Submissions are now open for the second annual Steve Fairfield Memorial Award for Flexible Packaging Innovation. The award annually honors a top innovator in flexible packaging. BNP Media will present the award at its 2026 Global Pouch Forum event, taking place May 27-29, 2026 in Clearwater Beach, Fla.

In addition to presenting an overview of the winning innovation at the 2026 Global Pouch Forum, the 2026 award recipient will be the focus of a feature article in the August 2026 issue of Packaging Strategies, and possibly in an associated sister BNP Media publication, including Beverage Industry, Dairy Foods, The National Provisioner, or Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, where applicable.

Flexible packaging is an innovation leader across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Flexible packaging formats have the ability to provide significant cost savings related to warehousing and distribution. Advancements in flexible packaging design also permit strong branding opportunities. Convenience is also a key supporting benefit of flexible packaging, with a wide variety of packaging customizations allowing for seamless end-user interactions. Each of these areas of the industry are hot spots for innovation across flexible packaging today.

However, these days, sustainability is one of the top reasons why CPG brand owners adopt flexible packaging for their product lines. Sustainability—including the ability to commercially compost and/or recycle the package—is a primary focus for flexible packaging innovation across the supply chain today. Recent developments have aligned flexible packaging as a go-to option for CPG companies seeking to align their packaging choices with the sustainability requirements established by extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs in various U.S. states and overseas. EPR legislation, which imposes fees based on the end-of-life plan for all CPG packaging, continues to expand across the global industry as the next step in building a truly circular economy (for more on EPR legislation, see the Extended Producer Responsibility page on the Packaging Strategies website).

 Flexible packaging has long been the default option for cheese products, with resealable flexible pouches used industry-wide for shredded and sliced cheese products. Over the past several years, dairy processors have begun expanding into using flexible packaging for other dairy products, including sour cream, as well as single-serve kefir, smoothie, milkshake, and similar products. The introduction of Daisy brand sour cream in a flexible pouch proved a great success, increasing product sales, market share, and profitability (its packaging partner, Sonoco, outlines these benefits in its case study on the project).

Whey protein powders, positioned as nutritional products for health-focused and sports-enthusiast consumer demographics, have traditionally come to market in rigid, tub-style containers. However, flexible packaging, with the significant cost savings the format can offer related to distribution, is beginning to grow more widespread in the category. One example is the Can-Whey whey protein powder from Pure Vita Labs, released in September 2025.

Lifeway Foods recently expanded its ProBugs line of kid-focused kefir products, which uses single-serve, squeezable pouch packaging. Lactalis brand siggi’s likewise opted for squeezable pouches for its new Icelandic yogurt Protein Packs line.

All innovations related to flexible packaging, for food and/or non-food products, are eligible for the award. Submissions by flexible packaging converters, suppliers, and CPG brand owners are welcome. To qualify for consideration, nominations must meet the following criteria:

• Must include new packaging materials and/or features that advance the industry (released for commercial application between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025)
• Must include a meaningful level of innovation, such as expanding the use of flexible packaging, improving sustainability, extending shelf life, improving end-user functionality or convenience, and/or improving operational efficiency
• Only flexible packaging formats, including pouches, bags, film, pillow packs, sachets, etc., will be considered
• Recipient must be able to attend the 2026 Global Pouch Forum to present on the innovation
• Recipient must be willing to participate in an interview for a feature article on the innovation in August 2026 issue of Packaging Strategies, as well as possibly an associated sister BNP Media publication, including Beverage Industry, Dairy Foods, The National Provisioner, or Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, where applicable

Nominations for the 2026 Steve Fairfield Memorial Award for Flexible Packaging Innovation will remain open through 1/31/26.

To nominate an innovation for the 2026 Steve Fairfield Memorial Award for Flexible Packaging Innovation, visit the submission page on the Packaging Strategies website.