Global food packaging manufacturer Go-Pak Group has unveiled its 2026 festive cup range, designed to help hospitality and coffee operators deliver a premium seasonal experience without investing in bespoke printing or separate cup sleeves.

At Elite Plus 2026, hubergroup is highlighting the importance of collaboration across the packaging value chain to address the growing demand for safer and more sustainable packaging solutions.

The company is presenting its approach to circular food packaging, with a focus on solutions that support food safety while helping packaging manufacturers and brand owners meet evolving sustainability requirements.

After a three-month consultation with towns and cities, as well as plastic bottle and recycling businesses, the Ministry of Ecological Transition has announced that a mandatory deposit system will not be enforced.

According to The Geo Chronicle, local municipalities fear that introducing deposit return infrastructure could impact existing municipal recycling systems, which derive a ‘significant portion’ of their revenue from plastic bottles and aluminium cans. If these systems end up in a funding deficit, taxpayers may be forced to cover the costs.

The plans were revealed by minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg, who states that the recycling scheme will be managed by the not-for-profit Agrecovery Foundation and replace the current voluntary recycling schemes. It will require producers to contribute a small fee for products sold to support a free network of collection services and take-back sites.

Ahlstrom has launched two new grease-resistant food packaging papers, Grease-Gard PLUS and Grease-Gard PRO, strengthening its offering for the North American quick-service restaurant (QSR) and food service market.

The new papers are designed to address the growing demand for high-performance, paper-based food packaging solutions that combine grease resistance, converting performance and sustainability.

A new European initiative is aiming to tackle one of the packaging industry's most persistent recycling challenges: flexible plastic packaging.

Called InFACT (Infrastructure for the Flexible plastic pAckaging Circular Transition), the project brings together 16 partners from across the packaging value chain to develop and demonstrate a circular system capable of turning used flexible plastic packaging into new packaging materials. The project will run from 2026 to 2028.

A trademark dispute between J.M. Smucker Co. and Trader Joe’s over the appearance of frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is moving forward after a U.S. federal judge rejected Trader Joe’s request to dismiss the case.

The lawsuit, filed by Smucker in 2025, centers on Trader Joe’s Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches, which Smucker alleges closely resemble its well-known Uncrustables products in both product design and packaging.