All Circular Economy articles
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ArticleWhy ‘non-recyclable’ is no longer an option
The global pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging sector has reached a pivotal juncture. Blister packs, bottles, tubes, pouches, and other primary and secondary packaging are critical for sterility, dose precision, and patient safety, but their end-of-life profile remains largely linear: produce–use–dispose. In this article Professor Edward Kosior, Sustainability Awards winner and Founder/CEO at Nextek Ltd, plots a path forward.
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ArticleNorway’s ‘first’ recycling facility for EPS waste opens its doors
BEWI has opened a recycling facility for expanded polystyrene in Norway, anticipating an annual recycling capacity of up to 3,500 tonnes.
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ArticleOur guide to the fibre-based packaging market in 2026
In the last year or so, we have seen increased investments in companies producing fibre-based packaging - from Yangi securing €10 million in funding to scale its dry forming technology to Fiberdom receiving €3.5 million for its compostable paperboard material. What are the main drivers behind these investments and what kind of projects are receiving this support? We explore these questions in this edition of the Brief.
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ArticlePost-consumer recycled material made from household plastic waste streams
TBM has unveiled its CirculeX material, made from post-consumer recycled plastics – a solution believed to avoid poor strength and unpleasant odour while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 61%.
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ArticleBlueAlp and partners receive €1.5 million for chemical recycling project
The Dutch Government has awarded BlueAlp, Renewi, Shell, and Utrecht University with €1.5 million in funding to support their chemical recycling solution for flexible plastics.
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ArticleSparxell raises over €4 million for cellulose-based packaging pigments
Sparxell has raised $5 million (€4,231,350) in Pre-Series A funding for its cellulose-based colourant technology, which is said to reduce water consumption by 90%.
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ArticlePolypropylene cups designated as ‘widely recyclable’ in U.S.
Polypropylene cups are now designated as “widely recyclable” in the U.S., as a result of a partnership between Starbucks, WM, The NextGen Consortium, How2Recycle, The Recycling Partnership, and more.
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ArticleSubmissions are open for the Sustainability Awards 2026!
The Sustainability Awards are open for submissions! From start-ups and universities to global brands and manufacturers, everyone is invited to nominate their packaging innovations for a crystal trophy – with zero entry fees.
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ArticleA status report on GLP-1 packaging: sizing, safety, security, and more
Weight-loss drugs keep gaining traction – is that a blessing or a curse for the packaging industry? We dive deeper into the implications of smaller portion sizes, pharmaceutical safety practices versus circular packaging initiatives, supply chain traceability, and more.
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ArticleCoalition unites to ‘modernize’ plastic recycling systems in America
Closed Loop Partners and the Consumer Brands Association are among the founding members of the Recycling Leadership Council, which aims to ‘modernize’ the American recycling system and tackle plastic waste.
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ArticleCompanies must ‘reframe’ green premiums debate, says PepsiCo CEO
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta argued that corporations must “reframe” the debate around green premiums in their product prices.
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ArticleDavos 2026 sees $2 billion investment model to decarbonize supply chains
At Davos 2026, Canopy and its partners presented a $2 billion blended finance blueprint to utilize recycled textiles and agricultural residues in packaging – a move helped to cut down on carbon emissions.
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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.