The 2019 Dow Packaging Innovation Awards revealed a push for sustainable or recyclable materials in new packaging.
The panel of independent judges for 2019's awards reviewed more than 200 entries from more than 30 countries and examined each for technological advancement, responsible packaging and enhanced user experience, said lead judge David Luttenberger, global packaging director for Mintel Group Ltd., in a video announcing the winners.
"Every year, the Packaging Innovation Awards spotlight the designs, new points of view and ideas that are pushing the envelope," Luttenberger said. "Our industry is facing some unique sustainability and e-commerce challenges, but during trying times the most forward-thinking solutions can emerge to bring true progress; this program recognizes innovative packaging approaches that can simplify commerce and drive forward the circular economy for plastics."
Dai Nippon Printing Co. was given the Diamond Award for its DNP functional film complex PET plastic bottle. Their aim was to deliver the functionality of glass without breakability, costly shipping and recycling contamination. The bottle is lightweight, recyclable and virtually unbreakable but carries a look of luxury.
There were eight Diamond finalist, 10 Gold award winners, 12 were awarded silver and a number of honorable mentions. The diamond finalists and judging comments include:
• An Embrapa Food container that "makes the most" of refrigeration to keep fruit fresh with a closeable PET-type plastic.
• Procter & Gamble's Tide Eco-Box that ships directly to doorsteps, with plastic packaging totaling less than 60 percent of a 150 oz. bottle of detergent. The box doesn't require additional boxing or bubble wrap.
• A paper-based curbside-recyclable package by Henkel using its EPIX Technology. It reduces processing costs, optimizes weight, size and resistance to impact for shipping.
• A collapsible bottle for tube feeding nutrition by Danone Nutricia Research called the OpTri bottle. The bottle reduces risk of contamination because it allows for gravity to collapse the bottle without an air inlet.
• Amcor's thermoformable paper-based packaging called Paperly, which gives meats and cheese packaging a rustic feel and look. The packaging is made from 85 percent paper fibers.
• The 100 percent polyethylene Frosch pouch by Werner & Mertz GmbH and Mondi Group. The pouch is completely recyclable and eliminates barriers and adhesives.
• A pouch for hair color to minimize material use by ProAmpac and L'Oreal for Redken called the Flash Lift Bonder inside. The pouch can replace multiple rigid containers for hair dye products.
• Truman's Starter Kit by Truman's to provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles. The kit comes with several spray bottles for cleaners made with concentrate and a cartridge system.
Submissions for the 2020 Dow Packaging Innovation Awards are open until July 17. Winners will be announced in the fall.
For a full list of winners, visit Dow's website here.