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March in review: Global waste exports, plastic “demonization,” Amazon greenwashing dispute

March in review: Global waste exports, plastic “demonization,” Amazon greenwashing dispute

In March, we spoke to Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO and co-founder at Tipa, about why compostable packaging can solve continuing global waste exports. Meanwhile, Greenback Recycling Technologies told us why the “demonization” of plastic won’t solve pollution challenges. In big news developments, Amazon Basics was accused of “misleading” consumers and contributing to deforestation, and ChemSec raised concerns about the European Commission’s latest proposal to label potentially dangerous substances as “sustainable.” 
Global push for biodegradable packaging faces regulatory gaps and market challenges
Global push for biodegradable packaging faces regulatory gaps and market challenges
The push for biodegradable packaging solutions is gaining momentum. While regulatory support in the EU has accelerated the transition toward biodegradables and away from conventional materials, other markets still rely on consumer-driven demand, according to experts at Sulapac and Releaf Paper. Challenges in biodegradable packaging commercialization, financing, and infrastructure persist, but innovative materials and strong advocacy efforts help to overcome these hurdles.
Nextek CEO and founder: Addressing decontamination is a key step toward food pack circularity
Nextek CEO and founder: Addressing decontamination is a key step toward food pack circularity
Industrial recycling of post-consumer polyolefin films lacks a decontamination process that allows food-grade compliance, says Edward Kosior, CEO and founder at Nextek.  We discuss the challenges of flexible plastic recycling and how the company’s COtooClean mechanical recycling technology can solve this issue with Kosior.
Ready Meal revamps
Ready Meal revamps
Innova Market Insights data indicates that Ready Meal launches increased by 4% on average annually from 2020 to 2024. Flat Pouch (39%) was the leading packaging type for the Ready Meal launches in 2024, with Cup and Pot having the fastest increase for NPD. Recyclable (38%) is the leading environmental claim, with bio-based/plant-based packaging surging with 103% growth in the last five years.
The emergence of product personalization in the packaging industry
The emergence of product personalization in the packaging industry
Gustavo Hernandez, senior category manager at VistaPrint Europe, discusses how personalized food packaging offers more than just a simple container. We explore how a personalized packaging unboxing experience can foster an emotional connection through features like QR codes and AI. Hernandez also tells us about the challenges of creating personalized food packaging — ensuring correct consumer design and fast delivery times.
Drinking to Wellness
Drinking to Wellness

In this edition you will learn more about:

  • Top 5 Trends in Beverages, Alcohol for a New Generation, Plant-Powered Preservatives, The Graceful Aging Movement, Compostable Packaging
  • Circularity in Drinks Packaging, Beverage Highlights, “Neo-Hedonism” in Future Food, Nutrient Labeling Systems, Protein from the Extruder
  • Natural Colors in Lifestyle Beverages, Citrus Supply Chains, Trends in Soft Drinks, Vitafoods Preview, Sugar & Sports
  • Beverages Redefined, Live Microbes, Seaweed Hydrocolloids, Mental Performance Drinks, Synbiotics & On-the-Go Nutrition
  • View from the Top: Patrick Niels, president taste, texture & health at dsm-firmenich

Latest headlines

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Contempo Specialty Packaging unveils child-resistant box for pre-rolled cannabis
Several red cigarette boxes with white text
Contempo Specialty Packaging has introduced a child-resistant, cigarette-style box made entirely from paperboard for pre-rolled joints. This solution aims to address both safety and environmental sustainability concerns in the cannabis industry.Creating child-resistant cannabis packaging from paperboard has posed challenges in the past. Cigarette packs with flip-top designs often fail child-resistant testing due to vulnerable tear points, making them accessible to children.
Polytag boosts plastics recycling in Wales with UV detection units
garbage bag in front of Welsh flag, red dragon
Polytag has installed four Plastic Detection units at Material Recycling Facilities in Wales, UK, which will track the 170,000 tons of waste that enters the recycling and recovery stream every year. The company develops invisible UV tags, which allow businesses to access packaging recycling data in real-time and enhance recycling efficiencies. The company develops invisible UV tags, which allow businesses to access packaging recycling data in real-time.
Tomra Recycling harnesses AI for aluminum scrap sorting
tomra AI metal sorting
Tomra Recycling has expanded its advanced metal recycling portfolio with the first application of its AI-based GainNext sorting technology. The deep learning solution can improve the purity of molded aluminum scraps, supporting processors and recyclers.Tomra says its GainNext solution can instantly recover low alloy cast from the wrought aluminum fractions while reducing alloying elements such as silicon, wrestling in “high purity fractions.”
H&T Presspart launches snap-fit closures for the pharma market
vytal
H&T Presspart has launched the Vytal ready-to-use snap-fit closure solution for advanced therapeutics, including biologics, mAbs, and cell-based therapies. The solution addresses issues specific to complex biotherapeutics, which the company highlights as key to the pharmaceutical market. H&T Presspart, a division of Heitkamp & Thumann Group, develops and manufactures drug delivery components and devices for the pharmaceutical industry.
Ulma introduces RFID-powered thermoforming machines for improved food pack production
Ulma's TFX
Ulma Packaging has launched its TFX thermoformers for the food industry. The TFX range incorporates movement synchronisation that boosts production by up to 10% and a vacuum system design that improves efficiency by reducing the vacuum cycle time by 20%.Ulma says that the TFX line reduces format changeover times and optimizes downtown by utilizing technology such as touchscreen-controlled tray height adjustment, automatic film and label roll changeovers, and quick-release systems for longitudinal cutting. 
Savor CEO: Crafting animal-free butter from carbon to “bypass” conventional agriculture
Savor butter.

Food Ingredients First

US-based start-up Savor has commercially launched its animal- and plant-free butter made from carbon. Through its proprietary technology, the company “bypasses” the lengthy conventional agricultural cycle and creates real fats in a process that involves significantly less land, water, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “The fats we produce are chemically identical to those you consume daily, meaning they provide the same nutritional fuel for your body,” the company’s CEO Kathleen Alexander tells Food Ingredients First.
Highlighted features
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Packaging & Technology News

Recycling in Australia: Chemical recycling expands amid plastic waste challenges

Australia’s chemical recycling is in its early stages but increasingly gaining in popularity as a complementary solution to mechanical recycling, according to Toby Manners, CEO of GPT Circular, a plastic waste management company based in Australia and Indonesia. To scale up these technologies, GPT Circular recently announced a “landmark” agreement with iQRenew, an advanced waste recovery company. The partnership aims to foster a new set of specification criteria for soft plastics in advanced chemical recycling in the country. Packaging Insights speaks to Manners about the country’s waste management performance, and how the partnership aims to transform locally collected soft plastics into high-quality recycled materials and tackle contamination in plastic recycling. 

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Tech & Innovation

Recycling in Brazil: Gaia BioMaterials highlights infrastructure challenges and compostable solutions

Brazil’s land area poses logistical challenges for efficient and uniform country-wide plastic recycling infrastructure, according to Dr. Mércia Fernandes, commercial representative for Brazil at plastic fabrication company Gaia BioMaterials.Fernandes highlights the absence of waste collection and treatment policies as the main challenges to plastic circularity. Meanwhile, fluctuation in virgin resin prices often makes it the more economically attractive option, further discouraging the growth of plastic recycling.

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Special report

Top Packaging Trends 2025: AI-enhanced “Connected Platforms” to advance circular economy

Innova Market Insights has revealed its Top Packaging Trends 2025, with “Connected Platforms” taking center stage. Connected technologies are widely expected to transform the packaging value chain, from waste management to brand-consumer engagement, by converting packaging into digitalized platforms. The emergence of AI systems will enhance and expedite this industry shakeup.

Packaging focus

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Emerging Packaging Trends in EuropeApr2025

F&B launches in Europe have grown from 2020 to 2024, driven by consumer concerns about preserving food quality. The UK leads in F&B launches, while Ireland has seen the highest increase. In su...

Product innovation

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Ready Meal revamps Apr 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates that Ready Meal launches increased by 4% on average annually from 2020 to 2024. Flat Pouch (39%) was the leading packaging type for the Ready Meal launches in 2024, with Cup and Pot having the fastest increase for NPD. Recyclable (38%) is the leading environmental claim, with bio-based/plant-based packaging surging with 103% growth in the last five years.

Trend analysis

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Fruit & Vegetable packagingApr 2025

Innova Market Insights data shows a rise in global fruit and vegetable product launches, with flat pouches being the leading packaging type. Among sustainable claims, "recyclable" was the most common, while carbon label claims saw notable growth.

Multimedia

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Video13:06
The emergence of product personalization in the packaging industry

Gustavo Hernandez, senior category manager at VistaPrint Europe, discusses how personalized food packaging offers more than just a simple container. We explore how a personalized packaging unboxing experience can foster an emotional connection through features like QR codes and AI. Hernandez...

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