FPA 75th Anniversary
1950-2025 Celebrating how far weve come

Welcome to the Flexible Packaging Association's 75th anniversary!

For three-quarters of a century, we have been dedicated to uniting professionals, advancing our industry, and making a lasting impact in our communities. This milestone celebrates our achievements and the collective success of our members, partners, and supporters.

Our Journey

Since our founding in 1950, FPA has proudly served as a trusted source of knowledge, advocacy, and connection within our industry. From fostering professional development to advocating for policies that shape our future, our association’s journey has been built by the commitment and passion of our members.

Join Us in Celebration

This 75th Anniversary is a tribute to our community’s strength and dedication. Throughout 2025, we will honor our founders, recognize the achievements of past and present members, and celebrate the vibrant network we continue to build together. Our members have always been our greatest asset, and we’re excited to carry forward their legacy of positive impact.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
Here’s to 75 years of impact and the promise of many more to come!

Discover Key Moments in Our Journey

Journey through the defining moments that shaped our association and industry. This timeline brings to life the achievements, stories, and visionary leadership that have guided us through decades of growth and innovation.
Take a Journey Through 75 Years
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Watch FPA at 75

Explore our three featured videos celebrating FPA and our incredible member community! The Member Recognition video honors FPA members for their years of dedication. Then & Now: FPA in Numbers takes you on a journey through our growth and impact over time. And in Member Stories, hear firsthand testimonials about how FPA and the collective industry has made a difference. Watch now and be inspired!

Then & Now: FPA in Numbers

Member Recognition

Member Reflections

Founding Member Spotlight:
Honoring Our Roots

FPA - Flexible Packaging Association

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Read About Other Honored Members

A Look Back...

The 1950’s

In a world shaped by tumultuous events and historical milestones, it’s remarkable to reflect on the progress our nation has made since July 19, 1950, when the National Flexible Packaging Association (NFPA) was founded.  At that time, America was under the leadership of President Harry Truman and engaged in the Korean War, with the echoes of the Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb still resonating, shattering the country’s nuclear monopoly. The aftermath of World War II had positioned the U.S. as the strongest nation and economy globally, yet the dawn of the new decade in 1950 brought about significant challenges for American industry, particularly in sourcing raw materials and penetrating civilian markets.
Explore the 50's

Share the Celebration!

Join us in celebrating FPA’s 75th anniversary! Follow us on social media and be part of the excitement—share your favorite FPA memories, connect with fellow members, and help spread the word about this incredible milestone. Let’s honor 75 years of impact together! Follow, like, and share today.

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FPA Celebrates 200 Members

The composition of the membership has evolved over the years as well. In the 1950s, members primarily manufactured paper-based packaging. However, in the early 1960s, with innovations such as the AMF Mark 50 Bread Bagger and individually quick frozen (IQF) vegetables, the flexible packaging industry pivoted toward plastic packaging. Today, with increasing environmental regulations and a focus on sustainability, the industry is shifting towards mono-layer polyethylene structures, biodegradable and compostable biofilms, and incorporating post- consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Since 2000, the flexible packaging industry has seen significant consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, leading to a transformation in the FPA’s membership. Out of the 125 members in 2000, many have been acquired and integrated into the current membership base. Despite ongoing consolidation, FPA has continued to grow. In 2022, we celebrated reaching 150 members, and just three years later, in 2025, we proudly achieved the milestone of 200 member companies. Our members now span six categories: Converter, Associate, International, Academic, Media, and our newest category, Supporting, which includes non-manufacturers involved in the industry.

FPA 75th Anniversary

FPA Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the pandemic, FPA successfully petitioned the Trump Administration and Congress to designate the flexible packaging industry as an Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. As a vital partner to the food, health, and medical sectors, flexible packaging manufacturers played a crucial role in maintaining the supply chain and addressing consumer needs during the pandemic. Many FPA members adapted their manufacturing operations to meet the surge in demand for food, health, hygiene, and medical supplies. Additionally, numerous companies repurposed or expanded resources to produce personal protective equipment and supplies for medical professionals, first responders, and frontline workers.

Early in the pandemic, FPA worked closely with congressional leaders and other trade associations on a series of relief packages designed to provide essential resources and guidance for the public health response, stabilize markets, support businesses, and offer provisions for workers impacted by the outbreak.

FPA also collaborated with individual states to ensure clarity for the workforce and facilities navigating the often-conflicting guidance from federal, state, and local authorities. To address these discrepancies, FPA sent a letter to the National Governors Association urging states to recognize the federal designation of essential critical infrastructure for our workforce. FPA also called for greater alignment of shelter-in-place executive orders and social distancing mandates to provide consistency and clarity for our members.

FPA Advances Regulations

The flexible packaging industry remains focused on its advocacy on sustainability, regulatory engagement, and promoting its benefits. Efforts include supporting recycling infrastructure, advocating for EPR policies, and pushing for regulatory clarity on recycled materials in food packaging. Industry groups are engaging with lawmakers on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restrictions, chemical recycling, and fair EPR fees while emphasizing flexible packaging’s role in reducing carbon footprints and food waste. Collaboration with organizations like The Recycling Partnership and the U.S. Plastics Pact are furthering circular economy goals, while innovations in materials and design reinforce the sector’s economic and environmental value. 

  • 2021: Maine and Oregon pass the first statewide EPR laws in the United States. 
  • 2022: California and Colorado pass EPR laws. The Circular Action Alliance (CAA) was founded by 18 producers representing the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries as the first packaging producer responsibility organization (PRO) in the United States. The DOC self-initiates antidumping and countervailing duty cases on foil imports from South Korea and Thailand.
  • 2023: The DOC finalizes and imposes antidumping and countervailing duties on aluminum imports from South Korea and Thailand over the objections of FPA’s Coalition for Foil Security.
  • 2024: The FPA launches its political action committee – FlexPACTM, to support industry champions on Capitol Hill. Minnesota passes the first FPA-supported EPR law. FPA President & CEO Dan Felton (then head of AMERIPEN) testifies at the first Congressional EPR hearing at the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Wyoming becomes the 25th state to proactively protect advanced recycling as a valid form of manufacturing. 

FPA Launches the Emerging Leadership Council (ELC)

With the goal to drive innovation and sustainable practices within the industry, the Council’s strategy include: 

  • Advocacy in Sustainability:
    Championing the flexible packaging industry by collaborating with lawmakers and promoting responsible packaging solutions that align with circular economy principles. 
  • Education: Developing resources to empower FPA member companies to effectively educate communities and families on the benefits of flexible packaging. 
  • Recruitment & Leadership Development: Attracting, retaining, and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the flexible packaging industry. 

 

Emerging Leadership Council

The ELC has taken a very tactical approach to meeting these goals through strong overall leadership complemented by three committees – Advocacy, Education, and Recruitment and Leadership Development.

Among the ELC’s early initiatives was the creation of a video series exploring the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability in packaging, and the importance of workforce development. Other excellent output from the committees has included public policy fact sheets, infographics and videos; packaging facility site visits; Washington, D.C. legislative fly-ins; a “Let’s Talk Flexible Packaging” consumer education campaign; revitalization of FPA’s student summer internship program; a “Come Grow With Us” campaign to attract new talent to our industry; and the FlexPack Crash Course at PACK EXPO International, an educational event tailored for newcomers to the flexible packaging industry.  

FPA’s ongoing focus on recruitment and retention in the industry led to coordinating the FlexPack Crash Course at PACK EXPO International during the last two occasions it took place in Chicago. This crash course targets individuals new to the industry or those hired within the last five years, providing a broad overview of the supply chain, from raw materials to finished packages.

These initiatives exemplify the ELC’s continued commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and leadership within the flexible packaging sector. 

FPA Launches FlexPack VOICE® Magazine

Each issue is anchored by five core sections: 

  • Advocacy Corner: Offers insights into FPA’s advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels, ensuring the Association’s voice is heard and that we are advancing members’ interests. 
  • FlexAppeal®: Showcases the unique benefits of flexible packaging and its role in various industries.
  • FlexForward®: Highlights industry breakthroughs, emerging trends, and technological advancements shaping the future of flexible packaging.
  • FlexFocus®: Features individual achievements by FPA members in the field of flexible packaging, celebrating their contributions to innovation and sustainability.
  • Above & Beyond: Spotlights members who are making a positive impact in their communities and recognizes their industry awards.

 

To complement the print publication, a dedicated microsite, FlexPackVoice.com, was also launched. This platform offers digital versions of the magazine, exclusive articles, breaking news (curated from the FPA e-newsletter), expanded coverage of select articles, multimedia content (including video and audio), additional photo galleries that enrich the FlexAppeal® section, a calendar of key upcoming events, and a live social media feed.

Together, the magazine and microsite provide FPA members with an integrated, multi-channel experience to stay informed, engaged, and connected within the flexible packaging industry. The print and digital magazine is currently distributed to over 4,700 subscribers, with that number steadily increasing. Additionally, the microsite attracts an average of 1,160 visitors each month, with a consistent upward trend.

FPA Launches Its Flexible Packaging Market Tracker with Data from Euromonitor International

In 2018, in collaboration with Euromonitor International, FPA developed the Flexible Packaging Market Tracker—a powerful tool designed exclusively for FPA members. This comprehensive resource covers 20 key flexible packaging markets around the world, offering valuable insights into market dynamics, trends, and global expansion opportunities.

Euromonitor International

The Market Tracker is a customizable research tool that enhances the FPA website. It enables FPA member users to track and compare flexible packaging markets globally, providing essential data to help them better understand market conditions, prioritize strategic initiatives, build business cases, and seize international growth opportunities. In addition to offering detailed information on flexible packaging materials and markets, the tool also covers non-flexible packaging sectors, giving members a broader view of the global packaging landscape.

By leveraging the Market Tracker, FPA members can identify prospects for new packaging innovations, explore areas with high growth potential, and gain a deeper understanding of global packaging trends. The tool draws insights directly from Euromonitor’s Passport database—a proprietary system that delivers comprehensive data on industries, economies, and consumer behavior worldwide. Updated annually, the Market Tracker empowers members to analyze market context and pinpoint emerging trends to drive informed business decisions.

Walmart’s Sustainable Packaging Scorecard

In 2006, Walmart made a groundbreaking announcement that significantly influenced the packaging industry: the creation of its Packaging Sustainability Scorecard. This tool was designed to assess the environmental impact of a product’s packaging and drive reductions in packaging waste. It marked the first effort of its kind by a major retailer to hold their suppliers accountable for the sustainability of their packaging practices.

Walmart-Sustainable Packaging Playbook-Cover

The development of the scorecard was led by Walmart’s Packaging Sustainable Value Network (SVN), which included over 200 employees from Walmart, brand owners and their packaging supply chains, as well as representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.

When launched company-wide in 2008, the scorecard’s purpose was to quantify the environmental impact of packaging by providing measurable data on factors such as material usage, packaging formats, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and product-to-packaging ratios. Key metrics included lightweighting, energy efficiency, and material innovation. Walmart’s aim was to evaluate, score, improve, and transparently report packaging sustainability progress. The scorecard allowed for direct comparisons between materials and packaging alternatives, foreshadowing today’s much wider use of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for packaging.

This initiative was transformative for the packaging industry. It introduced a numeric, standardized evaluation system for Walmart’s suppliers, backing up environmental and sustainability claims with verifiable data. It also laid the groundwork for packaging improvements and provided a framework for communicating these enhancements to consumers. This shift meant that claims about packaging sustainability could be validated with concrete evidence from the scorecard.

For flexible packaging, the scorecard underscored the advantages of lightweight materials over heavier alternatives and sparked the shift from multi-layer to more sustainable mono-layer flexible packaging structures. More broadly, it marked the transition from a focus solely on mechanical design to an integrated approach that emphasized sustainability throughout the entire packaging development process. This shift had a profound impact on the industry, influencing modern packaging design practices.

Today, the principles behind the original Packaging Sustainability Scorecard have evolved into Walmart’s broader Sustainability Index, continuing the retailer’s commitment to improving the environmental footprint of its packaging and fostering a more sustainable supply chain.

The information was provided via an interview with Ron Sasine, adviser to Kearney’s Product Excellence and Renewal Lab and former senior director of packaging at Walmart.

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In 1972, the “NFPA Statement on Ecology” declared:

Whereas, the National Flexible Packaging Association is com­mitted to excellence and industry leadership in environmental improvement; and

Whereas, the Association and its member companies support fed­eral standards for environmental quality and the reasonable uniform enforcement of these standards on both state and region­al levels; and

Whereas, the Association and its members believe that satisfactory environmental conditions and products can be achieved only by the concerted action of the flexible packaging making and using industries and the public through its various governments;

Be It Therefore Resolved: That the Association and its both classes of members will, to the best of their ability conduct and support research relat­ing to the environmentally sound production of our products and to the improved disposability or recyclability of them;

Further, the Association and its members will acquaint itself with develop­ments in the compacting, recycling, and incineration industries and, where possible, support developments in those or other industries which would tend to lessen the overall solid waste burden;

Finally, the Association of itself and through the actions of its individual members will make known to concerned public current/ acts on our industry and its practices so as to encourage a full range or understand­ing and action on a given environmental subject.

Alongside “The NFPA Statement on Ecology,” the Environmental Concerns Committee released an audio-visual presentation to help converters with flexible packaging solid waste disposal. They also published a pamphlet, “Flexible Packaging and Our Environment,” to educate the public on the benefits of flexible packaging.

The Packaging Awards (now Achievement Awards) judging, 1970s
Jim Hummel, H & H Plastic Manufacturing Company and President Gerald Ford