Week 41, 2026 15 items
UK & Europe business
Austrian manufacturer ALPLA plans to open a new plant in Las Vegas to boost domestic plastic bottle production, citing access to major transport corridors and distribution networks as part of its North American growth strategy.
via Packaging Insights — read the original
The European Commission has published a draft list of non-OECD countries eligible to receive EU exports of non-hazardous waste, including paper, metal and glass, after May 2027.
Flexible plastics specialist Duo Packaging, based in Manchester, has created a graphene-enhanced film intended for retail and e-commerce packaging, which it describes as a significant advance for the sector.
The British Standards Institution has released what it describes as the first internationally recognised system to help supply chains prevent, reduce and report food waste.
Norwegian packaging producer Elopak has started using low-carbon aluminium made with renewable electricity in its European liquid carton production, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of its packaging.
ExxonMobil partnered with Scientex, Windmöller & Hölscher and Haver & Boecker to develop a polyethylene-based form-fill-seal solution for heavy-duty sacks, broadening material options for industrial packaging.
Charter Next Generation has filed a WARN notice confirming the November 30 closure of its blown film plant in Grand Prairie, Texas, which will affect 56 employees.
Greif, Charter Next Generation and McKinley all announced facility closures in September, while Henkel revised its plans to close an adhesives manufacturing plant in Wisconsin.
American manufacturers turned out 9.1 billion pounds of plastic resin in August 2026, a 1.7% rise on July, even as recyclers struggle with weak pricing and reliance on imported material.
UFlex has partnered with US-based Spectra Systems to bid for India's planned polymer banknote programme, launched by the Reserve Bank of India's currency-note printing subsidiary.
PepsiCo and Monster are challenging an Indian regulator's directive banning the term 'Energy Drink' on packaging, arguing it threatens existing stock, marketing spend and established brand recognition.
A printing business has grown from single-colour origins to five-colour B1 publication work, and has now added a new Komori press to handle larger contracts with tighter tolerances and shorter lead times.
Carlsberg, DS Smith and KHS have jointly developed a premium multipack with rounded corners based on SCA's Arcwise technology, launching first in Poland with further packaging projects planned.
The Sustainable Print Manifesto has launched an implementation framework at a Valencia industry summit, giving print service providers a common way to act on, measure and demonstrate sustainability performance to brands.
Kamboo and Kampak's managing director Jacques Human says balancing sustainability with performance is spurring innovation in flexible packaging, citing lighter films, more recycled content and mono-material options like MDO-PE and BOPE.
