While the mainstream media is fanning the flames of righteous indignation about the state of plastic recycling in Australia, the packaging industry is facing a reality check, and a call for a speedy reset, as it emerges that the 2025 targets are out of reach.

Shares in Close the Loop shot up by 21 per cent following its US$66m (A$99.7m) acquisition of Texas-based refurbished electronics businesses ISP Tek Services and Captive Trade Corp.

Opal's $140 million high tech corrugated cardboard packaging facility is on track to be completed and operational by October 2023, with capacity to produce 400 tonnes of finished corrugated boxes daily.

To support the supply chain needs of CHEP in Australia, Goodman has commenced construction of a new service centre for the global packaging solutions leader in southwest Brisbane.

In a major breakthrough for the Australian pallet wrap market, Great Wrap has launched the world's first compostable pallet wrap manufactured using food waste. Multinational brand owners and retail groups both here and in the USA have snapped up trial batches.

Close the Loop Group is set to make a major US acquisition, spending US$66m on Texas-based refurbished electronics business ISP Tek Services.

In the wake of the ‘Roadmap to Restart’ plan announced by the supermarket-led Soft Plastics Taskforce, which will see in-store soft plastics collection resume by the end of this year, PKN summarises the state of play and weighs up what this means for the packaging industry.

With soft plastics collection in limbo, the ‘return to store’ labelling on thousands of branded packs could be construed as misleading. PKN asked APCO, and the supermarkets, how this will be addressed.

A recent internet sweep by consumer watchdog ACCC has found that more than half of all businesses reviewed are making concerning claims on their packaging and websites about their environmental or sustainability practices.

PKN EXCLUSIVE: The high number of outstanding innovations across 11 categories demonstrates the depth and breadth of design expertise for which the ANZ region is fast becoming renowned.

REDcycle has accepted the offer made by the big two supermarkets to take responsibility for the 12,400 tonnes of stored soft plastics.

Revenue at Pro-Pac Packaging for the half year slipped by two per cent, but losses increased to $6.2m as the company faced challenges in its Flexibles business.

End-to-end solutions provider Close the Loop Group says its latest results show it is on track to become the world’s leading global circular economy business.

Huhtamaki has acquired full ownership of Huhtamaki Tailored Packaging, its Australian foodservice packaging distribution and wholesale group.

Packaging waste innovator saveBOARD has opened Australia's first beverage carton recycling facility in Warragamba, developed in collaboration with carton manufacturers Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc.

Cans were the standout Australian performer for Orora in the first half of the financial year, while soaring inflation kept a lid on beer and wine glass volumes. The US business performed strongly.