PI Circular – Sixteenth Edition

In this edition of PI Circular, we will reflect on how the founding principles of our company have fostered growth and sustainability, allowing them to thrive together.

Reflections on a Legacy of Sustainability and Innovation

Sustainability from the Beginning

When Plastic Ingenuity (PI) was founded in 1972, its mission was straightforward: to deliver quality packaging and exceed customer expectations while remaining mindful of the environment. Environmental focus was unusual in the packaging industry at that time. Yet founder Joe Kuehn envisioned a company where innovation and responsibility would grow together. Nearly five decades later, that vision continues to guide the organization.

PI began modestly, launched from a garage by Joe, a University of Wisconsin–Madison engineering graduate. Like many new ventures, the first years were uncertain. Joe’s insistence that growth happens in balance with the environment distinguished the business from the start.

The phrase “being ever mindful of our natural environment” was written into the company’s first mission statement. That idea shaped decisions large and small, from material choices to production methods. Long before “sustainable packaging” was widely discussed, efforts were already underway to reduce impact and encourage better practices.

In 1995, Joe’s life ended tragically in a plane crash. Leadership then passed to his brother, Tom, who carried forward the same values. Under his guidance, the organization expanded capabilities while keeping sustainability and innovation central. What began as one person’s vision gradually developed into a shared culture of responsibility.

Leading with Sustainable Innovation

The principle that packaging innovation and environmental stewardship belong together remains a steady guide. Over the years, this approach has translated into ongoing initiatives such as:

• Recycled Materials: Early adopters of post-consumer recycled content to support a more circular economy.
• Material Innovation: History of developing materials with circularity and efficiency in mind.
• Process Efficiency: Designing operations that carefully conserve energy, reduce waste, and manage resources.
• Conservation: Protecting local ecosystems through measures like rain gardens and zero-pellet-loss systems.

Across the organization, sustainability has become part of daily practice. Engineers design for efficiency, designers prioritize circularity, and teams recognize their role as stewards of the environment and packaging manufacturers. This perspective has helped build strong partnerships with others working to lessen their environmental impact and move toward a more sustainable future.

Connecting to Today

The packaging industry today is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by new regulations, rising consumer expectations, and urgent environmental challenges. Conversations about extended producer responsibility, circular economies, and climate impacts shape how packaging is designed, manufactured, and recovered. The values instilled at PI’s founding align closely with these shifts, offering a reminder that sustainability is not a passing trend but a long-term necessity. What began as forward-thinking decades ago is now at the center of industry-wide change.

The belief that growth and environmental responsibility must go together is even more pressing today than it was in 1972. That outlook continues to guide decisions, shape innovations, and influence how challenges are approached.

Joe’s legacy is one of corporate responsibility alongside growth. Nearly fifty years after PI’s founding, that legacy remains at the heart of its work: to innovate while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.