The news you need to know: February 2026

Welcome to Food & Drink Business PLAY. Here are our top stories for February – from food safety and major retail scrutiny, to a big sustainability investment and a new global player backing an Australian beverage business.

Packaging News

Australia's emerging soft plastics recycling infrastructure is ready to process significantly more material, according to Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia, which has launched a three-month campaign aimed at boosting consumer returns and strengthening domestic supply of recycled resin.

PKN’s latest print issue is hitting desks and landing in inboxes, bringing readers up to speed with the people, technologies and innovations shaping packaging, printing and processing across Australia and beyond.

Mars has opened $112.6 million Wodonga pet food facility, bringing autonomous mobile robots, AI-enabled planning tools and advanced packaging automation into one of Australia's largest new food manufacturing investments.