The 2012 State of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry Report, produced by the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), will examine the performance and profitability of the U.S. flexible packaging Industry. Jim Mize, vice president of Global Sector - Food Packaging Solutions for Sealed Air Corporation, and chairman of the FPA Board of Directors, provided a preview of the 2012 Report during the 2012 FPA Annual Meeting recently held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

During his address, Jim noted that the state of the industry is strong and getting stronger, and previewed key data that will be available in Report. Visit the Members Only section of the FPA Web site (www.flexpack.org) to view Jim’s presentation.

The Report, which will be released in the coming months, will provide information on flexible packaging materials and processes, end-uses, industry structure and consolidation, and imports and exports. Additionally, the Report will include data on sales and utilization levels, current profit trends, capital spending plans, and projected areas of growth.

Data and information available in the Report is gathered through several sources including FPA member surveys, industry wide surveys, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

The Report is a key source of information for anyone involved in converting, supplying, tracking, reporting on and investing in the flexible packaging industry. It focuses on the “value added” segment of flexible packaging, which accounts for $19.6 billion (77 percent) of the $25.4 billion U.S. flexible packaging industry. The value added segment adds significant value to the flexible material usually by performing multiple processes including extrusion, laminating and printing.

The 2011 State of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry Report is a benefit of FPA membership and will be available in the Members Only section of www.flexpack.org. Hard copies of the Report will also be available to FPA non members for $3,500. For more information, contact FPA at (410) 694-0800 or visit the Association atwww.flexpack.org