At this year’s Global Pouch Forum, Rodrigo Castaneda of TIPA Compostable Packaging and Jared Damman of WildKind Packaging will present a Converter’s Perspective on “Convenience and On-the-Go: Why Compostable Packaging is the Solution.”

With this preview, we aim to provide some context for the May 28 presentation. 

For decades, the packaging industry has led the way in optimizing product protection and affordability. Today, that same innovative power can be channeled toward mastering sustainable disposal. This evolution is essential for modern consumers who seek brands that deliver on-the-go convenience that matches their active lifestyles, viewing compostability as an ideal companion in this journey.

Flexible packaging is by far the most challenging market segment to address to achieve 100% circularity. Ellen MacArthur Foundation suggests 20% of flexible plastic should be redesigned and switched to compostables. 

TIPA is pioneering the development of novel compostable packaging solutions that target flexible packaging for ‘on-the-go’ products, from savory snacks in pillow pouches to functional powder beverages in stick packs. For the first time, new technologies present the opportunity to switch to compostables.

Brands like KENCKO are an example of a brand connecting its sustainable values to compostable packaging. 

“When we started designing the product, we were seeking a packaging solution that would provide us with all the relevant functional properties to protect our powder, (while we) didn’t want to compromise on environmental stewardship,” says Michele Frenkel, Kencko’s Sr. Director of Product and Innovation. “That’s when we found a solution that perfectly aligned with our values and needs.”

Rodrigo Castaneda, VP/GM TIPA North America, says, “TIPA harnesses brands with the ability to balance between their functional needs, vision on sustainability, and consumers’ expectations without compromising on these critical aspects.”   

Recent regulations in the process of implementation are also pointing at compostable packaging as a solution. Six states—including California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, Minnesota, and Maryland—have already committed to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2032. Meanwhile, EPR in select states like California, Washington and Colorado is moving quickly to incentivize compostable packaging via reduced fees.  

Jared Damman, VP of Product at WildKind Packaging, a Texas-based converter that partners with TIPA to bring home-compostable pouches to the market, says, “New EPR legislation is pulling the hidden costs of conventional plastics into plain sight — costs that brands, not municipalities, will increasingly own. When that accounting is complete, compostable flexible packaging stops being the premium alternative and starts being the pragmatic one.”

Ultimately, the path to circularity in flexible packaging has reached a definitive inflection point where innovation, consumer demand, and legislation finally converge. By bridging the gap between high-performance functionality and environmental stewardship, TIPA is empowering brands to meet the "on-the-go" demands of modern life without leaving a legacy of waste. As new regulations and EPR fees pull the true costs of conventional plastics into focus, compostable packaging is transitioning from a premium "nice-to-have" to a pragmatic business imperative. The packaging industry is no longer just protecting products—it’s protecting the future by making the sustainable choice the smartest one on the shelf.

To register for Global Pouch Forum and learn more about the event, visit www.packagingstrategies.com/global-pouch-forum