Packaging

ForFarmers: from spot checks to automated code inspection

A packaging line is only truly automated when an operator no longer has to guess whether the required code is legible. At ForFarmers in Heijen, that final check made the difference between daily disruptions and a product..

European rules change how certification labels are assessed

03 November 2026

Sustainability requirements vary from one certification label to another. But how are those requirements monitored, and how openly are they communicated? Until now, the Certification Label Guide has provided separate sco...

New substances authorized for plastic food packaging

02 November 2026

The European Commission is expanding the list of authorized substances for food-contact plastics. The four new authorizations range from additives to carbon fibers. The type of food that comes into contact with the mater...

Bio-based food packaging: from design to practice

02 November 2026

Switching from fossil-based plastics to bio-based packaging takes more than a new material. Food companies also need evidence to support performance, regulatory compliance, and investment decisions. The European AgriBioP...

Stricter rules for sustainability claims on food

26 October 2026

“Sustainable” or “environmentally friendly”: claims like these are appearing on more and more products. They offer opportunities for food manufacturers, but they also require attention. After all, there is more to a gree...

Eurostat: more plastic packaging waste in the EU

23 October 2026

More plastic packaging waste, but also more recycling: that is the picture painted by the EU’s 2024 figures. An average of 35.9 kilograms of plastic packaging waste was generated per person. Of that amount, 15.3 kilogram...

EU seeks input on bio-based plastic packaging

22 October 2026

What role will bio-based feedstocks play in tomorrow’s plastic packaging? The European Commission is assessing possible targets and related sustainability requirements. It is asking the packaging value chain to contribut...

EU agreement on organic food imports and labeling

20 October 2026

An organic product is not automatically eligible to carry the EU organic logo. This distinction is central to a provisional agreement on European rules for organic products. The Council and the European Parliament reache...

BuRO calls for better oversight of food contact materials

20 October 2026

More recycled raw materials, less plastic, and greater use of plant-based materials: sustainability efforts are changing food packaging. But what substances come with those raw materials? And could they end up in food? A...

Scancheck: barcode inspection without packaging damage

19 October 2026

Rejecting a product doesn’t have to mean damaging its packaging. Automator’s Scancheck automatically checks barcodes on tray-sealed or top-sealed products. If the system rejects a product, an air knife gently blows it of...

New allergen policy proves challenging in practice

14 October 2026

A warning such as “may contain xxx” seems like a simple solution. For consumers with allergies, it actually makes choosing products harder. The new Dutch allergen policy therefore aims to reduce unnecessary label warning...

Fall selection of pre-owned MULTIVAC machines

01 October 2026

Not every investment calls for a brand-new machine. MULTIVAC refurbishes used machines with genuine parts and puts them back on the market. This gives businesses an alternative when they need capacity quickly. A limited ...

The first PPWR requirements are in effect. Is your packaging data in order?

01 October 2026

The first requirements under the EU’s new packaging legislation (PPWR) have been in effect since August 12. This makes detailed, verifiable packaging data increasingly important. Do you work with multiple types of pac...

Verpact: new packaging fees and discounts for 2027

30 September 2026

Verpact will expand its discounts for plastic packaging starting in 2027. Companies that use certain recycled or renewable raw materials can qualify for additional discounts. Fees for beverage cartons, aluminum, and pack...

Sustainability claims on food packaging: new rules

24 September 2026

Stricter rules for sustainability claims take effect on September 27, 2026. They also apply to claims and labels on food packaging. Terms such as “green” and “environmentally friendly” will face clearer requirements. The...

Scancheck Barcode Inspection System

17 September 2026

The Scancheck machine was developed to automatically inspect barcodes on tray-sealed and top-sealed products. Rejected products are gently blown off the line using an air knife, without damaging the packaging. This prese...