Is Plastic Fantastic? Part 3: rPET in MEA: Can Policy and Innovation close the loop?

  As demand for recycled PET (rPET) rises, the MEA region struggles to scale recycling due to contamination, infrastructure gaps, and economic barriers. However, policy support, industry collaboration, and innovation could enable a circular PET economy. Usha Benjamin, Sustainability Editor, Packaging MEA, explores the challenges and opportunities.     As sustainability has become an immediate …

WPO: Empowering Communities in the Middle East & Africa Through Reduced Food Waste

  With food waste a pressing global concern, WPO Vice President for Sustainability & Save Food, Nerida Kelton calls for international collaboration, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, to adopt innovative packaging solutions that combat food loss.       Food waste is a complex and often underestimated global issue when looking at sustainability …

IPP Leverages Gen Alpha Technology to Transform Gravure Printing in Flexible Packaging

      Integrated Plastics Packaging (IPP) harnesses  Gen Alpha Technology sets a new benchmark in gravure printing, combining precision and sustainability to elevate branding in the food, pharmaceutical, and FMCG sectors. This cutting-edge innovation ensures exceptional color accuracy and consistency, redefining flexible packaging standards.     Gravure printing remains a leading solution in the …

Al Ain Water Pioneers Sustainable Packaging with 100% Recycled PET Bottles

Al Ain Water has introduced the UAE’s first locally produced 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottle, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainability and a circular economy. This new packaging initiative addresses the growing concern of plastic waste and high bottled water consumption in the UAE, where residents use an average of 450 …

Nestlé Ghana Unveils New NIDO® Packaging in Support of Nutrition and Sustainability

  Nestlé Ghana Ltd. has launched a newly redesigned packaging for NIDO®, the beloved milk powder brand that has been nourishing families across the country for decades. The revamped packaging not only reflects the company’s commitment to providing nutritious products but also underscores its dedication to reducing its environmental impact.       The new …

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 …