Tetra Pak invests in new recycling tech - Why did Coca-Cola water its sustainability goals down? - Laser printing product info onto mangoes
Packaging Europe
Leading the global conversation on packaging strategy and innovation.
Welcome to this week's edition of the Packaging Europe LinkedIn newsletter! Like we do every week, we're bringing you a rundown of the most important packaging stories from the past seven days.
Let's get into the stories.
Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams are making a joint investment of around €3 million to launch operations at a recycling plant for polyAl from used beverage cartons – set to begin operations in the second half of 2025 and boost recycling capacity in the EU.
Brand design agency Outlaw has unveiled a new design for Peroni Nastro Azzurro’s secondary packaging, highlighting the company’s blue ‘Nastro Azzurro’ ribbon and aiming to improve shelf impact.
Earlier this month, Coca-Cola announced a significant shift in its sustainability strategy, scaling back on its widely publicized goal of using 50% recycled plastic in its packaging by 2030. While some have criticized this move as a step backward, others argue that it underscores a critical issue in sustainability efforts: the dangers of setting unrealistic goals that are disconnected from operational realities. Calvin Lakhan, Director of Circular Innovation Hub at York University’s Faculty of Environment and Urban Change, takes a closer look.
It’s no secret that black packaging can negatively affect the recycling process, but are new, non-carbon solutions about to change this? In this edition of the Brief, we explore the different applications for carbon black and non-carbon black in the industry, and how non-carbon black options are being implemented.
Westfalia Fruit is laser-etching product information directly onto mangoes in an effort to save up to 10 million plastic price look-up (PLU) stickers annually.
Rethinking fast food packaging with reusable RFID solutions
As the push for sustainable practices intensifies, the packaging industry faces increasing pressure to innovate. At Checkpoint Systems, we’ve taken a significant step forward with our In-Mold Label (IML) RFID technology, designed to support the transition from single-use plastics to reusable packaging.
IML RFID labels are integrated directly into packaging during production, making them durable, water-resistant, and resilient enough to endure rigorous use. This technology is already making a difference, as demonstrated in a recent pilot with a global fast-food chain across 1,200 locations. The results? A practical, scalable solution that reduces waste, improves efficiency, and supports compliance with upcoming EU sustainability regulations.
Why RFID matters for reusability
RFID technology embedded in IML labels offers real-time traceability and up to 99% inventory accuracy. Businesses can monitor reusable packaging throughout its lifecycle, gaining insights into turnover rates, utilization, and shrinkage. This visibility reduces waste and enables informed decisions that optimize operations.
Beyond logistics, these labels are key to regulatory compliance. As sustainability rules evolve, RFID-enabled packaging provides a reliable way to document material use, safety certifications, and reusability metrics—helping businesses stay ahead of legal requirements.
The transition to reusable packaging is challenging but essential. By leveraging solutions like IML RFID labels, companies can align with circular economy principles while maintaining operational efficiency.
Checkpoint Systems is committed to enabling this change, providing innovative tools that empower businesses to rethink packaging for a more sustainable future.
#SustainableInnovation #RFIDTechnology #ReusablePackaging
This content was sponsored by Checkpoint Systems
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