By 2030, Proctor & Gamble (P&G) intends to reduce its use of virgin petroleum plastic in its packaging by 50%. “This is no small goal,” Ken McGuire, a former research fellow at P&G.
Read MoreJan/Feb 2023
Digital Exclusive
FPA Outlines Opposition to Aluminum Foil Tariff Proposal
Department of Commerce’s Preliminary Determinations Expected Feb. 28
February 9, 2023
FPA opposes DOC proposal that would extend tariffs on aluminum foil to South Korea and Thailand, saying the plan would threaten jobs in the U.S., and DOC should not be “picking winners and losers in U.S. manufacturing markets.”
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Report: Stakeholders Must Coordinate Circularity Efforts as Material Needs Shift
January 26, 2023
In a report titled “Packaging Compass: Evaluating Trends in U.S. Packaging Design,” AMERIPEN and the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute evaluate trends in packaging design and the implications on a circular economy while outlining how coordinated efforts must start now to reach concrete goals over the next 10 years.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
A Conversation With Adrianne Tipton
Chief Technology Officer, Novolex
January 12, 2023
In this expanded interview with FlexPack VOICE®, Novolex Chief Technology Officer Adrianne Tipton offers insights into the future of the flexible packaging industry in 2023.
Read More
What Now?
Advocacy Experts Discuss New Congress
Jan/Feb 2023
As 2023 begins, federal legislators will be putting the final touches on reorganizing the House and Senate committees and subcommittees of the 118th Congress based on the results of the November election. But even before the election, advocates for the packaging and flexible packaging industries were preparing for what they know will be a busy year on Capitol Hill.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
Amcor Leader Discusses $10.8M Investment at Michigan State University
His Advice to Other Companies: ‘Jump in’
January 4, 2023
This past year, Amcor announced it would be investing $10.8 million into the Michigan State University School of Packaging in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Amcor’s commitment includes investment in infrastructure and building renovations, as well as an endowed chair position in the School of Packaging.
Read MoreDigital Exclusive
AMERIPEN Leader Reviews Packing Issues for 2023
Dan Felton Outlines Key Initiatives on State and Federal Levels
January 4, 2023
State policymakers will have a busy year in 2023 as they seek to regulate the packaging industry, with measures expected on extended producer responsibility, labeling requirements, and recycled-content mandates.
Read More
Flexpack Crash Course
New Workers Network During Daylong Seminar
Jan/Feb 2023
This course aims to help the flexible packaging industry maintain, grow, and attract new talent through connections and collaboration.
Read More
Our Future Workforce
Schools and Companies Tout Training Programs at PACK EXPO International
Jan/Feb 2023
Even before the pandemic and its aftermath, finding workers has been a struggle. Unemployment rates continue to hover at or near historic lows, even as economists increasingly predict an economic downturn. Workforce training, recruitment, and retention issues remain top concerns for companies nationwide, including those in the flexible packaging industry.
Read MoreFPA Welcomes New Congress Members
But Old Issues Like Aluminum, Circularity, and Trade Remain
Jan/Feb 2023
New year, new Congress, and it’s quite a different group after the elections. With our aluminum foil advocacy, the Flexible Packaging Association is a newly minted federal lobbyist organization with yours truly now duly registered. And we will make the most of it as the work continues on the trade front and circularity issues.
Read More
A Closer Look at Adrianne Tipton
Chief Technology Officer, Novolex
Jan/Feb 2023
In this issue, we interview Adrianne Tipton, chief technology officer at Novolex. She also is co-chair of the Emerging Leadership Council of the Flexible Packing Association.
Read More
Iowa State Graduate Program Focuses on Solutions
Jan/Feb 2023
We talk to Keith Vorst, director of the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State University. The consortium is funded by private companies. Vorst received grant funding from federal agencies, as well.
Read More2023 Activity in States Picks up Where 2021, 2022 Left off
Jan/Feb 2023
The years 2021 and 2022 were unprecedented with groundbreaking new laws in the packaging sector. Four states adopted new extended producer responsibility laws, two states adopted new recycled content mandates for various types of packaging, and California adopted a first-in-the-nation recycling labeling law. The year 2023 will also likely prove to be significant and precedent setting for packaging policy.
Read More
New Congress, Biden Second Term Kick Off 2023
Jan/Feb 2023
With the midterm elections behind us, 2023 kicks off the 118th Congress and marks the second half of President Joe Biden’s first term. As the past several years have taught us, we know we need to expect the unexpected.
Read More
Leveraging Marking and Coding Technology for Sustainability
Jan/Feb 2023
One important way manufacturers and retailers can improve the sustainability of their products is through investment in greener packaging options. Most will be aware of the potential cost benefits and reduced environmental impact of switching to recyclable materials, but fewer have considered the role improved marking and coding solutions can play in enhancing efficiency and sustainability across supply chains.
Read More
SPMC® Committee Tracks Industry and Regulatory Issues
Jan/Feb 2023
The Sterile Packaging Manufacturers Council has a newly formed sustainability/regulatory committee monitoring a self-initiated case by the U.S. Department of Commerce involving imports of aluminum foil from China that are finished in South Korea and Malaysia.
Read More
‘Let’s Talk Flexible Packaging’
ELC Initiative Seeks to Reach Educators, Others
Jan/Feb 2023
In the past few months, the education committee of the Emerging Leadership Council has made significant progress in its efforts to develop resources to empower Flexible Packaging Association member companies to effectively educate families and communities about the benefits of flexible packaging.
Read More
Monitoring Federal Rule-makers
Committee Offers Updates on Biden Administration’s Policy Moves
Jan/Feb 2023
The Flexible Packaging Association’s environmental, health, and safety committee tracks regulatory developments on federal environmental and occupational safety regulations and develops action plans for those that could impact the industry. The environmental policy initiatives under the Biden administration are a major shift from the previous administration.
Read More