AIP December 2025 eNewsletter

NEWSLETTER

AIP activities CPD accredited

Certified Packaging Professional designation

Issue No. 11 | December 2025

PIABC Approved Training Academy

Globally Recognised Education

Contents

3

Internship Available - Resmed �����������3 Message from the AIP President ���� 4-5

Internship Available

Packaging Design Intern 10-11

AIP Welcomes New Member ��������������7 AIP News �������������������������������������� 9-11 AIP in 2025: The year in review ��� 13-42 2026 Events �������������������������������� 44-56 AIP News ������������������������������������ 58-60 Corporate Partner News ������������ 62-76

ENTRIES CLOSE 27 FEBRUARY FOR THE 2026 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards Ceremony

14

The Crown Aviary, Crown Complex, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

WPO News ��������������������������������������77 Association News �����������������������������������79

28 July 2026

Save THE Date The AIP are migrating to a NEW LinkedIn Page!

Welcome to the brand new LinkedIn page for the Australasian Institute of Packaging - AIP Share the news far and wide!

Don’t miss a beat follow the AIP here for all the latest in packaging.

7

AIP Welcomes New Member from Swisse Wellness Narong (Sovannarong) Pech MAIP Packaging Technologist Swisse Wellness (H&H group)

State of the Industry Upcoming Webinar 7

AIP State of Industry Update Webinar: Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Part 3: Data Management DATE TBA 2026 CPD Accredited 1 CPP Point

MEMBER

FULL MEMBER

PIABC APPROVED TRAINING ACADEMY SUPPORTING SIGNATORY

CORE PARTICIPANT

FOUNDING PARTNER

SUPPORTER

AIP: PEAK PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR PACKAGING EDUCATION & TRAINING IN AUSTRALASIA

Advertise Job Vacancies through the AIP • Dedicated Job Board on the AIP website.

• Full Page ad in AIP Newsletter.

• Job Advertisements on AIP LinkedIn. • Broad audience across Australasia.

• Access to technical packaging professionals.

NEWSLETTER

Job Vacancy Techtronic Industries

Contents

Who they are:

•

Apply best practice circular economy principles and work closely with industry and eWaste providers to develop innovative solutions & products from electronic tool waste�

•

Work with internal comms, learning & development and the operational sites to develop education and behaviour programs to ensure everyone plays their part in meeting their global waste targets�

What you will need to do this role: • A passion for waste and recycling with a proven ability to drive behaviour change positively�

• Health & Wellbeing: Paid Parental Leave and Employee Assistance Program�

•

•

• Social: Recognition programs and social events to celebrate our team’s achievements •

About the role They currently have a great opportunity available for a Circular Economy Manager to lead and manage Milwaukee’s waste operations and sustainable packaging program� Reporting to the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, your key responsibilities will include: • Own & manage seven circularity targets within the recently approved CSR strategy and lead the Circularity Steering Committee to deliver the targets on time and within budget� •

•

Work towards a future state in which 100% of Milwaukee’s packaging is either re-usable or recyclable and includes 50% average recycled content� Explore, engage and deliver on the development of suitable waste management stewardship programs relating to battery and electronic tool recycling, with a focus on continuous improvement�

Professional experience in Sustainability with specific experience in resource recovery, waste management or circular economy thinking within a medium to large organisation� Specific experience in creating an improved and more mature program of work on resource use and recovery� Demonstrated experience in working towards ambitious waste-from-landfill targets�

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Techtronic Industries: Circular Economy Manager

AIP Congratulates New Graduates

5-7

Certified Packaging Professional Graduate

Certificate in Packaging Graduates

2025 PIDA Awards Finalistss Announced ���������������������������������� 9-15 Jessica Ansell AAIP

Corporate Partner News������������� 17-21

Kuan Hwa Wong AAIP

Danielle Manetti MAIP, CPP

2025 PIDA Awards Finalists Announced

9-15

2025/2026 Events ���������������������� 23-47 ProPak Vietnam Wrap Up����������� 48-63 Member News ���������������������������� 65-67 Association News ����������������������� 69-73

The AIP are migrating to a NEW LinkedIn Page!

Broad knowledge of waste and resource recovery experience as well as a good understanding of current and up-coming waste regulation and legislation, particularly on packaging�

Early Bird Rates Now Available

You will have a tertiary qualification, preferably in environmental or sustainability studies� Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate, plan, manage and deliver sustainability programs of work to tight deadlines� • Stakeholder and data mapping, together with an ability to work cross-culturally or geographically to deliver outcomes� If you fit the above attributes and are excited at the prospect of joining a successful, global organisation, then please apply now�

•

•

22-24

Registrations now open for the 2025 Australasian Packaging Conference Just some of the speakers...

CPD Accredited CPP Points

Welcome to the brand new LinkedIn page for the Australasian Institute of Packaging - AIP Share the news far and wide!

About You

Save THE Date

Don’t miss a beat follow the AIP here for all the latest in packaging.

6 May 2025

2025 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS CEREMONY Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

PLEASE APPLY TODAY AIP Newsletter | April 2025

MEMBER

3 3

FULL MEMBER SUPPORTING SIGNATORY

CORE PARTICIPANT

FOUNDING PARTNER

AIP: PEAK PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR PACKAGING EDUCATION

2

Globally Recognised Education

New CPP Graduate ����������������������������5 New Certificate in Packaging Graduates ��������������������������������������� 6-7

• Personal Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning and professional development programs�

• Discounts & Perks: Generous discounts on company products, laptop provided, novated leasing options�

PIABC Approved Training Academy

Job Vacancy

Job Vacancy ���������������������������������������3

Milwaukee Tools is an industry leader in the manufacturing of cordless & electric power tools, accessories, and hand tools. They pride themselves on an unrelenting strategic focus on powerful brands, innovative products and exceptional people.

• Lifestyle: Hybrid working model to support flexibility�

Certified Packaging Professional designation

Issue No.3 | April 2025

Techtronic Industries: Circular Economy Manager

Their culture is centered around improving the lives of their users, something that not only drives their product development but underpins everything they do�Milwaukee Tools are committed to ensuring their people have a great experience at Milwaukee, so in addition to an exciting and challenging role they also provide a range of great employee benefits including:

AIP activities CPD accredited

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

PIABC APPROVED TRAINING ACADEMY SUPPORTER

& TRAINING IN AUSTRALASIA

25

Internship Available - Resmed Resmed: Packaging Design Internship Resmed are looking for a talented young Packaging Design intern to join the Hardware Experience’s Packaging Team and support their mission to change lives and transform how they deliver their products to the people they serve.

Let’s talk about the team: They are Designers. Inventors. Innovators. Solving real problems for real people, always on the lookout for better. Changing 250 million lives by 2025 is demanding. But it also rewards bright, passionate, original thinking and hardworking people. And none of them would have it any other way.

You will join a diverse, collaborative & hardworking team of Designers, Engineers & Creatives focused on delivering best in class product & packaging experiences.

Let’s talk about the role: With a global reach & wide network of suppliers globally this role will bring opportunity for you to broaden your horizons with exposure to world class manufacturing facilities, a warm and inviting culture, to feed off the energy of world class designers and give you exposure to how a multi-billion dollar company thinks big, defines strategy, and enables tech, people and process to achieve Resmed's vision.

Responsibilities: • Mature approach to both graphical and structural design & development with consideration to requirements across multiple stakeholder groups.

• Ability to operate with an elevated level of autonomy whilst interacting effectively with, and seeking input from, team members and other business groups to ensure the packaging being developed is appropriate and satisfies all necessary requirements.

• Self-management of tasks or as directed by the Manager & Project Leads.

• Collaborate & liaise with internal customers and suppliers in relation to design issues.

• Work within the ResMed Quality system & standards.

• Work within regulatory requirements such as the FDA. Let’s talk about you: To excel as a Packaging Design intern, you will need to be a strong visual and verbal communicator with a creative approach to problem solving, able to articulate your ability to understand complex requirements.

To get them really excited you will have the above attributes and the following qualifications and experience: •

Is a strong graphic designer, able to demonstrate proficiency in Adobe products and other Visual communication tools.

•

Demonstrate strong understanding of print processes.

•

Able to demonstrate knowledge of new product or packaging development and how this might impact the manufacturing environment.

•

Demonstrate knowledge of process & materials for different types of packaging solutions.

•

Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and Design for Assembly (DFA).

•

Working within a strict quality system and regulatory environment.

•

Proficiency in 3D CAD system.

•

Degree or Tertiary Qualification in Packaging Engineering or Design, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.

•

Demonstrated capability in packaging design & engineering.

•

Experience in Corrugated Cardboard & Paper design is beneficial.

•

Experience in global freight & logistics design – is beneficial.

• Research, design, and production-implementation of new product packaging.

• Bring the latest insight on Industry Trends & Developments with strong focus on Sustainable Packaging solutions.

• Help with testing, verification and validation of designed packaging to ensure it meets the necessary requirements and specifications under anticipated usage scenarios and operating conditions.

PLEASE APPLY TODAY AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Message from the AIP President

Dear AIP Members.

I am writing this on the day we have just concluded our ‘State of the Industry’ Webinar series for 2025. It was on the PPWR system introduced into Europe and as you may have seen in the press still faces some challenges. What is clear it is not going away and despite some inconclusive/disappointing results in the INC5.2 talks around global plastic pollution the momentum shift towards reusable or recyclable packaging continues.

In Australia our own EPR scheme as proposed by APCO was stalled in 2025, but it looks likely that the packaging reforms actions will restart in early 2026 by Minister Watt and his team.

In terms of the AIP, it just means that our underlying vision to be the pinnacle organisation in Australasia to create generations of packaging professionals through education, training and recognition is more important than ever as the issues we face are transgenerational.

So, as we enter this holiday season at the close of 2025 I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your support this year, whether it be attending our ‘State of the Industry’ webinars, the Australasian Packaging Conference alongside the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards, seeing us on stands at various events, or attending our many packaging forums and training courses that we have held across the Australasian region.

Indeed, the Australasian Packaging Conference in May was a highlight for me, not just because it was my first conference as President. It was a full-on week, but I can reflect on the fact it certainly delivered on its theme of ‘Reimagine Packaging Design’ and I came away confident that the AIP has a huge role to play in facilitating meaningful discussions on our packaging future in parallel with its world leading education and training program. The buzz around the conference was awesome and the ‘quality’ of presenters, workshops and networking conversations was extremely high.

The AIP Education Team have been incredibly busy this year. At our core we are an educational institute and we provided training and education to 968 people attending our training courses and over 1220 people attending our workshops and packaging forums. Our involvement and support of events within the broader region has continued to grow and that reflects a huge amount of effort by the education team, reflected in the numbers above.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2024 2025

Message from the AIP President

Our sphere of influence continues to grow with Nerida Kelton, our Executive Director, championing packaging’s role in minimising food waste with the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), FAO, UNIDO and Save Food Org. with the launch, earlier this year, of a white paper ‘Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox.’

Once again 2025 brought us good regional success at the WorldStar Packaging Awards with Australia & New Zealand ranking 4th in the World in awards, with 18 WorldStar winners and 2 Special Awards winners. Even more excitingly our Australasian students won 2 silver, 1 bronze and 19 certificates of merit at the global awards. WorldStar 2026 entries are in the process of being judged, with results due in January 2026, so let’s hope we get a further cohort of winners that will have the opportunity to celebrate at Interpack in Dusseldorf in May 2026.

Remembering of course you have to be recognised at the local Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards, we once again hope to get a tremendous quality of entries into the 2026 PIDAs, with a closing date at the end of February, 2026. The PIDA Awards will feature at FoodPro on the 28th of July, 2026, in Melbourne.

As always, a hearty well done to all involved in the smooth running of the AIP in 2025, it takes a real team effort to deliver the quality of what the Institute offers and the team do an awesome job led by Nerida Kelton, our Executive Director. I’d like to thank my fellow directors on the board, who, on a voluntary basis, help us drive the growth of the Institute.

Finally, I would also like to thank our Corporate Partners new and old for their support throughout the year, which is even more important during a conference year, and always much appreciated.

So, in closing please ensure you take some time to reflect on the positives of 2025 and think ahead to what we can achieve collectively as an industry in 2026. As mentioned previously the theme of our conference this year was “Reimagine Packaging Design” so let’s continue to use our imaginations and continue to build our Institute as the leading source for education, training and career enrichment for all packaging professionals in Australasia.

Best wishes to you, your families and your colleagues and I look forward to seeing all of you in 2026.

Best Regards

John Bigley MAIP President Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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CONFIDENCE FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

Cartonboard Global Regulatory Alignment Proven Compliance Technical Excellence

Packaging is more than a container, it’s a safeguard for product integrity and brand trust. As legislation evolves worldwide, material choice must keep pace with increasingly stringent requirements.

Ball & Doggett’s cartonboard range is engineered to align with global regulatory expectations.

Our materials are carefully selected, ensuring your packaging not only performs but stands up to scrutiny in every market you serve.

Our cartonboard grades are compliant with Australia’s PFAS restrictions. prohibiting certain chemicals in food and pharmaceutical packaging. just one demonstration of how we anticipate regulatory change so you can stay ahead.

Our Cartonboard Portfolio: Sumo Celsius GC2 • • • • •

PEFC Certified (PEFC/40-31-7) ISO 14001 Environment Management System ISO 9001 Quality Management System Engineered for fridge and freezer stability with high stiffness and moisture resistance Double-coated surface for precision print quality

Why Ball & Doggett Is Your Compliance Partner?

• • • •

Global Standards in Mind – Materials mapped to EU, US, and APAC pharmaceutical packaging requirements.

Proactive Compliance – PFAS legislation readiness is just one example of our forward-planning approach.

Technical Expertise – Specialist guidance to match the right board to your process, product, and regulatory landscape.

Sustainable Credentials – FSC® / PEFC certifications, recycled content options, and recyclability options within the range.

Let’s move beyond material supply — and into strategic partnership.

At Ball & Doggett, we work alongside brands, printers, and converters to anticipate market change, navigate compliance challenges, and design packaging that performs in every market.

Tap into our technical expertise, regulatory insight, and global supply strength and make your next packaging project future-proof. Stay ahead of the curve.

Sumo Greyback –

Recycled & Regulation-Ready • • •

FSC® Certified, over 90% recycled pulp Glossy, clay-coated front for superior print; natural grey reverse Ideal for pharma cartons and secondary packaging in controlled environments

Tammy Arhontissas

6

National Manager – Fibre Based Packaging Tammy.Arhontissas@ballanddoggett.com.au +61 498 999 391

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Wishing you a bright and happy festive season.

Thanks for sharing the year with us, here’s to an exciting New Year!

From the team at Ball & Doggett.

hello@ecoporium.com.au

AIP Welcomes New Member from Swisse Wellness

The AIP would like to take this opportunity to welcome Narong (Sovannarong) Pech MAIP, Packaging Technologist, Swisse Wellness (H&H group), to the Institute and share a little bit about who he is and what he does in the industry. Please join with us in welcoming Narong to the AIP. 1. Why did you join the AIP? What benefits do you believe the AIP offers all their members?

Narong: I joined the AIP because I want to stay connected to the packaging industry and keep up to date with the latest developments and technologies in this constantly evolving field. With new regulations emerging regularly, it’s important for me to stay informed and maintain current knowledge.

I also value the opportunity to access AIP’s online webinars, which help me continue building my expertise. In addition, the networking events provide a great platform to connect with peers across the industry. Overall, I believe AIP offers strong industry insights, professional development opportunities, and a supportive community for all its members.

2. H ow long have you been in the industry?

What are your areas of expertise?

Narong: I haven’t worked exclusively in packaging, but my previous role at Dentalife was as an R&D Engineer, where I was responsible for equipment and process validation. This also included packaging validation, particularly due to the challenges of finding suitable packaging for disinfectant products, which often have complex material interactions.

Narong (Sovannarong) Pech MAIP Packaging Technologist Swisse Wellness (H&H group)

As part of this work, I collaborated closely with packaging suppliers and internal teams to identify and implement the right packaging solutions. I spent 3.5 years in that role and have recently moved into my new position at Swisse Wellness.

My areas of expertise include new packaging line validation trials, packaging stability studies, and material compatibility testing.

3. What is your current job role and what are your responsibilities?

Narong: My current role is Packaging Technologist at Swisse. My responsibilities focus on ensuring data integrity across the entire packaging portfolio for ANZ and Asia. I support packaging design for NPD pipelines, working closely with the sourcing team and manufacturing partners. I’m also involved in sustainable packaging initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop packaging solutions that best support product launches. Additionally, I support the quality team on packagingrelated quality challenges and lead the implementation of recommended solutions.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP News

The Seven Rs of Christmas

Keith Chessell FAIP (Life) Education Team Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

Although Christmas only has one “R”, let me suggest an expansion to seven Rs, as the number seven in the Bible symbolises completion, perfection, and holiness. My 7 Rs also provide a sustainable approach to minimise waste and improve the environmental impact for your Christmas preparations and celebrations.

These 7 Rs are not only useful preparation for Christmas, but a helpful way to approach all your household and business purchasing decisions: 1. Rethink: Step back and think about the type of consumer you want to be and what this means for the environment.

2. Refuse: Think before you buy and be prepared to not buy at all. Green consumers place themselves at the start of the buy-and-use cycle. They buy less and buy products that do the least harm to the environment. Be careful with products that need button batteries.

The wrong packaging in the Yellow bin can not only contaminate the whole bin, but will complicate the sorting processes at the Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs). If there is any doubt, put it in the Red-Lidded rubbish bin.

7. Rot or compost: If packaging is contaminated with food waste (grease staining okay), but if there are food scraps attached, it shouldn’t go in the Yellow Lidded recycle bin. Some Councils (not many in Victoria) will allow paper packaging contaminated with food to go in the Green Lidded (FOGO) bin for commercial composting.

3. Reduce: Buy less, buy products that have little or no packaging. Stay away from gifts with excess packaging or use Polystyrene foam (EPS) 4. Reuse: Stay away from products and packaging that have a limited life or single use. Why use Christmas wrapping paper, use paper gift bags with a detachable name tag that are easily opened and can be reused.

5. Repurpose/Regift: Select gifts that are good quality that can be passed down or regifted or passed onto the Salvos. Consider whether the gift can be repaired rather than thrown away when the gift is no longer required 6. Recycle: Most important in selecting your Christmas items is to check the packaging to ensure it provides information on recyclability and is accepted in your household kerbside collection.

Look for the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) or use the RecycleMate App (https://recyclemate. com.au/)

Most important at the end of your Christmas celebrations is to carefully check all the leftover packaging and ensure you know which bin to chuck it in. The wrong packaging in the Yellow bin can not only contaminate the whole bin, but will complicate the sorting processes at the Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs). If there is any doubt, put it in the Red-Lidded rubbish bin.

Most important at the end of your Christmas celebrations is to carefully check all the leftover 7. Rot or compost: If packaging is contaminated with food waste (grease staining okay), but if there are food scraps attached, it shouldn’t go in the Yellow Lidded packaging and(notensure you know which bin to chuck recycle bin. Some Councils many in Victoria) will allow paper packaging itcontaminated in. with food to go in the Green Lidded (FOGO) bin for commercial composting.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS - CLOSES 27 FEBRUARY Entries are now open for the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards for Australia and New Zealand.

Coordinated by the AIP, the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand.

2026 PIDA Categories include: • Food • Beverage • Health, Beauty & Wellness • Domestic & Household • Labelling & Decoration • Outside of the Box • Sustainable Packaging Design • Save Food Packaging Design • Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design • Marketing • Young Packaging Professional of the Year • Industry Packaging Professional of the Year • ABA Diploma Scholarship • ABA Certificate Scholarship • Packaging Technologist of the Year • AIP President Award The PIDA Awards are the exclusive award program for all Australia and New Zealand entries into the prestigious WorldStar Packaging Awards, which are coordinated by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORMS AND CRITERIA

ENTRIES CLOSE 27 FEBRUARY 2026 MEDIA PARTNERS

10

SCHOLARSHIP PARTNER

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

COORDINATED BY

Click here to enter the awards

ENDORSED BY

ANZ EXCLUSIVE ENTRY TO

2026 PIDA Awards - Entries Open

2026 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS: ENTRIES CLOSE 27 February 2026 Entries are now open for the prestigious 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards that have been designed to recognise not only innovative packaging design, but also outstanding packaging professionals who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand. What makes the PIDA awards program unique is that it is not only industry-led but is the Exclusive Entry point for the WorldStar Packaging Awards for Australia & New Zealand. Only winners from the PIDA awards can enter the WorldStar Packaging Awards each year.

Coordinated by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards offer recognition across 16x categories and has a sole purpose of recognising innovative and intuitive packaging and the talented people who make up the wider industry. Receiving a PIDA Award is the pinnacle recognition for any company and individual in the industry in Australia & New Zealand.

2025 PIDA Categories include: The Design Innovation of the Year company awards will recognise organisations that have designed innovative packaging within each of these six manufacturing categories:

Watch the 'Get Ready' video here

1. Food

There are three scholarships available, with two supported by the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA):

2. Beverage

1. ABA Diploma in Packaging Scholarship

3. Health, Beauty & Wellness

2. ABA Certificate in Packaging Scholarship

4. Domestic & Household

3. AIP President’s Award - From 2026 the AIP President’s Award will be open for ALL AIP members across Southeast Asia to apply for.

5. Labelling & Decoration 6. Outside of the Box There are four special awards available: 1. Sustainable Packaging Design 2. Save Food Packaging Design 3. Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design 4. Marketing In addition, there are three awards designed for people who have made specific contributions to the packaging industry.

1. Young Packaging Professional of the Year 2. Industry Packaging Professional of the Year

The AIP scholarship judging committee will also consider applications from AIP Members outside of Australia & New Zealand to be eligible for a third scholarship.

The winners of the PIDA Awards will be announced on the 28th of July at a gala awards dinner at the Crown Aviary, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The 2026 PIDA Awards will be held alongside of Foodpro 2026, the largest food and beverage tradeshow in the ANZ region. The 2026 finalists and winners will also be showcased inside of the FoodPro halls.

3. Packaging Technologist of the Year.

The Packaging Technologist of the Year Award is unique in that it is designed to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements and contribution by an individual currently working within the Packaging industry across Australia, New Zealand & Asia.

Entries close on the 27th of February so don’t delay.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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THE NEW FORCE IN AU & NZ PACKAGING. Hanglory group and Kissel+Wolf are powering the shift to smarter, faster, more efficient corrugated production.

Engineered for precision and built for performance while delivering unmatched automation, reliability, and flexibility.

SEE WHO’S LEADING THE CHARGE 12

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

The AIP's sphere of impact and influence continues to expand across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and for the first time, Cambodia.

2025 Highlights 2025 AIP AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING CONFERENCE

280+ guests

2025 PIDA Awards night

85 speakers

20 COUNTRIES

across 2 days

WORKSHOPS & PACKAGING FORUMS IN 2025

400 students

4 universities

ANZ winners come 4th in world at  WorldStar Awards  18x awards across 8x categories + 3x WorldStar Special Awards

42 Australian University Students 3rd in world at WorldStar STUDENT Awards 

reached over

1220 people in

GRADUATED 18x STUDENTS from 3 AIP Training Courses

6 countries

STATE OF INDUSTRY WEBINARS

968

attendees

1027 attendees

AIP training in

6

countries

820

people attended AIP Packaging Forums in 6 countries

AIP's impact around the world

across

7 countries

CAMBODIA

VIETNAM

THAILAND PHILIPPINES

6 AIP Forums 820 attendees

471

AIP TRAINING COURSE ATTENDEES

INDONESIA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND AIP Newsletter | December 2025

13 13

AIP in 2025: The year in review

290

PEOPLE ATTENDED

2025 AIP AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING CONFERENCE 85 Speakers from 20 Countries across 2 Days

The Australasian Packaging Conference took place from 6–7 May at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney, bringing together packaging professionals from across the globe. This year’s theme, Reimagine Packaging Design, set the tone for two days of forward-thinking dialogue, with 85 speakers from 20 countries sharing insights, strategies and innovations.

The atmosphere was one of optimism, with a shared sense that the industry is moving in the right direction, driven by the right mindsets to enable meaningful change in packaging and the circular economy.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

M AGI N E Ickaging Design E

R Pa

AIP in 2025: The year in review

2025 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS Winners for the 2025 round of the annual Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards have been announced at a gala awards evening that was held on the 6th of May at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, New South Wales, Australia.

Coordinated by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the PIDA awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field across Australia and New Zealand.

280+

guests

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP in 2025: The year in review

The AIP annual Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Student Awards UNSW winners were announced.

ENDORSED BY

COORDINATED BY

EXCLUSIVE ENTRY TO

STUDENT AWARDS 2025

PIDA Student Winners 2025 - The University of New South Wales

GOLD WINNER

Sustainable yoghurt packaging (Haojie Wang)

MunchEase (Jie Yang)

BRONZE

WINNER

Mint – Recyclable Toothpaste Tube (Robin Luo)

EcoSpritz Olive Oil Spray (Samuel Thanopoulos)

CERTIFICATE OF

CERTIFICATE OF

MERIT

Fresco Yoghurt Cup (Eugenia Cheung) 16

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

MERIT

Bongshim Noodles Cup Noodle Packaging (Edison Cheng)

AIP in 2025: The year in review

PIDA Student Winners 2025 - The University of New South Wales

CERTIFICATE OF

CERTIFICATE OF

MERIT

Educational & Recyclable Juice Carton (Melissa Esho)

MERIT

Sushi Set (Chunyang Wang)

CERTIFICATE OF

CERTIFICATE OF

MERIT

H2OLYTE (Adriano Sturla Gomez)

MERIT

Fruitzy

(Audrey Purnomo)

CERTIFICATE OF

CERTIFICATE OF

MERIT

Biskeeping

(Victoria Plastina)

MERIT

T2GO

(Lydia Lei)

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP in 2025: The year in review

PIDA Student Winners 2025 - Monash University

GOLD WINNER

Chun Accessible Water Bottle

Caneboost Functional Beverage

(Chun Ming Tsang, Keith James, Qian Qian Wu)

(Kevin Arulraj, Akshata Sukhtankar, Muniba Mehboob, Satakshi Darmwal, Suzanne Ngasseppam, Angela Jessica)

Stay Connected All the latest packaging industry news as it breaks

X @pknpackagingmag

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

LINKEDIN PKN Packaging News

ENEWSLETTER packagingnews.com.au

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

PREVIOUS AWARDS SQUEEZEPAK™ SAUCE BOTTLE WITH 100% RECYCLED FOOD GRADE PLASTICS PIDA Gold Award (Sustainable Packaging Design), WPO Worldstar (Packaging Materials & Food) 100% rPET PREFORMS & BOTTLES FOR HOMECARE PIDA Bronze & WPO Worldstar Awarded Jointly with Colgate-Palmolive LINERLESS CLOSURE FOR OIL BASED DRESSINGS PIDA High Commendation (Sustainable Packaging Design)

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY INITIATIVE

GOLD WINNER

FOOD PACKAGING

BRONZE WINNER

MASTERFOODS SQUEEZY PET SAUCE BOTTLES

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY INITIATIVE

BEVERAGE PACKAGING

BRONZE WINNER BRONZE WINNER WELLMAN THERMOCUP

TM

LIGHT WEIGHT FLIP TOP CLOSURES PIDA High Commendation (Sustainable Packaging Design)

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

19 19

AIP in 2025: The year in review

ANZ comes fourth in the world @ 2025 WorldStar Packaging Awards ANZ PIDA winners headed to Italy in May to receive their 2025 WorldStar Packaging Awards.

In the latest round of the WorldStar Packaging Awards, Australian & New Zealand companies received the fourth highest amount of wins in the world behind Japan, Germany/Austria and India.

The 2025 round of WorldStar Packaging Awards attracted 560 entries from 40 countries, with 40 judges determining 230 winners.

During the evening two of our winners took out 3x additional WorldStar Special awards making the ANZ total of award wins even higher. Congratulations to everyone who received a WorldStar award.

20

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

The 2x ANZ WorldStar Packaging Special Award Winners Don Deli Cuts (George Weston Foods) WORLDSTAR PACKAGING THAT SAVES FOOD SPECIAL AWARD 2025 GOLD WINNER WORLDSTAR ACCESSIBLE PACKAGING DESIGN SPECIAL AWARD 2025 SILVER WINNER

Naked Rivals WORLDSTAR PACKAGING THAT SAVES FOOD SPECIAL AWARD 2025 BRONZE WINNER

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

21 21

AIP in 2025: The year in review

Australian University Students take 3rd in the world at the 2025 WorldStar Student Awards

STUDENT AWARDS 2024

Beating over 300 other entries from across the globe 42 University students from RMIT, the University of New South Wales and Monash University have elevated the region by taking out the third highest amount of WorldStar Student awards in the 2025 round of the prestigious competition.

42 STUDENTS, 20 ENTRIES, 3 UNIVERSITIES FRESH HERBS, FRESHER PACKAGING CAMERON CAMPBELL, NADIA DE FAZIO & CYNTHIA MULLALY BRONZE 3RD OVERALL

SILVER

2025

2025

BIO-SOUL REUSABLE SHOE BOX CHRISTOPHER LEONG

SILVER HOUSEHOLD

FOOD

2025

19X CERTIFICATES OF MERIT

CERTIFICATE OF

MERIT 2025

22

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

discover how TNA can drive your business objectives with intelligent integrated systems

integrated system distribution

seasoning

packaging

integrate • innovate • accelerate

tnasolutions.com

Optimised efficiency

Modular system

Local global support

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scan to learn more

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

23 23

AIP in 2025: The year in review

820

IN-PERSON PACKAGING FORUMS ACROSS THE WORLD

PEOPLE ATTENDED

The AIP works with key tradeshows across the region to offer training courses, workshops, packaging forums, PIDA showcases & stands. This year over 820 people attended the AIPled forums in 6 countries.

ING

M PACKAG

TNA 2025 VIE FORUM @ ING BAL PACKAG 2025 GLO@ FORUM

CO-ORGANISED BY

CO-ORGANISED BY

THAILAND 400 ATTENDEES

VIETNAM 100 ATTENDEES

ING SIAN PACKAG 2025 INDONE FORUM @

PHILIPPINES 100 ATTENDEES

CO-ORGANISED BY

INDONESIA 50 ATTENDEES

AUSTRALIA 50 ATTENDEES

NEW ZEALAND 120 ATTENDEES

AUSTRALIA

2025 New Zealand Packaging Forum

NEW ZEALAND

24

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

IN-PERSON PACKAGING FORUMS ACROSS THE WORLD

AL 2025 GLMOB FORU @

G PACKAGIN

CO-ORGANISED BY

THAILAND

PHILIPPINES

CKAGING NESIAN PA 2025 INDO@ FORUM

CO-ORGANISED BY

INDONESIA

AGING

CK ETNAM PA 2025 VIM FORU @

CO-ORGANISED BY

VIETNAM AIP Newsletter | December 2025

25 25

AIP in 2025: The year in review

TRADESHOWS ACROSS THE WORLD The AIP was able to showcase our expansive educational offereings in 6 countries. In addition, we were able to highlight 2025 winners of the PIDA and WorldStar Awards from Australia and New Zealand at the tradeshows.

BAL 2025 GLO@ FORUM

ING

M PACKAG

TNA 2025 VIE FORUM @

PACKAGING

CO-ORGANISED BY CO-ORGANISED BY

VIETNAM

THAILAND

ING SIAN PACKAG 2025 INDONE FORUM @

PHILIPPINES

CO-ORGANISED BY

INDONESIA

NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA

AIP STAND

PIDA SHOWCASE

AUSTRALIA

AIP STAND

PIDA SHOWCASE 2025 New Zealand Packaging Forum

NEW ZEALAND

26

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

TRADESHOWS ACROSS THE WORLD

AIP STAND

PIDA SHOWCASE AL 2025 GLMOB FORU @

G PACKAGIN

CO-ORGANISED BY

THAILAND

AIP STAND

PIDA SHOWCASE

PHILIPPINES

AIP STAND CKAGING NESIAN PA 2025 INDO@ FORUM

CO-ORGANISED BY

INDONESIA

AIP STAND

AIP STAND

AGING

CK ETNAM PA 2025 VIM FORU @

CO-ORGANISED BY

VIETNAM AIP Newsletter | December 2025

27 27

AIP in 2025: The year in review

AIP TRAINING COURSES ACROSS THE WORLD 968 people across six countries attended a broad range of AIP-led traning courses. Topics included Sustainable Packaging Design, Accessibility, Save Food Packaging, Flexible Packaging and Corrugate & Cardboard and Packaging Specifications.

968 BAL 2025 GLO@ FORUM

students

PACKAGING ING

M PACKAG

TNA 2025 VIE FORUM @

CO-ORGANISED BY

CO-ORGANISED BY

THAILAND 300 ATTENDEES

VIETNAM 90 ATTENDEES

CAMBODIA 200 ATTENDEES

AUSTRALIA 11 ATTENDEES

28

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

PHILIPPINES 29 ATTENDEES NEW ZEALAND 41 ATTENDEES

AIP in 2025: The year in review

AIP TRAINING COURSES ACROSS THE WORLD

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

29 29

AIP in 2025: The year in review

200 trained

24

OVER hours of classroom lecturing It is not every day that the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is invited by the United

AIP HEADS TO CAMBODIA

Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to run an intensive packaging training program in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

UNIDO asked the AIP to travel to Cambodia to review the skills of the newly established Cambodian Packaging Centre (CPC) staff, assess and identify the appropriate equipment needed for the research centre, and to develop a plan for future AIP training with SME’s.

PackTalk Cambodia 2025 The AIP's Ralph Moyle FAIP presented a keynote address at the Inaugural PackTalk packaging forum hosted by Cambodian Government. over 260 participants

AIP became newest Executive Member of APF The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) announced that the Institute had formally become an Executive Member of the Asian Packaging Federation (APF).

According to Nerida Kelton FAIP, Executive Director of the AIP, "the decision to elevate the AIP’s support of the Asian Packaging Federation (APF) is an important step to not only collaborate with other packaging centres and associations in the federation, but to also provide even more training and educational programs within the Asian region."

30

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

State of Industry Webinar attendees Reaching 1027 people

STATE OF INDUSTRY WEBINARS The AIP State of Industry webinar series continues to be a successful educational offering each year. In 2025 topics covered included EPR, Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Inc 5.2.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP in 2025: The year in review

AFGC SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT It is not very often that I have the honour of speaking as the VP Sustainability & Save Food for the WPO World Packaging Organisation, in my own country, so yesterday was a wonderful opportunity to present a global view at the annual Australian Food and Grocery Council Sustainability Summit.

The AFGC Sustainability Summit was also a perfect avenue to showcase to the 100 attendees, all of the amazing work that the WPO undertakes to develop free position papers, case studies, reports, waste stream mapping tools and of course, the Global Packaging Design for Recycling Guide. Many attendees were unaware of these free resources that are available on the WPO website.

I provided a global lens on what sustainability looks like for many of the WPO Member countries and showcased the 2025 Sustainability WorldStar Awards winners. I also discussed some of the barriers, challenges and gaps that many countries are facing right now to establish, robust Sustainable strategies, programs and regulations.

Whilst it important to think globally and with a consistent harmonised approach, each country still needs to act locally and take the appropriate pieces of the Sustainability puzzle to suit Countryspecific requirements.

The message was loud and clear yesterday from all of the speakers and attendees...the entire industry must collaborate and work together to harmonise design standards, create recycle-ready packaging, prioritise domestic recycled content, design out waste at the start, and ensure that there are appropriate systems to collect, sort, recover and recycle valuable resources.

32

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

200

attendees

The sentiment in the room was that the food and grocery industry supports the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility for Australia, but it needs to deliver real outcomes to strengthen existing infrastructure and facilities, create new capabilities where needed for materials that sit outside of MRFs and ensure that we have strong and viable end markets for all materials.

There was support from many of the multinational Brands in the room for the work that Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia is undertaking to create a single harmonised soft plastics kerbside collection program for Australia.

As Bill Heague said in his keynote address, the industry needs to take the lead in Australia and not wait for the regulations to come. Bill encouraged the brands to be proactive and demonstrate real action through sustainability initiatives that make a difference and to engage in shaping the policies and regulations that are coming.

Congratulations to the AFGC for hosting such an important event at a critical juncture in our country and for inviting the WPO to bring a different view to the discussion.

AIP in 2025: The year in review

WA DPIRD Workshops

Nerida Kelton FAIP Executive Director – AIP Vice President Sustainability - WPO

90

trained

In October the AIP Australasian Institute of Packaging invited by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to run workshops on Sustainable Packaging Design in both Margaret River and Perth in Western Australia for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

I was lucky to have been joined by Ralph Moyle CPP FAIP, Kim Antonio, David Leevers, Monica Hobbs and Felipe Barría as we travelled the region.

The attendees in both regions were incredibly engaged, invited lots of discussions and hopefully gained insights into the latest sustainability landscape globally and locally. The SME’s were also offered one-on-one time with Ralph and I to help them with their packaging designs and how to navigate the changing world of regulations.

It was also fantastic to have had the opportunity to catch up with two of our WA Members Pooja Vachhani and Julie Morgan .

Ralph and I also attended the annual WA DPIRD Meet the Buyer tradeshow for small businesses and we spent most of the day helping guide exhibitors through their sustainability questions. There were so many SME’s exhibiting that have produced brilliant products that I have shared more about in the wrap up on Linked In.

Browne’s Dairy had a Hunt and Brew Australia milk coffee that is made from Atherton coffee, which was delicious, and I tried my first Jarrah Honey from Honey in the garden. I also spoke to quite a few businesses that are taking food that is ploughed back in to field and valorising into a commercial product. The annual Meet the Buyer event is a brilliant way to showcase what local WA products are available for the eastern states to access and also for export markets.

We also visited the Bunbury Farmers Markets (Vasse Village), Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Margaret Rivers Distilling that makes the ginversity range and SIFT the Sustainable Innovation Food Technology centre where small businesses can run tests and trials and also pack their products.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

33 33

AIP in 2025: The year in review

Whilst a detailed wrap up will be made available shortly I must acknowledge the fabulous WA Department of Regional Development who took care of us all week; with a special shoutout to the best tour guide anyone could ever ask for David Leevers.

For a Brissie girl to see Margaret River, the largest mob of red Kangaroos I have ever seen, and a close up view of native 28 Parrots was a once-in-lifetime experience.

Need marketing that understands your industry? Look no further.

PR • Award Entries • Ads • Design • Social • Events & Exhibitions Take your marketing to new heights!

34

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

www.positivltd.com

rene@positivltd.com

AIP in 2025: The year in review

200 attendees

AWITC CONFERENCE with Nerida Kelton FAIP

What a great trip to Adelaide, South Australia, to be one of the keynote speakers at the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference where I spoke about the future of sustainable packaging for the industry. The conference saw over 1100 attendees across the four day event.

The qualified technical packaging experts at the AIP Australasian Institute of Packaging are ready to help the wine industry, so please reach out if you need any guidance on your sustainability journey.

I had the opportunity to visit the Wine Tech tradeshow and not only catch up with AIP Members, but also colleagues that I haven’t seen in quite a while, and of course meet lots of new people. Phil May, Nishan Goenka, Danielle Manetti, Rene Rose, Robert Laing, Wade Leslie, Colin Thomas, Miguel Godinho and Domenic Acitelli.

I also found some really innovative solutions which I will share more details on in another post.

The one thing that did stand out to me on the brief trip, was how intuitive and descriptive the rubbish bins are in the city. Easy to understand, strong visual cues and something we should be replicating in all states of Australia. I also love the specific area for people to drop off their 10c containers on the side of the bin.

Thank you to the organisers for inviting me to be a part of this important industry event and we look forward to working with you again.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

35 35

AIP in 2025: The year in review

Message from the AIP Education Director Dear AIP Members.

As 2025 draws to a close, on behalf of the Education team of the AIP I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all our members, corporate partners and colleagues for your continuing support, commitment and involvement throughout the year. We together with you have achieved an enormous amount to the benefit of the greater packaging community.

Let me share a few of these milestones during 2025.

We have had a fantastic surge in graduations in the Diploma in Packaging Technology and Certificate in Packaging degrees this year, whilst also having a steady inflow of enrolments for the degrees.

The Fundamentals in Packaging Technology (FPT) online course is doing well which is so pleasing and we are thrilled to share that V2.0 is out now and we have been working with companies to get entire teams to complete the course and to enrol and commence attaining their (CPP) Certified Packaging Professional.

We continue to work with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and support our neighbouring countries within south-east Asia in ensuring packaging technology education.

Recently we were invited by the UNIDO to run an intensive packaging training program in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Soon after that their senior Lecturer from the Royal University of Agriculture (Cambodia) who will be one of the people leading the newly established Cambodian Packaging Centre located in Phnom Penh, arrived for one-on-one training by the AIP. We held a hugely successful 2-day AIP Australasian Packaging Conference in Melbourne where over 80 conference speakers presented on various topics relating to packaging. These were extremely well supported. We too acknowledged innovation and good packaging at the annual Australasian Packaging Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA).

Education is a pillar of the AIP and most important to the upliftment and backbone of the packaging industry. We have available more than 30 short courses (half-day training) relating in some or other way to packaging and we throughout the year ran various of these courses which were all well supported in attendance.

I have a New Year resolution list for industry in asking you to intentionally consider: • Entering the PIDA awards – or recognising companies and/or people on their behalf.

• S upporting the Diploma in Packaging Technology and/or the Certificate in Packaging scholarship program by offering it in your company.

• Supporting your packaging technologists in allowing them to attend training courses and enrol in our degrees.

• Upskilling your teams through customised training courses.

• Becoming a Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) in 2026.

A very merry Christmas from us at the AIP to you and your family. A very happy holiday and we trust that it will be full of joy with family and friends and that you’ll take this time to recharge.

Thank you for your support this past year. Season’s Greetings.

Best Regards Prof. Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP, FIPSA, CPPL Education Director Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

36

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP in 2025: The year in review

AIP HIGHER EDUCATION ---- CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL (CPP) PROGRAM ----

CPP

3 members attain their CPP DESIGNATION

CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL

The AIP continues to see enrolments in the globally recognised Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) Program. In 2025 we saw three AIP Members attain their CPP designation and a CPP recertification. Please join with us in congratulating George, Danielle, Jason and Kailash.

George Ganzenmuller Dip.Pkg.Tech. FAIP, CPP National Innovation & Optimisation Leader Opal Fibre Packaging

Danielle Manetti MAIP, CPP Sustainable Packaging Technologist Jurlique International

Jason Fields FAIP, CPP Purchasing Director ANZ Sealed Air Corporation (SEE)

AIP Congratulated latest CPP Re-Certification Recipient Kailash Bajpai MAIP, CPP attained his re-certification for the Certified Packaging Professional designation...

Kailash Bajpai MAIP, CPP

CPP

CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.FINESTHK.COM.HK

MORE INFO: CONTACT COMMERCIAL MANAGER DARREN PHILLIPS 0403918402

DARREN.PHILLIPS@FINESTHK.COM.HK

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

37 37

AIP in 2025: The year in review

3

CERTIFICATE IN PACKAGING GRADUATES

+

Kay Condor AAIP

Kuan Hwa Wong AAIP Product Project Manager TrendPac

6

Jess O’Donnell AAIP Marketing Manager Close the Loop

FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY GRADUATES

Chengyun Liu MAIP, CPP Product Development Engineer Amcor Packaging Science Laboratory

Nelson Rajsombath AAIP Packaging Technologist The Arnott's Group

Arindam Haldar AAIP Graphic Pre-Press Operator Sealed Air New Zealand

+ Samarah Vella AAIP CPIT, Shannon Lee AAIP, Melina Gosbee AAIP CPIT Evidence is Confidence • • • •

www.gunnlab.com Independent impartial testing of plastics and packaging www.gunnlab.com

38

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

We’ve got the tools for the job.

Our reputation comes from over 30 years of technical expertise, backed up with modern laboratory equipment.

Oxygen Transmission & Water Vapour Transmission Rate Analysis of plastic materials & Multilayered Structures Tensile Strength, Tear, Impact & Puncture Resistance Investigation of plastic materials & supply consistency

AIP in 2025: The year in review

9

DIPLOMA IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY GRADUATES

Adriana Forero Dip. Pkg. Tech. MAIP Packaging Specialist Woolworths Food Retail

Andrew Whitson Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP Research & Development Manager Sanitarium Health Food

Ron Fan Dip. Pkg. Tech. MAIP Product Projects Manager Ego Pharmaceuticals

Janell Siek Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP CAB & C&Ts Industrial Engineer Mars Petcare ANZ

Libby Treves Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP Packaging Development Manager Tegel Foods

Karunia Adhiputra (Adhi) Dip. Pkg. Tech. MAIP Head of Packaging Nestlé Oceania

Christopher Cester Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP Packaging Specialist Flavour Makers Eve Mallis Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP

Michael Seaman Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIP Senior International Category Manager ANZ - Packaging HelloFresh & Youfoodz

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

39 39

AIP in 2025: The year in review

AIP SUPPORTING UNIVERSITIES over

100 STUDENTS

10 countries Australia China India Indonesia

MASTER OF FOOD & PACKAGING INNOVATION LECTURES As the course lecturers for both the Food Packaging Materials and Processes Unit and Food Packaging Design Unit of the Master of Food & Packaging Innovation Course at the University of Melbourne, the AIP and their expert lecturers, undertook 4 week's of intensive lecturing for over 100 students.

The Master of Food and Packaging Innovation (MFPI) is an inter-disciplinary degree which was developed as a joint University of Melbourne and the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) initiative.

Thank you to all of the incredible AIP lecturers Prof Pierre Pienaar FAIP, CPPL, George Ganzenmuller FAIP, CPP, Alexandra Brayshaw MAIP, Richard Smith FAP, Nerida Kelton FAIP, Grant Davies, Adam Norris, Andrew Readman, Ralph Moyle FAIP, CPP, Michael Dossor MAIP and Dr Carol-Kilcullen Lawrence FAIP, CPP. Each lecturer brings a unique style to the students and offers a different perspective.

Bangladesh Malaysia Taiwan Macao Brunei Thailand Prof Pierre Pienaar FAIP, CCPL.

40

Nerida Kelton FAIP.

Adam Norris.

Richard Smith FAIP.

Nerida Kelton and some of the students.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP SUPPORTING UNIVERSITIES

78 students

MASTER OF FOOD & PACKAGING STUDENTS SITE VISITS The Australasian Institute of Packaging arranged for the 2025 cohort of students from the Master of Food & Packaging Innovation degree to visit real world industry sites during their four-week intensive packaging lecturing by experts from the AIP. 2 buses of students arrived at the Ball & Doggett site and 78 students had the unique opportunity to experience the real world of packaging first-hand. The AIP are so grateful for our partners opening their sites to the students and we have no doubt they walked away with new ideas and learnings and hopefully with a plan to join our amazing industry when they graduate.

With offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, OFI Weigh & Inspection Solutions is Australia’s leading manufacturer of Product Inspection Systems for the Food Industry.

Suppliers of • Australian made checkweighers • Metal Detectors & X-Ray inspection systems • Food grade depositors for ready meal lines • Trade scales and smart weighing systems • Calibration services (NMI accredited) 1300-989-079

sales@ofiinspection.com.au

www.productinspection.com.au

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

41 41

AIP in 2025: The year in review

AIP SUPPORTS MONASH UNIVERSITY The AIP continues to support hundreds of students across multiple universities in Australia including Monash University, RMIT, UNSW and the University of Melbourne. We extend the same offering to all University Colleges and universities that work in food science and technology, graphic design, engineering, printing and industrial design to reach out.

AIP supports 'Monash Food Masters' house

Today we’re proud to be the world leader in using plants to turn greenhouse gases into performance materials called Ingeo™.

42

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

400 students

4 universities

Contact us: www.resultgroup.com.au +61 3 9706 4474

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

43 43

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

FEBRUARY 2026

accredited

State of Industry Webinar AIP Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Part 3: Data Management WHEN: TBC, 10.00 AEDT / 9.00 am AEST WHERE: On-line via Zoom SPEAKER: Pia Buchmayr CPD Accredited 1 CPP Point

Team lead Research Packaging Cockpit

ProPak Philippines 2026 WHEN: 4-6 February 2026

AIP to Partner - Philippines Packaging Forum, Training Courses & Stand

WHERE: World Trade Centre Metro Manila, Pasay City.

WHAT: ProPak Philippines 2026, the International Processing and Packaging Trade Event in the country, is scheduled on 4 – 6 February 2026 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. It serves as the premier industry platform connecting international suppliers with local buyers and showcases cutting-edge technologies while addressing specific market needs through conferences and technical workshops CPD focused on sustainability and efficiency improvements.

Accredited CPP Points

On its 6th edition, ProPak Philippines highlights its central theme on Consumer-Conscious Innovation: Driving Global Competitiveness and Sustainability. The event focuses on facilitating strategic business connections, showcasing technological innovations tailored to Philippine market needs, promoting knowledge exchange through educational content, and advancing sustainability initiatives that align with global environmental goals while supporting local processing and packaging industry growth and competitiveness.

44

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

International Processing and Packaging Trade Event for the Philippines

4 - 6 February 2026 World Trade Center Metro Manila Pasay City, Philippines

EXHIBIT AT PROPAK PHILIPPINES 2026 Showcase processing and packaging machinery to 11,000+ qualified buyers

Get maximum business opportunities to ROI

Connect and network with the biggest stakeholders, government, and industry partners

Build your brand authority in the growing Philippine market

Organised by

BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW

AIP Newsletter | December 2025 45 @Propak Philippines www.propakphilippines.com

45

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

FEBRUARY 2026

accredited

Mini Training Course #1 WHEN: Wednesday 4 February 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Philippines, World Trade Centre, Metro Manila, Pasay City.

To be held alongside

Mini Training Course #1: Unboxing Accessibility: Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design WHAT: The importance of accessible product design • The accessibility of a product essentially relates to the ease of use a consumer experience when interacting with a product.

• Making a product accessible and easy-to-use or open adds value to a product for all.

• Accessibility is especially important for the independence of those with functional limitations such as reduced strength or dexterity. Groups particularly impacted are those with a disability, chronic pain, injury or illness, as well as the growing ageing population. For these groups inaccessible packaging and products become daily barriers to achieving everyday tasks like preparing a healthy meal and living independently.

This training course will discuss the Accessible & Inclusive packaging design guidelines and how to embed them into your packaging design. It will also discuss consumer struggles and victories with daily use products and how it impacts their every day to encourage more inclusive designs.

Ease of Use design should be an integral part of your packaging. This training course, which has been developed in conjunction with Arthritis Australia and Georgia Tech Research Institute, USA, will improve your understanding of Accessible Design guidelines that are available as tools here and overseas, that can help you to design successful Ease of Use packaging and more.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Industry People likely to benefit from this course are packaging 6 CPP Certificate 3 Hrs of Recognised of Points Learning Certified technologists, packaging designers, people involved Completion per Course Per Course Training in packaging sales, marketing departments, design agencies and industrial designers and anyone who has an influence in the design development of packaging.

LECTURERS: Prof Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP, FIPSA, CPPL Education Director - AIP Immediate Past President - WPO

What’s New in Food Technology Manufacturing magazine and the Food Processing website provide busy food manufacturing, packaging and design professionals with an easy-to-use, readily available source of information that is crucial to gaining valuable industry insight.

46

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Nerida Kelton FAIP Executive Director AIP

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

FEBRUARY 2026

accredited

Mini Training Course #2

WHEN: Wednesday 4 February 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Philippines, World Trade Centre, Metro Manila, Pasay City.

To be held alongside

Mini Training Course #2: Introduction to Sustainable Packaging Guidelines WHAT: The introduction to Sustainable Packaging Design Guidelines will enable companies to deepdive into their existing and new packaging development processes to ensure that the business is reducing the environmental footprint of all packaging where possible, and at the same time meeting global and local food waste and packaging waste targets.

The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) have been established to assist the design and manufacture of packaging that meets the sometimes conflicting demands of the market, consumer protection and the environment. Sustainable Packaging ultimately ensures that the design provides the lowest possible environmental impact compared to existing or conventional packaging. Sometimes achieving the lowest possible environmental impact can be challenging, particularly when balancing various environmental criteria with other functional and commercial considerations. The mini training course will work through the 10 Sustainable Packaging Guidelines and showcase award-winning best practice examples from across the globe.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is ideally suited to Packaging Technologists, Industrial Designers, Marketers, Agencies, Graphic Designers, Sustainability & Environmental Managers, Procurement and anyone that is responsible for the 2025 National Packaging Targets, Sustainability Strategies and Plans, APCO reporting and Australasian Recycling Label programs within the business.

LECTURERS: Prof Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP, FIPSA, CPPL

Nerida Kelton FAIP Executive Director AIP

Education Director - AIP Immediate Past President - WPO

3 Hrs of Learning Per Course

IndustryRecognised Certified Training

6 CPP Points per Course

Certificate of Completion

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

47 47

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

FEBRUARY 2026

accredited

2026 Philippines Packaging Forum

To be held alongside

WHEN: 5 February 2026

CPD Accredited CPP Points

WHERE: Alongside ProPak Philippines, World Trade Centre Metro Manila, Pasay City.

WHAT: The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), in partnership with Informa Markets, will be holding the 6th edition of the annual Philippines Packaging Forum on Thursday the 5th of February, alongside of ProPak Philippines 2025. The Philippines Packaging Forum will bring together local, regional and global packaging experts that will discuss a wide array of packaging-related topics including sustainability, food packaging, regulations, trends and new innovations. Attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance and points towards the Certified Packaging Professional designation. Book your place today.

2026 Philippines Drinktec Forum

ACKAGING ILIPPINES P 2026 PUHM @ FOR

CO-ORGANISED BY

To be held alongside

WHEN: 6 February 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Philippines, World Trade Centre Metro Manila, Pasay City.

CPD Accredited CPP Points

APRIL 2020

STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY. The magazine also highlights the latest innovations, products and services from the Internet of Things and packaging, through to exporting and plant and machinery.

Loop Taking food packaging recycling to the next level

DOWNLOAD A FREE COPY

PLUS: Planned maintenance | Energy Savings | Why PET recycling is important

Become an AIP Member Become a part of a large community of like-minded packaging professionals across Australasia CPD accredited Points towards CPP

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Globally Recognised Training

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Please find out more by visiting our website aipack.com.au or following us on LinkedIn.

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

FEBRUARY 2026

accredited

ENTRIES CLOSE 27 FEBRUARY FOR THE 2026 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS • Food • Beverage • Health, Beauty & Wellness • Domestic & Household • Labelling & Decoration • Outside of the Box • Sustainable Packaging Design • Save Food Packaging Design • Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design • Marketing • Young Packaging Professional of the Year • Industry Packaging Professional of the Year • ABA Diploma Scholarship • ABA Certificate Scholarship • Packaging Technologist of the Year • AIP President Award

ANZ EXCLUSIVE ENTRY POINT:

WORLDSTAR PACKAGING AWARDS

Click here to enter the awards

MARCH - APRIL 2026 ProPak Vietnam 2026

AIP to Partner - Vietnam Packaging Forum, Training Courses & Stand

WHEN: 31 March - 2 April 2026 WHERE: Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

WHAT: ProPak Vietnam is poised to showcase the latest advancements in the Processing, Packaging, and Packaging Technology sectors, solidifying its status as the 18th International Exhibition and Conference dedicated to these industries in Vietnam. Organised CPD Accredited

by Informa Markets - Vietnam, this tradeshow will take CPP Points place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, a prominent venue located in Ho Chi Minh City. The exhibition is not just a display of technology but an engaging platform for industry professionals to explore cutting-edge solutions tailored to enhance operational efficiency and product quality in the manufacturing and processing sectors.

Vietnam Packaging Forum 2026 WHEN: 31 March 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Vietnam, Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre, Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam Packaging Forum 2026

AIP Mini Training Courses

WHEN: 1 April 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Vietnam, Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre, Ho Chi Minh City.

WHEN: 2 April 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Vietnam, Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre, Ho Chi Minh City.

CPD Accredited CPP Points

AGING

CK ETNAM PA 2026 VIM FORU @

CO-ORGANISED BY

CPD Accredited CPP Points

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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1

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

MAY 2026

accredited

interpack 2026 WHEN: 7 - 13 May 2026 CPD WHERE: Düsseldorf, Germany.

Accredited CPP Points WHAT: Only held every three years, interpack gathers together the world’s processing & packaging sector in Düsseldorf for one week. Its focus: packaging solutions and packaging materials; packaging machines and the related process technology for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. As an internationally leading trade fair, it draws experts from across the world to exchange ideas about the latest technologies and solutions and provides impetuses for the sector’s future topics. The next interpack will take place in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026. Around 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected.

In 2026, interpack will return at full throttle with some 2,800 exhibitors plus professional visitors are expected from all around the world. Düsseldorf’s trade fair premises will again be fully occupied.

The planning provides for a focus on interpack’s eight main visitor target groups: exhibitors offering solutions for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors can be found in their own respective areas, which makes orientation easier. And the expansive section at the heart of interpack – packaging materials and packaging goods – along with machines for labelling and marking, production of packaging material and integrated packaging printing, are brought together in their own halls as well. On top of this, there is the accompanying suppliers’ trade fair ‘components’, with two halls of its own for the first time.

The AIP will be supporting Interpack once again through our membership in the World Packaging Organisation and will keep you posted as to activities that will be available during the show. Our very own Executive Director is already working with Messe Dusseldorf on the Save Food Org initiatives and the Women in Packaging program that will happen at interpack, so we will keep you posted on more information once available. In addition, the WorldStar Packaging Awards will be held at Interpack 2026 so the AIP anticipates to have tables of winners joining the show. Closer to the event the AIP will reach out to find out who is attending and how we can meet up with as many AIP Members as possible during the show.

Advancing the smart and sustainable movement of goods CHEP.com

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Venue: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars Exhibit Area:

MAY 2026

Participants:

55,000 Sq.m.

AIP activities CPD

2,000 Exhibitor Brands from 42 Countries

accredited

2026 WorldStar Global Packaging Awards Ceremony International Pavilions: 14 International Pavilions from 12 Countries and Regions

WHEN: 8 May 2026 Australia, Bavaria, China, France, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, North America, Singapore, WHERE: interpack, Dusseldorf, Germany.

WHAT: The WorldStar Award Ceremony forSwitzerland, 2026 will and be held onROC 8 May 2026 South Korea, Taiwan in Dusseldorf, Germany during interpack. At the same occasion, WPOAttendees: will announce 68,218 the winners special and categories Trade Attendeesfor fromthe 83 Countries Regions – President’s Award, Sustainability, Marketing, and Packaging that Afghanistan, Africa, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Saves Food.

JUNE 2026 10 International ProPakTop Asia 2026 Visitor Countries:

Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Holland, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau S.A.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan ROC, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turkiye, UK, United Arab Emirates, The USA, Vietnam, Yemen

Philippines, Malaysia, China, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, AIP to Partner - Global Packaging Forum, Training Myanmar, India Courses, Workshops, PIDA showcase & Stand

WHEN: 10 - 13 June 2026 WHERE: IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.

WHAT: ProPak Asia is Asia's Number One international trade event for Processing & Packaging Technology. ProPak Asia truly is the 'Must-Attend' industry event in Asia for Asia, as quality and variety of products increase and expand, and productivity of operations and manufacturing standards are driven higher by consumer demands and new automation and technological advances, which will be presented at the show.

Ask the AIP about how you can join the 2026 Australasian Delegation

CPD Accredited CPP Points

1

2026 Global Packaging Forum @ ProPak Asia WHEN: 10 June 2026 WHERE: Alongside ProPak Asia, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.

CKAGING LOBAL PA 2026 GM @ RU FO

CPD Accredited CPP Points

CO-ORGANISED BY

Get in touch with us: Taghleef Industries Pty Ltd.

Waverley Business Centre, 21 Aristoc Road Glen Waverley, 3150 VIC Melbourne Phone: +61 39550 1829 staff.aus@ti-films.com

ti-films.com

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

HIGH BARRIER FILMS

R E C Y C L E D P O LY P R O P Y L E N E S O L U T I O N S

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.PROPAKASIA.COM

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST, PLEASE EMAIL US AT INFO@AIPACK.COM.AU

EXPERIENCE A WEEK OF UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITIES nnual Global Packaging Forum: Gain insights from industry leaders.

Exclusive Training Courses: Enhance your skills and knowledge.

Interactive Workshops: Collaborate and innovate.

Showcase Display: Witness cutting-edge packaging solutions.

AUSTRALASIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING (AIP) IS THRILLED TO INVITE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND PROCESSING AND PACKAGING BUSINESSES TO JOIN OUR DEDICATED GROUP DELEGATION AT PROPAK ASIA 2026 DURING 10 – 13 JUNE IN BANGKOK!

JOIN THE AUSTRALASIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING (AIP) GROUP DELEGATION AND GAIN Access to leading suppliers across Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, and related industries.

Exclusive networking with key industry decision-makers.

Benefit from complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off services, as well as a shuttle bus service between the hotel and the venue during your stay.

Delegates may be eligible for complimentary accommodation for a seamless experience. Enquire today!

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Join the 2026 Australasian Delegation Send your expression of interest to info@aipack.com.au “Thank you so much AIP for organising the first-ever Australian Delegation and for the invitation for us to attend.

Propak Asia was such a great show, fantastic exhibitors, very well run, the AIP stand featuring all the PIDA winners was amazing, and the organisation of the delegation, dinners, and getting in and out of the show was seamless. Can’t wait to do it all again. Many thanks.”

“It was great to be part of the first Australasian Delegation, hosted by the Australasian Institute of Packaging, at ProPak Asia 2025.

ProPak Asia is thriving, with strong industry engagement and many returning exhibitors. AIP’s training sessions and workshops drew strong interest, and the AIP PIDA showcase was a standout.”

“Another year at ProPak Asia but this time around I was there as AIP Australasian delegate. Thank you to the AIP for the continuous support for those AIP Members outside of Australia. Your continuous effort in organising events and upskilling packaging professionals around Asia is commendable. I was also very lucky to gain knowledge from Ralph Moyle and Prof Pierre Pienaar during the four days. Their experience and efforts to share knowledge to people of all different levels is quite remarkable.”

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

JULY 2026

accredited

foodpro 2026

AIP to Partner - Packaging Sessions,

Training Courses & Stand WHEN: 26 - 29 July 2026 CPD Accredited WHERE: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre CPP Points WHAT: Australia's Leading Trade Event for Food Processing, Packaging and Innovation

The manufacturing sector is vitally important for our economic future, with food and beverage processing being Australia’s largest manufacturing industry.

For over 50 years, foodpro has gathered the industry to celebrate the contribution of Australian food producers, distributors and manufacturers. foodpro connects professionals across the food and beverage value chain seeking cutting-edge solutions in processing, packaging, beverage equipment, digital technologies, logistics, and sustainability to drive efficiency, compliance, and growth.

Foodpro returns in 2026 to the MCEC as Australia’s leading event for the food processing and manufacturing industry.

The AIP will be once-again partnering with foodpro with an exhibition stand, some packaging sessions and training courses. Stay tuned for more information.

AIP Packaging Seminars x4

AIP Mini Training Courses x2

WHEN: 27 July 2026 WHERE: Alongside foodpro, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

CPD Accredited CPP Points

WHEN: 28 July 2026 WHERE: Alongside foodpro, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

CPD Accredited CPP Points

foodpro 2026 Walking Tour WHEN: 29 July 2026

WHERE: Alongside foodpro, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Call us on 03 9588 6444 or email ausupport@starpackaging.com.au for more information on how we can support your business.

Proudly supplying Australian food service outlets with Everything But The Food™ for over 40 years.

PACKAGING

CLEANING

EQUIPMENT

SMALLWARES

UNIFORMS

FOODSERVICE

SAFETY

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Up-coming AIP supported forums, training, tradeshows & webinars AIP activities CPD

JULY 2026

accredited

28 July 2026

Save THE Date

2026 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS CEREMONY The Crown Aviary, Crown Complex, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

NOVEMBER 2026 interpack China WHEN: 16 - 18 November 2026 WHERE: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), China WHAT: swop is the essential event for the food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. No other trade fair in China represents the entire supply chain. And at no other trade fair in China does the packaging industry provide all industry sectors with tailored solutions and innovative designs based on such a variety of materials.

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PIQET is a trusted web-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool by Lifecycles.

It is used by packaging professionals to measure and compare the sustainability of packaging options across the supply chain to support science-based decisions.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Model ‘what-if’ scenarios to compare endof-life impacts Identify supply chain hotspots and make effective decisions to reduce your impact Reduce waste, maximise resource recovery, and promote a circular design approach Optimise your packaging portfolio via the Organization packaging footprint ISO 14044

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Our ultimate goal is to provide our readers and manufacturing businesses worldwide with the latest insights and information. With over 47,000 readers from the Asia Pacific region and beyond, our magazine is read by professionals, including managers, marketing executives, R&D professionals, business development managers, and marketing communication specialists.

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ManifestoTH

Food Entrée & Manufacturing

AIP Newsletter | August 2025

ManifestoTH

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Head Office Bangkok, Thailand

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP News

AIP webinar unpacks PPWR compliance for importers The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) today continued its three-part series on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), with Circular Analytics’ Charlotte Neumair and Lina Wimmer guiding attendees through the practical steps companies must take to comply with the regulation particularly those exporting packaged goods into Europe.

This session followed part one, which outlined the PPWR framework, core objectives and key milestones; Part two moved the discussion into implementation and operational requirements.

Neumair reminded attendees that the regulation differentiates clearly between five economic operators, supplier, manufacturer, producer, importer and distributor and that obligations are not equal. “The PPWR actually defines five economic operators,” she said. “Each and every economic operator has different obligations,” with producers and importers required to assess conformity and draw up technical documentation, while distributors must verify that packaging is compliant before placing it on the market.

For importers, the message was uncompromising. “As an importer you are only allowed to place packaging on the EU market which is in conformity with the requirements set in Articles 5 to 12,” Wimmer said.

These provisions cover substances in packaging, recyclability, minimum recycled content in plastics, compostability for specified items, packaging minimisation, reusability and labelling.

She noted that non-compliant packaging may be withdrawn or recalled, “If your packaging is noncompliant… you either have to ensure conformity, or the packaging would be withdrawn from the market or recalled, depending on whether it’s already placed on the market or not."

Conformity assessment and declarations of conformity Wimmer walked through the PPWR’s conformity assessment procedure, which spans internal production control, technical documentation, manufacturing controls, the declaration of conformity, and where applicable, an authorised representative holding the documentation. The technical file must describe the packaging, list applicable standards and specifications, and include qualitative assessments of recyclability, minimisation and reusability, supported by test results where relevant.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

“With the declaration of conformity, you have more or less the key to the EU market,” she said. The document “is a legal document stating that the packaging meets all the EU requirements… and it is required for each type of packaging which you will place on the European market”.

Importers must also be ready to respond quickly to enforcement authorities within ten working days. For single-use packaging the documentation must be retained for five years, and for multi-use packaging for ten years.

Neumair later summed up the stakes, “If you do not have a declaration, there is no market access without valid documentation. There is the possibility that your goods can be blocked at the EU borders already.”

Timelines, targets and the case for proactive compliance The speakers revisited key deadlines already flagged in Part 1. From 12 August 2026, packaging placed on the EU market must comply with Article 5 on substances, including PFAS and heavy metals. From February 2028, harmonised labelling requirements and compostability obligations for certain packaging items apply. On 1 January 2030, Articles 6, 7 and 10 enter into force, introducing the 70 per cent recyclability threshold, minimum recycled content levels in plastics, and packaging minimisation rules.

Reusability requirements will ramp up over time, particularly in B2B applications. Neumair encouraged companies to “plan these reusable systems when you need to change them early enough that you have enough time to adapt”.

She warned against assuming there will be time to retrofit compliance at the last minute, “The time is tight… when a packaging is not recyclable today, there is no magic that will make it recyclable in 2030.”

AIP News Proactive action, she argued, will differentiate exporters.

“We believe proactive compliance is a competitive advantage,” she said, adding that “sustainability is a market access requirement”.

Data, status-quo analysis and digital systems A recurring theme was the centrality of accurate packaging data. Neumair recommended companies start with a status-quo analysis, “Ask yourself, what role do I play in the game of PPWR? What are my responsibilities?” Once roles are clear, businesses must confirm whether they hold the information needed for conformity assessment including packaging weight, material, dimensions and additives.

“It is very important to have a good communication along the supply chains that we get the data that we need,” she said, noting that suppliers will often hold key technical details. Given the volume of data and declarations required, she advised moving quickly to digital platforms so you can have a good record of your packaging data.

Neumair closed her presentation with a call to action, “Now it’s time to take action and really stay on track of this groundbreaking regulation.

Start with status-quo analysis, check the data if you have everything you need, and ensure the conformity to see if you already meet all the requirements, or if there are any gaps you need to fulfil in the next years.”

Part 3 of the series, to be held in early 2026, will delve deeper into data management and digitalisation using tools such as Circular Analytics’ Packaging Cockpit.

Looking ahead The webinar underscored that for companies exporting to Europe, PPWR preparedness now hinges on three pillars: understanding one’s legal role in the supply chain, building robust technical documentation and declarations of conformity, and investing in systems to capture, store and analyse packaging data.

As Wimmer put it, the declaration of conformity is now “your ticket for EU market access”. For Australian businesses, the clear takeaway was to begin this work well ahead of the 2030 recyclability and recycled-content deadlines and to monitor how Europe’s approach may shape future regulation closer to home.

This article was published with permission of PKN Packaging News

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP News

Legalwise Seminar The AIP brought its expertise on packaging reform, innovation, and sustainability to the Food Regulation Symposium. Keith Chessell FAIP (Life) explored proposed government packaging design mandates, soft plastic recycling initiatives, chemical concerns such as PFAS, packaging’s role in reducing food waste, and the latest advances in sustainable packaging.

Keith Chessell's presentation was well-received at the Legalwise Food Regulation Symposium: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future seminar on Friday, 28 November 2025�

Showcasing brands with progressive packaging solutions from Zipform Packaging

LABELLING & DECORATIO N DESIGN OF THE YEAR FINALIST

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www.zipformpackaging.com.au

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

HENKEL PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Adhesive Technologies for Today’s Packaging and Paper Applications

As a trusted leader of adhesives, Henkel has developed a range of adhesives for packaging and paper solutions that offers fast bonding for enhanced production processing and increased efficiency.

Our packaging adhesives provide excellent adhesion and bonding to a wide variety of surfaces and are used in applications ranging from folding cartons to food and beverage packaging.

Additionally, our portfolio of paper converting solutions enables new creative and sustainable design options for both food and non-food applications.

CONTACT US Email: solutions@henkel.com

SCAN HERE To learn more about our packaging solutions

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - PEFC Celebrating PEFC‑Certified Achievements: Sustainable Packaging in Australia and Beyond As brands worldwide accelerate their shift toward fibre-based packaging, this year’s global packaging award season offered a powerful message: innovation and sustainability have become inseparable.

Across Europe, Asia and Oceania, companies that champion renewable, responsibly sourced materials, especially fibre-based solutions from sustainably managed forests, rose to the top.

Many of these leaders rely on the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) to ensure their wood and fibre come from forests managed with care. In 2025, a remarkable number of PEFC-certified manufacturers earned major packaging awards, demonstrating that high performance and sustainability are not competing ambitions, but powerful drivers shaping the industry’s future.

Celebrating the achievements of PEFC-certified companies this year goes beyond acknowledging award wins, it recognises the growing impact of fibre-based packaging on global sustainability goals. As the industry pivots toward sustainable, recyclable materials, PEFC certification remains a trusted assurance of responsible sourcing, ensuring that the transition to fibre supports healthier forests, happier and safer workers, and stronger social and environmental benefits across the value chain.

Below are some of the standout PEFC-certified companies honoured for their innovative, award-winning packaging in 2025.

Global award winners

Smurfit WestRock once again demonstrated the power of circular design, collecting ten WorldStar Packaging Awards for renewable alternatives that replace plastic at scale. From ventilated produce trays to moulded-fibre e-commerce egg packaging, each design reinforces the company’s “Better Planet Packaging” vision.

Smurfit WestRock also secured the Commercial Environmental Sustainability Award for its TruServ Pressed Tray, a moulded fibre alternative designed to replace traditional plastic trays. Made entirely from renewable, PEFC-certified paper fibre, the TruServ Pressed Tray delivers the strength and barrier performance required for fresh food while remaining fully recyclable.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Corporate Partner News - PEFC

Mondi matched the momentum with ten WorldStar wins, showcasing designs such as its Paper Bag with a free film barrier layer, Eco-Cage freshproduce container, and BeerCoolBox. Backed by multiple PEFC-certified mills, Mondi is proving that fibre-based packaging is ready for global scale and demanding performance requirements.

credit@Mondi

Lamipak (Indonesia) brought Asia into the spotlight The company was awarded in the two categories; PEFC Forest-Positive Packaging Award and the Sustainability Package Award, both for its sustainable aseptic packaging product, LamiPure. Made from PEFC‑certified paperboard, the carton is fully recyclable and traceable.

“LamiPure represents the next generation of aseptic packaging,” said Ahmad Rizalmi, PR Manager of LamiPak Indonesia. “By removing the aluminium layer replaced with Bio-PE layer, LamiPure is designed to be more recyclable and able to reduce more carbon emissions. Produced under the PEFC Chain of Custody certification and supported by our One Pack One Code system, each package can be transparently traced across the entire value chain.

This demonstrates our strong commitment to creating positive impacts for society, the environment, and the packaging industry."

Graphic Packaging International Graphic Packaging secured nine wins, demonstrating how intelligent packaging design addresses real challenges across the food, beverage, healthcare, and beauty sectors. Each award-winning project showcases not only technical mastery but also a deep commitment to sustainability, customer collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Its pressed‑board vacuum skin tray for Morrisons steaks removes 250 tonnes of plastic annually, while its honeycomb paperboard insert for orthopaedic implants eliminates foam. GPI is certified under SCS‑PEFC/COC‑008742.

Van Genechten Packaging won Carton of the Year at the European Carton Excellence Awards for the LUMENE beauty advent calendar made from MetsäBoard’s fibre board.

The converter holds PEFC/07‑32‑227 certification.

Credit @Metsa

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - PEFC

An Australian example Opal is one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest paper and packaging businesses. At the 2025 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA), Opal’s paper‑based food and fresh produce punnet won a Bronze award in the Food Packaging Design category. The punnet is kerbside recyclable and uses high‑fibre content paper sourced from Opal’s mills. Opal maintains multiple internationally recognised chain-of-custody certifications, including PEFC (PEFC/21-31-08), meaning its papers come from responsibly managed forests.

This home‑grown example shows that PEFC‑certified innovation is thriving in Australia, and local manufacturers are delivering award‑winning solutions that meet national packaging targets.

Where Innovation Meets Responsibility

These examples represent only a fraction of the innovations driven by PEFC certified companies across the globe. If your organisation is interested in pursuing certification, contact your local PEFC National Governing Body to learn how to get started.

From Forest to Packaging – Responsibly Sourced with PEFC Choose packaging materials that protect more than just the product.

PEFC certification ensures your fibre comes from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources.

Make responsible sourcing part of your brand story.

Contact: Wikkie.netten@pefc.org | www.pefc.org

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Corporate Partner News - Robatech Adhesive Savings with Robatech Volta: A Shift Toward Electric Precision in Hot Melt Application The move toward electric adhesive application technologies has accelerated in recent years, driven by the need for greater efficiency, reduced operating costs, and improved sustainability. Robatech’s Volta application head reflects this trend, offering an alternative to traditional pneumatic systems while remaining compatible with a wide range of existing hot melt equipment.

Volta operates without compressed air, a change that reduces noise levels on production lines and minimises the wear associated with pneumatic components.

By relying on electric actuation, the system offers greater consistency and lowers the maintenance requirements that often accompany air-driven heads.

A notable feature of the technology is its integrated stitching function, which enables adhesive savings of up to 60% depending on the application. For manufacturers looking to reduce material use without altering product quality, this approach supports both cost and sustainability goals.

Compatibility has also been a focus in Volta’s development. The application head can be integrated into various melters, hoses, and controllers, including systems from non-Robatech brands.

This allows OEMs and end users to upgrade specific components without committing to a full equipment replacement — a consideration that has become increasingly relevant as companies seek incremental improvements rather than complete system overhauls.

As adhesive application continues to evolve, electric solutions like Volta indicate where the industry is heading: quieter operation, lower resource consumption, and equipment that adapts to the diverse setups found across packaging lines.

Further information about Robatech’s technologies and services is available at www.robatech.com.au, via email at infodesk@robatech.com.au, or by phone at 02 9748 4559.

ADHESIVE APPLICATION EXPERT Personalized advice, fast service, and deep process know-how for the Australian packaging market.

Robatech Australia Pty. Ltd. I Unit 9/8 Millennium Court Silverwater NSW 2128 I Australia +61 2 9748 4559 I infodesk@robatech.com.au I www.robatech.ch

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - Caps & Closures Three Decades, One Vision: A Year in Review 2025 As we reflect on 2025, we are celebrating more than just another successful year; we are marking 30 years of Caps & Closures in the packaging industry. From a family-founded business in 1995 to an innovation-led manufacturer with a growing global footprint, this has been a milestone year defined by award-winning products, sustainable design, and a deepening commitment to circular packaging.

Our 30th year has been a moment to look back with pride and look forward with renewed responsibility, as we continue to build a business that can be handed down to future generations.

Key Milestones and Awards in 2025 EzyPour on the World Stage

WPO President Mrs. Luciana Pellegrino (left), Caps & Closures’ Managing Director Brendon Holmes (right)

At the heart of this story is our belief that plastics, when thoughtfully designed, manufactured and recovered, are an essential part of a more sustainable future. That philosophy has shaped every decision we have made in 2025, from new tethered caps that help prevent litter and increase recyclability to materials that keep valuable resources in circulation.

30 Years as a Family-Owned Innovator What continues to set Caps & Closures apart is our status as one of Australia’s remaining family-owned packaging manufacturers. For three decades, we have combined innovation with family values such as long-term thinking, accountability and care for our people and partners.

In 2024, the next generation of the Holmes family formally stepped into key roles: Mitchell leading our international expansion from Ohio, United States, and Lachlan joining the Australian sales and operations team. Throughout 2025, their contributions have helped us deepen relationships with customers, explore new markets and embed our 30-year legacy into future-focused projects.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

EzyPour, developed with Thankyou to transform the refill experience, has had a standout year. In January 2025, the cap received two WorldStar Packaging Awards in the Health & Personal Care and Household categories, recognising its ability to combine precise, drip-controlled pouring with user-friendly ergonomics and sustainability.

That achievement was later celebrated in Milan, where Caps & Closures accepted the awards at the WorldStar ceremony held during IPACK-IMA 2025.

EzyPour was recognised among the world’s best for its combination of functionality, intentional design, and its contribution to more sustainable refill systems.

TetherSafe: An Australia-First Tethered Cap

Mitchell Holmes, Lachlan Holmes, Brendon Holmes and Bruce Langlands

Corporate Partner News - Caps & Closures 2025 has also been the breakout year for TetherSafe, our next-generation tethered cap. Introduced as an environmentally responsible closure that keeps the cap attached to the bottle from filling line to recycling, TetherSafe is designed to reduce cap loss, improve recyclability and support circular packaging goals.

TetherSafe was recognised as a finalist in five categories at the 2025 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA). The categories include Food, Beverage, Health, Beauty & Wellness, Domestic & Household, and Sustainable Packaging Design. This achievement highlights TetherSafe’s versatility across a range of product types.

Expanding Our Sustainable Materials Toolbox While TetherSafe has been the headline launch, our broader sustainability platform has continued to mature in 2025.

Black-CF

It then went on to win across four PIDA categories, including a Gold Award for Sustainable Packaging (Minimise Litter), underlining its role in preventing loose caps and supporting responsible plastic use.

Beyond awards, TetherSafe has been profiled in industry media as an innovative, sustainable packaging solution that combines user-friendly functionality with emerging regulatory expectations around tethered caps.

Leading the Shift to Tethered, Circular Packaging Globally, tethered caps are rapidly becoming the new standard. In Europe, the Single-Use Plastics Directive now requires many plastic beverage containers up to three litres to have caps that remain attached to improve recycling rates.

TetherSafe places Australian brands at the forefront of a global shift toward sustainability. By ensuring caps remain connected through their entire lifecycle, from opening to disposal, TetherSafe: •

Helps ensure that caps are recycled alongside bottles, preventing them from becoming litter.

•

Maintains high performance in tamper evidence and consumer safety.

•

Provides an intuitive and ergonomic experience that promotes accessibility.

•

Utilises a mono-material design that facilitates straightforward recyclability.

This focus on 'recycling it whole', where the entire pack is designed to move together through the recovery system, is central to how we see the future of plastic packaging.

Our NIR-detectable black masterbatch continues to address a long-standing challenge in recycling black plastics. Unlike traditional carbon black pigments that confuse optical sorters, Black-CF enables black plastics to be correctly identified, sorted and recovered, supporting circular economy targets and stricter recyclability requirements.

Oysterlean

Derived from refined seashell waste, Oysterlean replaces a portion of fossil-based plastic with a renewable, stable feedstock, offering brands a way to lower the carbon footprint of their packaging while maintaining performance.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - Caps & Closures marLENE

Developed with Martogg, marLENE incorporates post-consumer recycled HDPE into new packaging, supporting national and global targets for recycled content without compromising food-contact safety.

Together with solutions such as fully recyclable closures, liner systems and 100% recyclable induction foil options, these technologies allow us to design packaging systems that start and end with sustainability in mind – from resin choice through to end-of-life recovery.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Reach Collaboration continues to be at the core of our success.

Our ongoing partnership with Thankyou has taken EzyPour from a pioneering refill concept in Australia to an internationally recognised case study in how thoughtful cap design can support both brand purpose and consumer convenience.

We have collaborated with brand owners and packaging partners in the food, beverage, health, and wellness sectors to implement TetherSafe and our material technologies in alignment with their sustainability strategies. The successful launch of Australia’s first tethered-TE cap demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation is treated as a collaborative effort.

At the same time, our Ohio-based team has continued to build relationships in North America, taking award-winning Australian closure design to a broader global audience and reinforcing our reputation as a partner that can Read the full support multi-region growth. story here

Stay Connected All the latest food and beverage production sector news as it breaks

FACEBOOK @fooddrinkbusiness

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INSTAGRAM @foodanddrinkbusiness

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

X @fooddrink

LINKEDIN Food & Drink Business

ENEWSLETTER foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au

Responsible Solutions, Trusted Partnerships Bunzl operates across more than 30 countries, collaborating with a diverse network of global suppliers. Sustainability is at the core of our operations, reflected in our leadership, ethical supply chain auditing, our carbon-efficient consolidation model, and our broad range of alternative packaging products.

Together, we drive the transition toward a more sustainable and circular economy.

Embedding ethical supply chains

Ensuring everyone counts

We believe in better Asia Pacific Sustainability Strategy

Accelerating climate action

Transitioning to circularity

We’ve created our ‘We Believe in Better’ Sustainability Strategy to deliver world-class, sustainable supply-chain solutions while holding ourselves accountable.

Our Asia Pacific Sustainability Strategy focuses on four pillars with specific targets that drive meaningful impact and allows us to reflect on our commitment to a sustainable future.

Embedding ethical supply chains

Ensuring everyone counts

Accelerating climate action

Transitioning to circularity

• • • •

• • • •

Social audits Social procurement Supplier engagement Eliminating modern slavery

Facility energy efficiency and renewables Fleet electrification Scope 3 emissions reduction Nature-related decision-making

• • • • •

• • • •

Māori community engagement plan (NZ) Community support program Reconciliation Action Plan (AU) Employee health, safety and wellbeing Inspiring Women in Bunzl

Packaging sustainability Product innovation and stewardship On-site waste reduction Sustainability Ambassadors

Read about Bunzl’s Sustainability Strategy:

Recent Awards 2022 WINNER APCO Industry Engagement 2023 FINALIST Banksia Foundation Business Transformation 2023 WINNER Packaging Innovation and Design Award (PIDA) 2024 WINNER WorldStar Packaging 2024 WINNER Packaging Innovation and Design Award (PIDA) 2024 FINALIST APCO Sustainable Packaging 2025 FINALIST Packaging Innovation and Design Award (PIDA)

GOLD WINNER

www.bunzlasiapacific.com

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - Futamura NatureFlex™ films revolutionise the glitter industry Glitter has been criticised in recent years for its contribution to microplastic pollution in our oceans and soil. A report by ECHA (2020) suggests that 42,000 tonnes of intentionally present microplastics are released into the environment annually.

The vast scale of the issue has led to a ban which came into effect on the 17th October 2023, forbidding the sale of any non-biodegradable or insoluble plastic glitter for the arts and crafts markets. Glitter consists of inherently small particles, which in conventional polymer-based materials, break down into even smaller particles called microplastics. The nature of the product means that glitter is likely to end up in wastewater, both for the cosmetic market as well as the arts and craft market.

Futamura offers a solution to help to reduce the vast quantities of microplastics generated from glitter products. Glitter can be based on NatureFlex™ films, which have demonstrated wastewater biodegradability, as well as biodegradability in marine and soil environments, a requirement of the REACH regulations that came into effect in October 2023, for the restrictions surrounding microplastics. After use, certified glitter, will safely biodegrade in the environment it was disposed of, dramatically improving the environmental credentials of the product. Whilst NatureFlex™ films that can be used to produce glitter have proven marine and wastewater biodegradability, it is important for the glitter to be certified as a final product to ensure all the criteria of the certifications are met.

NatureFlex™ films are produced from renewable wood pulp, harvested from responsibly managed plantations and meet all the relevant standards for industrial composting, including AS4736, EN13432 and ASTM D6400. They are also certified for home composting according to the Australian home composting standard AS5810, to the French standard, NF T51-800, by Din Certco and to OK Compost Home protocol.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Currently, glitter based on conventional plastics can still be sold into cosmetic applications due to the transition period granted under the Microplastics Regulation, however this once this period ends, cosmetic applications will also be banned from using glitter in products that will generate microplastics.

The transition period in these industries has been approved to allow time for an appropriate alternative to be developed.

Andy Sweetman, Sales & Marketing Director, explained: ‘Glitter is a tricky market due to the product almost certainly ending up in the environment, whether wastewater, marine or soil. NatureFlex™ allows for a more viable, less damaging, end-of-life scenario than conventional glitter produced from conventional plastic materials.

A switch to compostable glitter is a step towards reducing the ever-growing microplastic problem we are facing in our soils and seas today.’

Corporate Partner News - Futamura

Renewable and compostable films for packaging.

Contact us to find out more.

Melbourne.Admin@futamuragroup.com

www.futamuragroup.com ™Trademark of Futamura Group

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS magazine and website provide sustainability-focused professionals with an easy-to-use, readily available source of the latest information that is crucial to help you reach your environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - National Resources

Precision Meets Practicality: Datwyler Sealing Solutions for Vials When it comes to pharmaceutical packaging, Datwyler delivers global scale with local agility and National Resources is proud to bring that advantage directly to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

The Datwyler portfolio includes rubber stoppers and matching caps for a comprehensive range of vial and bottle designs. As the world’s second-largest supplier, Datwyler operates across multiple continents, offering unmatched flexibility and reliability. Their products also include an extensive colour range and optional printed graphics to support brand identity and product differentiation.

All components are available in ready-to-use or ready-for-sterilisation formats, with modifiable pack sizes and full irradiation documentation for gammasterilised items. Compliance is comprehensive, and lead times are consistently shorter than comparable alternatives.

Locally, National Resources enhances the Datwyler offer by being able to hold inventory to support just-in-time delivery, ensuring responsiveness and continuity. Datwyler’s minimum order quantities are tailored to suit the scale of the Australia and New Zealand markets and their multi-site manufacturing model safeguards supply during global disruptions.

While we tend to let the numbers do the talking, Datwyler’s pricing consistently delivers exceptional value - without compromising quality or compliance.

Let’s talk about how Datwyler and National Resources can streamline your packaging supply chain - with precision, reliability and flexibility.

Datwyler: Four Decades of Parenteral Packaging Leadership With over 40 years as a global leader in parenteral packaging, Datwyler understands what matters most: product protection, manufacturing efficiency and patient safety.

Their sealing solutions are produced, controlled, and tested under the industry’s most stringent conditions - delivering exceptional quality and reliability.

Manufactured using best-in-class alloys and plastic polymers, Datwyler seals offer the cleanest, safest options available to pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers.

Datwyler’s mission is clear: to enhance operational efficiency, deliver specialised solutions for pharma and biotech applications.

Backed by a global team of cross-functional experts, Datwyler takes a systems-based approach - considering every critical factor to help customers make confident, informed decisions. Their expansive product portfolio includes high-performance brands like PrimeCaps, designed to meet the complex demands of today’s drug delivery landscape.

At the heart of Datwyler’s innovation is its Center of Excellence in Germany, where global standards are met and exceeded. This facility drives continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, enabling the development of next-generation sealing solutions tailored to evolving market needs.

Contact: leonc@nationalresources.com.au

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING SUPPLIER OF INNOVATIVE FILM LIDDING SOLUTIONS National Resources is driving the next generation of lidding solutions through our strategic partnerships with global innovators including Sappi Rockwell, Wipak, Polinas and Constantia Flexibles. Together, we’ve created a portfolio of sealing films that meet the demands of today’s markets while preparing for tomorrow’s packaging needs.

From ready meals to fresh produce, our films deliver versatility across tray formats, advanced sealing performance and sustainable options which align with circular economy goals. Backed by global expertise and delivered with local responsiveness, we’re redefining packaging with innovation that doesn’t compromise.

Global expertise, local impact - contact us today for more details about our range of lidding films for your business. nationalresources.com.au

info@nationalresources.com.au

03 9708 2595

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Corporate Partner News - Pac Food How Pac Food’s Lined Sugarcane Trays Are Redefining Sustainable Skin-Seal Packaging in Australia As Australia moves toward stronger sustainability targets and APCO-aligned packaging outcomes, food manufacturers and healthcare caterers are searching for packaging that not only reduces environmental impact but doesn’t compromise on performance.

In this space, Pac Food’s lined sugarcane trays have emerged as one of the strongest innovations available — combining skinseal compatibility, recyclability, and compostability in the same packaging solution.

Today, these trays are used widely across aged-care facilities, hospital catering, national ready-meal producers, and even appear on supermarket shelves in select meals sold through Coles, with trials and supply pathways also suitable for Australian supermarket. Their rapid adoption highlights a growing industry demand for packaging that performs under pressure while supporting Australia’s circular economy goals.

A Sustainable Tray Designed for the Real World Many fibre-based trays struggle to balance sustainability with sealing performance. Without a stable sealing surface, they can warp, absorb moisture, or fail under heat — making them unsuitable for skin sealing, freezing, or high-volume transport.

Pac Food specifically engineered its lined sugarcane trays to overcome these barriers.

The tray base is made from renewable sugarcane fibre, a rapidly renewable resource and a compostable material once the removable lining is taken off.

The innovative internal lining provides the necessary food-safe barrier and creates a smooth, consistent surface required for skin sealing. This means food producers can achieve the same reliability as traditional plastic trays while dramatically reducing their environmental footprint.

Recyclable With Lining On — Compostable With Lining Off One of the strongest advantages of Pac Food’s design is its dual disposal pathway: Recyclable (APCO Compliant) When the lining is left on, the tray meets APCO recyclability guidelines. It can be placed in kerbside recycling streams where accepted, ensuring a more circular material flow for food-service packaging.

Home-Compostable With Lining Removed Once the lining is peeled away — a simple step consumers or processors can perform — the tray becomes 100% home-compostable.

This flexibility means operators can choose the disposal method that best suits their facility or end user.

This is particularly valuable for aged-care facilities, hospitals, and ready-meal providers that are under pressure to reduce waste-to-landfill while maintaining high levels of food safety and compliance.

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Corporate Partner News - Pac Food Ready meals sold in Coles already use Pac Food’s lined sugarcane trays, demonstrating that the product meets the stringent handling, transport, and quality requirements of large-scale retailers. The tray’s structural strength and heat tolerance ensure it performs from packing to heating to consumption.

Supporting Australia’s Shift to Greener Food Packaging The shift toward low-impact packaging in food service is accelerating, and operational teams are demanding solutions that reduce environmental impact without increasing risk or cost. Pac Food’s lined sugarcane trays meet this need by providing:

Proven Skin-Seal Performance — Even in Supermarket Supply Chains Perhaps the most important technical achievement is the tray’s skin-seal reliability.

Skin sealing requires absolute consistency — the film must draw down tightly over the meal and bond seamlessly to the tray surface. Variations in material texture or structural strength can cause leaks, bubbling, or incomplete seals.

Pac Food’s lined sugarcane trays have been performance-tested across multiple commercial sealing machines, delivering: •

Airtight, leak-proof seals

•

Smooth film adhesion

•

Excellent freezer and transport durability

•

Reliable heating in both microwave and oven

This level of performance is not theoretical — it is proven in national supply chains.

•

A renewable material base (sugarcane)

•

A recyclable barrier lining

•

Compostable end-of-life potential

•

Commercial-grade sealing and heating performance

•

Compatibility with existing skin-seal workflows

This unique combination positions the trays as a practical, future-focused alternative to traditional PP or CPET trays.

As regulatory pressure increases and consumer demand for sustainable packaging grows, products like these will play a central role in helping Australian manufacturers transition smoothly toward 2025 and 2030 packaging targets.

Conclusion Pac Food’s lined sugarcane trays demonstrate that high-performance meal packaging doesn’t need to come at an environmental cost. With skin-seal capability, dual end-of-life pathways, and proven supermarket-level reliability, they offer a commercially scalable, sustainable solution for Australia’s readymeal and healthcare catering sectors.

For full technical specifications, commercial enquiries, or samples, contact Pac Food or visit: pacfood.com.au/commercial/lined-sugarcane-trays/

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Sustainable Trays That Care for People and the Planet.

Natural

Recyclable

Compostable

LINED SUGARCANE MEAL TRAYS

PFAS FREE

Freezable

Microwavable

Ovenable

PP EVOH trays meet APCO’s RECYCLABILITY criteria with the LINING STILL IN PLACE!

Easy peel lining

Key Features

Strong, tray does not shatter when frozen Freezable / Microwavable / Ovenable Temperature range from -40°C to 200°C Lidding film available Considerable cost saving compared to CPET trays Fully compostable option available

Applications

Frozen or fresh meals MAP / skin seal possible Ready meals, aged care food service, and hospital catering

more sizes and customisation available

CONTACT US TODAY FOR ENQUIRIES.

We can change all our products into Recyclable Mono-Polymers, ensuring a greener future for our planet.

RECYCLABLE

RECYCLABLE

TROLLEY COVERS

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1800 823 200

PIPING BAGS

pacfood.com.au

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

RECYCLABLE

EASY CLEAN PAN LINERS

info@pacfood.com.au

WPO News WPO launches recycling design guide in China The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has officially launched the Chinese translation of its Packaging Design for Recycling Guide, unveiled on 25 November during the Save Food Forum held alongside swop – Shanghai World of Packaging (which has just rebranded as interpack China).

The launch was led by WPO vice president Sustainability and Save Food, Nerida Kelton, in partnership with representatives from two key WPO member organisations: Li Hua, president of the China Packaging Federation (CPF), and Jasper Liu, assistant director at the MOFCOM Export Commodities Technology Service Center, China National Export Commodities Packaging Research Institute (CEPI).

Kelton said the translated guide will help advance the uptake of circular design principles across China’s vast packaging and manufacturing sectors by making best-practice guidance widely accessible.

“Circular design is only effective when the relevant collection, sorting and recycling streams exist,” she said. “To be able to apply recyclable packaging design, a certain fundamental knowledge of sorting and recycling processes is necessary. Packaging must therefore be suitable for state-of-the-art sorting and recycling processes, in addition to its basic functions.”

The guide provides brand owners, designers and packaging developers with a clear starting point to better understand packaging recyclability, showcasing global best-practice examples and outlining how design decisions can be aligned with real-world recycling capabilities. Users are encouraged to tailor the guidance to regional and local material recovery infrastructure.

Kelton said she was 'extremely proud' to launch the Chinese translation, acknowledging the extensive collaboration behind the project.

“A special thank you to both CEPI and CPF for their hard work on the translation and in particular Jasper Liu, who led the project, and supporting translators Guo Zhenmei, Wu Xiaoqing and Melody Wong,” she said in a LinkedIn post following the event.

The Chinese edition is now available via the WPO website, as well as on CEPI and CPF’s WeChat platforms.

The launch drew support from WPO board members in other regions, with representatives from Poland (Krzysztof Niczyporuk) and Japan (Sonoyama San) also attending the forum.

Kelton said the translation marks an important step in helping more brands across Asia become 'recycle ready', strengthening global alignment on packaging design for circularity.

This article was published with permission of PKN Packaging News

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Designed to simplify recycling

Meet SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier, the world’s first aseptic carton without an aluminum layer.

Learn about its design to simplify recycling, how it cuts carbon by up to 61% and runs on standard SIG filling lines. Find out what makes the alu-layer-free structure suitable for a variety of products and request a no-commitment talk with SIG experts.

Discover more Or contact anz@sig.biz

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

Association News - APCO APCO release FY26-FY27 Business Plan (The Plan)

The Plan sets a clear and practical pathway for packaging stewardship that will strengthen Australia’s packaging system at a time of change and ensure industry is supported and protected.

Developed in collaboration with industry and informed by extensive member consultation, the Plan sets the direction and pace for the wider system, shifting FY26-27 BUSINESS PLAN AND STATEMENT OF INTENT APCO into a more connected, visible and strengthened position to provide the DESIGNED WITH INDUSTRY. clarity businesses need to prepare for a strengthened regulatory environment.

DELIVERING FOR AUSTRALIA. The FY26 plan delivers on these insights and outlines a 36-month program Member insight, strong advocacy and practical tools. of work focused on five core areas: 1. Packaging Standards & Design – clearer, more practical guidelines backed by Material Stewardship Committees and updated Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) that will support better design decisions.

2. Australasian Recycling Label – strengthening of the program including enhanced governance and alignment with global best practice.

3. Reporting & Packaging Data – simpler processes and better data tools Download the plan here that make reporting easier and more accurate.

4. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) & Soft-Plastic Stewardship – a coordinated industry-led pathway with Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia (SPSA) and development of APCOs Stewardship Assurance Framework to give members confidence in how they invest in recovery initiatives and support stewardship approaches.

5. Government Relations – stronger national advocacy and engagement to reduce inconsistency and ensure member priorities shape future regulation.

DECEMBER 2025

2025 Packaging Consumption and Recovery Report The Packaging Consumption and Recovery Report for 2023-24 highlights Australia's progress towards achieving a circular economy for packaging. Key findings include: Target 1: 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, achieved with 86% of packaging meeting this criterion.

Target 2: 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted, with the plastic recycling rate improving slightly from 19% to 20%.

Version 1: November 2025

AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING CONSUMPTION RECOVERY DATA

&

2023-24

Target 3: 50% of average post-consumer recycled content included in packaging, with the average recycled content remaining consistent at 44%.

Target 4: Phase-out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging, which has been reduced by 46% from the 2017-18 baseline.

The report also notes that the domestic reprocessing capacity for all materials has nearly doubled since 2018-19, rising from 1.85 million tonnes to 3.45 million tonnes. Despite these advancements, there are still challenges, such as flexible plastics facing limited domestic reprocessing capacity, and the recovery of metals showing slight improvement. The Container Deposit Scheme has nearly doubled recovery rates via depots and reverse vending machines since 2018-19.

You can find the full report here.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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Elevate your Packaging Career

Do you have what it takes to become a Certified Packaging Professional?

The Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)® is the premier designation in the industry globally, signifying excellence as a packaging professional with the most recent IoPP salary survey revealing that CPPs ® earn up to 10% more than their non-certified co-workers. Using the CPP® program to assess and evaluate one’s professional competency validates you as internationally proficient as a packaging professional; a cut above your peers.

Isn’t it time that you joined recognised packaging experts from around the world with the industry’s leading professional designation and elevate the packaging profession globally?

CPP

CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL

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AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP & Empauer launch SME LCA Package AIP & Empauer launch new LCA Decision Package for SME’s Register your interest today The AIP has joined forces with leading sustainability software company Empauer, to offer a comprehensive and cost effective LCA Decision Package for Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s).

AIP and Empauer have entered into an exclusive MOU, providing Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to SME’s to ensure that they are making informed and science-based decisions when selecting packaging materials. The driving force behind this collaboration is recognition of the challenges faced by SMEs. The AIP, through its SME training programs, identified a pressing need for affordable and customised LCA solutions that simplify the often-complex process of undertaking sustainability assessments for packaging design.

The report part of the package can then be utilised for internal decisions including selection of packaging materials, components and the shift towards more sustainable alternatives within the business.

This innovative LCA Decision Package will enable businesses to make informed and sustainable decisions when it comes to the packaging design they utilise and choices in selecting the most appropriate packaging material format. It will provide AIP Members and the wider industry, with access to the latest tools and expertise, enabling them to reduce their environmental footprint and make responsible choices in line with global sustainability goals.

The main benefit to SMEs in using the AIP / Empauer LCA Decision Package means you don’t have to understand all the complexities of LCAs, as you will be provided with the comparison information and assistance to understand from your selected LCA parameters the environmental impact for each packaging material choice.

How can I get involved?

•

Complete the online ‘Expression of Interest’ form www.empauer.com/lca-program/ and the brief questionnaire and then submit to Empauer.

•

Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your interest.

•

The LCA will require you to provide some basic data about the packaging options being assessed.

You will be provided access to a ‘Data Collection Sheet’ and a video with instructions by a followup email to help you provide the data.

•

The LCA report will be provided within 2- 3 weeks of the submission of the Data Collection.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY Please register your interest using the QR code or go to www.empauer.com/lca-program/

Should you have any enquiries please email info@empauer.com

The LCA Decision Package for SME’s provides four easy steps to complete your own Streamlined Lifecycle Assessment: Step 1: Choose your packaging Step 2: Choose your environmental indicators Step 3: Data Collection Step 4: Use the results for internal decisions including selection of packaging materials, components and the shift towards more sustainable alternatives within the business.

The AIP & Empauer LCA Decision Package for SMEs provides the information for sustainable packaging design decisions.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

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AIP TEXTBOOK PAY IT FORWARD RETURN PROGRAM

Do you have any old

Fundamentals of Packaging Technology textbooks that you no longer use?

The AIP is looking to REUSE 3rd, 4th and 5th editions of the FPT textbook and share them with our overseas Members & these textbooks.

If you have one or these textbooks lying around gathering dust please send them to: PO BOX 400 Mount Ommaney 4074 Queensland, Australia up-coming events.

Please make sure you let us know who you are so that we can take a photograph of the lucky recipient with your book.

Prof. Pierre Piennar kindly donated his 5th edition FPT Textbook to Dr Mouylin Chem from Cambodia.

THE AIP APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT WITH THIS NEW RETURN PROGRAM TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WHO NEED ACCESS TO TEXTBOOKS.

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THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

AIP Newsletter | December 2025

AIP PARTNERS GOLD PARTNERS

packaging solutions for the food industry

SILVER PARTNERS

BRONZE PARTNERS

Filling and Packaging

Worldwide

MEDIA PARTNERS Production - Ingredients - Packaging - Quality Control - Logistics

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Join as a Partner today. The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) provides opportunities for your company to partner with the Institute through our on-line newsletter, website and social media sites. These communication tools will provide direct access and communication on a regular basis to our Members and wider industry colleagues on the AIP database.

Ask the AIP how your business can become a partner today.

AIP Newsletter | December 2025 PROUD LONG-STANDING SUPPORTERS OF PACKAGING EDUCATION & TRAINING IN AUSTRALASIA

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AIP Australasian Office +61 7 3278 4490 info@aipack.com.au www.aipack.com.au

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84 AIP Newsletter | December 2025 AIP: PEAK PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR PACKAGING EDUCATION & TRAINING IN AUSTRALASIA