Mondi has successfully developed a new recyclable functional barrier paper range. Designed with protection in mind, this range of certified recyclable barrier paper solutions is fully integrated across Mondi’s value chain—from paper production to the barrier application—and can run on existing filling lines for form-fill-and-seal (FFS) applications. Mondi’s AegisPaper range reduces the amount of plastic used by replacing it with a renewable resource that has specific mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance, flexibility, printability and barrier protection. Within AegisPaper, there are three grades available for different applications and requirements: *AegisPaper select offers a wide range of custom barrier properties *AegisPaper 95/5 food is certified as fully recyclable and has the best mechanical properties for food applications *AegisPaper reduce provides the thinnest functional barrier paper to reduce amount of packaging material needed

Ensuring PCR in more challenging packaging like food-grade flexibles pouches can be “way down the road,” said APR’s Kate Bailey. For now, there’s plenty to do on policy and secondary products. The flow of recycled content from recyclers to new packaging or products is never simple, yet in some ways 2026 feels especially complicated. In the last year or so, seven out of 30 major PET recycling facilities in the U.S. closed, wiping out 25% of domestic capacity. At the same time, in just the last few months the Iran war’s impact on oil prices has driven up the price of different virgin resin grades internationally. And all the while, new extended producer responsibility laws are still on the horizon, some of which have recycled content stipulations or incentives of their own.

IPG® (Intertape Polymer Group®), a leading manufacturer of packaging products, was named the “Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year” by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC). Each year, this council recognizes world-class manufacturing companies for their outstanding efforts as they pursue their journeys to Manufacturing 4.0. The 20th annual award ceremony took place at the conclusion of the MLC’s signature event that focuses on insights and strategies for how manufacturers can further their operational digital transformation held in Florida June 2-5, 2024. Manufacturing Leadership Award finalists and winners were determined by a distinguished panel of judges with significant industry expertise and experience. Manufacturers continually find new and inventive ways to not just bring new technology into their factories, but also how to leverage it for highly effective problem solving and even developing new processes and products that can allow for entry into new markets and new revenue streams,” said Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director and head of the MLC Awards program.