Packers navigate decarbonization, regulation & innovation

In September, the packaging industry continued to navigate supply chain, market, and sustainability challenges, with companies taking different approaches

What happened

We explored the competing pathways to packaging decarbonization, from PET’s carbon footprint to bio-based additives, as well as the practical challenges facing flexible packaging and machinery manufacturers as recyclability demands evolve.We also examined regulatory developments across the UK, EU, US, and Latin America, including diverging approaches to recyclability, the expansion of EPR, and new rules around packaging claims.Meanwhile, developments from China, Japan, and the Netherlands highlighted how sustainability requirements are affecting packaging innovation, reuse, and market expansion.Packaging Insights explores some of September’s biggest stories.

Why it matters

Packaging decarbonization: PET’s carbon advantage meets plastics’ systemic challengeThe packaging industry is exploring many routes toward decarbonization.

While some companies invest in renewable energy and others switch to bio-based materials, the goal remains the same: to reduce GHGs released into the atmosphere.

We spoke to Srinivasan “Shankar” Prabhushankar, technical director at the National Association for PET Container Resources, and Stephanie Paillat, head of responsible investment at Chenavari, to explore the tension between different methods of decarbonization.Material Week Tokyo 2026 live: Cargill presents FDA-approved polymer additiveCargill Bioindustrial is presenting its Incroflo P50 additive for polymers at the Highly-Functional Material Week trade show in Tokyo, Japan (September 30–October 2).

This news brief is based on reporting published by Packaging Insights on 2026-10-01. The original report is linked below.