PMMI News

AI, Automation, and Sustainability Lead Packaging and Processing Trends

PACK EXPO East offers new equipment and digital tools that reflect the evolving manufacturing landscape.

February 13, 2026

Business Drivers/Specialty: Page 37

Webinars

Principles of Package Integrity Testing

This webinar will explore the root causes of packaging failures and outline practical, data driven approaches to evaluate performance and improve packaging reliability.

March 17, 2026

Sponsors: AMETEK MOCON

View Webinar

Protective/transport packaging

Walmart Deploys AI-Powered, Automated Void Fill at E-comm Hubs

Walmart combines AI-driven void-fill automation with right-sized box-making to reduce material use and support sustainability targets at its Next Generation Fulfillment Centers.

February 11, 2026

Package Design

WorldStar Student Awards 2026 Results Announced

WPO received 246 entries across 90 institutions in 23 countries, with the top honor going to Finland’s Ella Salminen, who addresses the challenge of single-use plastic utensils.

February 11, 2026

Package design

World Packaging Organisation (WPO)

February 10, 2026

Digital Transformation

Trener Robotics Delivers Pre-trained Skills to Industrial Robots

Powered by a $32M investment, Trener Robotics’ Acteris platform replaces rigid procedural coding with pre-trained Physical AI skills, letting operators describe robotic tasks in their own words, turning conversational input into executable automation.

February 10, 2026

Additives, coatings & inks

Siegwerk Receives RecyClass Technology Approval for UV/LED-curable Inks on PE Films

Siegwerk

Siegwerk says the approval is the first granted by RecyClass for UV-curable ink technology used on polyethylene flexible packaging, underscoring its ability to develop solutions that enable circular packaging innovations.

February 10, 2026

Podcasts

Through the Line Podcast: La Terra Fina's Simplified Quiche Package Cuts Plastic

Click above to hear how La Terra Fina has redesigned its quiche packaging to remove several components while preserving product protection and shelf appeal. The update targeted plastic packaging materials that consumer feedback indicated was excessive.

February 10, 2026

Workforce

Can Manufacturers Institute Appoints Roxanne Sharif as Director of Sustainability

Can Manufacturers Institute

Sharif brings proven expertise as a corporate sustainability leader to CMI.

February 9, 2026

Food

How Rising GLP-1 Use is Affecting Food Packaging

While consumer appetites and spending decrease, food companies must use innovation to stand out on the shelf.

February 9, 2026

Package Design

Heinz Fans Ready to Kick Off Game Day With Limited-Edition ‘KegChup’

Just in time for the Super Bowl, Heinz gives fans a new way to serve ketchup, swapping the squeeze bottle for a 114-oz keg designed to handle a full day of snacking.

February 6, 2026

Package Design

Baricade Launches Biometric-secured Bottle, Henkel Updates Glue Stick Packaging, and Amoon Spirits Introduces "Smart Vodka"

ThePackHub

See a few examples of packaging that enhances the user experience from Baricade, Henkel, and Amoon Spirits from ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone.

February 6, 2026

Workforce

NJM Appoints CJ Hatt as Regional Sales Manager for Northeastern United States

NJM Packaging, a ProMach product brand

Hatt aims to help manufacturers and contract packers in that region access NJM’s packaging systems, including solutions from Cremer and Dara Pharma.

February 5, 2026