A new report from researchers at Leeds Beckett University explores what the packaging industry could become by 2034, outlining a roadmap shaped by sustainability, collaboration, and resilience. Drawing on insights from top leaders in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, the study emphasizes the importance of long-term, systemic change rather than fragmented, short-term solutions. …
A global review of waste and pollution data has revealed that countries with deposit return schemes (DRS) see significantly less drinks container litter on their beaches. According to circular economy organization Reloop, nations that have adopted these systems report, on average, a 54% reduction in beverage container waste in coastal areas. Drastic Cut in…
Our laboratory has officially expanded its accredited methods for chemical and mechanical testing, reinforcing our commitment to quality, compliance, and customer confidence. We are now accredited for a broader and more advanced range of metal determination techniques. These include the specific migration, total content, and extractable content of critical elements in packaging materials, crucial for…
A recent industry whitepaper by ICIS (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services), projects that global mechanical recycling could reach over 50 million tonnes annually by 2050. This marks a doubling of current recycling rates in regions such as Europe, North America, and North Asia, where mechanical recycling made up just 8% of demand in 2024. The analysis…
A recent study by consultancy group Bain & Company underscores the transformative potential of chemical recycling in reshaping the plastics industry. Despite its current limitations, the sector is viewed as a key driver for reducing plastic waste and lessening dependence on virgin materials—if adequate investment and policy backing are secured. A Newcomer Industry Held…
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is calling on manufacturers and businesses in the plastics sector to report any instances of false claims related to recycled content in plastic packaging. This move aims to protect legitimate players in the market and uphold the credibility of the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), introduced in 2022 to encourage…
A new report from the Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) initiative outlines five advanced recycling technology categories that promise to raise the quality of recyclates and make flexible packaging more recyclable than ever before. The research aims to support EU circular economy goals, including the ambitious target of recycling 55 % of flexible packaging…
The once-promising expansion of rigid polyolefin recycling in Europe has reached an impasse, according to a recent joint analysis by Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) and ICIS. After years of steady growth, recycling capacities for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) plateaued in 2023, revealing a significant slowdown in progress within the European recycling sector. …
The UK Government, alongside Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and Scottish Ministers, has selected the UK Deposit Management Organization (UK DMO) to administer the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Covering England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, this marks a pivotal move towards enhancing recycling infrastructure for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers.…
Since its publication in the Official Journal on 22 January 2025, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (“PPWR”) has set a clear, phased timeline to transform packaging across the EU into sustainable, circular‐economy–friendly materials. From strict chemical limits and the first reusable packaging standards to binding recycled‐content requirements and “recycled at scale” targets, the PPWR charts a path from 12 August 2026 through 2035.…
On 31 December 2024, the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport of the Dutch Government, enacted a ministerial regulation, modifying the Commodities Act Regulation on Packaging and Utensils (Warenwetregeling verpakkingen en gebruiksartikelen). This update implements the Benelux Committee of Ministers’ decision on metals and alloys intended for contact with foodstuffs (M (2022) 12) and…
Plastic pellets — tiny raw materials used in plastic production — are among the main sources of microplastic pollution. The European Union has taken a major step to tackle this issue through a provisional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament. The goal is to minimize pellet losses throughout the supply chain and reduce…