In numbers

Indian speciality film manufacturer Cosmo First reports revenue of $88.11m in third quarter of FY23.

US-based oil company Mobil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has launched 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic pails in India as part of its sustainability efforts.

Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has acquired De Jong Packaging Group for an enterprise value of around EUR1.02bn (US$1.09bn).

Canadian food and pharmacy retailer Loblaw started its transition away from single-use bags at its stores across British Columbia on 16 February.

US-based technology firm Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched HP PageWide C550 Press, its latest post-print digital corrugated press which runs at a constant speed of 90lm/min.

US-based packaging company Berry Global generated US$3.06bn in sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which is a 14% drop on a reported basis.

In brief

Indian researchers develop edible ink for packaging applications 

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed a water-based edible ink from plants for printing and packaging applications. Using plant-based material called catechu, the edible ink has been produced at the Department of Paper Technology, IIT Roorkee, reported NDTV.com. Developed as a substitute for synthetic ink, the environmentally friendly and non-toxic ink can be used in several packaging and printing applications. 

UAE to ban single-use plastic shopping bags from 2024 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to ban single-use plastic shopping bags from 1 January 2024 as reported by state-run news agency WAM. The law would prohibit the import, production and circulation of such bags and is the UAE’s latest effort to reduce pollution. From 1 January 2026, the country will implement a ban on plastic or foam products such as cups, plates, cutlery, containers and boxes, according to the Khaleej Times. 

Singapore-based Capcon secures US$50m in series B2 funding round  

Singapore-based packaging provider Capcon has raised around $50m in a series B2 financing round. Capcon offers a full range of advanced packaging processes, including die bonders for panel-level packaging, wafer-level packaging, flip chips, systems in packaging (SIPs) and stack dice. The company specialises in providing products and solutions for the intelligent manufacturing, semiconductors and pan-semiconductor fields. 

Sidel buys Italian packaging machine supplier Makro Labelling 

French packaging company The Sidel Group has acquired Makro Labelling, an Italian company that supplies modular labelling machines. Based in Goito, Makro Labelling offers machines that can label up to five items for each bottle in cold glue, hot glue, self-adhesive and combination versions. The firm has more than 120 employees. Sidel said the acquisition will expand its offering in advanced labelling technologies and presence in key market segments. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. 

In pictures

Lacerta buys thermoformed packaging company Portage Plastics

US-based thermoformed packaging provider Lacerta Group has acquired Portage Plastics and PPC Investments for an undisclosed sum. 

Lacerta offers packaging solutions for the prepared food and fresh produce sectors. Credit: © 2023 Lacerta Group.

France bans single-use packaging from fast-food restaurants

The French Government has passed a law banning the use of single-use packaging in restaurants. Effective from 1 January, the law prohibits major fast-food chains from offering foods in throwaway boxes or single-use cutlery such as knives or forks.

France bans throwaway fast-food boxes and packaging in restaurants. Credit: Ambitious Creative Co – Rick Barrett / Unsplash.

Maspex uses SIG closure products for its Tymbark juice range

Polish food company Maspex Wadowice Group has become the first company to adopt SIG’s domeTwist closure with tethered cap (domeTwist TC) for the carton bottle combidome.

Maspex launches its Tymbark Vega juices in combidome 500ml with domeTwist TC. Credit: © SIG.

TotalEnergies and Ecolab to develop recycled plastic packaging

French multi-energy company TotalEnergies has partnered with Ecolab to launch plastic packaging with recycled material to improve circularity in heavy-use packaging markets.

The material is designed to enable circularity without compromising performance. Credit: © TotalEnergies.