Day: 1 April 2025

The cost of living and climate change are consumer’s main concerns, reveals Pro Carton’s 2025 Consumer Survey

Stuart Mitchell

The cost of living is now the top factor influencing consumer behaviour, followed closely by climate change, reveals new research commissioned by Pro Carton. The 2025 European Consumer Packaging Perceptions Survey, conducted among over 5,000 consumers across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, explores shifting attitudes towards sustainability, packaging preferences, and the role of businesses in addressing environmental challenges. Financial concerns are prominent The findings highlight a shift in consumer concerns, with 66% of Europeans now citing the cost of living as their primary worry, overtaking climate change (62%)…

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Polytag to provide traceability of 146,000 tonnes of waste in Wales

Stuart Mitchell

Polytag has recently announced the successful integration of four Polytag Plastic Detection Units at Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs) in Wales. The new sites in Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey mark a significant step in Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme, an industry-led initiative empowering brands, retailers, and waste management businesses with real-time data on the recycling of single-use plastic. The four units have joined Re-Gen’s MRF in Newry (Northern Ireland) and Biffa facilities in Edmonton and Teesside in the programme. Using Polytag’s technology brands will gain data visibility on the 146,000 tonnes of…

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Spin-outs from MRC-funded research attract £10bn in investments

Stuart Mitchell

New report shows how the Medical Research Council (MRC) is boosting UK jobs and economic growth. Research funded by MRC has led to spin-out companies with an economic value of greater than £6.1 billion. This has created more than 3,800 jobs and attracted £10.2 billion of external investment, according to new analysis published today. Independent evaluation The report was conducted by independent evaluator Ipsos UK. It was commissioned to establish an overview of the investment and growth outcomes achieved by spin-outs that have been linked to intellectual property developed with…

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Kingfisher and Habitat for Humanity Team Up to Tackle UK Housing Crisis

Stuart Mitchell

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity Great Britain in a new charity partnership which will help tackle the UK’s housing crisis and help provide safe and affordable housing for the most vulnerable people. This two-year commitment will combine both organisations’ expertise to demonstrate the impact and benefits of converting empty spaces into decent, affordable housing. Kingfisher will fund two programmes: Empty Spaces to Homes, which converts empty spaces into homes for vulnerable groups such as care leavers or survivors of domestic abuse. Housing…

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Vodafone Foundation and Save the Children Forge Partnership to Empower Children

Stuart Mitchell

Vodafone Foundation and Save the Children have announced a groundbreaking partnership to launch a new Europe-wide digital skills and resilience training programme for children aged 9 to 16. This new collaboration will focus on upskilling children beyond digital skills, with bespoke content addressing online safety, digital rights, and ethical online behaviour. Both partners will seek to integrate these important elements into educational systems worldwide, helping to shape a healthier, safer digital landscape for young people today, while positively impacting their future lives tomorrow. Bespoke educational content will be developed that…

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