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In Case You Missed It | News Recap (April-June)

A snapshot of the key developments influencing Australia's packaging and manufacturing sector, from regulatory changes and supply chain pressures to sustainability initiatives and emerging industry trends.

Cohesion Labels
Jun 24, 2026

The fourth quarter reinforced several key trends across Australia's labelling and packaging landscape. Regulatory requirements continue to evolve, sustainable developments are spotlighted, and supply chain resilience remains a priority for manufacturers. Here is a snapshot of some of the developments shaping the industry and what they could mean going forward. 

Australian Made Campaign 

Australian Made Week (18-24 May) once again shone a spotlight on local manufacturing, encouraging Australians to back the businesses behind the trusted green-and-gold kangaroo logo. The campaign comes at an important time for Australian manufacturing. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, manufacturing accounted for 5.7% of national output as of May 2026. Businesses across the sector continue to face challenges including rising energy costs, weaker spending conditions, and increasing material and transport expenses. Every Australian Made purchase helps support local jobs, investment, and the long-term strength of Australian industry. 

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Supply Chain and Material Constraints  

Supply chain pressures haven't disappeared. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to influence resin pricing, freight costs, and material availability across global markets (Source: Packaging News). While we haven't experienced any direct disruption at Cohesion Labels and continue to operate as a stable link in our customers' supply chains, uncertainty around material availability and pricing remains a key concern across the broader manufacturing sector. 

Soft Plastic Recycling Expands

As of May 2026, Australia's soft plastic recycling efforts continue to gather momentum, with collection points now available in more than 700 Woolworths stores across five states. Scrunched-up bread bags and plastic wrappers? These can be dropped off at the supermarket collection points, allowing shoppers to return clean and dry soft plastics. 

Since the initial trial launched in Victoria in 2024, more than 40 million pieces of soft plastic have been collected and processed into new products, including wall panelling and Woolworths' own bread bags made from 30 per cent recycled content. This expansion is a positive step for Australia's circular economy and improves access to soft plastic recycling at scale. 

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Packaging Innovation

The search for alternative fibre sources continues as brands look for new ways to reduce reliance on traditional raw materials and improve circularity outcomes. One area gaining attention is the use of agricultural waste to create fibre for paper, board, and moulded packaging applications. While still in early-stage commercialisation, these developments signal a longer-term shift toward diversified, lower-impact material streams that could complement existing recycled content and fibre-based packaging strategies. It reflects a broader change in how the industry is approaching materials, waste, and design. 

Health Star Ratings Under Review

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is reviewing Proposal P1067, which could move the Health Star Rating (HSR) system from voluntary adoption to mandatory requirements. The move follows direction from the February 2026 Food Ministers' Meeting and reflects ongoing concerns that voluntary uptake has not met expected benchmarks. If implemented, manufacturers would need to ensure consistent HSR calculations and update labelling across product ranges. The proposal is still in consultation, therefore an outcome is likely at least 12 to 18 months away, pending FSANZ assessment and approval by Food Ministers. For more information visit Food & Drink Business or the FSANZ website. 

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GS1 Compliance Expansion

GS1 Australia, together with global scanning providers Datalogic, Honeywell, Newland AIDC and Zebra Technologies, has confirmed the retail scanning ecosystem is ready for the transition to next generation 2D barcodes at point of sale from 2027. This change will strengthen GS1 compliance across Australia's supply chain. Unlike traditional barcodes, 2D barcodes can carry significantly more information. For customers, this means access to richer product data, such as ingredients, allergens, expiry dates and sustainability information. The move is expected to strengthen traceability, increase recall speed, improve stock accuracy and reduce waste throughout the supply chain, ultimately supporting a more transparent and efficient retail experience. 

Summary

From evolving compliance requirements to supply chain uncertainty and sustainability innovation, the pace of change across the packaging sector shows no signs of slowing down. For manufacturers, staying informed and remaining adaptable will be key in navigating future challenges while continuing to meet customer and regulatory expectations. 

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