The European Commission has released version 1.1 of the Union Register for Novel Technologies. This register validates specific recycling processes and decontamination installations under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616.
Sustainability is steadily transforming public procurement across Europe, and the packaging industry is no exception. The recent live broadcast organized by the European Commission on 10 October 2025 highlighted the role of the EU Ecolabel in helping public buyers select greener products more easily, efficiently, and cost-effectively. With over 110,000 certified goods now on the…
Monash University of Australia has announced a breakthrough in its research on biodegradable plastics technology, by converting food waste sugars into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biopolymers. This innovation could redefine sustainable packaging by replacing petroleum-based plastics with compostable, renewable alternatives. From Food Waste to Functional Film The Monash researchers developed natural plastic films derived from sugars…
Nine of the UK’s largest supermarket chains have announced a “Statement of Intent” to explore reusable packaging across physical stores and online channels. Supported by WRAP and governments from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this initiative aims to significantly reduce single-use packaging. Coalition of Major Retailers Taking Action The partnership involves Aldi, Asda, Co‑op, Lidl…
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…
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 European Commission has approved a € 500 million initiative proposed by France for a chemical recycling scheme that supports certain types of plastic waste. This initiative aligns with EU circular economy goals outlined in the European Commission’s Political Guidelines for 2024-2029. Materials and Funding of the Chemical Recycling Scheme The project targets various…
Sustainability in packaging has become a central issue for businesses worldwide, yet many companies are struggling to meet the data requirements necessary for compliance. A global survey conducted by packaging consultancy Aura highlights a significant gap in how businesses track their sustainable packaging data, with many still relying on outdated manual methods. As regulatory frameworks…
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) of the UK has recently introduced a framework to evaluate and categorize the recyclability of various packaging materials, under the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) initiative. This system aims to help businesses understand how their packaging impacts recycling processes and associated costs. Recyclability Assessment Framework…
A comprehensive study published in Environmental Science & Technology evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of plastic products versus their alternatives across 16 applications. These include key sectors such as packaging, construction, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods, which together account for 90 % of global plastic use. The findings reveal a counterintuitive reality: replacing plastics…
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a breakthrough in developing eco-friendly alternatives to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for packaging. By employing advanced metabolic engineering techniques, the team created a microbial strain capable of producing pseudoaromatic polyester monomers. These materials offer improved biodegradability and physical properties, presenting a promising solution…