Zipform Packaging's David Kilpatrick has been named 2026 Industry Packaging Professional of the Year, recognising his technical innovation and leadership in fibre-based packaging.

Flavour Makers' Christopher Cester has been named Packaging Technologist of the Year, recognising a career built on technical innovation and commercialisation of world-first packaging formats.

Packaging educator Ralph Moyle and BioPak co-founder Richard Fine have received the AIP's highest forms of recognition, acknowledging their long-standing contributions to the packaging profession.

Coles packaging engineer Pooja Ganesh Nayak has been recognised for combining technical expertise with practical implementation to advance sustainable packaging across several retail categories.

The Australian Council of Recycling has warned that more than 1M tonnes of plastic packaging continues to be sent to landfill or littered each year because the Australian Government has failed to deliver promised national packaging reforms, leaving Australian recycling infrastructure underutilised and some facilities at risk of closure.

Australian owned global packaging supplier Detpak has opened a multi-million dollar manufacturing facility in South Carolina, to produce paper-based packaging for quick service restaurant customers in the United States.

Robert Marguccio will step down as APPMA chair and board director at the association's AGM in October, citing increasing professional commitments after 20 years of service.

Orora has unveiled a new lightweight Riesling bottle that reduces glass weight by 21 per cent while maintaining the familiar profile and performance expected by Australian wine producers.

QLM Group has acquired the assets of coffee packaging specialist Roastar, including the distribution rights to the PrimeVent degassing valve system, strengthening its coffee packaging capability.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has announced that CEO Chris Foley will step down at the end of November, following four years in the role during a pivotal period for packaging policy and regulatory reform.

Pact Group has urged a Senate Inquiry to support mandatory national packaging regulation in order to drive sufficient demand for recycled content and investment in Australia's circular economy.

Australian packaging automation supplier HMPS Propac has acquired Enmin, strengthening its packaging line capabilities by adding product handling, vibratory feeding and weighing systems to its portfolio.

Michael Dossor has been appointed president of the Australasian Institute of Packaging, outlining a strong focus on technical education and preparing industry for the next wave of packaging reform.

A shared sense of joy and purpose prevailed at the 2026 PKN Women in Packaging Awards cocktail event, held at Quarterhouse, Melbourne, on 25 June. Congratulations to all winners and finalists, your contribution to the Australasian packaging industry is applauded.

Industry leaders have renewed calls for national packaging reform, warning that Australia's manufacturing resilience, recycling investment and sovereign capability remain vulnerable without policy action.

Ball & Doggett has appointed Paul Cruickshank as national manager, cartonboard packaging, taking responsibility for the company’s cartonboard packaging portfolio across Australia.