As we move further into 2026, the conversation around sustainability in the UK manufacturing sector has shifted from “what if” to “how now.” The UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) continues to be a primary driver for innovation, forcing businesses to rethink not just the materials they use, but the machinery required to handle them.
I have just returned from the Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 exhibition at the NEC, and the atmosphere was electric. If there was one recurring theme across every hall and seminar, it was the urgent need for technical compatibility with recycled and sustainable materials.
“Walking the floor at the NEC this week, it was clear that the industry has reached a tipping point,” says Robert Murphy. “The Plastic Packaging Tax is no longer a future hurdle; it is a daily operational reality. I spoke with dozens of production managers who are anxious to move toward films with 30% or higher recycled content, but they are worried about their existing lines failing to cope with the different heat profiles and tensions. At Record Packaging, we’ve spent the last year ensuring our range doesn’t just ‘handle’ these materials, but excels with them.”
Why Machine Choice Matters for PPT Compliance
The UK Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging produced in, or imported into, the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. While the tax itself is a financial levy, the true challenge lies in the machinery. Recycled films often behave differently than virgin plastics—they can be more brittle, have varied melting points, or require more precise tension control.
To remain compliant and avoid the tax without sacrificing shelf-life or speed, your machinery must be adaptable.
Tax Compliant Solutions from the Record Packaging Range
At Record Packaging, we have prioritised “Sustainability-Ready” engineering. Here are the key machines from our range designed to help you transition to PPT-compliant materials seamlessly:
1. Box Motion Flow Wrapping Machines
Our Box Motion Flow Wrappers are the gold standard for those moving to heavier, recycled films or complex laminates. Because the sealing jaws move with the product, they allow for longer dwell times. This is crucial for recycled plastics which often require a more controlled heat application to achieve a hermetic seal compared to traditional virgin films.
2. Flow Wrap (HFFS) Range
Our standard Flow Wrap machines have been upgraded with high-precision electronic temperature controllers and sensitive tensioning systems. This allows them to run thinner, high-recycled-content films without stretching or tearing, ensuring you meet the 30% recycled threshold without increasing your wastage rates.
3. Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS)
For our clients in the food and hardware sectors, our VFFS systems are now compatible with a wide array of sustainable substrates, including recyclable mono-materials and PE-based films that fall under the tax-exempt categories.
4. Tray Sealers & Thermoformers
As retailers push for “plastic-lite” solutions, our Tray Sealers and Thermoforming lines have been optimised for skin packing and MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) using recycled PET (rPET) trays. Our technology ensures that even with the slight inconsistencies sometimes found in recycled tray stock, the seal integrity remains 100% secure.
Looking Ahead
The feedback from Empack 2026 was clear: UK businesses want to do the right thing for the planet, but they need the reliability of high-speed automation to remain competitive.
Whether you are looking to integrate films with high recycled content or exploring paper-based alternatives to bypass the Plastic Packaging Tax entirely, our team at Record Packaging is here to help you navigate the technical requirements.
Ready to future-proof your production line? Contact the Record Packaging team today to discuss how our range can help you stay PPT compliant.
