FTA Names New LIFT Leadership Team
U.S. Specialty Packaging Shipments Record 5% Jump Year-On-Year In July 2025, total shipments of packaging papers and specialty packaging in the United States increased by 5 percent compared with July 2024, according to the Amer- ican Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). Despite that monthly gain, cumulative shipments over the first seven months of 2025 remain 1 percent lower than the same period in 2024. The report shows the unbleached operating rate rose to 86.3 percent, marking its second-highest level in the past fifteen months. Shipments of bleached food wrapping papers surged by 15 percent year-on-year in July, and were up 9.6 per- cent on a year-to-date basis. Inventories also increased, rising by 8.1 percent compared with July 2024. AF&PA statistics underline that, even though July showed a month-on-month improvement, the overall packaging papers sector remains under pressure, with shipments down 1 percent year-to-date. The broader U.S. forest products industry, which in- cludes paper and packaging, employs more than 925,000 individuals—especially across rural areas—and contrib- utes about 4.7 percent of total U.S. manufacturing GDP, generating more than $435 billion in annual output.
The Flexographic Technical Association has appointed Becky Bunch of Xsys as Chair and Brent Zurcher of Mi- croDynamics as Vice Chair of its Leaders Inspiring Flexo’s Tomorrow (LIFT) Committee. ‘For the past several years, many in the flexographic in- dustry have struggled to find and keep good employees,” explained Laura Wright, FTA Chair. “It is our hope that the es- tablishment of LIFT will help FTA attract and retain young flex- ographers by providing them with a peer group and resourc- es to foster interest in the industry and career development.” Brotech To Debut AI-Powered Flexo Press At Labelexpo Europe Brotech Digital Graphics has confirmed it will launch the FF-X530, an AI-powered 8-color flexographic press at La- belexpo Europe 2025. The FF-X530 applies artificial intel- ligence and an advanced color and quality control system to transform print production, according to the company. The system continuously monitors ink viscosity, tempera- ture, substrate variations and environmental conditions, making real-time adjustments.
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September 1, 2025
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