All Circular Economy articles
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ArticleCirrec sorts three billion recycled food-grade PET trays with AI system
Faerch company Cirrec is using an AI-based system to sort PET trays from household recycling into a food-grade stream – claiming to sort 60,000 tonnes of plastic and over three billion trays annually.
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ArticleMake Waves upfronts recycled plastic in antiperspirant and deodorant refills
Make Waves offers a refillable format for antiperspirant and deodorant products – emphasizing that the refills are manufactured onshore, contain recycled plastic, and are recyclable at end-of-life.
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ArticleCircularity for plastics: the European Commission’s New Year’s Resolution
The European Commission has set out its plans to pursue a circular economy for plastics in 2026, such as proposing a Circular Economy Act, enforcing end-of-life criteria for mechanical recyclate, and introducing new customs codes for imports.
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ArticleWhy is the EU struggling to meet its circular economy goals?
In this Brief, we outline the EU’s municipal waste objectives and detail the main findings and recommendations of the report published the European Court of Auditors (ECA), which examines the action taken by the Commission and the member states to achieve the EU’s objectives for municipal waste between 2014-2024.
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ArticleMercadona acquires Logifruit in bid to boost its circular logistics
Supermarket chain Mercadona will acquire the reusable packaging supplier Logifruit in hopes of bringing together its logistics processes and contributing to a new circular strategy.
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ArticlePackaging Europe’s most popular stories of 2025
Another year is coming to an end. Join us in recapping the biggest stories in packaging news from the last twelve months: developments in EU sustainability regulations, Coca-Cola’s new multipack formats, the winners of the Sustainability Awards 2025, and more.
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ArticleMechanically recycled polymer portfolio unveiled by Borealis and Borouge
Borealis and Borouge have revealed a global portfolio of mechanically recycled, post-industrial and consumer recyclates and compounds, expected to help customers lower carbon footprints and meet ambitious sustainability targets.
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ArticleCommission asked to prioritize EU-made recyclate in recycled plastic goals
Plastics Recyclers Europe, the European Waste Management Association, and Recycling Europe have signed a joint letter urging the European Commission to support the continent’s recycling industry by prioritizing European-made recycled plastic in mandatory recycled content targets.
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ArticleWhat are the key factors in a successful deposit return system?
A new fact sheet from Reloop names system scope, refund value, and convenience and accessibility as the keys to a successful deposit return system while delving deeper into the social, economic, and practical contexts affecting return rates.
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ArticleOutdoor reverse vending machine from TOMRA designed to brave the elements
TOMRA Collection has designed its TOMRA S2 Rugged Plus reverse vending machine for outdoor use in all weather conditions, aspiring to save space on shop floors while maintaining a smooth consumer experience.
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ArticleSustainable Packaging Summit 2025: Everything you need to know
Our biggest and most internationally diverse Sustainable Packaging Summit to date was attended by 854 delegates, 142 speakers, and 89 exhibitors. For anyone who missed it – or attendees looking for a refresher – here is a rundown of the key moments.
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ArticleWhat will the plastics industry look like in 2030?
Reflecting on a decade of progress and learnings, Rob Opsomer, Executive Lead for Plastics at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, calls on companies to join industry leaders in getting behind its 2030 agenda in a bid to tackle plastic packaging waste and build a circular economy.
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ArticleMethanol-to-olefins plant to produce chemical building blocks in Rotterdam
Blue Circle Olefins has secured funding for a commercial methanol-to-olefins production facility in Rotterdam. Once fully operational, it is expected to produce 120 kilotons of propylene and 80 kilotons of ethylene.
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ArticleSustainability definitions and performance concerns hinder packaging progress
McKinsey’s latest research identifies six key barriers companies face when considering sustainability-minded packaging materials, including performance concerns, limited market supply, and different definitions of sustainability.
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ArticleOne week until the Sustainable Packaging Summit: what to expect
Only one week to go until the Sustainable Packaging Summit! Are you wondering what to expect from this year’s even bigger, even better event? Read on for a deep dive into this year’s agenda.
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ArticleSeparable autoinjector from Ypsomed targets recyclability and CO2 reduction
Ypsomed has unveiled a pre-filled autoinjector designed for automated disassembly, streamlined recycling, and an 87% reduction in material-related CO2 emissions compared to conventional alternatives.
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ArticleCircularity-minded plastic projects awarded €18 million in growth funding
Under the Circular Plastics NL initiative, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has awarded over €18 million to Utrecht University, Morssinkhof Plastics, Van Dijk Containers, and other project leaders seeking to improve plastics recycling processes and achieve circularity.
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ArticleReusable cups at large venues claim to avoid 20 million single-use plastics
Reusable packaging provider r.World claims its reverse logistics and sanitizing solutions have kept 20 million single-use cups and foodware items out of landfills and avoided the production of over 110 tons of plastics.
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ArticleHow US companies are using innovation to weather global storms
With a number of seismic shifts changing the economic landscape of the United States, how are American businesses navigating sustainable progress? Olga Kachook, director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, provides an overview of how different sectors are engaging with materials, formats, certification, and infrastructure in light of new tariffs, stripped-back funding, and more.
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ArticleHow will the EU build a truly circular economy?
Will the EU’s Circular Economy Act help or hinder our industry? Jessika Roswell, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, lays out her vision in a keynote address at the European Policy Centre.