Converting Quarterly

Flexible Packaging

Does flexible packaging truly have a future in the circular economy?

Does flexible packaging truly have a future in the circular economy? By Pierre Sarazin, Ph.D., Ing., vp-R&D and Sustainability, PolyExpert, Inc.* Editor’s Note: This technical paper is based on the author’s presentation from the 2022 AIMCAL R2R USA Conference held Oct. 25-29 in Orlando, FL.  Introduction The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s (EMF) first reports … [Read more...] about Does flexible packaging truly have a future in the circular economy?

Manufacturing issues, legislation, recycling-infrastructure updates remain key converter concerns

Flex packs now account for 20% of the $185-billion US overall market, with food making up more than half of all end-use packaging applications. By Alison Keane, Esq., CAE, IOM, president and CEO, Flexible Packaging Assn. (FPA) For the first time since 2014, the percentage growth for the US flexible-packaging industry has grown from a steady 19% to 20% of the overall US … [Read more...] about Manufacturing issues, legislation, recycling-infrastructure updates remain key converter concerns

TOPPAN Holdings to acquire Sonoco Thermoformed & Flexible Packaging business for $1.8 billion

Tokyo-based TOPPAN Holdings, Inc., enters an agreement with Sonoco Products Co., a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, to acquire Sonoco’s Thermoformed & Flexible Packaging (TFP) business for approximately $1.8 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025. This acquisition is highly complementary, combining the robust sales network, … [Read more...] about TOPPAN Holdings to acquire Sonoco Thermoformed & Flexible Packaging business for $1.8 billion

Fraunhofer IVV develops new processes to recycle flexible-PE food packaging, blazing trail for sustainable circular economy

After three and a half years of intensive research, the EU project CIRCULAR FoodPack has developed new processes to effectively recycle flexible-polyethylene food packaging. The project partners have applied and validated a tracer-based sorting technology that can separate food and non-food packaging waste. A combination of novel pre- and post-treatments with mechanical or … [Read more...] about Fraunhofer IVV develops new processes to recycle flexible-PE food packaging, blazing trail for sustainable circular economy