BASF has raised its full-year earnings outlook after reporting higher sales and earnings in the second quarter of 2026, with improved performance in its Materials and Industrial Solutions businesses providing particular relevance for packaging and plastics markets. The German chemical group reported second-quarter sales of €17.2 billion, €2.4 billion higher …
Alcoa’s US$5.6bn South32 deal puts South Africa’s aluminium packaging supply chain in focus
Alcoa’s proposed acquisition of South32’s bauxite, alumina and aluminium assets will bring the Hillside aluminium smelter in South Africa into its global portfolio, placing renewed attention on an important upstream link in the country’s aluminium packaging supply chain. The transaction, announced on 30 June 2026, covers South32’s interests in operations across …
SmartSolve introduces recyclable release liner for pressure-sensitive labels
SmartSolve has introduced a recyclable release liner for its pressure-sensitive label materials, providing an alternative liner option as packaging and label producers examine the end-of-life performance of label components. The new liner contains 100% post-consumer waste recycled content and is described by SmartSolve as 100% curbside recyclable. It has a …
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UAE-based Radiant House pushes hybrid label production with MENA-first Gallus One installation
PACKAGING MEA EXCLUSIVE Radiant House Labels Industries is putting digital-flexo hybrid production to the test at the Middle East and Africa’s first Gallus One hybrid installation, recently completing 55 label jobs in a 12-hour shift. Ben Daniel speaks with Managing Director Sayed Shamsuddin and Heidelberg Gulf’s Biju George about the production economics behind …
Vision Foods & Packaging strengthens folding carton converting with BOBST die-cutting and folder-gluing investment
Pakistan-based Vision Foods & Packaging has expanded its folding carton finishing capabilities with BOBST NOVACUT 106 E die-cutters and a NOVAFOLD 80 A2 folder-gluer, adding capacity across two critical post-press stages as the Lahore converter targets higher throughput, consistent carton quality and shorter production lead times. Vision Foods & Packaging has …
Paper packaging in transition: What MEA converters and brands need to get right
By Ben Daniel, Chief Editor, Packaging MEA Paper and paperboard packaging are gaining ground across the Middle East and Africa as regulation, sustainability commitments and demand for recyclable formats reshape packaging decisions. But replacing plastic with paper is not circularity in itself. For converters and brand owners, the real challenge is combining …
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Al Jawad Flexi advances Saudi flexible packaging capacity with W&H investment
Al Jawad Flexi has commissioned a Windmöller & Hölscher NOVOFLEX II flexographic press at its new manufacturing facility and is preparing to install an OPTIMEX II blown-film line, advancing an expansion programme spanning film extrusion, printing and converting. Al Jawad Flexi, part of Takamul Industries, is expanding its flexible packaging manufacturing …
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Konica Minolta and Color-Logic expand partnership to enable metallic label decoration for digital packaging applications
Konica Minolta has expanded its partnership with Color-Logic to integrate the Color-Logic metallic colour communication system with the AccurioLabel 400 digital label press, enabling label converters to produce metallic decorative effects for packaging applications without conventional foiling processes. The collaboration was announced by the companies as part of their continued efforts to broaden digital embellishment …
Jordan expands e-waste recycling infrastructure with eight factories and 34 collection centres to support circular economy
Jordan has expanded its electronic waste recycling infrastructure by licensing eight specialised recycling factories and 34 collection centres as part of a national strategy to improve resource recovery, strengthen environmental protection and advance the country’s circular economy agenda, according to the Ministry of Environment. The initiative, announced in Amman on 13 …
TotalEnergies Corbion launches PLA foam alternative to polystyrene for food packaging
TotalEnergies Corbion has commercially launched Luminy® FOAM 50F, a high melt strength polylactic acid (PLA) grade for extrusion foamed packaging applications, targeting fresh food trays and food service containers. Announced on July 7, 2026, the material is designed as a lower-carbon, circular alternative to extruded polystyrene (XPS) while operating on …