In line with earlier ChemCourier forecasts, the December ethylene contract price in Europe remained unchanged. In the first weeks of the month, HDPE suppliers will attempt price increases in an effort to improve margins before year-end.
Elm-plastic, in collaboration with Biovox and Ultrapolymers Deutschland, has introduced the first commercially available bioplastic pipette for pharmaceutical and medical applications. The product uses MedEco compounds based on PLA or bio-based PE and meets common regulatory requirements.
Amcor has expanded its deodorant packaging range with Shadow, a lightweight roll-on offering branding flexibility and recycle-ready PE and PP components that can include up to 60% PCR content.
In the final weeks of October, several incidents at Central European petrochemical producers could tighten polyethylene supply in the region.
Colines ran live blown and cast film extrusion alongside a stretch film converting unit at K 2025, attracting more than 1,000 visitors. Demonstrations highlighted a 9-layer PE barrier pouch film with less than 5% EVOH and cast stretch films with 35% PCR.
Coveris received four distinctions at the UK Packaging Awards 2025, including Packaging Company of the Year. The jury also recognised its MonoFlex PaperFeel developments and Amberley Labels' work for Aureus Vita.
TotalEnergies and Windmöller & Hölscher developed a recyclable PE/PA pouch for oil and lubricants with 35% mechanically recycled polyethylene. The 170 μm film, produced on Aquarex water-quenching technology, cuts material use by 83% versus a typical 1-liter HDPE container and will debut at K 2025.
Although the October ethylene price was unchanged, HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE prices are expected to fall next week. Weak market conditions and persistently low converter activity are the drivers.
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has collaborated with Zuyderland medical center in The Netherlands to help transform medical plastic waste into new contact sensitive packaging materials.
Rexelian has launched as an independent compounder of recycled PP and PE for mobility, appliances and electronics, leveraging access to GCR Group’s 500 kt per year infrastructure and focusing on traceability, quality and EU circularity targets.
SML reports a cast MDO-PE film for deep-freeze packaging that removes lamination, enables up to 50% downgauging and runs at up to 380 m/min, with printing speeds up to 500 m/min; the technology adds precise thickness control and optional EVOH or PVOH barrier layers.
Colines has produced fully recyclable stand-up pouches combining a 70 micron PE-barrier film from a nine-layer Polyblown blown line with a 25 micron cast MDO-PE print web stretched 4.8:1. The pouches, printed and converted by Sumer Plastik using ExxonMobil resins, will be presented at K 2025.
