Morris Packaging, UFlex team up for sustainable woven bags targeting key industries

USA – Morris Packaging and UFlex Packaging announced a partnership to launch a new line of woven polypropylene bags designed for the flexible packaging market.

The initiative targets sectors including pet food, lawn and garden products, and industrial applications, where demand for durable and eco-friendly solutions continues to rise.

This collaboration merges Morris Packaging’s strong customer support and established presence in the U.S. Midwest with UFlex’s expertise in advanced manufacturing and global supply chain capabilities. 

Together, the companies plan to produce woven bags that incorporate recycled materials and reduced plastic content, aiming to cut environmental impact while maintaining high performance standards.

Production will leverage UFlex’s facilities in India and the U.S., with initial rollout expected in early 2026.

Jim Bob Morris, CEO, president, and owner of Morris Packaging, commented on the move during a virtual press briefing. 

“This partnership allows us to pool resources, broaden our product range, and enhance our production capabilities to deliver real value to customers,” he said. 

The effort builds on Morris’s 50-year history in regional packaging, now extended through UFlex’s innovations in extrusion and lamination processes.

Jeevaraj Gopal Pillai, president of flexible packaging and new product development at UFlex, added that the tie-up would expand options for U.S. buyers. 

He noted the companies’ combined strengths in outreach and product variety would ensure dependable supply chains. 

Pillai highlighted how the bags’ design supports recyclability, with tests showing up to 30% less material use compared to traditional options.

The announcement precedes Pack Expo 2025 in Chicago next month, where Morris and UFlex will showcase prototypes and share progress on the woven bag developments. 

Attendees can expect demonstrations of the bags’ tear resistance and print quality, tailored for heavy-duty uses like animal feed storage.

In related developments, the global push for greener packaging gained momentum this year. 

A September report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation revealed that flexible packaging recycling rates reached 25% worldwide in 2024, driven by similar industry collaborations. 

Closer to home, Amcor’s August launch of plant-based woven sacks in Europe set a benchmark, achieving 40% bio-content and costing around US$0.15 per unit in bulk. 

These examples show how partnerships like Morris and UFlex’s contribute to broader goals, with U.S. market projections estimating US$2.5 billion in sustainable woven packaging sales by 2027.

For Morris and UFlex, the focus remains on practical outcomes: faster lead times and customized designs that meet client specs without added costs.

This venture arrives at a pivotal time, as pet food brands seek alternatives to single-use plastics amid consumer shifts toward sustainability.

Early feedback from pilot tests indicates the new bags hold up to 50 kg loads while allowing for vibrant, scannable labeling. 

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