Industry news

Industry news Altkin celebrates ‘Remanufacturer of the Year’ Altkin, a member of the ARMOR GROUP, has won the ‘Remanufacturer of the Year’ award, presented at the international The Recycler Live & Trade Days event in Dortmund, Germany. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Walmart tries to persuade staff AI will ‘improve jobs, not replace them’ Walmart has moved to reassure its 2.1m employees that artificial intelligence will improve their roles, rather than threaten them, as it accelerates its use of AI across the business. The… Grocery Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Chefs back Burnham VAT pledge as hospitality pressure mounts Leading chefs and restaurateurs have welcomed Andy Burnham’s call for a cut in VAT for hospitality, as pressure grows on the government to provide greater support for pubs, restaurants, cafés… Grocery Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news G&G bets on greener printing G&G’s parent company’s ESG report frames remanufactured cartridges as procurement’s lower-carbon option globally. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news UN chemicals framework targets textiles UNEP prepares to establish dedicated textiles chemicals programme at a landmark international conference GENEVA – The United Nations Environment Programme […] Ecotextile News · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Scottish councils face £28.7m annual carbon cost from waste incineration, campaigners warn Scottish councils could face an additional £28.7 million annual bill from 2028 when waste incineration is brought within the scope of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to a new analysis by Zero Waste Scotland that has prompted campaigners to call for stronger action to reduce plastic waste and dependence on incineration.1 The study, […] Envirotec Magazine · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Creator Fund closes £42m fund to back Europe’s scientists UK-based Creator Fund, the pre-seed VC that finds and backs Europe’s scientific founders before they have a pitch deck, has closed its first European fund at $56m (£42m). Creator Fund’s Scientific Founder programme is the engine behind its European deal flow. Each year, 40 venture fellows are selected and embedded across 30 universities in 10 […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news World Oceans Day 2026 World Oceans Day 2026 highlights the critical ocean plastic crisis. Explore facts, global efforts, and Bywaters' advanced solutions, creating a circular economy for our oceans. Bywaters · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Antidepressants in river systems are harming wildlife Researchers have detected elevated levels of antidepressant drugs in several North Carolina waterways, raising concerns about the growing impact of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic ecosystems and potentially human health. The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, found that rivers downstream from wastewater treatment plants contained a range of antidepressants and their byp… Environment Journal · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Datamax sustains Canon ATSP-Certified service excellence Datamax marks its 19th consecutive year earning the Canon Association of Technical Service Professionals (ATSP) Advanced Service Certification. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news W&S Enters New Growth Phase Through Strategic Partnership and New Leadership W&S, an established distributor and service partner of capital equipment, automation solutions and lifecycle services for the electronics manufacturing industry in the Benelux, has announced a new strategic partnership and strengthened shareholder structure to support the next phase of its growth. As part of this development, Jochem Winkelman has joined W&S as both investor and Managing Directo… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Debenhams unveils new licensing partnership Debenhams Group and Revolution Beauty have unveiled a new licensing partnership to develop fragrance and beauty products across the retailer’s brands. The collaboration merges the reach of the Debenham’s Group brand lifestyle and fashion brand portfolio with Revolution Beauty’s ability to manufacture, develop and distribute beauty products. Its first collections will include fragrance and gifti… Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Predicted World Cup power surge highlights growing role of battery storage in grid stability The UK’s electricity system operator is preparing for significant spikes in power demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with forecasts suggesting that England and Scotland matches could trigger surges equivalent to the combined electricity consumption of Leeds and Glasgow. Analysis from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) indicates that each group-stage match involving either […] Envirotec Magazine · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news UK tech sector hits £1.2 trillion valuation The UK tech sector has reached a $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) valuation, according to The Tech Nation Report 2026 launched today on the AI stage at London Tech Week. Published by Tech Nation, part of Founders Forum Group, the report shows UK AI startups raised more than $11bn (£8.2bn) in venture capital in the first half […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Making Room for Life: Sustainable Ways to Create Extra Space at Home Have you noticed how our homes seem to be expected to do more and more these days? Mine certainly is. Like many of you, I’m at that interesting stage of life where my parents are in their late eighties and, thankfully, still living independently, while my daughter is building a life of her own but… Zero Waste Week · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Waitrose turns to YouTube series to attract younger shoppers Waitrose is launching a new YouTube series as it looks to reach younger shoppers and expand its food content strategy. The company said the 15-minute episodes, which will launch in… Grocery Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Phase Eight owner eyes store closures as part of restructure Phase Eight owner TFG has warned underperforming stores could close as it moves to cut costs across the struggling womenswear brand. The South Africa-based retail group said it would “accelerate right-sizing” of Phase Eight’s footprint and costs over the next 12 months. It did not disclose how many stores could be affected or which locations... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Food industry warns healthy food rule changes could hit prices and investment Britain’s food and drink sector has warned that planned changes to healthy food regulations could fuel inflation and deter investment in UK manufacturing. The government is consulting on revisions to… Grocery Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Magna Tyres acquires Forrez Magna Tyres Group has acquired Belgium-based tyre specialist and mobility service provider Forrez. The acquisition of Forrez marks the sixth strategic acquisition completed by Magna Tyres Group in just a few years. Tyrepress · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Fly-tippers must pay £6822 after dumping cannabis farm in Neath Five people have been ordered to pay £6822 after they dumped the remains of a cannabis farm in Neath Valley. Circular Online (CIWM) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Council suspends wood recycling amid ‘significant disruption’ in Scotland Wood and laminate recycling has been suspended at East Lothian Council’s household recycling centres due to “significant disruption” at plants across Scotland. The council let residents know on 4 June 2026 that wood and laminates can no longer be recycled at its sites in Dunbar, Kinwegar and North Berwick after contractors responsible for collecting the … Read More letsrecycle.com News · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news B&M boss admits pricing and range mistakes as discount sector slows B&M chief executive Tjeerd Jegen has admitted the discount retailer’s recent struggles were partly self-inflicted, as pressure mounts across the wider value retail sector. Speaking to The Times, Jegen said B&M had failed to get key parts of its proposition right, with weak pricing, underwhelming promotions and an overly complicated product range. “Our pricing wasn’t... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news UN report warns AI boom could intensify pressure on water, land and climate systems A new United Nations University report has warned that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving growing environmental pressures through its increasing demands for electricity, water and land, with researchers calling for urgent action to ensure the technology develops within planetary limits. The report, Environmental Cost of AI’s Energy Use: Carbon, Water and Land […] Envirotec Magazine · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Scam warning as fake retailer websites appearing in ChatGPT search results Fraudsters are creating cloned retail websites that are appearing in ChatGPT search results, raising fresh concerns over how AI shopping tools could be exploited to target consumers. Scam-checking service Ask Silver said it had identified fake websites impersonating Russell & Bromley and Dunelm being surfaced as sources when users asked ChatGPT for shopping recommendations. In... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Paranova sets out major investment plans following sale to Kingswood Capital Coveris recently sold its paper business, now Paranova, to Kingswood Capital Management, including labelling division Amberley and graphics business Rivendell. Waqas Qureshi spoke to Paranova CEO Jo Ormrod. Packaging News (UK) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news World Environment Day 2026: UK circular economy under the spotlight This year’s World Environment Day has been marked with a range of initiatives intended to promote and encourage more circular resource management in the UK. Packaging News (UK) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Mango ramps up Italy expansion with 22 Coin department store openings Mango is stepping up its expansion in Italy through a new partnership with department store chain Coin, as the Spanish fashion retailer looks to grow its visibility across the country. The agreement will see 22 Mango-operated stores open inside selected Coin locations between September 2026 and the end of 2027. The new shop-in-shops will range... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Pirelli: CNRC & Marco Polo file appeals against Golden Power Pirelli has announced that China National Tire & Rubber Corporation, Ltd. (CNRC) and Marco Polo International Italy S.r.l. have filed appeals against the Italian government’s Golden Power decree relating to their stake in Pirelli. The two companies served separate appeals on 7 June 2026, both with the same content, to the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio. Tyrepress · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news QVC UK opens new TikTok live studios in social commerce push QVC UK has opened new in-house social commerce studios at its Chiswick Park headquarters in London, as the shopping network looks to build on its growing TikTok Shop presence. It said the studios will sit at the centre of its social commerce strategy, giving creators and presenters a more agile space built around live selling... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Heavy breathing: the many faces of lead air pollution It has been 26 years since the UK Government finally removed leaded petrol from sale. So why are MPs, peers, academics and activists still calling for routine health screenings to check for exposure? Publishing an open letter in February, 50 signatories — including university researchers and lawmakers — demanded that Health Secretary Wes Streeting […] Environment Journal · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Complete Co‑Packing Services invests in Nulogy Shopfloor Solutions at its Abercynon facilities Complete Co‑Packing Services (CCPS) has invested in the digitalisation of its shop floor by implementing Nulogy’s Shop Floor Solution at its Abercynon facilities. Packaging News (UK) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Work Begins on New Local Plan to Shape Cheshire East’s Future to 2045 - Public Sector Executive Public Sector Executive · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Walmart tries to persuade staff AI will ‘improve jobs, not replace them’ Walmart has moved to reassure its 2.1m employees that artificial intelligence will improve their roles, rather than threaten them, as it accelerates its use of AI across the business. The US giant, which is the country’s largest private sector employer, used its annual Associates Week gathering in Arkansas to set out how AI is being... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Frasers Group courts Big Four auditors as governance turnaround faces fresh test Frasers Group is preparing to launch a search for a new Big Four auditor, in a move that will test whether the retail giant has repaired the governance concerns that once left it struggling to find any firm willing to sign off its accounts. The Sports Direct owner, founded by Mike Ashley, has made Deloitte,... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news M&S to create youth employment scheme with 1,000 places M&S is launching a new paid training scheme for young people, as concerns mount over the rising number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training. The company will create 1,000 training places across the UK and Ireland over the next 18 months. The programme is aimed at helping young people take their... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Disney vs Labubu: When is a similarity just a similarity? Trademarks, patents and copyright laws protect an idea from being copied. In the UK a trademark can protect “brand identifiers” such as logos, names and slogans, giving the trademark holder exclusive rights to use them for their products or services as they are not automatically protected. They are used by retailers, brands and even huge... Retail Gazette · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news We need more homes, but they must be places worth living in This post is by Ruth Lin Wong Holmes, vice president of the Landscape Institute. Britain’s housing crisis is real, urgent and deeply felt. Across the UK, people are struggling to find homes that are affordable, available and decent. In England, the government has pledged to […] Green Alliance blog (Inside Track) · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Plasma cuts polyester microfibre shedding A plasma-assisted chitosan surface treatment claims to significantly cut synthetic microfibre release from polyester fabric TURIN – Researchers have demonstrated […] Ecotextile News · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news El Niño could have sudden and chaotic impact on weather patterns right across the globe, says Queen’s University climate expert With an El Niño climate phenomenon expected to develop by the end of August, a Queen’s University climate expert has warned that the impact on weather patterns across the globe could […] Water Magazine · 8 Jun 2026 Industry news Minister Dooley and IFI’s Dr Eamonn Kelly visit site of the fish-kill on the River Glyde in County Louth Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, and CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Dr Eamonn Kelly, have visited the site of […] Water Magazine · 8 Jun 2026