• Gentlebrand has produced the Minera water bottle using SmartWeighting to enable lightweight packaging with premium esthetics.
• Developed with Competek, the bottle uses fully BioPET from UPM Biochemicals and UPM Raflatac Vanish PCR label film for recyclability and visual purity.
• SmartWeighting balances material distribution, structural integrity, and design, offering supply chain efficiency, reduced PET use, and premium perception.

Gentlebrand has introduced its Minera bottle for still water, developed using the company’s SmartWeighting approach.

Afrin recall overview:
Who: Bayer is recalling approximately 786,100 Travel Size Afrin Original Nasal Spray 6 mL bottles.
Why: The packaging fails to meet child-resistant standards, posing a poisoning risk if ingested by children.
Where: The Afrin recall is active in the United States.

Bayer is recalling nearly 786,100 units of its Travel Size Afrin Original Nasal Spray due to packaging that does not comply with child-resistant standards.

As the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) starts applying in August 2026, companies across the packaging value chain are preparing to meet new compliance obligations - including mandatory conformity assessment requirements.

To support this transition, EUROPEN is pleased to launch the PPWR Conformity Assessment Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help companies better understand and navigate the Regulation’s conformity assessment requirements.

Nothing, formerly known as Sofi Products, aims to intrigue foodservice businesses with hot and cold cup designs that reduce overall component packaging purchases.

Public health concerns today around microplastics are driving uptake of novel paper-based foodservice solutions — perhaps even more so than environmental regulations, according to Brandon Leeds, co-founder of paper straws and all-in-one cups maker Nothing.