Supply disruptions and soaring prices of plastic, driven by the Iran conflict, are forcing Asian manufacturers and retailers to urgently adopt paper-based alternatives. While some see a silver lining for sustainability, others warn of prolonged shortages and economic pain.
In a major sustainability push, Mondelēz International will debut Easter packaging for Cadbury products containing certified recycled plastic from Amcor by 2026, aiming to cover millions of seasonal items and significantly cut virgin plastic use.
With single-use plastic bans spreading across the globe, the packaging sector is being forced to rethink materials, redesign products, and rewire supply chains to stay compliant and competitive.
Fibre-based packaging, including moulded pulp and paper structures, is emerging as a scalable plastic alternative as regulation tightens and performance improves.
A major expansion of Nigeria's largest plastic recycling plant promises to cut carbon emissions, reduce reliance on imported plastics, and generate thousands of new jobs, marking a significant step for the country's green economy ambitions.
PolyCycl's patented pyrolysis reactor, designed for continuous processing of hard-to-recycle plastics, receives investment boost from Zerodha's sustainability arm Rainmatter, aiming to transform waste into cleaner feedstock for new plastics.
In a significant move against plastic waste, Kwalitaria is replacing conventional plastic trays in all 160 of its Dutch outlets with home-compostable, seaweed-coated packaging from Notpla, supported by distributor Conpax.
Plastic Ingenuity is using PureCycle's PureFive resin to manufacture coffee lids with 25% to 100% recycled content, marking a significant step in sustainable food-service packaging.
Starting 2026, South Korea will ban traditional plastic labels on PET water bottles, requiring product information to be displayed via QR codes on caps or outer packaging—a policy projected to eliminate thousands of tonnes of plastic waste annually.
New Zealand is set to enforce a regulated stewardship scheme for plastic packaging, shifting the financial and operational burden of waste management from communities to the companies that produce and import it.
A first-of-its-kind demonstration facility in Lincolnshire, using advanced CO₂ extraction technology, begins operations with the goal of transforming contaminated plastic films into high-purity, food-contact approved recycled material.
ExxonMobil has commissioned a new advanced recycling unit at its Baytown, Texas complex, marking its third such facility at the site. The expansion boosts the company's annual plastic waste processing capacity to 250 million pounds, part of a broader strategy to scale up circular solutions for plastics.
Coca-Cola México and recycling leader PetStar have inaugurated a $142 million expansion of their food-grade PET recycling facility in Toluca, significantly boosting capacity as the country implements a new circular economy law.
Despite a year-over-year earnings dip driven by its plastics segment, Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) reported 2025 results that surpassed internal forecasts. The company is leaning into its regulated utility strength, highlighting robust capital investment, a significant dividend hike, and strategic advances in renewable energy and storage to fuel long-term growth.
A major new study reveals overwhelming consumer awareness and preference for packaging containing recycled materials in Europe, with a strong call for independent verification to back up sustainability claims.
Industry leaders at the Plastics Recycling Conference acknowledge a difficult year for PET and PE reclaimers but point to policy mandates and supply chain reforms as potential long-term stabilizers, despite no immediate relief from volatile markets and cheap imports.
Newly enforced regulations in Kenya impose stringent licensing, extended producer responsibility, and material standards on all plastic packaging, creating significant compliance hurdles for international suppliers and reshaping market access to East Africa.
From olive oil refill pouches to NFL-branded aluminum cups and plastic-free deodorant multipacks, brands are accelerating packaging innovations that prioritize sustainability and consumer convenience.
Despite a year-over-year dip in earnings per share, Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) signals confidence in its long-term strategy with a 10% dividend increase and a steady $1.9 billion capital plan, aiming to normalize plastics earnings by 2028.
Startups like Ridwell promise to recycle the plastics your city won't, but critics argue the model may do more environmental harm than good, raising questions about the true cost of convenience.
