Igepa Polska is moving its Łódź warehouse to a new site in October 2026 and will raise its distribution fee from 4.5% to 5.5% of delivery value from 2 November 2026. The distributor says it absorbed higher fuel and transport costs for eight months before passing them on, citing diesel prices over 30% above early March levels.
Why this mattersAfter absorbing diesel and freight inflation for eight months, Igepa Polska is passing it to customers through a higher distribution fee.
- Igepa Polska's distribution fee rises from 4.5% to 5.5% of delivery value from 2 November 2026.
- The company cites diesel prices more than 30% above early March 2026 levels and record transport costs.
- Igepa Polska is relocating its Łódź warehouse in October 2026; the new address and exact moving date were not disclosed.
- Chief executive Paweł Kacperski signed the customer notice.
Monterey Wine Company's King City plant in California, the first US site making Frugalpac's Frugal Bottle paper bottles, has moved from its 2024 start-up to repeat orders and exports, with an assembly machine rated at up to 2.5 million bottles a year. Its bottles are used for wine and spirits sold through Target, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven and Total Wine & More. It has also supplied Blessed Remedy Spirits' Mezcologo, presented as the first mezcal in a paper bottle sold in Mexico, and a second mezcal destined for Australia.
Why this mattersRepeat orders and exports from a single US plant show paper bottles moving from pilot format to a commercially repeatable alternative to glass for wine and spirits.
- Monterey Wine Company's King City, California plant began producing Frugal Bottle paper bottles in 2024, the first such facility in the US
- The installed assembly machine has capacity of up to 2.5 million bottles a year
- Bottles have been used for wine and spirits sold through Target, Whole Foods Market, 7-Eleven and Total Wine & More
- Full Glass Wine Co. placed a repeat order for its Petalscape wines after the first production run sold out
- Blessed Remedy Spirits launched Mezcologo, presented as the first mezcal in a paper bottle sold in Mexico, in bottles made at the plant
- A second Blessed Remedy Spirits product, Metoro Mezcal, will be exported to Australia
The Navigator Company posted third-quarter 2026 earnings per share of USD 0.02, below the USD 0.06 analyst estimate, on revenue of USD 464.7m against an estimate of USD 485m. The Portuguese pulp and paper group attributed the shortfall to planned maintenance at its Setubal, Aveiro and Figueira da Foz mills, a cyberattack and power grid disturbances, and said it expects operations to normalise in the fourth quarter. Nine-month 2026 revenue reached EUR 1.333bn with EBITDA of EUR 212m, while net debt rose to EUR 765m, 2.66 times EBITDA.
Why this mattersA major European pulp and paper producer absorbing cyber and grid disruptions alongside planned shutdowns shows how fragile capacity utilisation remains even as pricing stays firm.
- Q3 2026 EPS of USD 0.02 missed the USD 0.06 consensus estimate by 66.67%
- Q3 2026 revenue of USD 464.7m was USD 20.3m, or 4.19%, below the USD 485m estimate
- Nine-month 2026 turnover was EUR 1.333bn and EBITDA EUR 212m; free cash flow was EUR 19m after EUR 174m of capital expenditure
- Net debt was EUR 765m, up EUR 61m from year-end 2025, equal to 2.66 times EBITDA
- Packaging and tissue account for about 30% of turnover and roughly one-third of group EBITDA
- Liquidity comprised EUR 147m of cash and EUR 323m of undrawn committed long-term facilities
LEAP India has signed business transfer agreements to acquire Vimprotech and Total International Packaging Solutions (TIPS) for a combined USD 14.9m (INR 142 crore) in cash, payable in tranches. The businesses bring vacuum-formed, thermoformed and injection-moulded packaging manufacturing, plus a returnable-packaging pooling operation serving the automotive sector. Completion is expected by the third quarter of FY2026-27.
Why this mattersBackward integration into custom plastics manufacturing lets LEAP control costs and widen its pooling and crate range for automotive customers.
- Combined cash consideration is USD 14.9m (INR 142 crore), payable in tranches
- Vimprotech costs USD 10.7m (INR 102 crore) and had FY2025-26 revenue of USD 4.9m (INR 47 crore)
- TIPS costs USD 4.2m (INR 40 crore) and had FY2025-26 revenue of USD 1.9m (INR 18 crore)
- Deals are executed via LEAP's wholly owned subsidiaries Vimprotech Private Limited and Total Integrated Packaging Solutions Private Limited
- Completion is expected by the third quarter of FY2026-27
- LEAP expects the deals to add more than 200 customers and expand its custom crates, trays and separator sheet range
Chinese manufacturer Alu Hi-Tech Industries is investing USD 100m in a beverage can factory at the Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur, Bangladesh, on a 13-acre site. The plant is designed for annual output of 100 crore (1 billion) cans, with about 90% intended for export, and the company aims to start production within eight months once a gas connection is secured.
Why this mattersA new export-scale can plant adds low-cost Asian capacity that could compete with established producers supplying South and Southeast Asian beverage markets.
- Alu Hi-Tech Industries is investing USD 100m in the plant.
- The site covers 13 acres at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
- Planned annual capacity is 100 crore (1 billion) beverage cans.
- About 90% of output is earmarked for export, the rest for the domestic market.
- Production is targeted to start within eight months, pending a gas connection from the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
- Machinery and raw materials for the factory are to be imported from China.
- Construction has reached basement completion, with building work targeted to finish within eight months
- Production is now targeted for the second half of 2027
Oji Holdings is investing USD 110m to build an aseptic carton packaging plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam. The plant is expected to start operations in 2028 with maximum annual capacity of 8 billion packs and will create more than 200 jobs.
Why this mattersAn 8 billion-pack aseptic carton plant adds substantial Southeast Asian capacity from a Japanese group, increasing competition for incumbent carton system suppliers in the region.
- Oji Holdings is investing USD 110m in the plant.
- Site is located in Dong Nai province, Vietnam.
- Operations are expected to start in 2028.
- Maximum annual capacity is 8 billion packs.
- The project is expected to create more than 200 new jobs.
Tunisian kraft and corrugated paper producer SOTIPAPIER reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of TND 25.9m, up 23% year on year, driven by a 67% jump in testliner and fluting sales to TND 14.7m. Kraft paper sales declined 8% in the quarter, and nine-month revenue fell 8% to TND 70.1m as kraft and energy sales weakened. Net debt was reduced to TND 42.8m at end-September 2026 from TND 50.4m a year earlier.
Why this mattersSOTIPAPIER's shift from kraft to testliner and fluting points to firmer corrugated demand in Tunisia, while weaker kraft and energy sales weigh on nine-month revenue.
- Q3 2026 revenue reached TND 25.9m, up 23% from TND 21.0m a year earlier
- Corrugated paper (testliner and fluting) sales rose 67% to TND 14.7m from TND 8.8m
- Kraft paper sales fell 8% to TND 10.7m from TND 11.7m in Q3
- Nine-month cumulative revenue to 30 September 2026 was TND 70.1m, down 8% from TND 76.0m
- Net debt fell to TND 42.8m at 30 September 2026 from TND 50.4m a year earlier
- Nine-month capital spending was TND 4.2m, down 10% from TND 4.6m a year earlier
SCA reported third-quarter 2026 EBITDA of SEK 1,631m (USD 164m), up 25% on the second quarter and down 1% year-on-year, as higher kraftliner prices and lower maintenance and raw material costs offset weak pulp and sawn timber markets. Net sales rose 5% year-on-year to SEK 5,248m (USD 528m) on higher delivery volumes, while nine-month EBITDA remained 24% below the same period of 2025.
Why this mattersSequential recovery in containerboard pricing signals improving conditions for European kraftliner producers even as pulp and sawn timber markets stay weak.
- Q3 2026 EBITDA was SEK 1,631m (USD 164m), up 25% from Q2 and down 1% from SEK 1,644m (USD 165m) a year earlier
- Further kraftliner price increases lifted SCA's average containerboard selling prices versus Q2, on robust European demand
- Q3 net sales rose 5% year-on-year to SEK 5,248m (USD 528m) on higher delivery volumes
- EBITDA margin was 31.1% in Q3 2026, against 32.9% a year earlier and 25.3% in Q2 2026
- Q3 operating profit was SEK 1,047m (USD 105m), down from SEK 1,112m (USD 112m) a year earlier and up from SEK 724m (USD 73m) in Q2
- Nine-month net sales fell 3% to SEK 15,141m (USD 1,522m) and EBITDA fell 24% to SEK 4,041m (USD 406m)
- Q3 net profit was SEK 772 million, EPS of SEK 1.1, beating the forecast of SEK 0.9809 by about 12%
- Containerboard EBITDA rose 130% to SEK 446 million on stronger pricing and demand
- SCA will raise Q4 kraftliner prices by EUR 8 per tonne for brown grades and EUR 60 per tonne for white grades
- Net debt stood at SEK 11 billion, with leverage of 2.0 times and net debt to equity of about 10%
Portuguese flexible plastics packaging maker Vizelpas is investing EUR 30m (USD 34m) in a new factory in Felgueiras, near its base in Santo Tirso. The company, which makes flexible plastic films for food products and surgical medical material, expects revenue to rise from EUR 75m (USD 84m) to EUR 100m (USD 112m) within two years.
Why this mattersA mid-sized converter commits sizeable capital to new flexible-film capacity, a sign of continued investment in food and medical film packaging in southern Europe.
- Vizelpas is investing EUR 30m (USD 34m) in a new factory in Felgueiras, Portugal.
- The company makes flexible plastic films for food products and surgical medical material.
- Vizelpas is based in Santo Tirso, Portugal, and was started 30 years ago by Modesto Araújo.
- The company targets revenue growth from EUR 75m (USD 84m) to EUR 100m (USD 112m) within two years.
Billerud reported third-quarter net sales of USD 1,025m (SEK 10,166m), up 3% year on year, with adjusted EBITDA of USD 104m (SEK 1,032m) and cash conversion of 127%. Region Europe delivered an EBITDA margin of 12%, its best since the first quarter of 2025, while Region North America's 15% margin was held back by operational problems during the Escanaba maintenance shutdown. For the fourth quarter Billerud expects stable markets in both regions and positive pricing to offset input cost inflation.
Why this mattersBillerud passed energy-driven cost inflation through to customers in both regions, a sign that cost-led price increases in kraft paper and board are holding.
- Q3 net sales rose 3% to USD 1,025m (SEK 10,166m) from USD 999m (SEK 9,905m) a year earlier
- Adjusted EBITDA was USD 104m (SEK 1,032m), down from USD 107m (SEK 1,058m), margin 10% versus 11%
- Region Europe EBITDA margin reached 12%, its best quarter since Q1 2025
- Region North America EBITDA margin was 15%, affected by the Escanaba maintenance shutdown
- Cash conversion was 127% in the quarter
- Evolution investment programme in the US will finish in 2027 with approximately USD 50m (SEK 500m) remaining
Pact Group and ALDI Australia have rolled out a scheme to make more than 19 million laundry and cleaning bottles a year with up to 50% Australian recycled plastic resin, doubling prior recycled content levels for seven ALDI own-brand laundry products and three cleaning products. The programme uses almost 800 tonnes of recycled resin annually, sourced from kerbside collection and processed at Pact's Circular Plastics Australia facility in Melbourne, with bottles manufactured in New South Wales. The two companies have also renewed a three-year packaging design partnership.
Why this mattersA named retailer locking in 50% recycled content at scale, at no extra cost via coloured resin, sets a cost-neutral template other grocers may be pushed to match.
- 19.3 million ALDI laundry and cleaning bottles produced annually with up to 50% Australian recycled plastic resin
- Almost 800 tonnes of recycled plastic resin used each year across 10 bottle and container lines
- Recycled content doubled on seven ALDI own-brand laundry bottles and containers
- Three ALDI cleaning product bottles increased recycled content to up to 50%
- Recycled resin sourced from Australian kerbside bins and processed at Pact's Circular Plastics Australia plant in Melbourne
- Pact and ALDI renewed a three-year strategic packaging partnership
South Africa's International Trade Administration Commission has raised the import duty on newsprint from zero to 5%, after Sappi sought protection for its Ngodwana Mill against cheap imports. The tariff, which applies to newsprint in rolls or sheets, will be reviewed after three years. Canada supplied 47.2% of South Africa's newsprint imports in 2024/25, ahead of Brazil at 19.8% and Norway at 18.3%, as Sappi's domestic market share fell from 60.8% in 2021/22 to 51.1% in 2024/25.
Why this mattersThe tariff shields South Africa's only newsprint mill as digital migration and global overcapacity squeeze margins, but raises input costs for printers and publishers.
- Itac raised the import duty on newsprint, in rolls or sheets, from duty-free to 5%, reviewable after three years
- Sappi's Ngodwana Mill is the only operational newsprint facility in South Africa and the Southern African Customs Union
- Ngodwana has annual capacity above 570,000 tonnes, of which newsprint is 110,000 tonnes, about 20%
- Import volumes rose 13% a year on average in 2021-25; in 2024/25 Canada supplied 47.2%, Brazil 19.8% and Norway 18.3%
- Domestic capacity utilisation fell from 68.5% in 2021/22 to 46.1% in 2024/25; market share fell from 60.8% to 51.1%
- Ngodwana contributed USD 0.6bn (ZAR 9.9bn) to Mpumalanga's GDP in 2025 and supports 1,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs
SRF's board has approved a USD 63.2m (INR 600 crore) aluminium foil plant at its Jetapur site in Madhya Pradesh, with about 12,000 tonnes a year of capacity for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery foil and high-end packaging foil. Subsidiary SRF Altech will build it in two phases of USD 31.6m (INR 300 crore) each, due by 30 September 2028 and 30 September 2030, and the mill can supply aseptic and other high-value packaging grades while battery-grade qualification, expected to take close to two years, proceeds. On its 21 October 2026 Q2 FY27 earnings call, management guided chemicals growth to the top of its 15-20% range.
Why this mattersThe dual-use mill lets SRF sell into established high-value packaging foil grades while battery-grade qualification, a multi-year process, runs in parallel.
- The board approved USD 63.2m (INR 600 crore) for an aluminium foil plant at Jetapur, Madhya Pradesh, with about 12,000 tonnes a year of capacity.
- Wholly owned subsidiary SRF Altech will build the plant in two phases of USD 31.6m (INR 300 crore) each.
- Phase 1 is due by 30 September 2028 and Phase 2 by 30 September 2030.
- The mill can make both battery-grade and high-end packaging foil, so output can go to aseptic and other high-value grades while battery qualification continues.
- Management expects battery foil qualification to take close to two years.
- SRF cited India's ACCPLI battery manufacturing incentive scheme as a demand driver.
- Q2 FY27 revenue reached INR 4,904.20 crore (USD 515.6m), up 34.7% year on year
- Q2 FY27 net profit reached INR 509.12 crore (USD 53.5m), up 31.2% year on year
Desi Kimya, a manufacturer of corrosion-inhibiting and desiccant products, has acquired Technology Packaging Ltd, a UK specialist in corrosion prevention and protective packaging that trades under the TechCorro brand. The deal combines Desi Kimya's VCI manufacturing and testing capabilities with Technology Packaging's UK customer base in foundries, forges and the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors. No financial terms were disclosed.
Why this mattersGives a niche corrosion-protection packaging specialist access to VCI manufacturing scale, consolidating a fragmented segment serving metals and components industries.
- Desi Kimya has acquired Technology Packaging Ltd, a UK specialist in corrosion prevention and protective packaging
- Technology Packaging trades under the TechCorro brand, serving foundries, forges and the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors
- Desi Kimya has over 40 years of experience in corrosion prevention and moisture control and makes its own VCI masterbatch for protective polyethylene film
- Technology Packaging gains access to Desi Kimya's TRUGUARD protective packaging brand and manufacturing and testing capabilities
- No deal value was disclosed
- Technology Packaging will exhibit TRUGUARD and TechCorro at Advanced Engineering 2026 in Birmingham on 4-5 November
- Desi Kimya is headquartered in Istanbul Atasehir with production in Kocaeli Kartepe.
- The acquisition is Desi Kimya's first in the UK market.
- The acquisition is Desi Kimya's first in the UK
- The deal combines Desi Kimya's Turkish production, R&D and testing capacity with Technology Packaging's UK supply network and technical advisory expertise
- The acquisition is Desi Kimya's first in the UK.
- Technology Packaging has traded in the UK market for more than 25 years.
China's PET spot price stood at CNY 9,046.67 per tonne (USD 1,354.70) on 12 October 2026, 43% above its 2026 low of CNY 6,322.5 (USD 946.8), and beverage brands including Genki Forest, Wahaha, China Resources C'estbon and Eastroc have raised factory-gate prices. Bottle-chip producers have been the main beneficiaries: Wankai New Materials' first-half net profit rose 910% to CNY 562m (USD 84m) as its bottle-grade PET gross margin rose to 9.64% from 3.18%, and China Resources Materials and ST Sanfangxiang also swung to profit.
Why this mattersA sustained PET cost shock shifts pricing power toward resin producers such as Wankai and squeezes margins for beverage and food-service packaging buyers.
- China PET spot price was CNY 9,046.67/tonne (USD 1,354.70) on 12 October 2026, up 43% from a 2026 low of CNY 6,322.5/tonne (USD 946.8)
- Genki Forest, Wahaha, China Resources C'estbon and Eastroc Beverage have raised factory-gate prices; PET is close to 80% of a drinks bottle's production cost
- Wankai New Materials' first-half net profit rose 910% year on year to CNY 562m (USD 84m)
- Wankai's bottle-grade PET gross margin rose from 3.18% to 9.64%
- China Resources Materials posted first-half net profit of CNY 253m (USD 38m), against a CNY 121m (USD 18m) loss a year earlier
- ST Sanfangxiang reported attributable net profit of CNY 4.93m (USD 0.74m), against a CNY 262m (USD 39m) loss a year earlier
Guerlain has adopted Silgan Dispensing's SP34 bayonet-mount pump for the 30-ml refillable bottle of its new Longevity Concentrate serum in the Orchidee Imperiale line. Silgan supported the bottle's design and development and tested the pump for compatibility with the liposome-based formula. The bayonet attachment lets the pump detach from the bottle body for refilling.
Why this mattersA named luxury brand's adoption of a refillable dispensing format signals continued demand for reuse-oriented packaging in prestige cosmetics.
- Guerlain's Longevity Concentrate, part of the Orchidee Imperiale line, uses a 30-ml refillable pump bottle.
- The bottle incorporates Silgan Dispensing's SP34 pump with a bayonet-style attachment for detaching bottle from pump.
- Silgan Dispensing supported the design and development of the bottle.
- The pump was tested for compatibility with the serum's liposome-encapsulated formula.
The US Department of Commerce has set a preliminary dumping margin of 1.69% for Hansol Paper in its administrative review of thermal paper from South Korea for 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025, published in the Federal Register on 19 October 2026. The review was rescinded for 16 other companies after petitioners Domtar and Appvion withdrew their requests, and the all-others cash deposit rate stays at 6.19%. Deposits change only with the final results; case briefs are due by 9 November 2026.
Why this mattersIf confirmed, the 1.69% margin would set Hansol's duty liability on US thermal paper entries for the period, well below the 6.19% all-others deposit rate.
- Preliminary constructed-export-price margin for Hansol Paper Company set at 1.69%, published in the 19 October 2026 Federal Register (91 FR 66104-66106).
- All-others cash deposit rate remains unchanged at 6.19% pending final results.
- Review period covers 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 under antidumping order A-580-911 (thermal paper from Germany, Japan, Korea and Spain, originally imposed November 2021).
- Review partially rescinded for 16 companies, including Sailing Paper and Kooka Paper Manufacturing, after petitioners Domtar and Appvion withdrew requests on 27 April 2026.
- Case briefs are due by 9 November 2026, hearing requests by 18 November 2026, and rescission instructions no earlier than 23 November 2026.
- Cash deposit rates will only change once Commerce issues final results; if the final margin is de minimis (below 0.50%), entries liquidate without antidumping duty.
UPM Adhesive Materials has started operations at a new label material distribution terminal in Delhi-NCR, India, covering about one acre with initial annual delivery capacity of 30-35 million square metres. The facility cuts delivery lead times for northern and eastern Indian narrow-web converters from 8-9 days to 1-2 days, replacing supply previously routed via western ports or UPM's Mumbai terminal.
Why this mattersA regional distribution hub shortens lead times for Indian label converters and supports UPM's push into premium wine and spirits label substrates in a growing market.
- Terminal became operational in Q3 2026
- Facility spans approximately one acre in Delhi-NCR
- Initial annual delivery capacity of 30-35 million square metres
- Lead times cut from 8-9 days to 1-2 days for northern and eastern Indian converters
- Previously, supply relied on western ports or UPM's Mumbai terminal
- UPM targets the North Indian wine and spirits label segment, including ice-bucket and high-humidity applications
Singapore's National Environment Agency issued preventive measure notices on 16 October 2026 under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to seven Sumatra-based companies over land and forest fires; three are wood suppliers to Asia Pulp & Paper, part of Sinar Mas Group. The notices require the firms to put out fires, stop any burning and submit fire-prevention plans; a lawyer quoted in coverage noted they do not establish a breach of the law. APP said it has contacted the suppliers and will support their full cooperation with the agency.
Why this mattersUpstream fire enforcement against Asia Pulp & Paper's wood suppliers renews cross-border regulatory and reputational pressure on Sinar Mas Group's fibre supply chain.
- Singapore's National Environment Agency issued preventive measure notices on 16 October 2026 to seven Sumatra-based companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act
- Three of the seven, PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau and PT SBA Wood Industries, supply wood to Asia Pulp & Paper, part of Sinar Mas Group
- PT Bumi Andalas Permai's plantation covers about 190,415 hectares and PT Bumi Mekar Hijau's about 249,650 hectares, both in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency
- The same three received similar notices over the 2015 haze, and investigations from that episode are still ongoing
- APP said its supply partners must follow a zero-burning policy and that it will support the suppliers' cooperation with the agency
- Singapore's 24-hour PSI was forecast at 150 to 230 on 17 October 2026
- The Singapore Environment Council issued Asia Pulp & Paper a notice of temporary SGLS+ certification restrictions on 18 October 2026.
- APP must submit daily fire response reports for concessions held by PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT SBA Wood Industries.
- A further three Indonesian firms were served Preventive Measure Notices on 19 October 2026, bringing the total to ten.
- The SEC may suspend APP's SGLS+ certificate if fire prevention and monitoring are not demonstrated as effective.
- NEA issued notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 Indonesian plantation firms on 20 October 2026, four confirmed as Asia Pulp & Paper suppliers and a fifth possibly linked.
- Three of the ten firms are repeat offenders also notified over the 2015 haze episode.
- Fines under the Act can reach SGD 100,000 a day, capped at SGD 2m per case.
- Asia Pulp & Paper says it has invested USD 300m in fire management since 2015 and maintains a zero-burning policy.
- NEA issued notices under Section 10 of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 Singapore-registered companies on 23 October 2026, including Asia Pulp & Paper Company Limited and Asia Pulp & Paper Company (China) Limited.
- NEA separately issued Section 9 Preventive Measure Notices to 10 Indonesian companies: 7 in Sumatra (16 October) and 3 in Kalimantan (19 October) over fires.
- The notices request corporate-link details, concession locations and fire-prevention and firefighting measures.
- Asia Pulp & Paper confirmed receipt of the notices and said it is cooperating with authorities.
DiDi Shop has partnered with Mexican materials firm Bioelements, with technical validation by UNAM's Institute of Engineering, to replace 500,000 plastic delivery bags a month with compostable bags made from corn byproducts in Mexico. The companies aim to deliver 3.5 million compostable bags by the end of 2026, with the bags containing 20-40% corn starch and composting fully within six months.
Why this mattersA delivery platform switching rider bags to compostable corn-based film is a visible test of agri-residue materials, though the 38 tonnes of plastic displaced is small.
- DiDi Shop will distribute 500,000 compostable bags a month to delivery riders in Mexico.
- The partners target 3.5 million compostable bags delivered by the end of 2026.
- The bags are made by Bioelements from corn byproducts, with 20-40% corn starch content.
- UNAM's Institute of Engineering validates the bags' compliance with Mexican rules; the bags meet NMX-E-273, ISO 14855 and EN 13432.
- The bags fully compost within a maximum of six months.
- The initiative is expected to keep 38 tonnes of conventional plastic out of the market and cut landfill emissions by up to 60%, equivalent to 74 tonnes of CO2.
- DiDi Shop plans to extend compostable bag adoption to merchant partners on its platform next year.
- DiDi Shop operates 13,000 active stores in Mexico, including 6,500 small and medium-sized businesses.
- DiDi's wider sustainability plan includes adding 6,000 electric vehicles.
- DiDi is adding 20,000 electric bicycles and 10,000 electric motorcycles to its Latin American delivery fleet
- The compostable bags are rolling out in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexicali and Tijuana
- DiDi Shop plans to consolidate the programme in 2027 before considering expansion to more of its 13,000 connected merchants
Chinese paperboard producer Liansheng Pulp & Paper is raising prices across its kraft linerboard and corrugating medium grades by CNY 50/tonne (USD 7/tonne) in a staggered rollout from 15 to 18 October 2026. The company cites higher raw material and chemical additive costs as the reason. Market commentary tied to the announcement expects the move to support a firmer domestic containerboard spot market.
Why this mattersA price rise from a leading domestic mill signals tightening Chinese containerboard supply-cost conditions that can ripple into regional export pricing for converters.
- High-strength corrugating medium price rises CNY 50/tonne (USD 7/tonne) from 15 October 2026
- A3-grade and T-grade kraft linerboard rise CNY 50/tonne (USD 7/tonne) from 17 October 2026
- A-grade and A2-grade kraft linerboard rise CNY 50/tonne (USD 7/tonne) from 18 October 2026
- Company cites raw material and chemical additive cost increases as the driver
- Final prices subject to the company's official quotation sheet
Industry association IPV reports German flexible packaging makers' sector revenue fell 0.7% to about EUR 2.045bn in 2025, with volumes stable at low levels in the first half of 2026. The association cites weak demand, high material and energy costs, labour shortages and mounting regulatory requirements including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as pressures on the sector.
Why this mattersWith volumes flat at low levels and material costs not easing, German flexible packaging converters face PPWR obligations and a possible plastic packaging tax with little margin headroom.
- IPV estimates German flexible packaging sector revenue fell 0.7% to about EUR 2.045bn in 2025
- German packaging industry overall production value fell 1.7% to EUR 36.4bn in 2025, with volume down 2.4% to about 16.7m tonnes
- Paper, board and film converting sector revenue fell 1.0% to EUR 20.03bn in 2025
- Food retail nominal sales rose 3.4% in 2025 but only 1.1% in real terms; out-of-home catering volumes fell 2.1% in real terms
- First PPWR requirements on recyclability, recycled content and extended producer responsibility took direct effect in EU states from 12 August 2026
- IPV opposes a proposed national plastic packaging tax in Germany, citing additional cost burden
Mondi's underlying EBITDA rose to EUR 196m in the third quarter of 2026 from EUR 167m in the second quarter, which included a EUR 43m forestry fair-value loss, as earlier price increases offset planned maintenance shutdowns and faster-than-expected input-cost inflation. Gas averaged EUR 63/MWh, up 35-40% sequentially, adding roughly EUR 20-25m to quarterly costs; Mondi does not hedge energy. Management expects price increases to offset cost inflation in the fourth quarter at current spot prices, but says energy markets remain volatile.
Why this mattersWith 80-85% energy self-generated but no hedging, Mondi's margin hinges on whether paper price increases keep pace with gas; exposure is concentrated at Duino and Neusiedler.
- Underlying EBITDA was EUR 196m in Q3 2026, against EUR 167m in Q2 2026, which included a EUR 43m forestry fair-value loss.
- Gas averaged EUR 63/MWh in Q3 2026, up 35-40% sequentially; gas and other energy-related costs added about EUR 20-25m in the quarter.
- Mondi had guided to a EUR 35m rise in wood costs in H2 versus H1 2026, about half of it falling in Q3 versus Q2.
- Mondi generates about 80-85% of its own energy and does not hedge energy costs.
- Like-for-like volumes grew about 1% year on year against a largely flat European market.
- Mondi is transferring customer volumes from converting plants scheduled for closure later in 2026.
- Mondi sold one solid board converting plant and agreed to sell a second, with the second sale due to complete by end-September 2026.
- Underlying profit reached EUR 196m (USD 220.6m) in Q3 2026, up 17.4% quarter on quarter, partly reflecting the absence of Q2's forestry impairment.
- Shares fell as much as 8.8% in early trading after the results on continued input-cost pressure concerns.
- CEO Andrew King said further packaging paper price increases should support performance into the fourth quarter despite ongoing cost pressures.
- JPMorgan analysts said sequential fourth-quarter price gains from the increases would likely be minimal as energy costs keep rising.
- CEO Andrew King said higher packaging-paper prices are expected to support fourth-quarter performance
- Containerboard pricing allowed Corrugated Packaging to offset higher energy and wood costs
- Corrugated Solutions margins were hit by competitive pressure and a delayed paper-price recovery
Sylvamo, Sustana, Billerud and Sappi have introduced fuel or freight surcharges, citing higher diesel and transport costs. Sylvamo charges USD 20 per short ton from 1 October 2026, Sustana USD 20 per ton from 12 October, Billerud USD 25 per ton from 1 November and Sappi USD 25 per ton on graphic paper from 6 November. Coverage, effective-date rules and review mechanisms differ by supplier.
Why this mattersFour producers adding freight surcharges within weeks passes diesel costs through to paper and board buyers outside base-price negotiations.
- Sylvamo: USD 1 per hundredweight (USD 20 per short ton) on covered shipments from 1 October 2026, with orders acknowledged before 25 September exempt.
- Sustana: USD 20 per ton on all grades and formats shipped from 12 October 2026, reviewed weekly.
- Billerud: USD 25 per ton on paper and paperboard orders with confirmed delivery dates from 1 November 2026.
- Sappi: USD 25 per ton on graphic paper deliveries from 6 November 2026, covering McCoy, Opus, Somerset, Flo, Private Label, EuroArt and Galerie grades.
- Sylvamo, Billerud and Sappi tie surcharge review to diesel-price benchmarks.
- Kruger will add a USD 1/100lb (USD 20/short ton) transport surcharge from 1 November 2026, itemised separately on invoices.
- ND Paper will apply a USD 25/short ton surcharge on its Orion, Oxford and Pennacook grades from 13 November 2026, tied to the EIA On-Highway Diesel Price remaining below USD 4.66 for four consecutive weeks.
- ND Paper's USD 25-per-short-ton surcharge applies to all basis weights, finishes and grade extensions of its Orion, Oxford and Pennacook paper from 13 November 2026, covering existing and new orders
- Removal of ND Paper's surcharge requires the EIA On-Highway Diesel Price Index to stay below USD 4.66 for four consecutive weeks
- Garda will add USD 1.25 per hundredweight (USD 25 per short ton) to coated two-side paper invoices from 9 November 2026; orders acknowledged before 16 October keep prior pricing
The Flexible Packaging Association has created a Brand Owner Council, a new membership category giving brand owners direct input on flexible packaging issues. Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble are the inaugural members, sitting alongside converters, suppliers and policymakers.
Why this mattersDirect brand-owner engagement in a US trade body signals growing buyer influence over flexible packaging's sustainability and policy agenda.
- FPA launched a Brand Owner Council as a new membership category
- Inaugural members are Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble
- The council includes brand owners, converters, suppliers and policymakers
- Focus areas include circularity, design innovation, consumer education and public policy advocacy
- FPA expects additional companies to join the council over time
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has completed a USD 27.7m (AUD 39.7m) upgrade of its Kewdale plant in Perth, Western Australia, centred on a new can production line. Capacity rises by more than 40 per cent to 16 million cases, about 384 million cans a year, and line speed increases from about 1,060 to 1,500 cans a minute. The line will run around the clock through the summer peak.
Why this mattersAdding 384 million cans a year of filling capacity in Western Australia lifts regional demand for can bodies and ends.
- Investment of USD 27.7m (AUD 39.7m) at CCEP's Kewdale plant in Perth, Western Australia
- The new can line lifts manufacturing capacity by more than 40 per cent
- Capacity reaches 16 million cases, about 384 million cans, a year
- Line speed rises from about 1,060 cans a minute to 1,500 cans a minute
- The line will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the peak season
- Kewdale employs 300 people, including 125 in manufacturing, and is CCEP's fourth-largest Australian plant
Sixteen retailers and brands, including Decathlon and several French cosmetics and fashion labels, have joined Reuse Fast Track, a European reusable shipping packaging programme led by Re-Zip, Raja and DS Smith. The closed-loop system uses reusable cardboard boxes returned via postal letterboxes, with 100,000 reusable parcels expected to be dispatched by spring 2027. The initiative is positioned partly as preparation for upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requirements due by 2030.
Why this mattersA reuse scheme spanning 16 brand owners, backed by a major fibre packaging maker, signals e-commerce packaging shifting ahead of PPWR reuse mandates.
- 16 retailers and brands joined Reuse Fast Track, including Decathlon.
- The scheme is led by Re-Zip, Raja and DS Smith.
- 100,000 reusable parcels are expected to be dispatched by spring 2027.
- Returns are centralised by Raja for quality control and repackaging before re-circulation.
- French online product sales reached EUR 76bn in 2025, according to Fevad.
- Some provisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation come into force by 2030.
German container glass volumes dropped 7.8% year on year to about 1.82 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, according to trade body Aktionsforum Glasverpackung. Beverage bottles fell 8.7%, with wine and sparkling wine down 11.4% and beer and spirits down 6.4%, while food, pharma and cosmetics glass packaging declined 5.9%. The association's Dorothee Richardt said the hoped-for market recovery has not materialised and warned against a planned increase in taxes on sparkling wine and spirits.
Why this mattersA sustained demand slide in a core glass packaging market signals weaker volumes for bottle makers and pressure on capacity utilisation across German plants.
- German container glass sales fell 7.8% to about 1.82 million tonnes in H1 2026
- Beverage bottle segment volumes down 8.7% year on year
- Wine and sparkling wine glass packaging fell 11.4%, beer and spirits fell 6.4%
- Non-alcoholic drinks (water, milk, juice) glass packaging down 8.2%
- Food, pharma and cosmetics glass packaging segment fell 5.9% overall
- Aktionsforum Glasverpackung warns against a planned tax increase on sparkling wine and spirits
Rengo, Japan's largest corrugated board maker, said on 13 October 2026 it will raise prices for paperboard, corrugated board and converted paper products by 10% or more from deliveries on 1 January 2027. The company cited cost increases from global inflation, higher interest rates and Middle East tensions that it says can no longer be absorbed internally. Specific terms will be set individually with each customer.
Why this mattersA double-digit increase from Japan's leading corrugated producer raises packaging input costs for e-commerce and other box users across the market.
- Rengo announced the increase on 13 October 2026
- Price rise applies to paperboard, corrugated board, corrugated boxes and kraft pulp products
- Increase is 10% or more on current prices
- Takes effect for deliveries from 1 January 2027
- Rengo previously requested a price revision from customers in July 2025
- Exact terms will be set per customer based on trading conditions
Sappi Europe will increase prices by 5-7 percent across its full range of Woodfree Coated papers sold in Europe, effective for new orders and deliveries from 12 October 2026. The company cited continued escalation of costs across the supply chain as the reason, and said its sales organisation will contact customers individually to discuss implementation.
Why this mattersA broad increase across Sappi's WFC range signals continued cost pressure in European graphic paper and could push through to converters and print buyers.
- Price increase of 5-7 percent applies to Sappi Europe's full Woodfree Coated paper range
- Increase takes effect for new orders and deliveries from 12 October 2026
- Sappi cites escalating supply chain costs as the driver
- Sappi Europe is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium
- Customers will be contacted individually by Sappi Europe's sales organisation
Valmet has won an order from Anhui Linping Circular Development for a complete board making line, PM 9, for its mill in Xiao County, China, targeting lightweight fluting and liner grades. The order value was not disclosed; it is booked in Valmet's third-quarter 2026 orders received, with start-up scheduled for 2028. Valmet previously supplied an earlier board machine, PM 8, to the same site.
Why this mattersAdds dedicated lightweight fluting and liner capacity in China, reflecting converters' continued shift toward lower-weight containerboard substrates.
- Anhui Linping Circular Development ordered a complete board making line, PM 9, from Valmet
- PM 9 is designed for lightweight fluting and liner grades
- Start-up of PM 9 is scheduled for 2028
- Valmet previously delivered board machine PM 8 to the same Xiao County, China site
- Order value was not disclosed
- Order is included in Valmet's Q3 2026 orders received
Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries (KPI) has signed agreements with local converters FIBC and Taraz Plastic to raise domestic consumption of its polypropylene under a government Investment Acceleration programme. FIBC, which makes PP bags, has expanded capacity and installed new equipment to produce multifilament yarn, a product new to Kazakhstan; Taraz Plastic, which makes hay-baling twine from KPI's polypropylene, plans a capacity expansion and higher raw-material purchases.
Why this mattersA new Kazakh resin supplier is building local downstream demand, a step that could reduce the region's reliance on imported polypropylene packaging materials.
- KPI signed agreements with FIBC and Taraz Plastic under Kazakhstan's Investment Acceleration programme.
- FIBC produces bags from KPI polypropylene and has installed equipment for multifilament yarn, not previously made in Kazakhstan.
- Taraz Plastic uses KPI polypropylene to make hay-baling twine and plans to expand production and raw-material purchases.
- The programme assists domestic polypropylene processors with equipment purchases and capacity expansion.
- FIBC LLP plans to raise monthly PP consumption to 132 tonnes.
- Taraz Plastic LLP targets 30 tonnes of monthly PP consumption by end of 2026.
- KPI produces 11 PP grades, five not previously made in Kazakhstan.
- KPI says the new domestic grades have cut Kazakhstan's PP import volumes by 50%.
A coalition of South Korean publishers is organising a joint damages lawsuit against the six printing paper makers found by the Korea Fair Trade Commission to have fixed prices between February 2021 and December 2024. The KFTC set fines at KRW 338.325bn (USD 253.8m) in April, then cut the final amount to KRW 144.1bn (USD 108.1m) after leniency applications. The coalition will recruit claimants from 13 October to 15 November and file in December, putting publishers' losses at more than KRW 400bn (USD 300m).
Why this mattersCustomer-led damages claims add a second front of financial exposure for the cartel members beyond the regulatory fines and reset orders already under appeal.
- Publishing-industry coalition recruits claimants from 13 October to 15 November 2026 and plans to file a joint damages claim in December
- Publishing sector puts its own losses from the collusion at more than KRW 400bn (USD 300m)
- KFTC imposed fines of KRW 338.325bn (USD 253.8m) in April, reduced to a final KRW 144.1bn (USD 108.1m) under the leniency programme
- Hansol Paper, Moorim P&P, Moorim Paper, Moorim SP, Korea Paper and Hongwon Paper account for about 95% of domestic printing paper sales and held at least 60 meetings between February 2021 and December 2024, agreeing seven price increases
- Average printing paper prices rose about 71%, from KRW 841,000 to KRW 1,439,000 per tonne (USD 631 to USD 1,080), on sales of about KRW 4.03 trillion (USD 3.02bn)
- Seoul High Court suspended the price-reset orders for four of the six companies pending the main proceedings; Korea Paper and Hongwon Paper were referred to prosecutors
- Printing associations representing about 20,000 small operators and 68,000 workers say cumulative damages from the price-fixing exceed KRW 520bn (USD 392.5m)
- A court has granted a stay on the order requiring the six paper makers to re-set prices
- Printing-paper prices remain about 34 percent above 2020 levels, printers say
- Printers are demanding a joint compensation fund from the paper makers plus government damage assessments, policy financing and tax relief
L'Oréal Travel Retail and Avolta agreed a joint sustainability plan at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, targeting 10% refillable formats in core fragrance categories by 2030. The plan also covers lower supply-chain emissions through more efficient transport modes and optimised truckload capacity, and CSR training for beauty advisers. No investment figure or volume was disclosed.
Why this mattersA major brand owner and a leading travel retailer committing jointly to refill targets signals demand-side pressure on fragrance packaging suppliers to develop reusable formats.
- Target is 10% refill formats across core fragrance categories by 2030.
- The plan was agreed in early October 2026 at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.
- Measures to cut supply-chain emissions cover more efficient transport modes and optimised truckload capacity.
- Beauty advisers will receive dedicated CSR training modules under the agreement.
- No capital commitment, volume or unit target was disclosed.
Spanish group SP Group, through its pharmaceutical packaging division Rotor Print, has acquired a 51% stake in Livcer, a French pharmaceutical packaging producer. The deal adds Livcer's three flexographic printing lines and 10 million square metres of annual capacity to Rotor Print's existing 90 million square metres. Livcer, which employs 20 staff and reported turnover of about EUR 6m (USD 6.7m) in 2025, will keep its name and operate under Rotor Print's management.
Why this mattersThe deal gives SP Group a French manufacturing foothold and added capacity in the tightly regulated, certification-heavy pharmaceutical flexible packaging niche.
- SP Group's Rotor Print division acquired a 51% stake in France-based Livcer.
- Livcer adds three flexographic printing lines and 10 million sqm of annual pharma packaging capacity.
- Rotor Print's existing annual capacity stood at 90 million sqm before the deal.
- Livcer reported 2025 turnover of approximately EUR 6m (USD 6.7m) with 20 employees.
- Livcer becomes a subsidiary of SP Group but will retain its own brand identity.
- The partnership was highlighted at the CPHI Milan 2026 trade fair, held 6-8 October.
Oji Holdings has broken ground on a new aseptic liquid-packaging plant in Dong Nai, Vietnam, under its Oji Liquid Pak brand, with total investment of USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion). The 57,000 sqm plant at Long Thanh High-Tech Park is expected to start operations in 2028 with capacity of 8 billion cartons a year and more than 200 new jobs, adding to Oji's existing Vietnamese network of three Ojitex plants and a United Packaging facility.
Why this mattersEight billion cartons a year of new aseptic capacity from 2028 shifts regional liquid-packaging supply closer to Southeast Asian fillers.
- Total investment is USD 110m (VND 2,800 billion)
- Plant site covers approximately 57,000 sqm at Long Thanh High-Tech Park, Dong Nai city
- Groundbreaking took place on 10 October 2026
- Planned annual capacity is 8 billion cartons
- Operations expected to start in 2028
- More than 200 new jobs to be created
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025.
- The plant works alongside IPI, an Italian aseptic carton and equipment maker that joined Oji Holdings in 2023.
- Oji Liquid Pak was established in Vietnam in 2025 as part of Oji Group
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Italian unit IPI, acquired by Oji Holdings in 2023
- Oji Group already operates Ojitex Vietnam, Oji Interpack and United Packaging in Vietnam
- Oji Liquid Pak is a joint venture between Oji Holdings and Italian aseptic packaging technology group IPI
- First client deliveries are expected in the first half of 2028
- Plant technology draws on more than 40 years of aseptic packaging experience from Oji group company IPI of Italy.
Nine Dragons Paper lifted prices of corrugated medium, kraftliner and recycled kraftliner by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne at six plants across China, phased in on 6, 8 and 10 October 2026. Wuzhou Special Paper matched the increase on its Baixi packaging paper line, and Nine Dragons' Chongqing board unit raised board prices by 3% from 8 October, cancelling existing discounts. Producers cite higher recovered paper, coal, chemical and logistics costs.
Why this mattersA price rise spanning five Chinese regions tests whether box makers can pass on higher recovered paper, coal and freight costs into fourth-quarter contracts.
- Nine Dragons raised prices by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne at Taicang, Dongguan, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Tianjin/Hebei and Shenyang plants
- Increases were phased in on 6, 8 and 10 October 2026
- Wuzhou Special Paper raised its Baixi packaging paper series by USD 7 (CNY 50) per tonne from 8 October 2026
- Nine Dragons Intelligent Packaging (Chongqing) raised board prices by 3% from 18:00 on 8 October 2026 and cancelled existing discounts
- Increases cover corrugated medium, kraftliner and recycled kraftliner across East, South, North, Northeast and Southwest China
- Producers cite rising recovered paper, coal, chemical additive and logistics costs as drivers
- Dongguan base raises recycled kraftliner by RMB 50/t (USD 7/t) from 19 October 2026
- Dongguan base raises corrugated medium above 100 gsm by RMB 50/t (USD 7/t) from 20 October 2026
- Chongqing base raises Dilong A kraftliner and Dilong kraftliner by RMB 50/t from 20 October 2026
- Nine Dragons Paper's Shenyang base will raise recycled kraftliner prices by CNY 50 (USD 7.5) per tonne from 20 October 2026, on top of the early-October increase.
- Nine Dragons Paper's Taicang base raises local kraftliner (地龙优质牛卡) prices by CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 19 October 2026
- Taicang containerboard (瓦楞纸) ex-works prices rise by CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 20 October 2026
- Nine Dragons Paper's Shenyang base raises recycled kraftliner price by CNY 50/t (USD 7.5/t) from 20 October 2026
- Nine Dragons Paper raises recycled kraftliner and corrugated paper prices by RMB 50/t (USD 7.49/t) at its Chongqing plant from 23 October 2026
- Jianglong kraftliner price rises by the same RMB 50/t (USD 7.49/t) from 26 October 2026
- Increases attributed to rising costs of recovered paper, coal and chemical auxiliaries
- Nine Dragons Paper's Quanzhou base raises recycled kraft liner (再生牛卡) prices by CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 23 October 2026
- Local-grade kraft liner (地龙牛卡) prices at Quanzhou rise by CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 26 October 2026
- Nine Dragons' Quanzhou base raises recycled kraftliner prices by CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 23 October 2026
- The same mill raises local kraftliner prices by a further CNY 50/t (USD 7/t) from 26 October 2026
- Market commentary (Sinoomarket) expects rival mills to match the increase in the spot kraftliner market
The US Department of Commerce has issued preliminary results in its antidumping duty administrative review of paper shopping bags from Cambodia for the period 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025. Nice Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. was assigned a 20.08 percent dumping margin, also applied to non-examined exporters Brandart S.p.A. and TB Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., while UUPak Company Limited received a 73.30 percent margin based on adverse facts available. Interested parties may comment before Commerce finalises the results and instructs US Customs and Border Protection on duty collection.
Why this mattersPreliminary margins of 20.08% and 73.30% raise landed costs for US importers of Cambodian paper shopping bags, favouring domestic converters or alternative sourcing origins.
- Review period: 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- Nice Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. assigned a 20.08 percent dumping margin.
- UUPak Company Limited assigned a 73.30 percent margin based on adverse facts available.
- Brandart S.p.A. and TB Packaging (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. received the same 20.08 percent rate as non-examined exporters.
- The review covers an existing US antidumping order on paper shopping bags from Cambodia.
- Final results will follow a public comment period and set duty collection instructions for US Customs and Border Protection.
Ardagh Metal Packaging has supplied a 250 mL aluminium can developed specifically for wine to carry Royal Swinkels' new alcohol-free wine brand BarLoca, launching in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Ardagh says it is the only can maker in Europe producing cans tailored to the wine category, with a semi-matt design and interior lining meant to protect flavour.
Why this mattersA brewer putting alcohol-free wine in a dedicated can extends can demand beyond beer and sets aluminium against glass in the no- and low-alcohol category.
- Ardagh Metal Packaging supplied a 250 mL aluminium can for BarLoca, launching in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
- BarLoca is a 0.0% alcohol wine made from Southern Italian wine, de-alcoholised at Royal Swinkels' brewery in Lieshout, Netherlands.
- The can comes in Bianco and Rosso variants with a semi-matt finish, a light- and air-blocking design and an interior lining.
- Ardagh states it is the only can maker in Europe producing cans specifically for the wine sector.
Shandong Bohui Paper, the sole A-share listed unit of Sinar Mas Group's APP (China) business, has begun operating Zibo city's first domestic-transfer export supervision warehouse after customs acceptance. The facility, the first of its kind under Jinan customs jurisdiction, is expected to save the company CNY 1.8m (USD 0.27m) a year by replacing a bonded-zone transfer process that previously risked holiday-season delays.
Why this mattersA streamlined customs transfer process cuts logistics cost and delivery risk for a major Chinese paper exporter serving more than 90 countries.
- The warehouse passed customs acceptance and began operation in early October 2026
- It is Zibo city's first domestic-transfer-type export supervision warehouse and the first under Jinan customs jurisdiction
- Bohui Paper is the sole A-share listed company under Sinar Mas Group's APP (China) unit, with annual capacity of nearly 5 million tonnes
- The company exports paper products to more than 90 countries and regions
- Expected savings are CNY 1.8m (USD 0.27m) a year versus the previous bonded-zone round-trip transfer process
- The prior process required a same-day bonded-zone round trip, raising costs and risking holiday-season customs delays
Surging orders for K-beauty products have pushed Korean cosmetics ODM manufacturers Korea Kolmar and Cosmax to record production capacity, creating a bottleneck in cosmetic container supply such as tubes and pouches. Pumtech Korea, the country's leading cosmetic container maker, is expanding fastest: it bought land in April 2026 for a seventh plant, completed a fourth plant in November 2025, and is building fifth and sixth plants, lifting capacity from 652 million units in 2024 to a projected 828 million units in 2026.
Why this mattersA capacity-constrained container supply chain could cap how fast K-beauty brands can scale output, favouring incumbent packagers able to expand fast enough.
- Korea Kolmar's average monthly production rose from about 46.49 million units in 2024 to about 52.71 million in 2025 and about 61.25 million in the first half of 2026.
- Cosmax's monthly output is about 86 million units and is forecast to soon exceed 100 million.
- Pumtech Korea, the top domestic cosmetic container maker, bought land in April 2026 to expand a seventh plant.
- Pumtech Korea completed a fourth plant in November 2025 and is building fifth and sixth plants.
- Pumtech Korea's capacity is projected to grow from 652 million units in 2024 to 768 million in 2025 and 828 million in 2026.
- Dalba Global reported a shortage of sunscreen containers in the second quarter of 2026.
- Pumtech Korea built an injection-moulding line on the ground floor of Plant 6 to bring previously outsourced production in-house.
- Pumtech Korea secured a site for Plant 7, its next capacity expansion.
- Pumtech Korea raised tube prices from May 2026 and pump prices from June 2026 amid the container shortage.
- Affiliate Buguk TNC is completing a 30% year-on-year expansion of tube container capacity.
A legal opinion commissioned by the European Association of Cardboard Box Manufacturers (ECMA) and distributed by the German folding carton association FFI argues against replacing printed pharmaceutical package inserts entirely with electronic product information. The opinion, written by Prof. Martin Wesch, finds that the planned reform of EU pharmaceutical law, on which Parliament and Council reached political agreement in December 2025, does not require full elimination of paper inserts, and recommends a hybrid model. It also warns that print-on-demand in pharmacies lacks the GMP controls, validated processes and documentation of industrial printing.
Why this mattersFull digitalisation of inserts would cut demand for pharmaceutical cartons and leaflets; the opinion gives converters legal grounds to press for a hybrid model.
- Legal opinion commissioned by the European Association of Cardboard Box Manufacturers (ECMA), issued via the German folding carton association FFI
- Report written by Prof. Martin Wesch, examining electronic product information under the planned EU pharmaceutical law reform
- European Parliament and Council reached political agreement on the reform in December 2025
- The opinion finds EU law does not provide for mandatory full elimination of printed package inserts
- Where member states allow digital-only supply for certain medicine categories, patients would retain a right to a free printed version
- It warns pharmacy print-on-demand lacks the GMP standards, validated printing processes and documented controls of industrial production, and recommends a hybrid model
MTAG Group Bhd has signed a letter of intent to acquire full ownership of LH Label (M) Sdn Bhd and LH Labelprint Sdn Bhd for an indicative cash consideration of RM13.8 million. Both targets are owned outright by Khor Chun Chuan and produce labels and associated printed products. The deal is subject to due diligence, an independent property valuation, further price negotiation and board approval, and would be funded from internal cash.
Why this mattersAt RM13.8m against RM8.02m of cash at 30 June 2026, MTAG would need more than its stated liquidity to fund the purchase from internal funds alone.
- Indicative cash consideration is RM13.8 million for 100% of LH Label (M) Sdn Bhd and LH Labelprint Sdn Bhd.
- Seller Khor Chun Chuan owns both target companies outright.
- MTAG reported RM8.02 million in cash and cash equivalents as at 30 June 2026 with no borrowings.
- The proposed price exceeds MTAG's cash balance by about RM5.78 million.
- Conditions include due diligence on legal, financial, tax and operational matters and an independent valuation of the targets' landed properties.
- Earnest deposit is returnable if conditions are not met within three months of LOI acceptance, unless extended.
The US Department of Commerce has issued preliminary results in its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on paper shopping bags from Taiwan, covering the period 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025. Commerce preliminarily found that Haur Tyi Paper Bag Co., Ltd did not sell subject merchandise below normal value during the review period, and rescinded the review in part for five companies that withdrew their requests. Commerce has invited public comment on the preliminary findings.
Why this mattersA preliminary finding of no dumping leaves Haur Tyi's US importers facing no added duty cost for the 2024-25 period, subject to the final results.
- Commerce preliminarily found Haur Tyi Paper Bag Co., Ltd did not sell subject merchandise below normal value during the review period.
- The review period runs from 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- The review is rescinded in part for five companies whose review requests were all withdrawn.
- Published 8 October 2026 as Federal Register document 2026-20691, citation 91 FR 64339.
- Commerce has invited interested parties to comment on the preliminary results.
The US Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that Hexachase Packaging Sdn. Bhd. sold paper shopping bags into the US below normal value in the review period of 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025, the finding that will set the exporter's antidumping duty rate. Commerce also found that Sin Boon Beng Printing Sdn. Bhd. made no shipments in the period and is rescinding the review for two further companies. Interested parties have been invited to comment before the final results.
Why this mattersA dumping margin for Hexachase raises the landed cost of Malaysian paper shopping bags for US importers and pushes sourcing towards other origins.
- The US Department of Commerce preliminarily found Hexachase Packaging Sdn. Bhd. sold paper shopping bags below normal value during the review period of 3 January 2024 to 30 June 2025
- Commerce found Sin Boon Beng Printing Sdn. Bhd. made no shipments of subject merchandise during the period of review
- Commerce is rescinding the antidumping review with respect to two other companies not named in the determination
- Interested parties have been invited to comment on the preliminary results
- The determination was published in the Federal Register as document 2026-20549, citation 91 FR 64138
Suzano is attempting a further pulp price increase in October, targeting USD 600 per tonne for short-fibre pulp in China, after successfully pushing through a rise in September, according to a BTG Pactual note following meetings with Suzano executives in New York. The bank cites lower port inventories, delays to Asia Pulp and Paper's OKI II project and about 1.3 million tonnes of permanent long-fibre capacity closures as supporting near-term prices, but Suzano itself warned that new supply due in 2027, including Arauco's 3.5 million tonne Sucuriu plant and the delayed 1.4 million tonne OKI II project, could outpace demand growth of only 1-1.5 million tonnes a year and push prices lower again. Suzano said it is prioritising debt reduction and integration of its Kimberly-Clark joint venture over new capacity investment, expecting leverage to peak in the third quarter of 2026.
Why this mattersBuyers face higher pulp costs now, while 2027 capacity additions far exceed structural demand growth of 1-1.5m tonnes a year.
- Suzano is targeting USD 600 per tonne for short-fibre pulp in China in the October price round, after implementing a September rise, per BTG Pactual.
- Arauco's Sucuriu plant in Mato Grosso do Sul is expected to start in H2 2027 with capacity of 3.5 million tonnes of pulp a year.
- Asia Pulp and Paper's OKI II project, delayed to 2027, is expected to add a further 1.4 million tonnes of capacity.
- About 1.3 million tonnes of long-fibre pulp capacity have been permanently closed, supporting the recent price recovery.
- Structural pulp demand growth is estimated at only 1-1.5 million tonnes a year, below planned new supply.
- Suzano expects its leverage to peak in the third quarter of 2026 after completing its Kimberly-Clark transaction, and is prioritising debt reduction over new capacity.
- Hardwood pulp price increase of USD 50 per tonne in the Americas and Europe and USD 20 per tonne in Asia, effective 24 September 2026
- Net debt target lowered to USD 11bn from USD 12bn as of 22 September 2026
- 2026 capital expenditure plan set at USD 2.1bn
- Q2 2026 revenue of BRL 11.59bn and net income of BRL 1.81bn, with adjusted EBITDA of BRL 4.2bn at a 48% margin on pulp sales of 2.9m tonnes
Atedia Films, the former Amcor site in Dax, France, inaugurates on 6 October 2026 a new seven-layer coextrusion line built with a EUR 2.5m investment. The line produces up to 450 kg of technical film per hour, serving the aerospace, animal feed and food-contact flexible packaging markets.
Why this mattersA former Amcor site adds seven-layer barrier film output of 450 kg per hour, serving aerospace, feed and food-contact flexibles as an independent converter.
- Investment of EUR 2.5m (USD 2.8m) in the new line
- Line produces up to 450 kg of film per hour
- Film web rises 16.5 metres on the new coextrusion tower
- Inauguration held on 6 October 2026 for customers and partners
- Site became independent in 2024 after over 50 years inside larger groups, most recently Amcor
- Dax site produced about 12,000 tonnes of film annually under Amcor ownership
Sappi Europe will increase prices across its entire paperboard portfolio by EUR 89 per tonne, effective on new orders and deliveries from 1 November 2026. The company says the move is needed despite productivity gains and cost-cutting already implemented, citing ongoing cost pressures.
Why this mattersA portfolio-wide board increase signals persistent cost inflation for producers and will raise input costs for packaging and graphic converters.
- Price increase of EUR 89 per tonne applies across Sappi's entire paperboard portfolio.
- Effective on all new orders and deliveries from 1 November 2026.
- Sappi cites ongoing cost pressures despite productivity gains and cost-cutting measures.
- Portfolio includes Solid Bleached Board (SBB) and Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS) grades.
- Grades serve both packaging and graphic applications.
French start-up Lactips has signed a contract with US packaging group SmartSolve to produce 210 tonnes of its casein-derived, water-soluble polymer, used in place of petroleum-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in biosourced, water-soluble packaging. The deal follows two years of joint research and development between the two companies. Lactips is based in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, France.
Why this mattersA 210-tonne order gives casein-based polymer its first commercial-scale outlet as a non-fossil substitute for PVOH in water-soluble packaging.
- Lactips signed a contract to produce 210 tonnes of its casein-based polymer for US firm SmartSolve
- The two companies have collaborated for two years on an alternative to petroleum-derived polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH)
- Lactips makes 'plastic-free' granules from casein, a protein found in milk
- Lactips is based in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, France
- SmartSolve specialises in biosourced, water-soluble packaging technologies
Guala Closures has launched Pharma by GC, a new division dedicated to pharmaceutical and healthcare closures, combining its Polish and Indian manufacturing sites with the engineering and regulatory expertise of KWK, the Austrian closures maker it acquired at the end of 2025. The division covers two product lines, Care for prescription solutions and Vitality for OTC and nutraceutical closures, and will be presented at CPHI Milan 2026 on 6-8 October. Chief executive Andrea Lodetti said the company plans further investment and targeted M&A to grow the unit.
Why this mattersGuala Closures turns spirits-closure capacity in Poland and India towards pharma formats, where GMP and cleanroom requirements raise the entry barrier for rival closure makers.
- Pharma by GC launched 6 October 2026 as a standalone division of Guala Closures.
- The division integrates KWK, an Austrian closures producer with 75 years of engineering experience, acquired by Guala Closures at the end of 2025.
- Manufacturing is based in Poland and India.
- Product architecture spans two portfolios: Care (prescription solutions, GMP/ISO 15378, ISO 8 cleanroom) and Vitality (OTC and nutraceutical plastic and aluminium closures, including ROPP and GPI systems).
- CEO Andrea Lodetti said the group will pursue further technology investment and targeted M&A for the division.
- The division is being presented at CPHI Milan 2026, 6-8 October, hall 11, stand 11K11.
