Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe recognises that the EU institutions have taken important steps to further harmonise packaging waste management rules and bring more predictability to businesses as well as to support the circularity of beverage packaging. Most notably, the mandatory 90% collection target for beverage PET bottles and aluminum cans and the obligation for Member States to set up well-designed Deposit and Return Systems (DRS) are important tools to accelerate collection ..read more

By Ruth Comerford, BBC News. As BBC News reports the UK’s bottle deposit and return scheme (DRS) will be delayed until 2027, four years later than planned. Ministers blamed the Welsh government for wanting to include glass in the scheme – which the UK government opposes. Charities said the delay “makes a mockery” of the government’s environmental commitments. The beleaguered scheme would reward consumers recycling bottles with money or vouchers.  “Why has Scotland’s deposit return scheme been delayed?” “Additional time will be needed to efficiently and effectively roll out the schemes acr ..read more

Repi, a leading manufacturer of performance additives and liquid colours for polyurethanes and thermoplastics, announces the appointment of Mr. Michael Thiessenhusen as new Managing Director of Repi GmbH, based in the North of Germany.  In his new role, Mr. Thiessenhusen will further support the upcoming strategic development of the Repi Group in the EMEA region and globally. He joins Repi with a substantial background, made of over 40 years’ experience in the chemical industry, specifically in the colorants and additives for thermoplastic applications. Having started his career at Zipper ..read more

Paag, a member of Bell Holding A.Ş., installed a Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ PET bottle-to-bottle recycling line with a production capacity of up to 1,800 kg/h in its Gebze facility in Kocaeli near Istanbul. The line has taken up operation in mid-March 2024. By investing in bottle-to-bottle recycling, Paag aims to reduce the demand for virgin plastic, minimize the carbon footprint, and promote a more sustainable approach to packaging. “We entered the Bottle-to-Bottle recycling market with a firm commitment to advancing sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment”, sai ..read more

Aptar Closures recently introduced to the market is Future Disc Top, a fully recyclable* closure that was also made to withstand the rough e-commerce journey to provide peace of mind to brands and consumers. Intended for the beauty and personal care categories, Future Disc Top is claimed to stand out on several fronts. Made entirely from polyethylene (PE) it allows brand owners to deliver more recyclable packaging for a wide range of products. This is the first of its kind in the market, helping to solve the problem of mixed-materials packaging, where only the container itself can be recycled ..read more

In the pursuit of concluding the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations successfully and on time, a collaborative call to action, by Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, is made to industry stakeholders and governments alike, urging a concerted effort towards identifying common solutions in Ottawa: “To ensure the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations can be concluded successfully, and on time, we urge everyone, including our industry and Governments, to work more closely together and stay focussed on identifying common solutions in Ottawa. We believe that transitioning from a li ..read more

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag announces the appointment of Mr Martin Pütz to lead the acceleration of technology innovation within the Group and across all subsidiaries. Positioning the company to lead its response to future technological developments, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has appointed experienced processing and machinery expert Mr Martin Pütz as its Senior Director Technology. As respected IKV (Institute for Plastics Processing) mechanical engineering academic, Mr Pütz brings a rich innovation perspective gained by his deep and diverse experiences in a variety of roles. His career pathway has seen Mr ..read more

Bericap is investing in a new plant in Kunshan that reflects the latest standards and increases production capacity by 50% to help it more effectively cater to customer demand. This marks the next milestone for the leading global manufacturer of plastic and aluminium closures in its international growth strategy – enabling a local presence and ensuring short distances for both customer support and product logistics. Bericap’s customers in China include major edible oil, soy sauce, and vinegar manufacturers, as well as customers in the beverage and automotive sectors. The contract with represen ..read more

The PETinar will take place on April 24, 2024, 2-3 p.m. CEST It’s NPE year! NPE is the largest plastics trade show in the Americas and that’s why PETplanet has invited exhibiting companies to shed light on their portfolios presenting at the show from the 6 to 10 of May 2024 already now for you! On April 24, three companies reveal their secrets and report exclusively on their trade fair highlights and expectations! PETplanet is very pleased to welcome Sandrine Reboux, Avient. She will be talking about Avinet’s latest oxygen scavenger technology for use in PET. PETplanet also warmly welcomes Sco ..read more

Carbios was awarded first prize in the “So French So Innovative” Award organised by Business France, the Hong Kong Committee of French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF), La French Tech and its partners at InnoEx 2024 (taking place in Hong Kong from 13 to 16 April).  The award recognises French innovation to promote and support French Tech in the Asia-Pacific region. The final awards ceremony was held on the French pavilion in the presence of members of the Hong Kong Government and Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong. “Asia-Pacific is a key market for our PET biorecycling s ..read more