FPA releases 2025 economic impact report

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has released its 2025 Economic Impact of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry report, prepared by John Dunham & Associates. The Annapolis, Maryland-based FPA says the report includes new analysis underscoring the industry’s “substantial role in fueling the U.S. economy.”

According to the report, the flexible packaging industry drives $151.4 billion in total economic output and supports nearly 400,000 American jobs across all 528 sectors of the U.S. economy.

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“Flexible packaging is one of those industries that most people never think about, but can’t live without,” FPA President and CEO Dan Felton says. “From food and medicine to critical household goods, flexible packaging keeps products protected, extends shelf life and helps reduce waste. This report shows just how vital our sector is, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs and strengthening local economies in every state.”

The report details the flexible packaging industry’s national footprint, including:

• 98,420 direct jobs in packaging manufacturing;
• 155,520 supplier jobs;
• 144,840 induced jobs;
• $33.46 billion in wages and benefits;
• $8.7 billion from direct employment;
• $14.7 billion from suppliers;
• $10 billion from induced impacts; and
• $13.35 billion in federal, state and local taxes generated

The FPA notes that flexible packaging is used in products such as pouches, wraps and films and plays a vital role across manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare and consumer goods, adding that its lightweight, resource-efficient design reduces transportation costs, extends shelf life and minimizes material use. The organization claims that beyond production, flexible packaging generates a “powerful ripple effect across the economy,” supporting raw material suppliers, logistics, design, finance and professional services in every state, and says its report quantifies these connections and illustrates the industry’s broad economic influence from the factory floor to the national level.

“The flexible packaging sector doesn’t just produce packages—it produces opportunity,” Felton says. “As our members continue to invest in new materials, technologies and recycling innovations, the economic and environmental value of flexible packaging will only continue to grow.”