In an Australian first, an Adelaide-based yoghurt manufacturer MOO Premium Foods is using 100 per cent ocean bound plastic in its tubs and lids manufactured by SA-based TechnoPlas.

PKN’s latest issue for 2022 celebrates the return of expos and events, reporting from the floor at AUSPACK, IPACK-IMA and WorldStar; and brings news on the latest developments in food packaging, pack and label printing, and sustainability.

The Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDAs) are back bigger and better than ever this year, with the largest number of innovations in the history of the awards being recognised as finalists across 12 categories. The fiercest competition, not surprisingly, is in the Sustainability category, with no less than 23 innovations qualifying. We take a closer look at who made the cut.

Nestlé is rolling out the first commercial scale recycled content soft plastic wrapper in Australia, with 45g KitKat bars to be packaged in 30% recycled content wrappers supplied by Huhtamaki.

Ahead of its inaugural investors meeting in Melbourne today, Close the Loop Group (ASX: CLG) has upgraded its FY22 revenue and EBITDA prospectus forecasts by 11% and 10.5% respectively, with a current annual revenue run rate of over $100 million. PKN spoke to Group CEO Joe Foster about progress and acquisitions on the cards.

Leading label print business Peacock Bros. has entered the folding carton market, with the acquisition of AMR Hewitts, the specialist pharmaceutical and food print and packaging operation.

Generous container recyclers, using the Return and Earn scheme across NSW, have raised $122,540 for Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Abbe is the new brand name for the family owned and operated businesses of Abbe Corrugated, Austcor, Zacpac and Abbe Industrial which until now have traded as separate entities in the Australian market.

Australians have cast a resounding vote for political and social transformation, with climate action, gender equity and industrial relations reform in the spotlight this election. As Anthony Albanese takes the helm, and the ALP prepares to form government, PKN asked industry organisations who work closely with and lobby government, what the change will mean.

tna solutions celebrated its 40th anniversary under the banner of People, Planet, Prosperity at a gala dinner in Melbourne last week. The PKN team was there.

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Synergy Packaging by Pact Group Holdings, saying the acquisition is unlikely to reduce competition in Australia's rigid plastic packaging sector.

The APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner was attended by 450 packaging and processing industry professionals, who gathered for the industry's night of nights to recognise this year's winners: Foodmach, Fibre King, GS1, Packsize, Trimatt Systems and Laco Automation were victorious, with emerging leaders from HMPS and Rhima also recognised.

On the Matthews Australasia stand at AUSPACK today, CEO Mark Dingley announced the company's new strategic partnership with FreshChain Systems, enabling end-to-end fresh food traceability from farm to fork.

AUSPACK 2022, the southern hemisphere’s leading processing and packaging trade event, opened its doors to high expectations this morning, at the Melbourne expo centre.

The WorldStar 2022 Awards presentation, held on 4 May at Fiera Milano during the Ipack-Ima trade show, saw a record number of Australian and New Zealand packaging innovations recognised on this prestigious global stage. PKN was there.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has today launched a new initiative designed to drive greater uptake of recycled materials in packaging, the Recycled Materials Pledge.