Nordmeccanica touts flexible packaging technology at North American Innovation Hub

Nordmeccanica hosted a successful in-person technical event at its North American Innovation Hub in Long Island, NY, USA, on September 2, 2026. More than 50 attendees joined Nordmeccanica and partners Henkel and W&H for an open house featuring education, networking, and live demos.

As part of the event focused on sustainable flexible packaging, visitors witnessed live demonstrations on the Nordmeccanica Super Simplex SL Mod. 1500 (59”) solventless laminating machine. The Nordmeccanica equipment produced paper/MetPET and mono-PE lamination. During the demonstration, Govind Singh, director of sales, Nordmeccanica North America, explained the benefits of the machine, along with the latest market trends and converting solutions.

Family owned and founded in 1978, Nordmeccanica boasts more than 300 employees and 4,500 machines installed. Nordmeccanica North America is responsible for the United States and Canada. And Nordmeccanica founded the organization in 2001, while the Long Island location took shape in 2015. Nordmeccanica has installed more than 600 machines in the region.

“We are proud to say that we are globally based, and we have installations in more than 170 countries,” states Vincenzo Cerciello, president, Nordmeccanica North America. “We want to be close to our customers, and that’s a very important aspect of our business. Globally, there has been a lot of change with materials, especially in areas like California. There has been a lot of change around packaging in general. We are supporting our customers with new projects.”

The event also served as a source of collaboration. The live demonstrations featured the partnership with Nordmeccanica, W&H, and Henkel.

“Print has evolved past the point of just putting ink on a substrate,” explains Paul Cucco, northeast regional sales manager, W&H. “The pressures are driving innovation in press technology. Innovation, sustainability, and smart manufacturing are coming together to shape the future of printing.

“Not one individual company can solve these challenges on their own, it takes collaboration and everyone working together,” adds Cucco. “Events like today are a great example of the kind of collaboration that’s required.”

Sustainability takes center stage

Flexible packaging is a rapidly growing market, and sustainability has emerged as one of the industry’s most significant trends. The event explored circularity, updates to EPR regulations, and how new products will shape the future of packaging.

“One of the biggest problems we face is solving the product’s end of life,” notes Rajat Agarwal, global head of Packaging Adhesives, and president, Henkel North America. “The consumer is asking for solutions, and we want to work together to really advance the industry – and change and develop competitive advantages out of that. And we want to continue to take part in events like this in regular fashion.”

According to the FPA’s State of the Industry Report, “Many flexible packages will be re-evaluated in light of actual and potential EPR fees and structures. Alternatives packaging formats, materials, and designs will be evaluated, and some changes will occur that consider the overall cost of the package, including EPR fees.”

In regard to labels, the FPA generally opposes state-led compostability and recycling labeling laws. This is due to interstate commerce issues unique to package manufacturing and product distribution.

“Customers are asking for packaging that reduces waste and uses recycled content – and is recyclable – and complies with regulations like EPR,” remarks W&H’s Cucco. “Sustainability is not just about developing new materials – it’s about coming up with a whole process to produce them.”

California’s EPR laws include SB 343 and SB 54 in California. Paper could be a potential solution, with looming plastic bans in the state.

In the future, solutions could include paper-based packaging, PCR materials, and mono-materials. “A lot of flexible packaging, a lot of packaging in general, goes to the landfill today,” says Eric Hair Sr., senior manager, Market Strategy, Henkel. “Paper should not go to the landfill. It’s very important that if there are switches from plastic based packaging, recovery is key.”

Flexible packaging growth

As part of the open house, Dan Felton, president and CEO, Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) delivered an overview of the flexible packaging market. In the FPA’s 2025 State of the Industry Report, the US flexible packaging market was valued as a $213.4 billion industry.

“We make up about 20% of the US industry, and we sit just under corrugated at 28.6%,” noted Felton. “We’re the second biggest segment. About 45-50% of flexible packaging is in the food segment. And when you add beverage, it’s about 60% – and then pharma is next. Just in a few categories you quickly get to 80% of the US market.”

For reference, corrugated sits at 28.6% of the US packaging market.

The FPA is focused on growing the flexible packaging market. The association provides advocacy and representation, supports sustainable packaging with a circular economy, provides research, and offers educational and networking opportunities. The FPA celebrated 75 years in 2025.

Trends in the next 3-5 years will largely center around sustainability. Topics will include mono-material and recyclable materials, PCR, compostability, paper-based and bio-based materials, advanced recycling systems, foil alternatives, and more.

The FPA has rewarded recent innovation at its 2026 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards. Winning products include the SmartSolve water-soluble pouch, AirWave Packaging PaperWave 100% recycled paper and compostable air cushion, and Australian Organic Food Company mono-material custard pouch with a 20% reduction in cap.