Notable breakthroughs from Packaging Innovation Awards 2019 winners drawn from nearly 250 submissions around the world.

One of the premier annual global packaging competition programs is the Packaging Innovation Awards that honor innovations in packaging design, materials, technology and processes across the entire packaging value chain. Originated by DuPont, the awards program that has been continued by Dow (Midland, MI) was open to brand owners, retailers, packaging designers, converters and technology providers worldwide.

The 2019 Packaging Award Winners were chosen among nearly 250 submissions from more than 30 countries by an independent judging panel. Packaging Digest presents nine food or beverage packaging innovations that were recognized with Diamond, Diamond Runner up and Gold awards.

The Diamond Award winner (shown above) went to Dai Nippon Printing Co. (Tokyo), Ltd. for the DNP Functional Film Complex PET Plastic Bottle. The company designed the DNP Functional Film Complex PET Plastic Bottle to deliver the functionality of glass without the drawbacks of breakability, costly shipping, and recycling contamination. The DNP bottle is lightweight, recyclable, and virtually unbreakable, all with a glass-like luxury look. In addition to obtaining a unique appearance, this bottle can also be provided with an oxygen barrier, because the film and PET are in close contact with each other in a peelable state.

Diamond Runner up: Danone Nutricia Research (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) OpTri collapsible bottle for tube feeding nutrition

Danone Nutricia Research has designed and developed the OpTri bottle for tube feeding products that are prescribed to patients who cannot eat or swallow independently and need to be fed via a tube. The technological features of the bottle reduce the risk of contamination because it allows for gravity to collapse the bottle without the need of air inlet. OpTri was created in collaboration with patients, caregivers, parents and health care professionals.

The OpTri bottle saves time for users and is easier to use thanks to its ergonomic shape, integrated big-eyed hook, easy-to-navigate label and non-detachable flip-top cap.

The OpTri bottle is also better for the planet; it is recyclable, and manufacturing of tube feeds packaged in OpTri allows for 85% reduction of water use and 21% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current pouch packaging.

 Note: In summer 2018 Amcor announced it was buying Bemis.

Diamond Runner up: Amcor (Victoria, Australia) Paperly thermoformable paper-based packaging

Paperly thermoformable paper-based packaging by Amcor gives processed meat and cheese packaging a rustic feel and look, and it is designed to stand out on the supermarket shelf.

With a paper tray made completely from renewable resources and originating from FSC forests, Paperly packaging will attract environmentally conscious consumers who prefer products with a more natural feel and recyclable packaging. Made from 85% FSC–certified paper fibers, the whole base tray can be recycled where paper recycling streams are available; plus, it lowers carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 75% compared with traditional packaging, resulting in greater sustainability.

Paperly packaging's main application is processed meat, and Amcor can also offer solutions for cheese and fish. It can be combined with other Amcor offerings, such as EZ Peel and EZ Peel Reseal lidding, which can be produced with a paper-like tactile finish to complement the base tray.

If desired, the Paperly tray can also be used with Amcor's SkinTite second skin film for packing fresh meat and fish. The rigidity of the paper and thin high-barrier liner minimizes the use of non-renewable materials in the tray.

Diamond Runner up: Embrapa Food Technology (Brasilia, Brazil), development of innovative packaging for fruits

Embrapa Food Technology, the National Institute of Technology and Macromolecular Institute (IMA) of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) developed packaging for fruits that makes the most of refrigeration to keep food fresh. The two-part container is rigid and is closable over a PET-type plastic where the fruits are packaged. It maintains fruit quality longer to significantly reduce post-harvest losses to below 5% and decreases energy use in the lower cold chain of the supply chain.

Gold Award: Meiji Co., Ltd. The Chocolate 6 Collections Assorted Package

Meiji Co., Ltd. is changing the way chocolate is packed and eaten by wrapping individual bars with a three-way heat seal that makes packaging easy to open and allows customers to eat chocolate without the mess on their hands. The six different flavored chocolate bars are arranged in a thin box that is divided into small compartments, keeping each chocolate in its place while enabling easy one-hand removal. The package also includes a chart that shows readers the unique characteristics of each flavor of chocolate.

Gold Award: Amcor 46oz Coffeemate natural bliss Cold Brew with Geo-Strap Base

Coffeemate natural bliss Cold Brew bottle with Amcor’s vacuum-resistant Geo-Strap base replaces an easily dented bottle design, and helps Nestlé deliver a packaging experience for its customers that aligns with the natural bliss brand of high quality, simplicity and all-natural ingredients. Amcor’s packaging engineers worked with Nestlé to use polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to create a lightweight, sleek and clear bottle, with the Geo-Strap base to prevent denting and overfilling in Nestlé’s supply chain.

Gold Award: C.I. Takiron Corp. SANZIP Sensory Zipper

The company has developed a new and innovative SANZIP Sensory zipper that consumers can “hear and feel.” By providing a unique and premium action that differentiates itself from standard closures, the sensory zipper range uses both sound and touch sensations to aid and improve the closing experience of the product. The SANZIP sensory range adds something unique to the portfolio, assisting in meeting increased demand for re-sealable packaging with zip locks.

Gold Award: Amcor, Molson Coors  12 Pack Cooler Bag

Amcor’s new Molson Coors 12 Pack Cooler Bag maintains the packaging billboard for shelf appeal and includes a carrying handle, while providing new functionality for a better user experience. The side gusseted bag design makes it possible for additional film to tightly overlay the traditional brick format to create a compact design durable enough for distribution. Once open, that additional film turns into a durable cooler bag that holds up to five pounds of ice and can chill beers from 70°F to 35°F in as little as 20 minutes, eliminating long wait times and the need for a separate cooler.

Gold Award: DuPont Teijin Films LuxCR Depolymerisation Process

DuPont Teijin Films’s LuxCR depolymerization process helps to overcome challenges of mechanical recycling and food contact compliance for recycled plastics. It depolymerizes mechanically recovered PET back into the BHET monomer unit that’s indistinguishable from virgin monomers.

That BHET base monomer is then repolymerized and converted into a range of BOPET films for applications ranging from food packaging to labels to ID cards. The products it creates have the same mechanical, physical and optical properties as it would with virgin material, and the process has gone through a full assessment for food contact compliance including migration and NIAS testing at an accredited, independent external laboratory.