Beverage Packaging & Recycling: Coca-Cola Vietnam is expanding its “Our Bottles Can Live Many Lives” take-back program, adding more collection points across universities, communities and Metro stations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Sustainable Glass Bottles: Moët Hennessy and Verallia are teaming up on lighter, more efficient glass bottles aimed at cutting emissions through circularity and weight reduction. Restaurant Profitability Pressure: A National Restaurant Association survey says about a third of restaurants weren’t profitable in the first half of the year, with many operators unconvinced that tech is lowering costs. QSR Strategy & Franchise Support: McDonald’s unveiled an $8.5B plan to modernize restaurants, expand tech and add new menu items, including support for franchisees to upgrade kitchens and systems. Competitive Threats in Foodservice: Technomic says convenience stores are now the biggest QSR competitors, pushing fresh food and tech-forward formats that lure customers. Health Policy Push: Finland’s THL and Heart Association back a health-based food tax to steer consumers toward lower salt, sugar and saturated fat, with possible tax relief for fruits and vegetables. Food & Drink Trade: The UK’s food and drink trade deficit hit a record £21bn as exports fell and imports surged amid Brexit, conflict-related disruptions and tariffs. Automation in Manufacturing: China installed a record 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, underscoring fast-moving automation across industrial production.