​Axel Glade, (55), has been appointed President, Flexible Packaging and member of the Global Executive Team at Huhtamaki. He will join the company no later than January 1, 2026. He will report to President and CEO Charles Héaulmé and will be based in Espoo, Finland. Axel joins Huhtamaki from Constantia Flexibles, a Flexible Packaging company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, where he has served as Executive Vice President of the Film Division and member of Executive Committee. Since joining Constantia in 2011, he has held several leadership roles such as SVP Consumer and CEO at Constantia Pirk. Before Constantia, Axel held various leadership roles in other packaging companies including Sealed Air and Bischof + Klein. “I am very pleased to welcome Axel to Huhtamaki and the Global Executive Team. His impressive background in the Flexible Packaging industry and his experience in leading multinational businesses will be key in leading our Flexible Packaging segment and delivering on our 2030 ambitions,” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki​.

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of sustainable labeling solutions, is expanding its direct thermal (DT) linerless label offering with the launch of its new OptiCut™ WashOff solution. The new linerless label is specifically designed for returnable and reusable plastic food containers, including PP, HDPE and PET crates used in food logistics. Available to customers now, the label launch meets the need for innovative plastic packaging solutions, driven by evolving regulations and consumer demand. The OptiCut WashOff label, which is compatible with most direct thermal printers and weighing scales, offers excellent washability and easy, adhesive residue-free separation for both industrial processes and home washing machines.

Novolex employees thrive when developing innovative new products, identifying more sustainable solutions, and stretching the boundaries of packaging to meet unique customer needs. At Novolex, we pride ourselves on collaborating across the industry, cultivating a broader brain trust with others in the manufacturing and packaging space. Certain issues—like recyclability or reusability—we can’t tackle alone. By joining coalitions focused on consumer education, collaborating with foodservice operators, participating in labeling systems like How2Recycle®, and fostering the construction of recycling infrastructure, we support consumers and elevate the entire industry. Last month, the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) launched the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), an initiative Novolex is proud to participate in. The alliance has plans to educate the public about the sustainability and recyclability of flexible plastic film products.