USA |The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has released a report evaluating the current state of circularity in the U.S. packaging industry.
The FPA’s Flexible Packaging U.S. Market Profile and Circularity Assessment examines flexible packaging market size and composition, material formats, collection and recycling pathways, barriers to material recovery, and opportunities to expand post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in flexible packaging.
It offers stakeholders, policymakers, brand owners, recyclers, and the public a fact-based assessment of where flexible packaging stands today and the challenges and opportunities that will shape its future.
The report is an update of the 2021 Flexible Packaging U.S. Market Profile and Segmentation Report.
It reflects significant changes across the packaging landscape in recent years.
Since the previous assessment, the industry has experienced post-pandemic market shifts, significant expansion of extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, increased focus on packaging circularity, evolving American trade and tariff policies, and geopolitical disruptions affecting global supply chains.
Together, these developments have influenced demand for flexible packaging, material selection, recovery expectations, and investment decisions across the value chain.
Several factors, including package design, consumer access to collection systems, and the recycling infrastructure available within a given region, affect whether packaging is recyclable.
The flexible packaging recycling landscape is evolving. Established recovery pathways exist for certain flexible packaging formats, while additional pathways are emerging for others.
The report highlights substantial industry investment in packaging innovations designed to improve circularity. In recent years, manufacturers have accelerated the development of mono-material polyethylene (PE) structures and paper-based alternatives intended to enhance recyclability while maintaining product protection and performance.
A key finding of the report is that improving circularity requires a systems-based approach for long-term success
Despite ongoing challenges, the report documents encouraging momentum across the flexible packaging recovery ecosystem. Brand owners and packaging manufacturers are increasingly adopting design-for-recyclability principles, with growing use of structures intended to align with existing and emerging recycling systems.
FPA Director of Regulatory Affairs and Sustainability Kyla Fisher said the report has provided an important snapshot of both the progress made and the work that remains to improve circularity for flexible packaging.
"By establishing a clear understanding of today's marketplace and recovery landscape, we can better identify the investments, partnerships, and innovations needed to advance sustainable packaging solutions for the future."
Read more global news here
