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Australia's environment ministers have declared packaging reform urgent and named soft plastics as an initial priority, but offered no firm timetable or regulatory commitments. SPSA has welcomed the soft plastics focus, while Boomerang Alliance and WMRR have raised concerns about the lack of concrete action. Read more
Economic analysis commissioned by SPSA estimates national recycling reforms could deliver up to $278m in net productivity gains and stimulate up to $2.6b in capital investment each year.
A cross-sector open letter is urging national leaders to agree on a pathway for regulated producer responsibility schemes at the September Environment Ministers Meeting.
Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever are the founding members of the PaperFlex Consortium, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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Aus Beverage Council adds voice to reform call
15 Sep 2026The Australian Beverages Council has joined calls for the Federal Government to reconsider its decision not to progress national packaging regulation during the current parliamentary term.
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Futamura, Bio4life partner on compostable labels
22 Sep 2026UK film manufacturer Futamura and Dutch labelstock producer Bio4life have developed a certified home- and industrial compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) label for fresh fruit and vegetables.
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Amcor, Dow target lower-carbon packs
22 Sep 2026Amcor and Dow are collaborating on low-carbon packaging solutions, with the companies working to help brands and retailers adopt materials designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Boxer wins 4 x Gold at Sydney Design Awards
8 Sep 2026Boxer Brands has walked off with four Gold awards at the 2026 Sydney Design Awards for projects spanning brand creation, identity, and illustration across food, dairy and personal care categories.
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UPM brings barrier paper to labels
16 Sep 2026UPM Specialty Materials has extended its barrier paper technology to label face papers with the launch of UPM Asendo™ 80, a grease-resistant grade made without PFAS.
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Flexibility drives machinery investment
16 Sep 2026PMMI’s 2026 State of the Industry Report identifies flexibility, automation, workforce constraints and emerging AI applications as major influences on machinery investment. The operational pressures the US market- based report describes have clear relevance for Australian manufacturers.
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PLAY PKN: Video Bulletin 18 September
18 Sep 2026In the news: Packaging Reform, Boomerang Alliance, APCO, SPSA, Pact Group, Nespresso, Detpak, PaperFlex Consortium
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PKN Podcast Ep 124: 2025 Year in Review
1 Dec 2025In this special Year in Review episode, PKN publisher Lindy Hughson and co-host Grant McHerron look back at the big packaging stories of 2025.
With Australia’s productivity slide concentrated in industries that make, move and sell physical goods, supply chain automation company, Dematic, says the national debate has been looking in the wrong building.
Seedlab Australia has supported more than 600 small FMCG businesses, generating over $30 million in combined program value and Woolworths sales.
South Australian ready-meal business Local Kitchen Co has become the first in the state to enable SaH and NDIS participants to walk into a store and buy pre-made meals using their package funding.
