All Sustainability articles
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ArticlePureCycle to open EU-funded polypropylene recycling plant in Belgium
As part of a €40 million grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)’s Innovation Fund, PureCycle Technologies will build a polypropylene dissolution recycling facility in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges – targeting an annual production capacity of 59,000 tonnes.
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ArticleTwo-layer lid concept from Constantia Flexibles to replace lids and straws
Constantia Flexibles’ patented lid concept, ComforLid, is designed to replace snap-on plastic lids and straws with a dual-layered, separable film and achieve a 43% reduction in CO2 impact.
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ArticleBioSupPack project transforms brewery waste into high-performance bioplastics
The EU-funded BioSupPack project has concluded its activities after 5 years, stating it has successfully demonstrated that brewery waste can be transformed into high-performance bioplastics for sustainable packaging.
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ArticleReuse sector backs Belgium holding packaging producers responsible for waste
In response to alleged pressure from some industrial lobbyists, members of the reuse sector have addressed a ‘letter of congratulations’ to Belgian policymakers for measures to hold packaging producers formally responsible for their waste.
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Sponsored ContentShowcasing Husky’s injection moulding systems for thinwall containers, pails and more
Haim Za’afrani, Vice President Sales, Systems & Tooling at Husky, details the benefits of the HyPERSYNC and HyLECTRIC injection moulding systems for thinwall packaging applications – from fast cycle times and extended tool life to minimal waste and energy-saving technology, as well as customer support – in this edition of our ‘In Conversation With…’ series.
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ArticleEverything you need to know about the PPWR Declaration of Conformity
From 12 August 2026, every piece of packaging on the EU market will be legally required to have its own Declaration of Conformity. But what does it actually require, and who is legally responsible for signing it? Felix Gass, founder of Packaging Strategy Lab, a packaging strategy consultancy based in Berlin, explores the details.
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ArticleOver 3 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans returned through Swedish DRS in 2025
According to Sweden’s deposit return system (DRS) operator Returpack/Pantamera, over 3 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans were returned through the country’s DRS in 2025, 130 million more than the previous year.
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ArticleBorealis contributes polypropylene cups to reuse system across hospital cafés
Borealis and FSG Returnables have helped the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust introduce a reusable cup system to its hospital cafés, a move expected to reduce waste and lower Extended Producer Responsibility costs.
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ArticleA deeper dive into the fight for European competitiveness
Competitiveness is a hot topic among policymakers in Europe. In this edition of the Brief, we take a closer look at the challenges to the EU’s industrial independence, and take stock of the current and upcoming measures designed to protect it.
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ArticleBarilla designs 99% of packaging for recycling and cuts out plastic windows
Barilla reports that 99.8% of the packaging it sells is designed to be recyclable, while 71% of the materials used in its packaging are fibre-based – and it has removed the plastic window from its pasta boxes to avoid ‘unnecessary’ plastics.
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ArticleWhat are the next steps for reusable packaging in retail?
In its latest report, the U.S. Plastics Pact sets out its vision for a successful reuse system in retail: a return-on-the-go model for food, home, and personal care products, starting in regions with existing reuse infrastructure.
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PodcastCEFLEX at an inflection point
As Graham Houlder passes the CEFLEX baton to a new leadership team, and prepares to take well earned extended holiday, we reflect on the journey of the European value chain consortium building a circular economy in flexibles to date, lessons learned on collaboration, and the agenda priorities for the critical years to 2030. Tim Sykes speaks with Graham and External Affairs Director, Arne Jost.
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ArticleCroxsons targets weight reduction with new glass packaging solution
Glass packaging company Croxsons has launched Rightweight, its new solution for glass bottles and jars in the food and drink sector, said to potentially reduce glass packaging weight by up to 30%.
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ArticleSealed Air’s automated void reduction system tackles two box sizes per machine
Sealed Air has designed an automated void reduction system to process two box sizes on one machine, right-size corrugated packaging and avoid unnecessary waste.
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ArticleUnpacking Unilever’s Smart Series detergent pouches for auto-dose laundry
Unilever’s new Persil and Comfort Smart Series detergents are intended for auto-dose washing machines from Samsung. How does the product packaging fit into this growing market, and does it align with Unilever’s ongoing sustainability goals? Packaging Europe attended a media panel and spoke with Tati Lindenberg, chief marketing officer at Unilever Home Care, to learn more.
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ArticleIndustry associations call on European Commission to ‘cut red tape’ in EU Environmental Omnibus
German industry associations including the Federation of German Industries, GemPSI and WVMetalle have signed a statement urging the European Commission to use the Omnibus proposals as a chance to simplify PPWR legislation for industrial and commercial packaging.
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ArticleWhat does a new Netflix film say about the potential impacts of plastic exposure?
A new Netflix documentary, The Plastic Detox, explores a potential link between infertility and exposure to chemical additives in plastics – but is it a fair representation of the packaging industry? Packaging Europe watched the documentary to explore its claims, and consults the reactions of industry voices to understand its reception.
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ArticleMondelēz International reduced virgin plastic by ~1,000 tonnes in 2025
Mondelēz International states it has achieved its global goal of 5% recycled content and transitioned from rigid plastic trays to trays containing ~80% recycled plastic across several European brands, enabling an annual reduction of ~1,000 tonnes of virgin plastic across Europe in 2025
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ArticleReport: How are the top brands progressing on packaging sustainability in 2026?
How have the top six FMCG signatories of the Ellen MacArthur Global Commitment – The Coca-Cola Company, L’Oreal, Mars, Inc., Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever – performed across key metrics and the initiatives they have taken to cut plastic waste and pollution across their portfolios?
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ArticleBioPak and Everest launch FSC-certified paper ice cream cups
BioPak and Australian ice-cream company Everest have teamed up on a nationwide rollout of FSC-certified paper ice cream cups, aiming to deliver the same ‘premium quality and craftsmanship’ with a reduced environmental footprint.