Sustainability and the circular economy remain critical components of business plans for members of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA). As part of FlexPack VOICE’s® annual check-in with FPA members who are hitting milestones with the organization, company leaders were asked about their approaches to sustainability. (The milestones include companies that have been FPA members in five-year increments going back to the organization’s founding in 1950.)
Here is an overview of what some of the companies said on the topic. (The main milestones article appears in the November/December 2025 edition of the magazine, which can be found online at flexpackvoice.com.)
Amcor Flexibles (75 years with FPA)
“In May, Amcor and Berry Global combined to create the new Amcor, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability as a driver for growth,” says William “Bill” Jackson, Ph.D., chief technology officer at Amcor and the immediate past chair of FPA. “Amcor is positioned to capture synergies with our new CEO and dedicated board of directors, and we will continue to leverage our global R&D resources to win for our customers.”
“Amcor has invested for many years to create a product portfolio with greater than 95% recycle-ready product offerings, a remarkable achievement,” Jackson says.
ProAmpac (20 years with FPA)
“Sustainability is central to our growth strategy,” says Sachin Desai, president and chief operating officer at ProAmpac. “We are actively developing solutions that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance.”
The company’s investment and expertise in innovation and material science, along with its university and industry partnerships, continue to drive its leadership in material and product development, Desai says.
The company’s Collaboration & Innovation Center (CIC) accelerates getting new products to market with ideation, illustrations, design, prototyping, advanced analytical testing, he adds.
H.B. Fuller (15 years with FPA)
“H.B. Fuller has made sustainability a central pillar of its strategy, especially in the flexible packaging sector,” says Monica Scott, H.B. Fuller’s North America sales manager—flexible packaging.
Some of those efforts include innovating adhesive formulations to support recyclable, compostable, and lower-impact packaging.
In early 2025, H.B. Fuller hosted a Sustainability Summit, which brought together leaders from raw material suppliers, converters, and end users to discuss sustainability trends, consumer research, and the role of adhesives in sustainable packaging, she adds.
“Approximately 60% of H.B. Fuller’s new product development is aimed at improving the sustainability of customers’ end use products,” Scott says.
The company is also expanding its use of solar energy in operations across the globe, with some sites generating up to 30% of their electricity from solar sources.
RKW North America, Inc. (15 years with FPA)
By 2026, innovation, sustainability, and collaboration will be more closely intertwined than ever, says Chris Marposon, director of sales for consumer packaging at RKW North America, Inc.
“Agility and the rapid development of circular solutions have become key competitive factors in this dynamic market,” Marposon says. “The industry’s central focus remains on implementing circular economy principles and adapting to economic and labor market challenges.”
RKW North America is committed to a wide range of concrete measures to promote sustainability in flexible packaging, Marposon adds, including being involved in industry initiatives such as How2Recycle and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).
CMD Corporation (Five years with FPA)
“At CMD Corporation, sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a core value embedded in the way we design, engineer, and support our flexible packaging solutions,” says Tim Lewis, vice president of global sales and marketing at CMD Corporation. “As regulatory pressures, brand commitments, and consumer expectations around environmental performance continue to rise, we are focused on developing technologies that help our customers meet ambitious sustainability goals without compromising efficiency or product quality.”
CMD’s equipment platforms are built with energy-efficient servo systems, low-tension web paths to reduce film waste, and integrated scrap reduction tools that enable tighter material control and higher yield, Lewis adds.
He also says that the government can play a role in promoting a circular economy.
“We believe a successful circular economy will require bold policy leadership paired with pragmatic, industry-informed implementation,” Lewis says. “With the right guidance and investment, government can serve as a catalyst—unlocking scalable solutions, accelerating innovation, and ensuring that flexible packaging contributes to a more sustainable, resource-efficient future.”
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor of FlexPack VOICE®.