When it comes to getting the sale, many of today’s flexible packages know how to start and close a deal. The evidence can be seen in the startling good looks and improved functionality of the winners of the 2015 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards.

At its annual meeting on Tues. night, Mar. 3, 2015, the Flexible Packaging Assn. presented Highest Achievement awards to two packages, Gold awards to 10 and Silver Awards to seven flexible packages that showed overall Packaging Excellence or deserved merit for Printing and Shelf Appeal, Sustainability or Technical Innovation.

I had the honor of being one of three judges this year, along with Bill Burke, consultant and former president of Nordenia, and Robert (Bob) Kimmel, associate professor and director of the Packaging Science Program and the Center for Flexible Packaging at Clemson University. All-in-all, it was a fun and fair judging process. No arm wrestling or rock-paper-scissors needed to pick the champs as we each brought an area of expertise that complemented the others.

Many entries really “extended” themselves, with longer shelf life and entry into new market categories among the gains.

Bravo to this year’s champions of flexible packaging innovation:

Learn about the Highest Achievement and Gold Award winning packages by clicking the Start Slideshow button.

1. Highest Achievement Award: Retail
Cryovac Darfresh On Tray by Sealed Air Corp., Cryovac Div.

2. Highest Achievement Award: Institutional
Intervoid Sterile by Coveris (click to see a video demonstration of the package)

3. Gold Award: Technical Innovation
Dessiflex by Amcor Flexibles

4. Gold Award: Printing and Shelf Impact
Dole Fruit & Veggie Blends by Emerald Packaging Inc.

5. Gold Awards: Technical Innovation; Packaging Excellence
Exponent 2 by Rollprint Packaging Products Inc.

6. Gold Awards: Sustainability; Technical Innovation
Freshness Plus by Sealed Air Corp., Cryovac Div.

7. Gold Award: Printing and Shelf Impact
Ghirardelli 5.50-oz Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew by American Packaging Corp.

8. Gold Award: Packaging Excellence (and Silver Award: Sustainability)
McCormick Skillet Sauce Mix Pourable Pouch by Bemis Co. Inc.

9. Gold Award: Technical Innovation
Medi-CRREO with Child-Guard Slider by Pactech Packaging LLC/Reynolds Presto Products

10. Gold Award: Printing and Shelf Impact
Muscat Dates by Paharpur 3P

11. Gold Award: Printing and Shelf Impact
P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Style Beef by American Packaging Corp.

12. Gold Award: Packaging Excellence
Rust-Oleum SpraySmart Marking Paint Pouch by Printpack

Read about the seven flexible packages winning Silver Awards in the 2015 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards competition booklet.

1. Silver Award: Sustainability
SachetLite by Amcor Flexibles

2. Silver Award: Technical Innovation
FlexAsept by Liqui-Box

3. Silver Awards: Sustainability; Printing and Shelf Impact
Gourmet Express Complete Meals by Berry Plastics Corp.

4. Silver Award: Technical Innovation
Kar’s Nuts, Second Nature Wholesome Medley PrimaPak Package by Clear Lam Packaging Inc.

5. Silver Award: Sustainability
McCormick Skillet Sauce Mix Pourable Pouch by Bemis Co. Inc.

6. Silver Award: Packaging Excellence
Organic Girl Three Heart Romaine Stand-Up Pouch with Velcro Closure by Emerald Packaging Inc.

7. Silver Award: Sustainability
Potato Starch Film for Potato Bags by Emerald Packaging Inc.