Greenliner launches Egypt’s largest containerboard machine, PM 1

    Greenliner has successfully launched Egypt’s largest containerboard machine, marking a milestone in the country’s industrial paper sector. The PM 1 machine, located at the company’s 10th of Ramadan City facility, began production in November 2025 and is now operational with the most advanced papermaking technologies in the country.     Spanning a 5.15-meter …

Bel Group begins global rollout of Babybel paper packaging in sustainability shift

    Bel Group has initiated the global rollout of recyclable paper packaging for its Babybel® cheese products, marking a significant step in its packaging transformation strategy. The company aims to fully replace Babybel’s current cellophane wrap with responsibly sourced paper packaging by 2027 across all production sites and markets.     This shift follows …

Tetra Pak unveils Factory OS™ at Gulfood Manufacturing: A decisive step toward AI-ready food and packaging production

  Ben Daniel, Editor-in-Chief, Packaging MEA reports from Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai         Tetra Pak used the global stage of Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 to launch Tetra Pak® Factory OS™, its most advanced Automation and Digitalisation platform to date. Positioned as a modular, open and scalable smart-factory ecosystem, Factory OS™ represents a strategic shift in …

Mondi advances transition to PE-free wrappers for cut-size paper at European mills

Mondi has finalized the transition to polyethylene (PE)-free wrappers for its entire Mondi-branded cut-size paper portfolio produced at its Slovak mill in Ružomberok. The company’s Austrian site in Neusiedler is set to complete the shift by 2026. The move eliminates the use of approximately one kilogram of plastic per tonne of finished cut-size paper. Unlike …

Mondelēz and DS Smith trial paper tubs for Cadbury Heroes

    Mondelēz International has partnered with packaging supplier DS Smith to pilot paper-based packaging for its Cadbury Heroes range in the UK, marking a shift from traditional plastic tubs. The trial, which introduces 300,000 paper tubs, will be available for a limited time across Tesco stores nationwide starting in October.     This “test …

ALCA Corp debuts world’s first products filled on SIG’s new in-line aseptic pouch system

    SIG and ALCA Corp have announced the launch of the first commercial products filled on SIG’s next-generation aseptic spouted pouch system featuring in-line pouch sterilization. The new system, SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic, removes the need for third-party pre-sterilization of pouches. The debut will take place at Anuga 2025 in Cologne, Germany, from …

KEZAD and Al Ghurair Foods drive UAE’s first corn starch plant to power paper and packaging growth

      Al Ghurair Foods has announced the phased completion of the UAE’s first corn starch plant at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), targeting full operational rollout by the first quarter of 2026. The plant is expected to play a critical role in supporting key downstream sectors including the paper and packaging industries. …

Star Paper Mills to begin trial production at $54 million recycled container board facility in KEZAD

    Star Paper Mills is set to begin trial production at its US$54 million recycled container board mill in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, with construction 95% complete. The announcement will be formally made during the ProPaper 2025 event, but the company confirmed operational activities are expected to commence before year-end.     The 135,000-tonne capacity …

Mondi and Ekornes replace plastic mattress wrap with recyclable paper-based solution

    Mondi has partnered with Norwegian furniture manufacturer Ekornes to introduce a paper-based packaging system for wrapping high-end mattresses, replacing the company’s previous plastic-based solution.     The new CompressWrap system, developed by Mondi, combines two types of FunctionalBarrier Paper to ensure secure compression and transport of mattresses. In the first stage, FunctionalBarrier Paper …

Mondi introduces semi-extensible kraft paper designed for coating and strength

Mondi has launched Ad/Vantage Smooth Brown Semi Extensible, a kraft paper developed to offer a balance of strength, extensibility, puncture resistance, and a smooth surface suitable for high-quality printing and coating. Positioned between traditional sack kraft and machine-finished kraft grades, the new product is aimed at both industrial and consumer packaging markets. It has been …