Arnott’s, Paco and UNSW will collaborate on a research program to progress technologies in recycling, bioplastics and carbon capture, addressing plastic packaging challenges facing the food and beverage industry.

The day has finally come. APPEX is here. After two years of build-up, the vision of show owner APPMA has been realised, to create an all-of-industry event of a size and scale not seen before. And so it has. Exhibitors numbering 440-plus have filled all 20 bays of the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, and visitors thronged at the entrance as the official ribbon was cut by the APPMA Board.

Federal and Victorian state government grants to the the value of $3.4m have been awarded to six new recycling projects, which will see around 9,600 tonnes of material diverted from Vic landfills every year.

A speculative article in the mainstream media alluding to the possible closure of Qenos resin production facilities – which Qenos has not confirmed – has raised concerns over the impact this could have on Australia’s plastics circularity ambitions. PKN invited comment from industry experts, stakeholders, and government.

The Maryvale Energy from Waste project, developed by Opal, Veolia and Masdar Tribe Australia and others, has secured the first EfW licence from Recycling Victoria under the Waste to Energy Scheme.

Raphael Geminder’s bid to take 100 per cent control of Pact Group and delist it from the ASX is struggling to get over the line, so the deadline to accept his share offer has been extended again.

Metcash and 7-Eleven have both joined the Australian Food & Grocery Council’s (AFGC) industry collaborative to recycle soft plastics, making them the first retailers to support the initiative.

Revenues were down by more than 13 per cent in both Flexibles and Speciality Packaging at Pro-Pac for the half year to December 31, in what the company said was a volatile and challenging market.

Visy is launching an Australian-made retail paper bag today, made from thicker paper containing recycled content. The new bags are recyclable through Australian kerbside recycle bins.

Jet Technologies – a leading provider of print, packaging and industrial solutions in Australia and New Zealand – has opened its first distribution centre in Brisbane.

The owner of award-winning Australian drinks brand Mother of Pearl Vodka is purchasing Australia’s first Frugalpac paper bottle machine, with the aim to provide an end-to-end bottling solution for wine and spirit brands in Australia and Southeast Asia.

IVE Group used its HYresults presentation to reveal how it will build a $150m-a-year folding carton business, with major investments planned to drive growth at its JacPak acquisition, and at its Silverwater site.

Close the Loop says strong first half revenue and EBITDA growth means it is on track to beat its full year guidance, with the newly acquired ISP Tek business performing ahead of expectations.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has exceeded its target for recycled plastics in its bottles, and looks set to improve on that figure, thanks in part to its joint venture recycling plants in Australia.

Record production, volume growth and improved product mix in cans enabled Orora to boost its Australasia EBIT by 2.2% in the first half of the financial year, while US operations saw a 0.9% rise in EBIT.

Industry figure Robert Becher, managing director of food processing solutions supplier INOX, and director on the APPMA Board, passed away tragically on Saturday 17 February.