The three handbooks for Recyclable, Compostable, and Reusable Packaging Design outline the latest certification requirements, labeling rules, and guidance for packaging designers, engineers, retailers, distributors, and policymakers. 

The law, Assembly Bill 660, requires food products to use standardized quality labels, “Best if Used By” or “Best if Frozen By,” or safety labels, “Use By” or “Use or Freeze By.” Any food item for human consumption in California that is not labeled according to the standard is prohibited from sale as of 1 July 2026.

Perspectives from WRAP, Gentlebrand, and Beyondly underline that regulation, circularity, and changing consumer expectations dictate that brands must balance ecological responsibility while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

The portfolio combines four solutions: Embrace, E-Simplicity, Future Disc Top, and E-Disc Top. The innovations aim to enhance product protection in transit, support brands’ sustainability goals, and improve consumer experience.

Foundation FSSC is the organization behind the global Certification Scheme FSSC 22000 for Food Safety. Its latest version (V7) includes guidelines regarding packaging in relation to food waste. It was developed after Foundation FSSC acknowledged how the design of packaging “plays a vital role in reducing FLW.” 

The fiber-based packaging solution is designed for two types of Mach water filters, which are used for the protection of domestic water pipes. 

Meanwhile, the Packaging Recovery Note system uses recycling data to help producers meet their legal packaging obligations, underpinning recycling targets, and driving investment in recycling capacity. 

Avery Dennison says that when humidity rises sharply, one of the biggest concerns for printing companies and end users is label wrinkling or edge lifting after labels are applied to corrugated cartons.

The Restore Refillable Toothpaste aims to combine high performance, aesthetic design, and a “future-focused approach” to materials. The refills are made from Vivomer, a plastic-free biomaterial designed to compost after storing the toothpaste.

“This new carton packaging allows us to enhance the visibility of the range in stores thanks to a larger on‑pack display area,” says Lionel Manivet, responsible innovation expert at Florette France.  

During the same period, packaging from the F&B sector was behind 97% of packaging material released on the market, while the total amount of all packaging on the market was 98 kg per capita. 

Aora’s products are packaged in tin, aluminum, or wood with zero plastic. Its cosmetic solutions are formulated with Mexican-origin ingredients, including five native chiles, tepezcohuite, and cactus flower. 

The partnership will bring together Henkel’s product portfolio and industry expertise with Applied Adhesives’ national sales organization, technical service, and logistics network.

The VTC 840 WD is built for demanding protein, poultry, cheese, frozen food, and other high-sanitation applications. It offers full 360-degree washdown capability, intelligent automation, ergonomic design, and measurable sustainability gains, according to the US-based packaging company.

RX Greater China, the event organizer, highlights that innovation in the country’s non-ferrous metals market is expanding. RX points out that new materials and production processes are advancing rapidly, while companies across the supply chain are increasingly recognizing the value of innovation.

The paper packaging provider engineered an octagonal structure aiming to combine bold design with strength and efficiency for Coca-Cola China’s World Cup gift pack for supermarket shelves, including eight 330 mL cans of Coca-Cola and a football souvenir.

The packaging solution features 75% recycled content using LYB’s CirculenRevive polymers and an ISCC Plus certified mass balance approach. 

The plastic-free takeaway trays, produced in Varberg, Sweden, are said to offer moisture and oil resistance from greasy foods. 

The material is designed to replicate the performance of conventional extruded polystyrene (XPS), while offering a reduced carbon footprint, according to the PLA production company.

The study, published in Food Research International, investigated pumpkin peel, an agricultural by-product that accounts for roughly 10% of the fruit’s weight, as a raw material for developing biodegradable functional food packaging designed to preserve fruit quality.

In collaboration with local organization Green Phenix, the second stage of Destination Zero Waste Curaçao is set to incorporate 100 tourism and hospitality businesses, with the aim of collecting, sorting, and recycling 25 metric tons of plastic waste and 30 metric tons of other waste materials. 

Packaging Insights speaks to Constantia Flexibles and Südpack, with data from Innova Market Insights about how regulatory updates and shifting consumer expectations are pushing dessert brands to rethink their delivery format.

The microplastic-free mask is marketed as safe under the idea that what goes on the lips also goes in. “We make lip formulas with that accidental journey in mind,” says the company.

Polytag’s UV tag is described as an invisible digital fingerprint that is readable by specialized detection units installed at Material Recovery Facilities. These carry “detailed” packaging-specific data that cannot be determined only through the use of images, according to the company.  

Packaging Insights speaks with Aptar Beauty, Sidel, and Bormioli Luigi about their latest R&D innovations and why digitalization is becoming essential to maintaining a competitive edge.

The closures developed by Forewood are made from wood and plant fibers. They offer stability and barrier protection, while the natural look of the material stands out aesthetically, says Sensoplast. 

Packaging Insights sits down with Naidoo to explore Africa’s waste management, highlighting the countries that are leading the way, as well as what she calls the industry’s “false solutions,” including  waste-to-energy, chemical recycling, and plastic credits. 

The two businesses will continue to operate under their existing brands and management, ensuring continuity for personnel, customers, and supplier relationships.

“The key concern is that many EPR systems are not currently designed in a way that ensures higher fees paid translate into improvements in flexible packaging recycling rates,” Alec Walker-Love, communication lead at CEFLEX, tells Packaging Insights.

The “Love Where You Live Heckmondwike” campaign is backed by Kirklees Council, local Member of Parliament Kim Leadbeater, and brands including KFC, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s, and Nestlé. According to Keep Britain Tidy, the program has achieved reductions in litter and a measurable uplift in how residents feel about their area.

The update includes: ERP Foundation, manufacturing execution system (MES), Control Systems, and Smart Scheduling pillars of the CommandCore platform.

Meaning “quick response,” consumers can scan QR codes to find out a host of information, such as recycling instructions, allergen information, product origin, promotions, and recipes. They offer companies a direct pathway to engage with consumers and raise awareness around their brand.  

The EC says that with the new rules, it aims to ensure transparency in the calculation of chemically recycled PET, to “level the playing field,” and secure the plastic recycling sector. 

“Europe’s plastic recycling sector faces mounting pressures,” adds Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.  “The new rules on chemical recycling are part of the answer to that challenge.” 

Thai Union explains that the ready-meal and meal kit industry “continues to boom” across Europe as consumer demand for convenient formats grows. Earlier this year, Innova Market Insights identified ready-meal formats as a Top Packaging Trend for 2026. 

The comprehensive solution coincides with the European Chemical Industry Council’s (Cefic) call for an EU-wide harmonized end-of-waste criteria for chemical recycling and the launch of the Certification Standard for Responsible Chemical Recycling by the Scientific Certification Systems’ (SCS) Standards and Assurance Systems development body — highlighting industry efforts to create a common framework for the technology. 

The CW-D3800 is developed for reliable, low-volume color label printing, providing an on-demand color labeling solution for visitor management and custom, private, or seasonal product labels.

The company plans to roll out the new packaging incrementally from mid-July across a range of bagged products, including concrete, mortar, sand and cement, grout, and sand-based mixes.

Lactips is a French company specializing in producing natural and fully bio-based polymers that are said to be water-soluble and biodegradable in various environments.

Lion says it is “the first in the world” to successfully combine circular beer bottles and digital tracking. The pilot is developed to modernize the classic Kiwi Swappa Crate by eliminating the deposit and adding digital tracking to help consumers manage reusable bottles easily.

The new national standard sets key indicators for the size and suitability of express packaging boxes, the number of packaging layers, and the amount of sealing tape used, defining the baseline requirements for limiting excessive packaging in express delivery, including e-commerce parcels.

PackUK is the official scheme administrator for the UK’s packaging EPR (pEPR) program. RAM 2027 is the updated framework that producers must use to assess the recyclability of packaging using a red, amber, and green scale, which determines fee modulation. 

The study, published in Applied Surface Science Advances, explains that when fruits and vegetables are transported and stored in closed packaging, the concentration of ethylene in the produce accelerates, leading to quicker ripening and rotting. 

The collaboration aims to expand Amcor’s AmFiber solutions with a coating said to be more sustainable, while maintaining its high running speed and circularity. 

When products are filled at high-altitude facilities and then transported to lower elevations, changes in pressure can create a vacuum inside sealed containers. This can cause the packaging to deform in the shape of paneling and, in severe cases, structural collapse.

The Al Taweelah facility is reportedly the largest of its kind in the UAE, with an annual production capacity of 185,000 metric tons. The plant can process post-consumer aluminum scrap, such as that from cans, into billets and T-bars. 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off, sparking discussions about the future of single-use foodservice packaging at large-scale venues, as well as the safety considerations associated with some reusable formats. 

Additionally, we explored the latest developments in EPR in the US and how packagers in the EU are preparing for the looming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) August deadline. 

“We see five key drivers shaping the next generation of aluminum can innovation: sustainability, economics, health and safety compliance, branding and marketing, as well as consumer experience,” Jeff Grajewski, chief operations officer at Canovation, tells us. 

The end-to-end compliance solution allows customers to ensure their DoC and TD are fully organized, compliant, and signed in time, according to Recyda.

“Recyda’s mission has always been to lift the burden of manual compliance by empowering the packaging value chain with modern, auditable digital solutions. Developing a sophisticated and reliable platform specifically for PPWR is the logical evolution of that core purpose,” comments Christian Knobloch, co-founder and managing director at Recyda.

Published in ACS Applied Polymer Materials, the prototypes incorporate cellulose binders and other additives to create rigid or flexible materials. According to the scientists, some versions matched PS strength and impact resistance, while a beeswax coating improved water resistance.