Latest News

EU’s Article 63 focuses on packaging market and waste policies. Credit: indivstock.com – Wetzkaz / Shutterstock

The EU has taken a significant step towards a circular and competitive economy with the formal adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). 

The regulation, which became effective this month, is designed to reduce the dependency on primary raw materials and ensure that all packaging in the EU market can be recycled economically by 2030. 

It also focuses on the safe inclusion of recycled plastic in packaging and sets the regional packaging sector on a path to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. 

Astudy by DS Smith, a fibre-based packaging manufacturer, has disclosed that consumers in the US prefer sustainable and intelligent packaging solutions. The survey, named ‘Unboxing Consumer Preferences on Sustainable Packaging’, indicates sustainability as the top attribute for shipping packages. 

The survey, which involved 1,048 adults in the US, highlighted the growing consumer demand for retail brands to transparently communicate their sustainability achievements. It also emphasised the importance consumers place on how retailers are reducing waste, both in physical stores and within the e-commerce sector.  

Mondi, a sustainable packaging and paper company, has unveiled a new sustainable paint packaging solution called re/cycle SpoutedPouch. 

The re/cycle SpoutedPouch solution, produced at Mondi’s Halle/Steinfeld plant in Germany, features a wider spout than previously to facilitate easier filling and pouring.  

The company collaborated with Sherwin-Williams, a paints and coatings company, to introduce the monomaterial pouch, which is crafted to provide protection for its contents, ensuring the paint concentrate remains secure. 

Packaging One, a UK-based provider of packaging solutions, unveils expansion plan following a seven-figure funding deal with NatWest and its asset finance partner, Royal Bank of Scotland Invoice Finance. 

The expansion will see the company increase its workforce to 80 people and move to a new 44,000ft² facility in Middlewich, England.  

Led by husband-and-wife team Ian and Emma Chesworth, Packaging One is known for its patented product, MediaWrap, which is designed to protect trade-in and recycled mobile devices. 

The Netherlands is contemplating the removal of its national surcharge on single-use plastic packaging. 

This follows observations that the levy, introduced in July 2023, has not significantly reduced plastic waste or encouraged the use of reusable containers.  

A majority of the country’s House of Representatives supports the proposal to eliminate the surcharge, which believes it favours businesses more than the environment. 

The initial policy required foodservice and retail outlets to charge extra for single-use plastic packaging and containers.