World News
Coca-Cola expands smartwater range with sparkling canned water
The Coca-Cola Company has launched a sparkling version of its smartwater brand in the US, introducing the product in 12oz aluminium cans and PET bottles. The new smartwater sparkling range launched exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide on 12 October, with online availability scheduled for later in the month and wider US distribution planned for 2027.…
Can Makers UK names winners of inaugural student design competition
Can Makers UK has announced the winners of its first Undergraduate Beverage Can Design Competition, organised in partnership with Edge Hill University to give students experience of designing packaging for the drinks industry. Launched in 2026, the competition challenged undergraduate students to develop packaging and branding concepts for a hypothetical beverage brand. Participants attended a…
Rhodius and KHS introduce resealable aluminium bottles in Germany
German beverage producer Rhodius Mineralquellen has partnered with KHS to introduce resealable aluminium bottles, converting an existing canning line to handle the new packaging format at its Burgbrohl facility. The project involved adapting a KHS canning line with a capacity of up to 50,000 containers per hour to process lightweight aluminium bottles fitted with screw…
Alupro review examines impact of PRN prices on aluminium recycling
An independent analysis commissioned by Alupro has found that higher Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) prices are associated with increased aluminium recycling tonnages, although the effect differs between domestic reprocessing and exports. The aluminium packaging recycling organisation has published an econometric review of the UK PRN market, examining 12 years of data to assess how changes…
Absolut and Ocean Spray launch stronger canned vodka cranberry range in US
Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray have expanded their ready-to-drink cocktail partnership with the launch of a new 9% ABV canned vodka cranberry range in the US. The new Absolut & Ocean Spray Double range combines two shots of Absolut Vodka with Ocean Spray cranberry juice in a non-carbonated cocktail, without artificial colours or sweeteners. Two…
VMI opens new service facility in Mexico
Machinery manufacturer VMI has opened a new service facility in León, Mexico, expanding its local support capabilities as the company responds to a growing installed base in the region. The facility was officially inaugurated on 8 October, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by customers, local employees and government representatives, including Harm Voortman, CEO of VMI…
Speira opens €40m aluminium can recycling furnace in Germany
Speira has inaugurated a new aluminium beverage can recycling furnace at its Rheinwerk facility in Neuss, Germany, following a €40 million investment to expand recycling capacity. The new furnace has an annual capacity of around 60,000 tonnes and forms part of the company’s ongoing conversion of the former primary aluminium smelter into a recycling operation.…
Defra clarifies PRN rules as steel recycling obligations are eased
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published new guidance on issuing Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Notes (PERNs), alongside temporary measures to ease compliance pressures in the UK packaging recycling sector. The guidance, published on 1 October and incorporated into wider regulatory requirements on 8 October,…
Croxsons signs exclusive UK deal for PANO’s PVC-free metal closures
UK packaging supplier Croxsons has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with German manufacturer PANO Verschluss to introduce its BLUESEAL PVC-free metal twist-off closures to the UK food packaging market. The agreement will allow Croxsons to offer PANO’s closures across its glass food jar portfolio, providing an alternative to conventional PVC-based sealing compounds. BLUESEAL closures use…
Sonoco takes two awards at UK Packaging Awards 2026
Sonoco secured two wins at the UK Packaging Awards 2026, including Metal Pack of the Year for its Extraordinary Voyages packaging developed with Kusmi Tea. The awards, held at the Hilton Park Lane in London on 7 October, recognised achievements across 31 categories covering packaging design, manufacturing, materials and technology. Sonoco and Kusmi Tea won…
