In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Senior Journalist Navan Kaur, to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in September.

We begin our discussion by reviewing breakthrough recycling developments, as Samsara Eco launches Australia’s first enzymatic recycling plant and APR Chemcycle gains EPA approval for Victoria’s first chemical recycling facility. Cleanaway and Viva Energy’s large-scale feasibility study in Geelong adds further momentum to circular plastics innovation. We also explore new brand and packaging designs, with Uncle Tobys’ masterbrand refresh improving navigation on shelf, and Sydney’s nviro1 solving a long-standing recycling challenge through its mono-material PET closure. Brown Brothers also breaks new ground with Australia’s first aluminium Prosecco bottle, signalling shifting consumer perceptions of premium packaging.

The episode wraps up with local manufacturing and policy updates, from Visy’s major Queensland investments, to the expansion of Container Deposit Schemes in NSW and SA, and Amcor and Woolworths’ collaboration on recycled bread bags, underscoring steady progress toward a more circular packaging economy.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Enzymatic recycling: Unlocking infinite plastic reuse

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/enzymatic-recycling-unlocking-infinite-plastic-reuse

EPA Victoria gives green light to APR Chemcycle

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/epa-victoria-gives-green-light-to-apr-chemcycle

Cleanaway, Viva kick off circular plastics study

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/cleanaway-viva-kick-off-circular-plastics-study

Uncle Tobys unites under legacy masterbrand

www.packagingnews.com.au/design/uncle-tobys-unites-under-legacy-masterbrand

nviro1 cracks PET cap recycling barrier

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/nviro1-cracks-pet-cap-recycling-barrier

Brown Brothers launches aluminium Prosecco bottle

www.packagingnews.com.au/beverage/brown-brothers-launches-aluminium-prosecco-bottle

Visy opens 100 roles at Yatala glass facility

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/visy-opens-100-roles-at-yatala-glass-facility

Visy upgrades Brisbane mill for new box grades

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/visy-upgrades-brisbane-mill-for-new-box-grades

Amcor and Woolies bag circular gains

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Grant McHerron to provide insight, analysis and commentary on the top news stories shaping change in Australia’s dynamic packaging industry in August.

We begin our conversation by reviewing the push for a mandatory national coordinated producer responsibility scheme, we assess the increased momentum of soft plastics recycling in Australia, and explore the key takeouts from the Recycling Roundtable hosted by Visy and the Sydney Morning Herald. We also discuss investments with Orora’s launch of Helio which provides a new level of efficiency and sustainability for direct-to-can digital printing through Velox technology, and SIG which has launched a new recycle ready bag-in-box for wines made from Terra RecShield film.

We wrap up by reviewing the FY25 results with solid gains for Orora, a shift in strategy for Amcor, and a difficult year for Close the Loop.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Industry groups urge federal action on packaging

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/industry-groups-urge-federal-action-on-packaging

Treaty talks stall, but Australia presses on with plastics action

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/treaty-talks-stall-but-australia-presses-on-with-plastics-action

Recycling Roundtable: Local remanufacturing in focus

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/recycling-roundtable-local-remanufacturing-in-focus

ACCC backs national scheme to reboot Australia’s soft plastics recycling

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/accc-backs-national-scheme-to-reboot-australia-s-soft-plastics-recycling

iQRenew SPEC facility opens doors to stakeholders

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/iqrenew-spec-facility-opens-doors-to-stakeholders

EPA Victoria gives green light to APR Chemcycle

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/epa-victoria-gives-green-light-to-apr-chemcycle

Orora dials up innovation with direct-to-can decoration

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/orora-dials-up-innovation-with-direct-to-can-decoration

SIG launches recycle-ready bag-in-box for wine

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/sig-launches-recycle-ready-bag-in-box-for-wine

Orora’s packaging pivot delivers strong FY25 growth

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, speaks with Barry Cosier, co-CEO of Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA), about the organisation’s role in shaping a national soft plastics recycling scheme.

The conversation begins with reflections on the recent open day at iQRenew’s SPEC facility, exploring how infrastructure like this underpins future recycling efforts and where gaps remain. Barry discusses SPSA’s role as a connector across the value chain, the challenges and lessons learned from past setbacks, and the significance of its newly appointed Stakeholder Advisory Council in bringing diverse expertise – from regulators and councils to recyclers and retailers – into the fold.

The discussion also covers how SPSA plans to align collection with real recycling capacity, ensure transparency and accountability, and rebuild public trust in soft plastics recycling. Barry provides insight into the ACCC authorisation process, the balance between mechanical and advanced recycling technologies, and the varying levels of commitment from brand owners.

We wrap up by looking at SPSA’s short- and long-term goals, and how industry stakeholders can play an active role in shaping a credible, end-to-end product stewardship model for soft plastics in Australia.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

iQRenew SPEC facility opens doors to stakeholders

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/iqrenew-spec-facility-opens-doors-to-stakeholders

Inaugural council to guide SPSA soft plastics scheme

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/inaugural-council-to-guide-spsa-soft-plastics-scheme

Treaty talks stall, but Australia presses on with plastics action

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/treaty-talks-stall-but-australia-presses-on-with-plastics-action

iQRenew secures $9.1m infrastructure funding boost

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/iqrenew-secures-9-1m-infrastructure-funding-boost

ACCC backs national scheme to reboot Australia’s soft plastics recycling

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/accc-backs-national-scheme-to-reboot-australia-s-soft-plastics-recycling

SPSA seeks green light to activate national soft plastics scheme

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/spsa-seeks-green-light-to-activate-national-soft-plastics-scheme

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The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

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