Last month, the packaging industry continued to be disrupted by the supply chain impact of the US-Iran war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The short- and long-term implications of this upheaval have emerged as key topics at industry events such as Empack 2026 in the Netherlands, ICIS World Polyolefins Conference 2026 in Belgium, and the Interpack 2026 show in Germany.
However, regulatory uncertainty also affected the industry. In Europe, industry groups have warned that the European Commission’s new guidance on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) leaves important gaps on recyclability and PFAS, while in the UK glass manufacturers have called for a moratorium on packaging EPR (pEPR) due to unintended impacts on the material.
Against this backdrop, businesses and governments are accelerating support and investment in AI, reusable, and recyclable solutions to improve resilience and operational efficiency.
A look back at this month’s biggest news.
The European Commission (EC) has published a guidance document to support the implementation of the EU’s PPWR in order to simplify compliance for economic actors and Member States. However, the European Packaging and Environment Agency said the guidance did not adequately address recycling and PFAS regulations.
British Glass has warned that the UK’s current PEPR weakens the glass sector by “distorting” material choices and encouraging the use of “less sustainable” packaging alternatives. The group recommended that the UK government pause the introduction of pEPR while it assesses the unintended effects of the bill.
The Government of India has officially notified the amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules. This update aims to promote circularity by mandating the use of recycled plastic and reusable packaging. A notification released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change sets out categories for the use of recycled plastics along a step-by-step timeline.
As packaging companies respond to the evolving technology landscape, there is potential to integrate AI to complement human workflows. At the same time, it could also help avoid excessive computational complexity, according to creative technologist, designer and chartered engineer Jude Pullen. He shared details about the collaboration with RS Group and Nvidia to increase efficiency in packaging production.
According to Tetra Pak, aseptic packaging plays a key role in extending shelf life and improving access to food without the use of preservatives, while supporting recyclable, low-carbon cartons and circular systems and meeting safety standards. We spoke to a company spokesperson to learn more about using aseptic packaging to improve food insecurity and reduce environmental impact.
This year’s Empac, held in Gorinchem, Netherlands, focused on innovation in response to pressures from global regulation and rising fossil fuel prices. The shift to AI and automation in factories was also at the forefront of manufacturers’ priorities. On the show floor, Packaging Insights spoke with Markem Imaje, Smart Robotics and Xampla to explore the factors shaping the packaging industry amid supply chain volatility.
Market disruptions caused by the U.S.-Iranian war, material degradation, regulatory pressure, etc. can introduce unexpected costs to the disposable packaging supply chain. Tosca’s white paper urged producers to adopt reusable solutions, arguing that they would be more effective against market disruption.
During the Independent Commodity Information Service (ICIS) World Polyolefins Conference held in Brussels, Belgium, ICIS announced that the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is likely to impact polyolefin supply chains for months to come. Leading industry players such as LyondellBasell, TotalEnergies, Borealis and Dow also attended the conference and provided insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
Thailand has announced steps to speed up plastic recycling as the war between the US and Iran disrupts the flow of petrochemical raw materials. This initiative aims to alleviate immediate supply pressures and strengthen long-term environmental protection. However, the Solid Waste Management Association of Thailand said that without new laws and changes in consumer behavior, the measure is unlikely to have an impact on plastic packaging waste.
Efficiency has emerged as a key theme among packaging companies exhibiting at the 2026 edition of Interpack. As the industry faces a complex operating environment with increasing regulatory and supply chain pressures, Greiner Packaging, PakTech, Recyda and TNA said they plan to introduce high-performance solutions including machinery, materials and digital tools.
A coalition of NGOs has challenged the Flemish government’s approval of Belgium’s Ineos’ Project One ethane cracker over concerns about the environmental and health impacts of the plant’s emissions. Following a public hearing at the Flemish Permit Disputes Council, a decision on Project 1 is expected to be made within the next two months. Ineos said it was disappointed that NGOs continued to pursue legal obstruction.
The packaging industry is entering a post-mega-merger era defined by consolidation, prolonged recession, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. We spoke to a senior analyst at Rabobank Packaging & Logistics about the evolution of this sector. Discussions considered changing competitive dynamics, future growth prospects, and the increasing impact of regulation and private equity on the industry.
