Phoenix Challenge Foundation Looks Ahead: New Initiatives and Expanded Opportunities

Published: December 12, 2025

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation introduces new 2016 initiatives, expanded opportunities, and a renewed commitment to strengthening the future flexographic workforce. 

To kick things off, the Foundation is unveiling a revised and updated sponsorship program designed to broaden reach and provide more accessibility for converters, suppliers, industry associations, and additional partners across the print and packaging landscape.

The newly structured sponsorship levels will deliver greater value and visibility while playing a crucial role in supporting students, enhancing competitions & scholarships, all continue building tomorrow’s workforce. 

In 2026, the Phoenix Challenge Foundation will be rolling out new initiatives focused on strengthening hands-on learning, updating competition formats, and creating more pathways into the rapidly evolving flexographic and packaging sectors. With these advancements, the organization is poised to empower more students than ever and reinforce its longstanding mission to develop the next generation of industry talent.

A premier Diamond Level program has been created as a customizable plan for industry brands (suppliers and converters both) to offer focus and support on key programs of specific interest. Then from there, Platinum sponsorships to College or High School specific support to Golf or In-Kind opportunities, there are plenty of reasons to get involved! These expanded programs are designed to engage meaningfully with the Foundation’s mission, ensuring broader industry participation and increased support for education and workforce development nationwide.

“Our expanded sponsorship program will support our new initiatives and will take the Foundation’s mission to a whole new level,” said the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. “By opening the door to more types of industry partners we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student development.”

To Learn More - 2026 Sponsorship Programs

About the Phoenix Challenge Foundation

The Phoenix Challenge Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization of industry professionals dedicated to the recruitment and development of the future workforce for flexography. Each year flexo students and teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada are invited to the Phoenix Challenge Competitions. The High School event is a two and half-day skill-based competition with hands-on and comprehension testing in operating a flexo press, prepress, plate-making, and overall flexo knowledge. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. To date, tens of thousands in scholarships have been awarded to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography. The Phoenix Challenge College Competition is a school year long event in which an industry problem is presented to the students and requires both market and manufacturing research. Students then present to a panel of industry judges which grade them in four different categories research, concept, graphics and execution. For additional information or to make donations please visit www.phoenixchallenge.org.

Sun Chemical Releases 15th Sustainability Report Highlighting Ambitious Targets and Industry Firsts

Published: December 11, 2025

Sun Chemical has released its fifteenth annual Sustainability Report, underscoring the company’s continued progress toward advancing circular product innovation and fostering industry collaboration for a more sustainable future. 

Plan Now for a Record-setting R2R USA Conference & Expo

Published: December 11, 2025

The first spring-time R2R USA Conference & Expo, scheduled for May 19–21, 2026, will draw a record number of attendees and exhibitors to the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Transcontinental Inc. enters into Agreement to Sell its Packaging Business

Published: December 10, 2025

Transcontinental Inc. announced that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement with ProAmpac Holdings Inc.

New Name for swop Trade Fair: interpack China

Published: December 9, 2025

 Messe Düsseldorf introduces a new chapter for a strong brand. 

ExxonMobil Signature Polymers and Partners Develop Ultra-Thin, Recyclable Bread Bags

Published: December 8, 2025

ExxonMobil Signature Polymers partnered with BW Converting and Hosokawa Alpine to create a thinner, mono-material polyethylene (PE) solution using Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) technology.

BW Converting’s Packaging Innovation Center Serves as a Resource for Training, Customer Collaboration and Equipment Demonstrations

Published: December 5, 2025

Hands-on seminars welcome anyone eager to learn about flexographic printing.

CJ Biomaterials Launches PHA Platform for Sustainable Paper & Board Extrusion Coatings 

Published: December 1, 2025

CJ Biomaterials, Inc. is introducing a new platform of PHA compounds for extrusion coating on paper and board used in food serviceware and food packaging applications designed for repulpability and home compostability certification. 

Double E Group Welcomes Ted Messmer as CEO

Published: November 26, 2025

Seasoned Industrial Executive Joins Double E Group to Accelerate Innovation, Growth and Customer Value

U.S. Plastics Pact Releases Position Paper on Physical and Chemical Recycling

Published: November 21, 2025

Calling for clear guardrails and a complementary role in a circular economy, the new position paper provides consensus guidance on when recycling technologies should be used, and the standards needed to protect communities and advance circularity.

MSU Researchers Develop Easier-to-Recycle Multilayer Plastics

Published: November 20, 2025

Working with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, researchers from MSU’s School of Packaging and College of Engineering have created a strong, lightweight plastic that keeps products fresh while being easier to recycle or even biodegrade.

Canadian Collab Developing Guidelines for Recyclable Packaging 

Published: November 18, 2025

Canadian producer responsibility organizations are taking steps towards Canada-wide harmonization of ecodesign guidelines, providing guidance to companies designing recyclable packaging and paper products.

Sid Sistemas de Impresión in Spain Installs ArrowJet Aqua 330R and DPR Taurus to Bolster Label Production

Published: November 17, 2025

Arrow Systems, Inc., in collaboration with its authorized Spanish dealer Katun Corporation, is proud to announce the installation of the ArrowJet 330R high-resolution digital label press and DPR Taurus Laser Finisher at Sid Sistemas de Impresión Diseño gráfico y web, located in Calamocha and Calatayud, Spain.

Archroma Awarded EcoVadis Gold Rating for Second Consecutive Year

Published: November 14, 2025

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, has been awarded a Gold rating by EcoVadis for the second consecutive year.

How a Shared Passion for Engineering Sparked 25 Years of Innovation at Catbridge

Published: November 12, 2025

Catbridge, a leading U.S. manufacturer of slitting, rewinding, and web converting machinery, proudly marks 25 years of innovation, partnership, and progress in 2025.

PMMI Honors Emerging Industry Leaders with 2025 On the Rise Awards

Published: November 12, 2025

Ten young professionals honored as the next generation of leaders driving innovation, excellence, and advancement in the packaging and processing industry.

Fiberdom and Kiefel Form Partnership to Accelerate Fiber-based Packaging Innovation with Advanced Dry Forming Technology

Published: November 11, 2025

As packaging regulations become increasingly stringent, the new strategic partnership aims to accelerate the shift toward sustainable alternatives by expanding the scope of fiber-based solutions available to manufacturers and converters.

Keypoint Intelligence and 42 Technology Partner to Accelerate Innovation in Print and Packaging

Published: November 10, 2025

Keypoint Intelligence, a trusted market research and advisory firm for the print and imaging industry, and 42 Technology (42T)

Shell Polymers and ISOFlex, a Division of Sigma Plastics Group, Collaborate to Deliver Certified Circular Packaging Solutions

Published: November 7, 2025

Shell Polymers and ISOFlex, a division of Sigma Plastics Group, have entered a commercial collaboration that enables the use of ISCC PLUS certified circular polyethylene for food-grade flexible packaging.

Innovative Approach Developed by NPL and Xampla to Validate Plastic-free Claims and Tackle Plastic Pollution

Published: November 6, 2025

Xampla’s Morro™ materials the first to be identified via spectroscopy and microscopy as plastic-free. Breakthrough lays groundwork for internationally recognised future standards. 

Trim Waste Management Reopens Cutter Shop, Offering Refurbishing Services for Major Cutter Brands

Published: November 5, 2025

Trim Waste Management, LLC (TWM), a leader in high-performance pneumatic trim waste removal systems, announces the reopening of its cutter shop

Coming Clean on Ozone

Published: November 4, 2025

Air pollution is one of today’s (and tomorrow’s) hot topics.

Pouch Packaging: The Flexible Film Converter’s Opportunity

Published: November 3, 2025

Few packaging innovations have reshaped the industry as dramatically as pouches.

Catbridge Launches Converting Conversations Podcast on All Major Streaming Platforms

Published: November 3, 2025

Catbridge, a leading innovator in slitting and rewinding solutions, is excited to announce that its popular YouTube series, Converting Conversations

ExxonMobil Signature Polymers and Windmöller & Hölscher Collaborate to Deliver Non-Laminated MDO PE Freezer Pouch with Enhanced Performance

Published: October 31, 2025

Driven by economics and legislation like European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)*, ExxonMobil Signature Polymers collaborated with Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H)

Martin Showcases Collaborative Automation

Published: October 29, 2025

Leading US manufacturer, Martin Automatic, celebrated a successful Labelexpo Europe with a groundbreaking live demonstration showcasing the power of intelligent automation.

The Future of Pharmaceutical Packaging: Between Sustainability, High Tech and Global Market Pressure

Published: October 23, 2025

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most innovative and biggest-selling sectors in the world.

Saica Group Breaks Ground on Second U.S. Corrugated Plant, Investing More than $110 Million

Published: October 23, 2025

Saica Group’s executives broke ground to kick off construction of its second U.S. corrugated plant located in Anderson, Indiana.

Flexible Packaging Association Launches FlexImpact to Champion Industry Social Responsibility

Published: October 22, 2025

New initiative unites member companies in a shared commitment to community engagement and environmental impact.

Cortec® Appoints New EVP to Command Global Growth and Sustainability Drive from CorteCros EU Manufacturing Hub

Published: October 21, 2025

Cortec® Corporation, a global leader in environmentally safe corrosion protection technologies, announces the appointment of Ivana Radic Borsic to the position of Executive Vice President (EVP)