Silgan Settles With European Commission to End Investigation Since 2015 of Its European Metal Packaging Operations

AptarGroup, Inc. announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with respect to a potential acquisition of all outstanding shares of Voluntis (ENXTPA: ALVTX), a pioneer in digital therapeutics. This acquisition would complement Aptar’s existing digital health portfolio of connected devices by adding digital therapeutic solutions and broadening its digital health services across multiple chronic conditions and diseases. Digital therapeutics (DTx) help patients and caregivers treat, manage, or prevent a disorder or disease through evidence-based interventions that are driven by high quality software solutions. Supported by the trend toward personalized healthcare, DTx are used independently or in connection with medications, devices or other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. By acquiring Voluntis, Aptar would have immediate access to an established proprietary platform and algorithms that would drive future digital solutions provided to pharmaceutical and biotech customers as well as other healthcare stakeholders including payers and providers.

To gain insight into brand-owner and converter perspectives on over-the-counter pharmaceutical and wellness product packaging, we recently conducted a study with key stakeholders in the field. Through these conversations, we discovered some confusion exists surrounding the sustainability of packaging materials. In this article, we will share some of our findings and help clarify some of the benefits and challenges of over-the-counter packaging sustainability. We will also cover results from an LCA study we recently conducted on fiber-based pharmaceutical packaging. For over-the-counter (OTC) product brand-owners, packaging is critical: high standards for quality and safety mean strict attention to protecting the product inside. On crowded shelves, it’s important to differentiate with packaging that attracts interest, reflects such high standards, and communicates vital information about the product. Furthermore, today’s over-the-counter brands and their retailers seek to improve the sustainability of their packaging and adapt to increasing e-commerce.

Amcor has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Kolon Industries Inc., a leading South Korean chemical materials manufacturer, to co-develop and commercialize more sustainable polyester materials for selected applications in Amcor's flexible packaging business. This partnership represents a step forward in advancing packaging sustainability, combining Amcor's expertise in innovative packaging with Kolon’s high-polymer manufacturing technology. The collaboration focuses on technological exploration of chemically recycled PET (crPET) and polyethylene furanoate (PEF) materials. Kolon is pioneering an advanced recycling process to produce new PET from post-consumer bottles, fibers and flexible packaging. Using crPET supports Amcor’s commitment to integrating 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials by 2030.