UPM and Royal Vaassen introduce fibre-based alternative to plastic and aluminium packaging

UPM Specialty Papers and Royal Vaassen have jointly developed new fibre-based barrier paper solutions intended to replace plastic and aluminium laminates in food and consumer packaging. The solutions respond to the increasing demand for recyclable materials as the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recyclability requirements approach. The Barryrwrap concept, developed by Royal …

UAE Unveils Groundbreaking EPR Pilot Targeting Packaging Waste, Backed by 26 Leading Companies

      Abu Dhabi & Dubai, July 3, 2025 — In a landmark move to revolutionize how packaging waste is managed, the United Arab Emirates has launched the region’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pilot, placing the onus of post-consumer waste squarely on manufacturers and brand owners.     Spearheaded by the Ministry of Climate Change …

Refill Retail Model Targets Packaging Waste Reduction

    A new refill retail concept, Skubu, launched in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, is drawing attention across the packaging sector as a scalable solution to reduce single-use plastic packaging in retail. Developed by Sonke (Pty) Ltd. in partnership with South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation …

Craemer Launches Fully Recyclable Heavy-Duty Pallet for Sustainable Logistics in MEA

    Craemer Group has introduced the E3-5 Zero Virgin, a heavy-duty industrial pallet made entirely from recycled polyethylene (PE), aimed at industries seeking to reduce material waste without compromising performance. This new version of the E3-5 pallet series offers a fully recyclable, long-life load carrier built for demanding logistics operations — including those in …

CCL Label Unveils Circular Packaging Technologies for MEA Beverage Market at Drinktec 2025

      At Drinktec 2025 in Munich, CCL Label is spotlighting a suite of functional packaging solutions designed to support recycling, reuse, and lower emissions—critical issues for beverage producers across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).     One of the standout technologies is EcoShear®, a new adhesive for single-use glass bottles. Unlike traditional …

Tetra Pak and Al Rabie Forge Long-Term Partnership to Overhaul Saudi Production Facility

  The project aims to modernize Al Rabie’s factory with cutting-edge digital technologies from Tetra Pak, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.       Tetra Pak has entered into a significant partnership with Al Rabie, a leading Saudi producer of juices, nectars, and dairy products, to modernize and digitize …

100% Recycled Content: Berry Global and Mars Launch Fully Sustainable Packaging

Berry Global and Mars have announced the switch of Mars’ pantry jars for M&M’S®, SKITTLES®, and STARBURST® brands to 100% recycled plastic, excluding the jar lids. This update follows a 2022 launch of jars made with 15% recycled plastic, marking a significant step in their ongoing sustainability collaboration. The new jars, available in 60-, 81-, …

BEEAH Partners with Greenthesis to Launch First PE Film Recycling Facility in the Middle East

  BEEAH, a leader in sustainability and innovation in the UAE, has partnered with Greenthesis, an Italian company specializing in industrial waste management and environmental services, to develop the Middle East’s first polyethylene (PE) film recycling facility in Sharjah. The facility will be located within BEEAH’s integrated waste management complex in the Al Sajaa area. …

Plastlit and Gneuss Pioneering Food-Grade Polystyrene Recycling in Latin America

Plastlit S.A., a packaging company based in Ecuador, has developed a new method to integrate post-consumer polystyrene into food packaging, using Gneuss OMNI recycling technology. This marks a significant step toward sustainable packaging solutions in Latin America, particularly in Ecuador. Founded over 55 years ago, Plastlit initially focused on flexible packaging for the food industry …

Metsä Group Expands Wood-Based Packaging with Muoto™ Pilot Sales

  Espoo, Finland – Metsä Group’s innovation arm, Metsä Spring, has commenced pre-commercial sales of its three-dimensional, wood-based packaging solution, Muoto™. The packaging, developed at a demo plant in collaboration with Valmet, has been in production in Äänekoski, Finland, since May 2022.   Designed as a durable and recyclable alternative to plastic, Muoto is aimed …