Okeanos® Business Newsletter – December 2025
What Didn’t Change in 2025 (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
This year was loud. More pledges, more panels, more urgency everywhere you looked. But underneath the noise, the things that actually make progress possible didn’t move, and that’s a good thing. Machines, and SOP’s didn’t change. Innovation didn’t stop. Scale still mattered. Proof still won. Progress didn’t come from headlines; it came from work that ran, shipped, and delivered, quietly, consistently, and at full speed. That’s the story worth closing the year with.
Progress Didn’t Happen in One Place
It happened across time zones, countries, partners, and production lines. Different languages. Different new markets: Thailand, Türkiye, Peru and Chile. Same fundamentals. From early mornings to late nights, people kept things moving, testing, adjusting, improving, and scaling. Real progress rarely looks dramatic: Diapers, yogurts, snacks or margarine. It looks shared.
A Thank You and a calm look ahead
As the year wraps up, we are grateful to everyone who played a part, customers, partners, and our Okeanos teams around the world. We are heading into the next year with the same focus and optimism that got us here: doing the work, staying grounded, and building what lasts. Japan, Romania and Argentina ahead.
Thank you for being part of our journey, happy holidays to our Okeanos family!
Rockstar of the Year: Aylen Rauch
From Rockstar of the Month to Rockstar of the Year, Aylen’s impact defined our 2025.
Her journey as QA Analyst reflects a year built on consistency and reliability, and her work remains a cornerstone of what ISO 9001-certified quality at Okeanos truly means.
This year at Okeanos, my biggest highlight was stepping up after only two months in the company to carry out the internal audit on my own when Yanel Ruiz, my boss, unexpectedly had to start her maternity leave. The biggest challenge I faced this year was taking on that responsibility with limited preparation, and I overcame it by staying organized, relying on procedures and team support, preparing thoroughly, and remaining calm throughout the process.
One key skill I developed or strengthened this year is taking ownership, learning to assume responsibility in challenging situations and deliver results.
Looking ahead to next year, one thing I’m excited to work on is improving key processes and strengthening a culture of quality across the company.
In 2026, I hope my role can contribute to Okeanos by helping teams use quality tools to improve their processes and support the company’s growth.
On a personal level, one challenge I’m setting for myself next year is to trust myself more and feel confident taking on new challenges
Connect with our HR Team today!
Podcast Spotlight
In this episode of Mastering Sustainability®, Estefania Xuclà, Government Affairs Director at Okeanos®, breaks down what’s really happening behind the headlines.
She explains:
-
- Why EPR programs are expanding faster than expected
-
- How PCR requirements are tightening, without enough supply to support them
-
- Why “there simply isn’t enough high-quality recyclate” to meet global demand
Her conclusion is pragmatic: upstream material reduction is becoming unavoidable.
By lowering total resin use through mineral-based solutions, brands can reduce regulatory risk and improve performance without depending on limited recyclate streams.
Clear, candid, and grounded in policy reality, this episode is essential listening for 2026 planning.
From Refill Fatigue to Material-first Solutions, Plus a Look Ahead
After significant investment, many refill programs across North America and Europe struggled to scale in 2025. Not because sustainability fell out of favor, but because friction remained.
Three issues never fully disappeared:
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- Hygiene concerns
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- Extra time in-store
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- Operational complexity for retailers
The result? A quiet shift.
More retailers are now prioritizing lightweight, low-carbon single-use formats, paired with traceable materials and digital transparency. It’s a hybrid model: designed for sustainability, built for how people actually shop.
The takeaway from 2025:
Circularity only works when it aligns with real human behavior, not ideal scenarios.
Rockstar of the Year: Aylen Rauch
From Rockstar of the Month to Rockstar of the Year, Aylen’s impact defined our 2025.
Her journey as QA Analyst reflects a year built on consistency and reliability, and her work remains a cornerstone of what ISO 9001-certified quality at Okeanos truly means.
This year at Okeanos, my biggest highlight was stepping up after only two months in the company to carry out the internal audit on my own when Yanel Ruiz, my boss, unexpectedly had to start her maternity leave. The biggest challenge I faced this year was taking on that responsibility with limited preparation, and I overcame it by staying organized, relying on procedures and team support, preparing thoroughly, and remaining calm throughout the process.
One key skill I developed or strengthened this year is taking ownership, learning to assume responsibility in challenging situations and deliver results.
Looking ahead to next year, one thing I’m excited to work on is improving key processes and strengthening a culture of quality across the company.
In 2026, I hope my role can contribute to Okeanos by helping teams use quality tools to improve their processes and support the company’s growth.
On a personal level, one challenge I’m setting for myself next year is to trust myself more and feel confident taking on new challenges
Podcast Spotlight
In this episode of Mastering Sustainability®, Estefania Xuclà, Government Affairs Director at Okeanos®, breaks down what’s really happening behind the headlines.
She explains:
-
- Why EPR programs are expanding faster than expected
-
- How PCR requirements are tightening, without enough supply to support them
-
- Why “there simply isn’t enough high-quality recyclate” to meet global demand
Her conclusion is pragmatic: upstream material reduction is becoming unavoidable.
By lowering total resin use through mineral-based solutions, brands can reduce regulatory risk and improve performance without depending on limited recyclate streams.
Clear, candid, and grounded in policy reality, this episode is essential listening for 2026 planning.