In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Wayne Robinson, Associate Editor of PKN and Editor of Print21, to discuss Lindy's recent globetrotting to attend a number of events at home and abroad, bringing you updates from the dynamic global packaging industry.

We begin by celebrating our 100th episode of PKN and we review the trends from the APCO awards which were hosted by Lindy and Wayne. The discussion also explores Lindy’s packaging expeditions with highlights from Tokyo Pack with the major theme being sustainability, PackExpo International in Chicago, which had a lot of machinery and material innovations on show, and key ideas emerging from the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam which also hosted the Sustainable Packaging Awards and, separately, the Smart Packaging Congress.

We wrap up with Lindy’s real-world comparison between international packaging trends and the products we see on our shelves in Australia.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

APCO Awards:

APCO awards celebrate circular packaging leadership

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/apco-awards-celebrate-circular-packaging-leadership

Detmold wins APCO Packaging Manufacturer award

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/detmold-wins-apco-packaging-manufacturer-award

Packamama wins recycled content award

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/packamama-wins-recycled-content-award

Tokyo Pack:

Tokyo Pack opens doors on packaging innovation

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/tokyo-pack-opens-doors-on-packaging-innovation

Paper-based battery bag wins Diamond award

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/paper-based-battery-bag-wins-diamond-award

Pack Expo:

Strong Pack Expo line-up to draw global crowds

www.packagingnews.com.au/pack-expo/strong-pack-expo-line-up-to-draw-global-crowds

PKN's Pack Expo International highlights and insights

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/pkn-s-pack-expo-international-highlights-and-insights

Pack Expo votes for top tech innovation

www.packagingnews.com.au/pack-expo/pack-expo-votes-for-top-tech-innovation

APPMA represents Australia at Pack Expo 2024

www.packagingnews.com.au/machinery/appma-news/appma-represents-australia-at-pack-expo-2024

Sustainable Packaging Summit:

Reuse: 'The time is...

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Wayne Robinson, Associate Editor of PKN and Editor of Print21, to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in September.

We begin by reviewing Orora’s sale of OPS to focus solely on cans and bottles, giving it more opportunity to grow in premium spirit and wine categories, as well as continue to uphold its market lead in aluminium cans. In other beverage news, Suntory has started production at its +$400 million multi-beverage manufacturing facility in Queensland, which includes high-speed glass and canning lines. We also discuss BioPak’s launch of its new compostable Beer BioCup range for outdoor events, Diageo’s launch of its Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle trial, and Pact Group collaboration with Hilton Foods, Woolworths Group and Cleanaway to deliver a fully circular solution for meat trays and fruit and vegetable punnets made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Australia’s packaging regulatory reform continues to be a hot topic, and we provide insight into the webinar hosted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), outlining a three-option framework for proposed reforms to the packaging system: strengthening the current co-regulatory framework, implementing national mandatory requirements, or establishing an extended producer responsibility scheme.

We wrap up by reviewing industry feedback on the DCCEEW webinar and explore the launch of the Labels and Packaging Coalition formed by the Visual Media Association (VMA), which aims to provide print industry technical expertise to inform government policy, targets and regulations.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Orora sells OPS to focus on beverage packaging

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/orora-sells-ops-to-focus-on-beverage-packaging

Suntory beverage production comes on stream

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/suntory-beverage-production-comes-on-stream

Beverage giants to run Tasmania’s new CDS

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/beverage-giants-to-run-tasmania-s-new-cds

Beer BioCup launched for outdoor events

www.packagingnews.com.au/beverage/beer-biocup-launched-for-outdoor-events

Johnnie walks the paper bottle talk

www.packagingnews.com.au/beverage/johnnie-walks-the-paper-bottle-talk

Pact delivers PET tray-to-tray solution

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/pact-delivers-pet-tray-to-tray-solution

Australia's packaging regulatory reform: What's next?

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/australia-s-packaging-regulatory-reform-what-s-next

VMA sets up Labels and Packaging...

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Wayne Robinson, Associate Editor of PKN and Editor of Print21, to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in August.

The discussion starts off by reviewing Pact Group’s statements to Victorian Parliament regarding the challenges involved with recycling, pushing for mandatory requirements which incentivise domestic recycled content over cheaper international imports. Similarly, we get insights into the recycling roundtable led by Visy and Nine Newspapers, which called for national standards for materials and labelling, and kerbside harmonisation. Following this we unpack APCO’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which puts more responsibility on the industry and utilises an eco-modulated fee model, which rewards brand owners who improve the circularity of their products.

Keeping on theme with sustainability, we also discuss the NZ start up which has raised NZ$8.5m to replace single use styrofoam with a compostable pelletised mushroom packaging. We also explore updates in the beverage industry with the immense $105.5m investment into a warmfill line at the Coca-Cola Europacific (CCEP) Moorabbin beverage filling plant plant, and take a closer look at beverage packaging producers Orora’s FY 24 performance, which saw it recording increased profits as its canning operations boomed while glass fell.

With many financial reports now available, we review their figures with Pact Group seeing increased earnings despite a challenging market, Amcor experiencing a dip in growth with an uptick in the last quarter and Close the Loop’s major increase in revenue in the US while conversely having decreased in Australia.

We wrap up by getting an update on printing group IVE’s continued expansion into folding carton packaging, and review the exciting night that was the PIDA awards.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Pact calls for speed on govt regulation for packaging

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/pact-calls-for-speed-on-govt-regulation-for-packaging

Visy leads discussion at recycling roundtable

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/visy-leads-discussion-at-recycling-roundtable

APCO charts bold way forward to 2030

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/apco-charts-bold-way-forward-to-2030

Fungi-based styrofoam start-up secures $8.5m

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/fungi-based-styrofoam-start-up-secures-8-5m

CCEP invests $105.5m in beverage filling plant

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/ccep-invests-105-5m-in-beverage-filling-plant

Orora numbers rise as beverage becomes focus

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/orora-numbers-rise-as-beverage-becomes-focus

Pact earnings grow in challenging markets

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Chris Foley, CEO of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) about its 2030 strategy and an eco-modulation model.

Against the backdrop of a recent update from APCO which revealed the industry is not on track to reach the 2025 National Packaging Targets for most materials, Chris gives us an overview of the challenges the industry faces to get on track and outlines how APCO’s 2030 strategy will improve performance against the National Packaging Targets and deliver brand owners a social license for packaging.

In its 2030 strategy, APCO will be moving to eco-modulated fees for members. Chris talks about how this move will incentivise members to improve the sustainability of their packaging and bridge critical economic gaps across Australia’s packaging system and elaborates on how the funds will be directed to supporting end markets, building reprocessing infrastructure and strengthening collection networks. Chris also gives us an insight into how members were engaged throughout the process, how the new proposed eco-modulation fee model would be implemented, and the intricacies of working with government policies and contracts.

We also discuss the change from voluntary to mandatory involvement, the importance of being proactive with data and reporting, and an initiative to reduce the volume of landfill by 1m tonnes per year.

We wrap up by getting an overview of how APCO is planning to roll out this new strategy while considering the government's impending mandates.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

APCO roadshow to focus on 2030 strategy:

www.packagingnews.com.au/associations/apco-roadshow-to-focus-on-2030-strategy

Industry welcomes Environment Ministers' packaging plan:

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/industry-welcomes-environment-ministers-packaging-plan

PKN Podcast episode 78 with Chris Foley of APCO:

www.packagingnews.com.au/video-and-podcasts/podcast/pkn-podcast-ep-78-with-chris-foley-of-apco

APCO invites input on packaging reset:

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/apco-invites-input-on-packaging-reset

2025 Targets data 'disappointing' - APCO calls for reset:

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/2025-targets-data-disappointing-apco-calls-for-reset

------------------------------

The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Marissa Altmeier, Packaging Technologist Manager at Pernod Ricard Winemakers, about the ‘Going Hoodless’ campaign and other initiatives.

Winner of the 2024 PKN Women in Packaging Sustainability Leader Award, Marissa Altmeier has been integrally involved in assessing the packaging materials across the Pernod Ricard portfolio to find areas where packaging materials can be reduced or switched for a more sustainable option. The discussion provides a detailed insight into how Pernod Ricard undertook this process for the ‘Going Hoodless’ campaign spearheaded by Marissa, which saw a 400 tonne decrease in hard-to-recycle plastic-coated aluminium hoods going to landfill, this is in addition to bringing improvements to supply and production efficiencies. Integral to this was managing consumer perceptions and preferences, engaging the marketing team, and overcoming challenges when collaborating with suppliers. The discussion also explores the transition to lightweight Riesling bottles which has resulted in reduced carbon emissions, decreased use of virgin glass, and improved stacking for transportation.

We wrap up with a review of the Women in Packaging event, the experience Marrissa had participating, and some sage advice for others looking to drive positive change and sustainability practices within their organisations.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Women in Packaging Awards: Winners announced

www.packagingnews.com.au/women-in-packaging1/women-in-packaging-awards-winners-announced

------------------------------

The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2024

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Wayne Robinson, Editor of Print21 and Associate Editor of PKN, to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in July.

The episode focuses on packaging recycling, starting with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s extension of its approval for the Soft Plastics Taskforce (comprising Australia’s three major supermarkets Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths) to continue to collaborate to find a solution to processing the 11m tonne stockpile of soft plastic from the failed REDcycle program. We review news of two soft plastics recycling facilities: iQRenew in NSW has just commissioned its new line which can process 15,000 tonnes of post-consumer soft plastics annually, and Recycling Plastics Australia in SA is starting construction on a $40m facility which will see some 14,000 tonnes of soft plastics recycled per annum. In the course of the discussion we also review the progress on kerbside plastic recycling schemes Curby and the National Plastics Recycling Scheme, take a closer look at the new brand identity that recycler Close the Loop has unveiled, and discuss what the commissioning of Australia’s first oxygen-fuelled furnace at Visy’s glass recycling facility in Sydney means for sustainable packaging.

Covering rigid plastics, we explore Pact Group’s involvement in the new circular Drums-to-Drums initiative to recycle agricultural chemical containers. We also consider Samsara Eco’s successful $100m funding raise to progress and scale up its enzymatic recycling technology.

Lastly, to wrap up this episode, we review SIG’s launch of a recycle-ready bag-in-box packaging for water, Australasian Recycling Label’s recognition in the AFR Sustainability list, and remind listeners about the upcoming Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) awards.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Soft Plastics Taskforce collaboration to continue

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/soft-plastics-taskforce-collaboration-to-continue

iQRenew opens post-consumer soft plastic recycling plant

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/iqrenew-opens-post-consumer-soft-plastic-recycling-plant

New $40m soft plastics recycling plant underway

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/new-40m-soft-plastics-recycling-plant-underway

Soft plastics: how are we really tracking?

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/soft-plastics-how-are-we-really-tracking

Close The Loop unveils new brand identity

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/close-the-loop-unveils-new-brand-identity

Visy's $150m oxygen-fuelled glass furnace online

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Joe Foster, Chief Executive Officer, and Jess O'Donnell, Marketing Manager, at Close the Loop, about what lies behind the group’s new brand identity

We kick off the discussion by getting detailed insights into ASX-listed Close the Loop's cohesive rebranding process, as well as its continued global expansion. We go on to review the company’s progress towards achieving a true circular economy, how it stands out in a market where competitors use ‘close the loop’ messaging in their branding, and how the new brandmark has ensured a unified identity to enhance relationships with stakeholders as the group moves forward as one entity under one brand.

The discussion also explores the meaning behind the new mobius loop logo and the ‘collecting today, creating tomorrow’ tagline that together reflect Close the Loop’s current services, accessibility to new clients, and future expansions.

We take a brief diversion to congratulate Jessica on her recent win in the Communications Excellence category at PKN’s Women in Packaging Awards.

We wrap up by getting a sneak peak into Close the Loop's future plans and key goals, with a focus on overcoming challenges presented by soft plastics.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Close the Loop:

www.closetheloop.com

Close the Loop unveils new brand identity:

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/close-the-loop-unveils-new-brand-identity

Women in Packaging Awards Winners Announced (including Jessica’s award):

www.packagingnews.com.au/women-in-packaging1/women-in-packaging-awards-winners-announced

------------------------------

The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2024

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News is joined by Kim Berry, Editor of Food & Drink Business, and Wayne Robinson, Editor of Print21 and Associate Editor of PKN, to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in June.

We start off the discussion by getting a review of the event hosted by the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), which saw farewell to the long time chairman Mark Dingley, and celebrated the major contributions he has made to the packaging industry, as well as the introduction of the new chair Robert Marguccio. The discussion also explores updates from Fibre King with James Windsor being elected deputy chair and the development of a new multipacker for low volume beverage manufacturers.

Furthermore, we give an overview of the preponderance of packaging at the drupa event, Pact Group’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and the unfortunate drop in share price following Raphael Geminder’s failed attempt to become its sole owner. We take a deep dive on this topic and review factors involved with increased materials costs, concerns surrounding the upcoming packaging legislation, which could inadvertently undermine local recyclers competing with imported recycled materials.

We wrap up by discussing Birds Eye who has announced it will be using 22% recycled content for its steam bags in their SteamFresh Veggie line, and get an insight into the exciting outcomes from the PKN Women in Packaging Awards.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Fibre King develops compact, versatile cluster packer

www.packagingnews.com.au/machinery/filling-and-packaging/fibre-king-develops-compact-versatile-cluster-packer

Packaging-focused drupa attracted 170k visitors

www.packagingnews.com.au/converting-and-printing/packaging-focused-drupa-attracted-170k-visitors

Pact shares slump on takeover fail

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/pact-shares-slump-on-takeover-fail

Pact chair on Australian plastic recycling's future

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/pact-chair-on-australian-plastic-recycling-s-future

Birds Eye hits new sustainable packaging milestone

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/birds-eye-hits-new-sustainable-packaging-milestone

Women in Packaging Awards: Winners announced

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/women-in-packaging-awards-winners-announced

Women in Packaging celebrated in style