Emerging Technologies

  • Can seaweed-based films replace plastic?

  • Aldi and Arla aim to boost milk bottle recycling rated with new collaboration

  • Can molded pulp finally challenge plastic?

  • AFYREN receives €3 million grant to upgrade biorefinery for biobased acids

  • Industry backs updated legislation supporting competitive EU biomanufacturing

  • Draft bill exempts compostables and biodegradables from PPWR’s SUP ban

  • MIT uses AI to simulate shipments between warehouses in logistics network

  • Our guide to the fibre-based packaging market in 2026

  • Submissions are open for the Sustainability Awards 2026!

Emerging Technologies

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    Can seaweed-based films replace plastic?

    2026-08-06T07:56:00+01:00

    Noriware recently closed a €4.3M seed round in a bid to scale its seaweed-based transparent film. The company says that its product, Norifresh, has no chemical modifications, adhesives or coatings, can be directly heat-sealed onto cardboard, and is suitable for use on existing production lines. In this interview with Jessica Farda, Noriware’s co-founder and CEO, we learn more about the key functionalities of the solution, its origin story, and its potential to scale.

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    Aldi and Arla aim to boost milk bottle recycling rated with new collaboration

    2026-08-03T12:53:00+01:00

    Aldi and Arla are working with Polytag on a project that will track milk bottles through the recycling process using UV-tagging technology.

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    Can molded pulp finally challenge plastic?

    2026-07-09T08:51:00+01:00

    Molded pulp has been around for decades in the form of egg cartons, fruit trays, and electronics inserts. Everyone in packaging knows what it is, but the question has always been: can it ever truly replace plastic in mainstream packaging applications? Design for Sustainability consultant Zhanar Baishakova takes a closer look at this trend.

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    AFYREN receives €3 million grant to upgrade biorefinery for biobased acids

    2026-04-24T09:31:00+01:00

    With a €3 million grant from the Grand Est Region, AFYREN will finance performance investments at its AFYREN NEOXY biorefinery, which produces biobased carboxylic acids.

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    Industry backs updated legislation supporting competitive EU biomanufacturing

    2026-04-08T10:06:00+01:00

    Almost 40 industry organizations have signed a joint position paper calling for policymakers to boost competitiveness, resilience, and employment in European biomanufacturing with the EU Biotech Act II.