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There's never a dull moment in the dynamic Australasian packaging industry, with M&A activity, leadership changes, and product innovation keeping our news desk busy all year long.

From Orora's booming growth over the financial year, to the Australian Government's pledge to make all packaging in the country reusable, compostable or recyclable by 2025, to needles in strawberries and plastic bags out of supermarkets, to the first ever Print21 + PKN LIVE joint event, 2018 was a rollercoaster of a year for the packaging industry... and PKN was there to cover all the news highlights.

See our review of the year that was in the latest issue of PKN magazine.

Food & Drink Business

Data from inventory management software provider, Unleashed, drawn from more than 600 Australian manufacturing firms, found local food and beverage manufacturers recorded significant revenue declines in the first quarter of 2026, with purchase orders cut sharply across both sectors as the Iran conflict rattled global supply chains and cost pressures intensified.

Woolworths has confirmed the return of in-store soft plastics collection points across more than 700 supermarkets nationally, with South Australia the latest state to join the renewed recycling scheme this week.

For many growing businesses, passion and purpose are what spark success in the early years. But as a company expands, instinct alone is no longer enough. Sustainable growth requires a clear strategy, a deep understanding of customers, and the ability to adapt as markets evolve. Gewürzhaus co-founder and managing director, Maria Konecsny shares insights from establishing a specialty herb and spice business that has expanded across Australia.