In a global market where sustainability increasingly drives everything from consumption to manufacturing, creating sustainable packaging while keeping stakeholders connected is often a more complex matter than one might imagine. James Pittas, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), shares some thoughts on the realities that underscore innovative packaging—specifically plastic, its lifecycle, and what it takes to keep stakeholders across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico engaged.

n an era of climate change and its related disasters, the environmental sustainability of packaging has become a concern for most global citizens, not only for lobbyists and forward-thinking manufacturers. The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) is acutely aware of the urgent need for innovation in the field and the obligation to cut down on waste.

Florida-based ALLIEDFLEX Technologies is an American packaging machinery supplier and advocate for flexible packaging. President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Calamusa remembers it as little more than a home office when it began in January 2002. Today, the company provides machinery that specializes in creating flexible packaging solutions,...

Actively engaging with over one million North Americans daily is but a dream for most businesses. For Acorn Packaging of Mississauga, Ontario, however, it is a reality. The company is a specialist converter of sophisticated, high-performance packaging trusted by leaders in the consumer goods, food and beverage, and industrial fields for some of the best packaging products in the world. Its impressive selection of traditional and sustainable packaging options is seen on major national retailer shelves across North America.

Layfield Flexible Films, based in Richmond, BC, stands out among domestic producers by offering sustainable premium packaging solutions. They utilize advanced equipment, processes, and a rigorous quality control program. As a vertically integrated company, Layfield’s Flexible Film group provides complete technical services, prepress and graphics, world-class blown film, high-resolution printing, solvent-free lamination, slitting, and advanced conversion equipment. Their offerings support various flexible film and packaging formats.

After nearly a century in business, the Kuraray Group has grown into a global leader in special materials technology, fiber, resin, and film production. Its goal is to develop innovative, sustainable solutions and cleaner technologies that will improve the natural environment and enhance quality of life for people around the world. This includes innovative packaging. The goal is to help transform customers’ businesses and make a real impact within the markets they serve.

With its origins going back over 75 years, Federal Foam Technologies, Inc. is a company with a rich heritage and a bright future. Far from resting on its laurels, Federal Foam doesn’t rely on its reputation to generate progress but instead continues to invest in itself to the benefit of the company, its employees, and its customers.