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Much has changed over the past 60 years, from news and views to trends, technology, and innovation. In the PKN 60 Years anniversary issue, just published, we examine the highlights from the past six decades.

PKN started life as a magazine called Pakit, which was purchased by current owner Yaffa Media 60 years ago.
PKN started life as a magazine called Pakit, which was purchased by current owner Yaffa Media 60 years ago.

This celebratory edition marks a significant milestone, not only for PKN but also for our readership. The Australian packaging industry has witnessed dramatic transformation in technology and business practices over six decades.

In our Decades in Review section, we have selected headline making news snippets from our archives that capture a sense of the issues and challenges that dominated the industry at the time, to provide an interesting snapshot of the industry's history.

Packaging technology developed at a rapid pace throughout the 1960s and 1970s as consumer voices grew stronger and pollution became a key industry issue.

In the 1980s consolidation was the key economic trend, while convenience continued to drive packaging innovation, fuelled by the rise of the microwave.

During the 1990s “reduce, reuse, recycle” became the mantra as companies stepped up their enviro-friendly activities.

Sustainability shifted from a buzzword to a business plan during the 2000s, and the bioplastics sector got up and running. Green was in, greenwash was out, and the industry innovated to reduce its environmental impact.

The digital revolution swept the packaging industry in the 2010s as digital printing ramped up; smart packaging and smart factories started popping up; and bioplastics started to gain traction.

Food & Drink Business

The South Australian government has announced the Global Wine Growth Program, which will invest $3.9 million over the next two years to increase support for the state’s wine export industry.

From September 2025, New South Wales will transition to an in-arrears invoicing model for its Return & Earn container deposit scheme, aligning with practices in most other Australian states.

The Australian National University Agrifood Innovation Institute and Cellular Agriculture Australia have released the full program and line-up of speakers for the upcoming Made & Grown: The Future of Food event, taking place in Canberra on 21 August.