Washington’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) law calls for a recycling needs assessment by the end of December 2027, according to packinglaw.com®. And a producer responsibility organization (PRO) must register with the state’s Department of Ecology by March 1, 2026, while producers of waste covered by the law must report to the PRO by July […]
Read MoreTherese Umerlik

Meet the FPA Staff
A Conversation With Kyla Fisher, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability
Continuing the Meet the FPA Staff series, FlexPack VOICE® catches up with Kyla Fisher, FPA’s director of regulatory affairs and sustainability.
Read MoreNOVA Chemicals Gets PE Recycling Underway in Indiana
NOVA Chemicals, Inc. is now operating three of four of its polyethylene (PE) film recycling lines at a facility in Connersville, Indiana. The plant known as SYNDIGO1 spans 450,000 square feet and will recycle 145,000 bales of end-of-life plastic film to produce over 100 million pounds of SYNDIGO™ recycled linear, low-density polyethylene (rLLDPE) suitable for […]
Read MoreUAE-Based Packaging Company Opens Operations in New Jersey
A company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expanding its international operations with a $100 million investment in a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Edison, New Jersey. Hotpack Packaging Industry LLC’s 70,000-square-foot plant will create about 200 jobs over five years in its first phase of operation, according to a news release […]
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Deadline Nears for FPA Summer Internship Program
Interns and Part-Time Workers Are Encouraged to Apply to Advance Their Careers
The summer internship program is put on by the Flexible Packaging Association’s Emerging Leadership Council to promote careers in the flexible packaging industry.
Read MoreMaryland Enacts EPR Law
Maryland became the sixth state to enact extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation for packaging, when the governor signed the measure into law. The law, which was supported by industry groups such as AMERIPEN—American Institute for Packaging and the Environment and the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), calls for the implementation to start in July 2026. “Notably, […]
Read MoreKuraray America Names New CEO and Other Leaders
Kuraray America in Houston named Hans Vandommele president and CEO at the start of this year and promoted two others to leadership positions. Vandommele has more than 25 years of global experience in operations and business strategy, leading Kuraray America’s growth with a focus on sustainability, operational excellence, and innovation at the company even before […]
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Consultant: Volatility and Tariffs Are Key Words for the PE and PP Markets for 2025
Businesses Need to Focus on Supply Chain-Related Costs
The polyethylene and polypropylene markets in 2025 will continue to face volatility, especially as countries grapple with tariffs.
Read MorePackaging Recycling Summit Early Registration Ends Next Week
Discounts for early registration end Friday, May 16, 2025, for the Packaging Recycling Summit to be held in Texas, where recycling stakeholders will gather over three days in June. For example, the $1,295 individual rate will go up to $1,495 after Friday, according to the summit’s website, which offers other details for pricing for nonprofits […]
Read MoreCNG Adds Capacity in Northeast Ohio
Charter Next Generation (CNG) recently announced that it will add 125 jobs while retaining its 1,236 positions at its two operations in northeast Ohio. The plants in Lexington and Ontario are in Richland County, where CNG intends to invest more than $106 million in facilities and advanced machinery and equipment. The Ohio Department of Development […]
Read MoreCompanies Invest in Their Communities
Companies recognized were American Packaging Corporation and Amcor.
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A Closer Look at Amanda Ciccone
Amanda Ciccone, North America Sales Director for the Flexible Films Market, Dow
In this issue, we interview Amanda Ciccone, North America sales director for the flexible films market at Dow and a board member of the Flexible Packaging Association.
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Recognizing Innovations
Silver Award Winners in FPA Competition Demonstrate Packaging Progress
The silver awards in the 2025 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition were given for packages that demonstrated excellence in sustainability, printing, packaging excellence, shelf impact, technical innovation, and expanding the use of flexible packaging.
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Creating Excellence
Gold Awards in Annual Contest Help Solve Problems
The gold awards in the 2025 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition were given for packages that excelled in sustainability, printing, packaging excellence, shelf impact, technical innovation, and expanding the use of flexible packaging.
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75 Years of Member Service
Past and Current Leaders Discuss FPA’s History and the Future of Flexible Packaging
As the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) entered 2025, the trade organization began celebrating 75 years since its formation in 1950. For Kathy Bolhous, chair and CEO of Charter Next Generation, FPA’s staying power proves that members have been getting value all along.
Read MoreBusy Year Underway on Packaging Policy
At the state level, policy activity around packaging remains busy, especially regarding extended producer responsibility.
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Fast-Paced Year Leads to New Advocacy Approaches
Almost six months into the 119th Congress and the second Trump administration, the government relations team in the Flexible Packaging Association has refined its approach and settled into a new and refocused cadence for industry advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.
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Circular Compostable Solutions Help Create a Sustainable Future
The packaging industry is at a crossroads. As new packaging sustainability laws take hold across North America, the call for circular solutions has become a necessity rather than a choice.
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Sterile Packaging Day Celebration Assists Fire-Ravaged California
Sterile Packaging Day united the medical packaging community under the theme, “From Foundations to Futures.” The in-person celebration took on additional significance because volunteers and donors helped to replenish local blood supplies for fire-ravaged communities in the Los Angeles area.
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Summer Internship Program Returns for 2025
The Emerging Leadership Council’s summer session starts in June 2025 for eight weeks. It includes a presentation on the Flexible Packaging Association’s “State of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry” report, a career panel discussion, and industry speakers. On alternating weeks, students can connect in small group discussions on topics they choose.
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