The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 has emerged as an important platform for Indian rice exporters and packaging companies to connect with new buyers, strengthen existing business relationships and explore opportunities in domestic and international markets.

Held in New Delhi from October 23 to 25, the conference brought together rice millers, exporters, packaging suppliers and international buyers, facilitating business networking and discussions across the rice supply chain.

Strategic collaboration combines low-carbon polyethylene, packaging innovation and carbon footprint transparency to help brands reduce value-chain emissions without compromising packaging performance.

UPM’s Specialty Materials business has teamed up with Siegwerk and Uteco to develop a secondary paper packaging material that is moisture- and grease-resistant.

UPM provides the barrier base paper, which is coated with Siegwerk’s Cirkit Bar Seal coating applied using Uteco’s high-definition advanced flexo technology.

Siegwerk’s Cirkit coatings have been developed to replace plastic films.

Samples were shown at this week’s Pack Expo show in Chicago. The paper can be heat sealed and is recyclable through standard recycling streams.

Flexible packaging manufacturer ProAmpac has launched its ProActive Intelligence Shelf Protect (SP) Series, a new packaging technology designed to reduce microbial growth, extend product shelf life and minimise food spoilage.

Developed for selected meat, seafood and dairy applications, the technology incorporates patented biotechnology directly into food-contact packaging films to help preserve product quality during storage and distribution.

The feedback process will remain open until 13 January 2027.

The European Commission is launching an open public consultation today (21 Oct) to gather views and evidence on the role of bio-based plastics in packaging policy. The consultation will remain open until 13 January 2027.  

Truly Grass Fed announced a packaging refresh designed to help consumers easily identify its standards of quality.

Over the next few months, the new look will start rolling out across Truly Grass Fed's product portfolio. With butter and cheese products that are made from dairy from 95% grass-fed cows and are Non-GMO Project Verified, the updated packaging more prominently showcases these key product attributes and credentials.