The completion of the strategic transaction between OMV and XRG has resulted in the formation of Borouge International, positioning the company as the world’s fourth-largest polyolefins producer and a major new force in global materials supply. The new entity has been created through the combination of Borouge and Borealis, alongside the acquisition of NOVA Chemicals for $13.4 billion, establishing a …
Henkel to acquire OLAPLEX to expand premium hair care portfolio
Henkel has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of OLAPLEX, a premium hair care brand, at an offer price of USD 2.06 per share, implying a total transaction value of USD 1.4 billion. The transaction has been unanimously approved by OLAPLEX’s Board of Directors. Advent, OLAPLEX’s controlling shareholder, has …
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Esko advances corrugated prepress automation with Auto PlatePatcher
Esko has introduced Auto PlatePatcher within its Flexo Front End platform, targeting automation of plate patch creation in corrugated flexographic prepress. The solution has received the Innovation Excellence award at the FPPA Excellence in Flexo Awards. In corrugated post-print flexo, patching is a critical step where multiple image elements are arranged …
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2026 and Beyond: The UAE’s Single-Use Plastics Ban and the Reset of Packaging Supply Chains.
Laetitia Magentie, Board Member of the Circular Packaging Association and Director of Sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim, shares her perspectives with Ben Daniel, Chief Editor of Packaging MEA, on the significance of the UAE’s single-use plastics ban and the practical pathways shaping circularity in packaging across the region. Ben Daniel: To …
UAE’s 2026 single-use plastics ban reshapes packaging supply chains and market access
As of 1 January 2026, the UAE’s single-use plastics ban is fully in force. Introduced under Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022 and phased in from 2024 onwards, the regulation now applies nationwide. The prohibited list includes: • Plastic shopping bags below 50 microns • Beverage cups and lids • Cutlery (forks, …
Unilever announces $20bn foods business combination deal with McCormick & Company
Unilever has announced an agreement to combine Unilever’s Foods business with McCormick, forming a global flavour-focused entity with combined revenues of approximately $20 billion based on fiscal year 2025 data. The transaction will bring together established brands including Knorr, Hellmann’s and McCormick, alongside growth-oriented brands such as Cholula, Maille and …
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The Coca-Cola system announces R17.6 billion investment in South Africa
The The Coca-Cola Company and its authorised bottling partners, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, have announced a planned investment of R17.6 billion (approximately $1 billion) in South Africa through 2030. The announcement was made at the South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg by Luis Felipe Avellar, president …
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Quadpack introduces Lotus Pod, metal-tipped applicator for skincare packaging
Quadpack has launched the Lotus Pod, a metal-tipped applicator designed for its Skin-Up Bottle, expanding its portfolio of applicator technologies for skincare and makeup packaging formats. The Lotus Pod is the first stainless steel applicator introduced within Quadpack’s Skin-Up range, complementing existing flocked-tip options. It is engineered to deliver a cooling …
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Emerson launches configurable ultrasonic welding platform for packaging and industrial applications
Emerson has introduced the Branson Polaris ultrasonic welding platform, a configurable system designed for joining plastic components used in packaging, including seals and assemblies for food and medical applications. The platform enables manufacturers to process a range of materials, including polymers and bioplastics, supporting packaging formats that require consistent sealing performance and compliance with regulatory …
Majid Al Futtaim and Alshaya expand retail partnership with Primark rollout
Majid Al Futtaim and Alshaya Group are expanding their strategic retail partnership with a series of store openings across flagship malls in the region. The rollout will begin with the launch of Primark at City Centre Mirdif on 9 April 2026. Two additional Primark stores are planned for 2026, including a …
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