting about 90 workers, with executive chair and CEO Karl Meyers citing weak markets and fibre supply economics.
Why this mattersA 375,000-tonne softwood pulp mill leaving the market tightens North American pulp supply and underscores pressure on Canadian producers from costs and trade barriers.
- Quesnel River Pulp has annual softwood pulp capacity of 375,000 tonnes.
- The mill has been idle since 4 September 2026; a planned 1 November restart was deferred to 1 December before the indefinite curtailment.
- Approximately 90 workers are affected.
- Atlas Holdings acquired Quesnel River Pulp and a Slave Lake operation from West Fraser in 2024, including a long-term fibre-supply agreement.
- The original August temporary shutdown cited persistent market difficulties and tariffs affecting Chinese exports.
- Millar Western must keep the effluent system operational for twelve months or until an alternative is agreed.
Suzano confirmed to Reuters that it has raised pulp prices in China by USD 20 per tonne and in other Asian markets by USD 30 per tonne, effective immediately from 11 November 2026. The increases follow a USD 50 per tonne rise Suzano had already announced for Europe and North America, effective this month.
Why this mattersHigher pulp costs feed through to paper and board producers' input costs across Asia, following similar increases already set for Western markets.
- Suzano raised pulp prices in China by USD 20 per tonne, effective immediately from 11 November 2026
- Suzano raised pulp prices in other Asian markets by USD 30 per tonne, effective immediately
- Suzano confirmed the increases to Reuters
- In late October 2026 Suzano had already notified customers in Europe and North America of a USD 50 per tonne increase effective November 2026
Metsa Fibre and local utility Rauman Energia are commissioning a district heating station at the Rauma pulp mill in Finland, with testing starting in early December 2026 and production use targeted by the end of that month. The station will recover surplus heat from the mill's recovery boiler that was previously dissipated through cooling towers, supplying an estimated 10-20% of Rauman Energia's total heat demand.
Why this mattersThe project illustrates pulp mills monetising surplus process heat through local energy partnerships, cutting cooling costs while diversifying municipal heat supply.
- Testing of the new district heating station begins in early December 2026, with production use targeted by month end.
- The recovered heat comes from the mill's recovery boiler, from surplus steam previously cooled via cooling towers.
- The project is estimated to cover approximately 10-20% of Rauman Energia's total heat demand.
- Connection points were built into the mill's steam and condensate systems during the 2025 annual maintenance shutdown.
- Construction of the district heating pipelines at the mill site started in January 2026 and installation was completed in spring 2026.
Turkish glass and chemicals group Şişecam posted a net loss of USD 5.9m (TRY 295m) for the third quarter of 2026, as net financing expense of USD 83.6m (TRY 4.2bn) exceeded operating earnings of under USD 70m (TRY 3.5bn). Revenue fell 5.3% year on year to USD 1.32bn (TRY 66.27bn), EBITDA dropped 61.2% to USD 69.1m (TRY 3.47bn), and net debt stood at USD 2.98bn (TRY 149.7bn).
Why this mattersFinancing costs above operating earnings and a 61% EBITDA fall put pressure on a glass producer carrying USD 2.98bn of net debt.
- Q3 2026 net loss of USD 5.9m (TRY 295m)
- Net financing expense of USD 83.6m (TRY 4.2bn) over the quarter
- EBITDA fell 61.2% year on year to USD 69.1m (TRY 3.47bn)
- Revenue declined 5.3% year on year to USD 1.32bn (TRY 66.27bn)
- Net debt reached USD 2.98bn (TRY 149.7bn)
- Isbank holds a 52.58% controlling stake; 38.04% of shares are free float on Borsa Istanbul
Vetropack has moved production of its heat-strengthened lightweight Rezon glass bottle from pilot to full industrial scale at its Pöchlarn plant in Austria, running at nearly twice pilot-line speed with the same headcount since late summer 2026. The group has sold more than 35 million Rezon bottles since its 2019 launch and plans a second large Rezon production line at Pöchlarn to start up in 2027, with further sites to follow.
Why this mattersIndustrial-scale output for a lighter, more durable returnable bottle lets Vetropack cut customers' total cost of ownership and strengthens its position in reusable glass packaging.
- New industrial line at Pöchlarn, Austria has run since late summer 2026, nearly doubling pilot-line output with the same operator numbers.
- About 30 employees were trained and more than 300,000 trial bottles produced during spring 2026 ramp-up.
- Rezon bottles are up to 30% lighter and achieve up to 60% more reuse cycles than standard returnable bottles.
- More than 35 million Rezon bottles have been placed on the market since the 2019 launch.
- A second large Rezon production line is planned to start up at Pöchlarn in 2027, with expansion to other Vetropack sites under consideration.
- Optimised bottle and crate geometry increases pallet capacity by up to 33%; lifecycle CO2 emissions are up to 70% lower than single-use bottles.
Dekorglass Działdowo, a Polish glass decorator and bottle maker, has finished a rebuild of the furnace at its glassworks in Tur. The company says melting will resume soon, returning it to full glass production after weeks of work; no capacity or investment figures were disclosed.
Why this mattersOnce melting restarts at Tur, Dekorglass resumes making its own bottles alongside decoration, though no capacity or cost for the rebuild has been disclosed.
- Furnace rebuild at Dekorglass Działdowo's glassworks in Tur is complete as of 10 November 2026.
- The company says melting of glass will resume soon.
- Dekorglass Działdowo is based in Działdowo, north-eastern Poland, and began making its own glass bottles in autumn 2019.
- No capacity, cost or timeline figures for the rebuild were disclosed.
Carlos Veloso dos Santos is stepping down as chief executive of Amorim Cork Italia, the Amorim group's Italian cork-closure business, after 28 years in the role. He is succeeded by Daniele Stangherlin, currently Commercial and Marketing Director, who has worked at the company for 16 years.
Why this mattersLeadership of Amorim's Italian cork-closure unit passes to its commercial director, who says volume and turnover tripled over his 16 years there.
- Carlos Veloso dos Santos steps down after 28 years as CEO of Amorim Cork Italia.
- Daniele Stangherlin, Commercial and Marketing Director for 16 years, becomes the new CEO.
- Stangherlin states the company has tripled both volume and turnover during his 16 years there.
- Veloso dos Santos joined Amorim in Italy in 1990 and is returning to Portugal.
ANSA McAL has signed an agreement to sell its full shareholding in Alstons Shipping, a freight forwarding and shipping agency business it has owned for more than a century, to private investment company Jemcha Holdings. The group said the disposal, announced on 10 November 2026, supports its 2X strategy of portfolio optimisation and reinvestment in core growth areas; no price was disclosed.
Why this mattersThe disposal removes a century-old logistics business from ANSA McAL's portfolio, in line with its stated 2X strategy of reinvesting in core growth areas.
- ANSA McAL will sell 100 per cent of Alstons Shipping Limited to Jemcha Holdings Limited.
- Alstons Shipping has been part of the ANSA McAL group for more than a century.
- The business provides shipping agency, freight forwarding and supply chain services.
- The sale was announced on 10 November 2026 as part of ANSA McAL's 2X strategy.
- No transaction value was disclosed.
Nelipak Corporation has completed the acquisition of Technipaq, a Crystal Lake, Illinois-based maker of flexible, sterilizable healthcare packaging. The deal brings Technipaq's roughly 200 employees and two ISO 13485-certified Illinois production sites into Nelipak, adding coating, laminating and pouch-converting capacity that will complement Nelipak's flexibles site in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Why this mattersAdding Tyvek-authorised coating, laminating and pouch converting deepens Nelipak's sterile flexible packaging offer to medical device and pharma customers.
- Nelipak completed the acquisition of Technipaq, announced 10 November 2026.
- Technipaq employs nearly 200 staff and is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
- Technipaq operates ISO 13485-certified sites in Crystal Lake and Cary, Illinois.
- Technipaq is a DuPont Tyvek Authorized Converter, making header bags, pouches, lidding and rollstock.
- Technipaq was founded in 1984 and had been led by second-generation family management.
- The acquisition will complement Nelipak's flexibles product site in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Turkish protective packaging producer Desi Kimya has acquired Technology Packaging Ltd, a UK-based maker of corrosion-prevention and moisture-control packaging trading as TechCorro. The deal, Desi Kimya's first acquisition in the UK, was completed and reported in UK trade publications from 21 October 2026; the financial terms were not disclosed.
Why this mattersThe deal gives Desi Kimya direct access to an established UK customer network, extending a Turkish protective-packaging producer's reach into European metal-parts and aerospace supply chains.
- Desi Kimya, based in Kocaeli, Turkey, acquired Technology Packaging Ltd of Middlesex, UK.
- Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
- Technology Packaging, founded in 2001 and trading as TechCorro, exports to 26 countries and serves more than 1,200 customers.
- The acquisition is Desi Kimya's first company purchase in the UK.
- Technology Packaging supplies corrosion-prevention and moisture-control packaging to the aerospace, automotive, medical device and metalworking sectors.
- The deal was reported in UK sector publications from 21 October 2026.
North Macedonian woven-polyethylene packaging maker ASP-PAK scheduled the inauguration of new production capacity at its Ohrid site for 9 November 2026, with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski due to attend. No investment figure or added capacity volume was disclosed.
Why this mattersThe addition extends an exporter of woven polyethylene sacks and nets serving more than 500 clients, including in Europe and North America; investment and volume are undisclosed.
- Inauguration of the new capacity in Ohrid was scheduled for 9 November 2026, with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski due to attend.
- ASP-PAK makes woven polyethylene products for packaging and nets for agriculture, construction and industry.
- Products are exported to more than 50 countries.
- ASP-PAK works with over 500 clients, including in Europe and North America.
- ASP-PAK was founded in 2000.
Anders Invest has acquired a 60% majority stake in Matco International, a Dutch manufacturer of pallet wrapping machines, from Quadrum Capital. Matco generates approximately EUR 30m in annual revenue and employs around 60 people. No financial terms of the transaction were disclosed.
Why this mattersControl of a Dutch pallet-wrapping machinery maker with about EUR 30m revenue passes from Quadrum Capital to Anders Invest, which takes 60%; no price has been disclosed.
- Anders Invest acquires a 60% majority stake in Matco International
- Seller is Quadrum Capital, the previous owner
- Matco International generates approximately EUR 30m in annual revenue
- Matco employs around 60 people
- Matco manufactures pallet wrapping machines
Taiwan Hon Chuan Group and Nihon Yamamura Glass have agreed to set up a joint venture sales company in Japan, extending a cooperation begun in 2023. The venture will market Hon Chuan's packaging products in Japan and support Japanese beverage makers expanding overseas; financial terms and the venture's structure are still to be announced.
Why this mattersA joint sales channel pairs Hon Chuan's 52-site packaging and contract-filling network with Nihon Yamamura's Japanese beverage customers as they expand overseas.
- Agreement reached 11 November 2026 between Hung-Yu Tsao (President, Taiwan Hon Chuan) and Noboru Yamamura (President and CEO, Nihon Yamamura Glass)
- Follows a cooperation memorandum signed 6 October 2023 and announced 12 October 2023
- Nihon Yamamura Glass reported consolidated revenue of USD 453.5m (JPY 72.19bn) for the year to March 2026 and employs 1,884 staff
- Nihon Yamamura Glass produces about 5 billion plastic PET bottle closures a year and has 10 business sites and 12 group companies
- Taiwan Hon Chuan operates 52 production sites across Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia and Africa for food and beverage packaging and contract filling
- Further details of the joint venture are to be announced once finalised
Cermaq, the salmon farming business owned by Mitsubishi, is building a processing plant in Miami that will produce skin-packs, vacuum-sealing fish in a form-fitting film for retail display, with opening expected in early 2027. Undercurrent News puts the investment at USD 30m and IntraFish at more than USD 30m. Mitsubishi has warned that its salmon earnings would disappoint.
Why this mattersA salmon farmer building its own US skin-pack capacity adds demand for skin films and tray-sealing or thermoforming lines as case-ready seafood moves to this format.
- Plant located in Miami, expected to open in early 2027
- Investment reported at USD 30m by Undercurrent News and at more than USD 30m by IntraFish
- Plant will produce skin-packs, which vacuum-seal fish in a thin form-fitting film
- Harpak-ULMA says skin-packaging is the dominant style in case-ready seafood across Europe and the US
- Parent company Mitsubishi has warned that salmon earnings would disappoint
SOCAR subsidiary Petkim Petrokimya Holding will build a polyethylene production complex at Aliaga, Turkey, with capacity of 850,000 tonnes a year. Univation Technologies is the technology licensor; front-end engineering design began in September 2026 with a USD 70m budget and is scheduled for completion by end of 2027.
Why this mattersAn 850,000 t/yr polyethylene complex at Aliaga would add resin supply near Turkish and European converters, but with FEED running to end-2027 output is years away.
- Petkim Petrokimya Holding, a SOCAR subsidiary, will build an 850,000 t/yr polyethylene complex at Aliaga, Turkey
- FEED work began in September 2026 with a USD 70m budget
- Univation Technologies selected as technology licensor
- FEED work scheduled for completion by end of 2027
Huicheng Environmental Protection and L'Oréal China launched a co-creation project on 6 November 2026 under L'Oréal's L'AcceleratOR sustainable innovation programme, making L'Oréal the first brand to use Huicheng's chemically recycled polypropylene (crPP). The material will first appear in the cap of L'Oréal Paris's forthcoming Revitalift Specialist Nourishing Amino Acid Facial Cleanser, with further testing planned across more beauty packaging lines.
Why this mattersA top-tier beauty brand validating chemically recycled polypropylene could widen supply of high-quality recycled resin for premium packaging beyond mechanical recycling's limits.
- Launch ceremony held 6 November 2026 at the China International Import Expo
- L'Oréal is the first brand user of Huicheng's chemically recycled polypropylene (crPP)
- First application is the cap of L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Specialist Nourishing Amino Acid Facial Cleanser
- Huicheng was selected in September 2026 for L'Oréal's EUR 100m L'AcceleratOR programme, incubated by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
- Huicheng is building a 200,000 tonne/year comprehensive mixed waste plastics utilisation project
- Selected solutions can undergo a 6-9 month pilot before wider rollout across L'Oréal's global system
The US Department of Commerce has preliminarily found that tin mill products from Turkey are being sold in the US at less than fair value, setting provisional dumping margins of 42.06 percent for Tatrix Internation and 3.89 percent for Tosyali Toyo Celik, Toscelik Profil ve Sac Endustrisi and all other Turkish exporters. A final determination is due within 75 days of 5 November 2026.
Why this mattersProvisional duties on Turkish tinplate raise input costs for US can and packaging-steel converters that source coated steel from Turkey.
- Investigation covers imports from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, initiated 5 May 2026.
- Preliminary dumping margin of 42.06 percent set for Tatrix Internation.
- Preliminary margin of 3.89 percent set for Tosyali Toyo Celik, Toscelik Profil ve Sac Endustrisi and all other exporters.
- Commerce found critical circumstances for Tatrix Internation but not for the other exporters.
- Final determination due within 75 days of 5 November 2026.
- Covers flat-rolled tin mill products coated with tin, chromium or chromium oxides, including tinplate and tin-free steel, with an exclusion for certain electrolytically chromium-coated steel tape.
