Jim Pease owns and operates Sun Centre USA Inc., a machinery manufacturer that specializes in pouch machines, slitters, rewinders, and specialty equipment. “We make in the USA what other companies do not have the resources or desire to make,” says Pease, who is also president of the company based in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Sun Centre is among the 14 companies that became new members of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) in 2025 through August. One reason Sun Centre joined is because the company developed a new pouch—called Pouch3—that Pease says could help packaging companies meet sustainability goals.
Sun Centre removed the headspace in the pouch, creating a 30–40% reduction in films, allowing for the best “volume-to-material ratio in packaging,” Pease says. Headspace traditionally has helped with marketing products, leading to the phrase “filled by weight, not by volume,” he adds.
“We need to produce packaging that fits the product and not deliver half-empty pouches on the shelves for marketing reasons,” he explains. “To truly say packages are sustainable, you must review the materials, shelf space, shipping efficiencies, and, most importantly, the packaging format for customer interaction. The bottom line is that no one likes a half-empty pouch.”
Pease hopes to spread the word about Pouch3, as well as his other products that include a made-in-the-USA pouch machine, through his new connection with FPA, whose membership offers built-in potential customers for Sun Centre and others.
One goal of FPA is to provide networking opportunities for its members. The 2025 FlexForward® conference, scheduled for November 4 in New Orleans, is the latest example of where association members mingle while learning about industry trends. And new members of the organization join for a variety of reasons that center on FPA’s mission to bolster the industry and its members, including strong advocacy work on the state and federal levels.
FlexPack VOICE® reached out to the new members over the summer to ask why they joined the association, as well as to get their insights into industry trends and issues affecting them. For example, this year and into 2026, many companies are navigating the ever-shifting trade and tariff policies. Here is a closer look at the companies that responded.
Ester Industries Limited
Over the summer, the trade situation was heating up in India, where Ester Industries Limited is located. Ester specializes in multiple high-performance films in various applications—lidding, high heat seal, etc.—including films manufactured in India that are up to 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR), says Vaibhav Jha, deputy CEO of Ester Industries India.
Jha says he is confident that a final deal between the U.S. and India will be favorable to both countries.
In 2024, Ester joined with Loop Industries Inc. to create a 50/50 joint venture to build and operate an advanced recycling manufacturing facility in India, with commercial operations starting in 2027, according to the companies. The Loop Industries technology is going to catapult the company to the forefront of sustainability, he adds.
GLS Americas
Extender producer responsibility (EPR) laws and regulations remain a concern for companies new to FPA, as well as the more established ones, and that is true at GLS Americas.
“Moving forward, we expect EPR regulations to gain more traction at the state level, and recyclability and material innovation will remain a top priority for converters and brand owners alike,” says Mukul Tyagi, vice president of sales at GLS Americas. GLS is a 100%-owned subsidiary of GLS Group, which is an international conglomerate operating in various sectors that include flexible packaging. “Cost pressures and trade policy shifts may continue to influence sourcing decisions. The industry will also need to navigate a transition from traditional materials to more circular and environmentally friendly solutions. GLS is well- prepared for these issues.”
With flexible packaging, Tyagi says, “Government support is crucial in closing the loop.”
GLS believes that the role of the government should include incentivizing investments in advanced and chemical recycling infrastructure to create more facilities, setting clear nationwide standards for recyclability, and offering incentives to companies working on sustainable innovation, Tyagi asserts, adding that the company is looking forward to actively contributing to FPA’s initiatives.
“We believe that innovation, sustainability, and cross-industry collaboration are key to the future of packaging, and we are dedicated to driving progress across all three fronts,” Tyagi says. “One area worth exploring is the role of cross-border collaboration, especially with packaging supply chains becoming more global. Harmonizing sustainability practices and compliance efforts across regions could unlock a lot of value for the industry.”
MENSHEN Packaging USA, Inc.
MENSHEN Packaging USA, Inc., is a subsidiary of German-based Georg MENSHEN GmbH & Co. that has a presence in 11 countries and 14 locations worldwide.
“Our focus is to provide packaging solutions through innovation and sustainability efforts,” says Thomas Newman, managing director at the U.S. operation based in New Jersey. The company’s products range from weld-spouts to standard and customized closures, as well as other solutions for the flexible and rigid markets. “Being a member of FPA provides us with critical insights for industry trends and regulatory developments, along with lobbying support, to ensure education and guidance for the flexible packaging industry is visible within key government organizations.”
A primary issue at MENSHEN this year has been labor availability and aptitude.
“This seems to be an ongoing challenge in many business sectors,” Newman says.
The company has been experiencing supply chain disruptions, too.
“Being a global company requires the ability to effectively source raw materials and finished goods— the currently strained global logistics situation has presented a challenge to maintain desired service levels,” he says. “As we continue to see changes in the U.S. approach to global tariffs, we also continue to experience consumer-demand uncertainty, which has negatively impacted several consumer product sectors.”
MENSHEN expects volatility in global trade and tariffs will continue into 2026, Newman says. He also points to how the rules for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will continue to be updated, while more states in the U.S. consider EPR laws.
Like FPA and many of its members, MENSHEN supports improvements in the recycling infrastructure for all packaging.
“A more aligned approach is needed to ensure a consistent playing field exists in all states/regions of the country,” Newman says. “Smart federal guidance will be needed to accomplish this with state and local commitments.”
Current EPR proposals appear to place too much burden on businesses to provide the necessary funding, according to Newman.
“Long-term partnerships must be established so federal, state, and local entities can develop shared solutions with industry—and also equitably shared costs,” he says.
Revolution Sustainable Solutions, LLC
Revolution Sustainable Solutions, LLC, provides mechanical recycling and circular plastics solutions. It specializes in supplying PCR resins that help flexible packaging manufacturers and converters add to the sustainability products available to their customers, says Louis Vasquez, Revolution’s senior vice president of sustainable materials and corporate development.
“Our presence in FPA enables us to collaborate with converters and brands, sharing insights and aligning around sustainability goals,” Vasquez says.
This year, Revolution, like other companies across the value chain, has faced volatility in the supply chain, cost pressures from inflation, and regulatory uncertainty.
“We expect growing pressure for compliance with recycled-content mandates, more emphasis on traceability, and the need for infrastructure that supports collection and recycling,” Vasquez says. “These trends will elevate the importance of dependable PCR supply and strategic partnerships with recyclers like Revolution.”
At the same time, he adds, “Demand for sustainable packaging continues to grow, pushing us to accelerate research and development and expand our PCR resin offering for more technical applications.”
Syanptik
Another new member is Synaptik, a highly specialized technology company focused exclusively on adhesive coating weight measurement systems for the lamination of flexible packaging.
“Joining FPA is a key step in strengthening our commitment to the North American market,” says Kenneth Soler-Serrano, Synaptik’s owner and CEO. Founded in 2010, the international company is based in Catalonia, Spain. “The FPA plays a vital role in uniting and representing all stakeholders in the flexible packaging industry. As a member, we gain valuable insight into industry trends, regulatory developments, and customer needs.”
Membership also allows the company to actively contribute to conversations around innovation, sustainability, and efficiency—“topics that are at the core of our mission,” Soler-Serrano says.
And those connections can also help companies remain abreast of shifting regulations and laws.
“Political instability continues to be a challenge, particularly regarding tariff policies,” Soler-Serrano says. “Additionally, the industry is undergoing significant consolidation, which can delay decision-making and impact investment timelines.
“However, this has also opened up opportunities, as many converters are looking to optimize their operations and invest in automation and process control to remain competitive.”
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor of FlexPack VOICE®.
New FPA Members in 2025
(Through August)
- DCM ATN
- Ester Industries Limited
- Film Source Packaging
- Galas de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
- GLS Polyfilms Pvt Ltd
- GOpak
- HiFlow Solutions
- JBF Bahrain W.L.L.
- MENSHEN Packaging USA, Inc.
- New Tech Plastics, LLC
- Print247.us LLC
- Revolution Sustainable Solutions, LLC
- Sun Centre USA Inc.
- Synaptik
More Information
Brief descriptions of FPA members and links to their websites can be found by going to FlexPack.org, clicking on the membership tab, and then “company directory” under the dropdown menu.