Designed-in recyclability dominates 2019 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards

09 Apr 2019 --- Finalists have been announced for the 2019 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA), which recognizes FMCGs and suppliers that are making a significant contribution in their fields across Australia and New Zealand. The PIDA Awards are coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and Packaging New Zealand and are the exclusive feeder program for the WorldStar Packaging Awards. The 2019 PIDA winners will automatically be eligible for entry into the 2020 WorldStar Packaging Awards competition.

Many of this year’s nominees demonstrate a focus on designed-in recyclability, as public and regulatory demand for increased sustainability dominates the packaging agenda. The need for packaging that is recycle-ready has been intensified in recent months, as India became the latest waste disposal giant to close its doors to plastic waste imports. The India ban comes a year after China also banned plastic waste imports and it is expected to hit Australia particularly hard as India is reportedly its fourth largest waste export destination.

Don KRC's JUST ADD DON stand-up pouchThe Australasian packaging industry’s focus on designed-in recyclability plays into the global trend of increased sustainability in packaging. Innova Market Insights identified “Designed-in Recyclability” as its number one global packaging trend for 2019, citing widespread bans on single-use plastics, the implementation of China’s “National Sword” policy and increasing media attention around the environmental scourge of plastic pollution as significant drivers behind the trend.

The Design Innovation of the Year Company Awards recognize organizations that have designed innovative packaging within each of the following five manufacturing categories: Food, Beverage, Health Beauty & Wellness, Domestic & Household and Labeling and Decoration.

In the sector categories, judges said they looked for entries that displayed “innovative design and thinking, technology and/or material use, benefit to consumers and functional and/or convenient elements.” They also took into account design and cost elements between standard packaging and premium/promotional packaging. It is recommended that the submissions showcase an innovative solution designed either in collaboration for an existing customer or market.

Food Category
The Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Food Category recognizes organizations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials within food packaging and processing, including fresh or frozen.

The 2019 Finalists are:

Danone ELN NZ Supply Point for its sachet multipack for Aptamil and Karicare Infant Formula ranges;
OJI Fibre Solutions for RJ’s Licorice open top & open front SFP that was designed to handle export from New Zealand to Australia as well as stacking from pallet displays straight into supermarkets
Don KRC, a Division of George Weston Foods, for its Just Add Don convenient stand-up pouch;
Punchbowl Packaging for the Kaituna Blueberries peel-able, re-sealable, tamper-proof top seal fiber punnets;
OJI Fibre Solutions for Turks Poultry Farm to hold 6kg of chicken in a hand-erected case and designed to be interchangeable with the 12kg cases to fit in mixed pallets;
OF Packaging for the Pacific West baking pouch, which is entirely oven-safe and houses the seafood product.Chobani Australia Spooky Vanilla Ghost Pouch

Beverage Category
The Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Beverage Category recognizes organizations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, within packaging and processing for liquid or dry tea, coffee, water and soft drinks including wine, beer and spirits.

The 2019 Finalists are:

PACT Group for the New Zealand brand Lewis Road Creamery PCR 100 percent recycled PET milk bottle range;
Moonuka Milk for the world’s first Milk and Mānuka Honey beverage designed in New Zealand in an old-fashioned Aseptic PET milk bottle with a removable PET shrink sleeve;
Stay tray for its reusable drink tray that is designed with 100 percent recycled material sourced from Australian businesses to reduce single-use;
Shine Drink for its custom tall and thin 400ml bottle while conjuring thoughts of health and wellbeing through bottle shape and the shrink sleeve label design.

Health, Beauty & Wellness Category
The Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Health, Beauty & Wellness Category recognizes organizations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, within cosmetics, toiletries, personal hygiene, supplements, vitamins, perfumes, hair body and oral care. This award also covers packaging of all medicines including over the counter medicines, medical equipment packaging.Ranpack's thermal paper packaging solution

The 2019 Finalists are:

OJI Fibre Solutions for EcoStore gift packs that hold product in place in smaller, lighter, eco-friendly 100 percent recyclable and compostable boxes;
Retreatment Botanics skincare range, which is inspired by Gaia Retreat & Spa owner Olivia Newton-John, who wanted to see a fully-sustainable skincare range in terms of ingredients, primary and secondary packaging;
Impact International for the Sarah, Craig and Margorie 100 percent recycled PE and sugar cane PE tubes;
PACT Group for the New Zealand’s Mix Ltd Essano rPET shampoo range.

Domestic & Household Category
The Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Domestic & Household Category recognizes organizations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, packaging within domestic and household items, toys, stationary, gifts, clothing, garden equipment, decorating.

The 2019 Finalists are:

Nulon Products Australia & Caps and Closures for the Nulon EZY-SQUEEZE fluid transfer system, which replaces the traditional rigid packaging with a flexible pouch and applicator that has made accessing hard-to-reach fill points on a car quick and easy;
OJI Fibre Solutions for Dynex Extrusion case that is sold into hardware stores in New Zealand but is also ready-to-go once a customer/builder takes it home to use;
OF Packaging for the Kookaburra Worm Farms Flat Bottom Bag with Perforated Side Gussets.

Labeling & Decoration Category (New Award)

The Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Labeling & Decoration Category is designed to recognize the addition of content to a pack which creates a unique or innovative appearance, function or communication. This may include labels, sleeves, tags, coding/markings, etching, directly applied inks or by any other similar process.

The 2019 Finalists are:RJ’s Licorice open top & open front SFP

Currie Group for its new transformational printing technology for packaging that showcases high-end printing, finishing, coding, marking;
AR technology driving awareness to The Australian Rhino Project (TARP) and Metalprint Australia for Chobani Australia Spooky Vanilla Ghost Pouch.

In addition to the category awards, there are three special awards available: Sustainable Packaging Special Award; Save Food Packaging Design Special Award; Accessible Packaging Design Special Award.

2019 Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award
The Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award is designed to recognize companies that have developed innovative packaging or processing solutions that incorporate sustainability considerations. Elements would include Social, Material, Source Reduction, Energy and Recovery.

The 2019 Finalists are:

Detpak for the RecycleME system that provides a sustainable solution for takeaway cups;
PACT Group for the New Zealand’s Mix Ltd Essano rPET shampoo range;
Impact International for the Sarah, Craig and Margorie 100 percent recycled PE and sugar cane PE tubes;
Punchbowl Packaging for the Kaituna Blueberries peelable, resealable, tamper-proof top seal fiber punnets;
Ranpack for its thermal paper packaging solution;
PACT Group for the New Zealand brand Lewis Road Creamery PCR 100 percent recycled PET milk bottle range;
Multivac & Greenham for Cape Grim Beef Paperboard Skin Packaging;
Plantic Technologies for the NEAT Meat Tray using PLANTIC RV for skin packaging;
Storopack Australia for its PAPERPlus Classic Grass Paper Packaging;
Woolworths for replacing plastic trays with pulp based trays nationally into all stores for over 50 of its in-store bakery products.Detpak's RecycleME system that provides a sustainable solution for takeaway cups

2019 Save Food Packaging Design Special Award
The Save Food Packaging Design Special Award is designed to recognize companies that have developed innovative and sustainable packaging solutions that minimize food losses and food waste.

The 2019 Finalists are:

Hazeldene's Chicken Farm & Sealed Air for Cryovac Darfresh on Tray vacuum skin technology that has been engineered to address food safety, 25 percent extension of shelf-life over the previously used Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) format and improved on-pack communication;
Plantic Technologies for the Plantic RV Material that was designed for Moana seafood company to be able to supply fresh fish to the online meal delivery company “My Food Bag”;
Flavor Creations for its pre-thickened Ready-To-Drink (RTDs). When the RTDs are packaged in the new Dysphagia Cup and Cup Holder they are designed to reduce food wastage by enabling better motor control of the drinking process, improving grip, stability and ensuring the ability to consume the full contents.

2019 Accessible Packaging Design Special Award (New Award)
The Accessible Packaging Design Special Award is designed to recognize packaging that is accessible, intuitive, easy-to-open and innovative. Accessible Packaging Design needs to include measuring techniques, understanding injuries caused by packaging and consumer satisfaction levels with packaging accessibility.

The Nulon EZY-SQUEEZE fluid transfer systemInnova Market Insights recognized “Inclusive by design” as its ninth biggest packaging trend for 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 15 percent of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. In 2019, the packaging industry will be looking to embrace this market with more tailored packaging designs, exemplified by the following PIDA 2019 Finalists:

SPC Ardmona for its SPC ProVital Easy-Open Diced Fruit in Jelly range that is designed for all consumers to open, including those with reduced fine motor skills, dexterity and strength and on-pack communication is clear, crisp and legible for all;
Flavor Creations for its pre-thickened Ready-to-drink (RTD) packaged in the new Dysphagia Cup and Cup Holder designed to specifically increase rates of hydration and decrease rates of malnutrition for residents/patients with Dysphagia;
Moana New Zealand & Sealed Air (New Zealand) for Cryovac Grip and Tear (including “small tab”) which was designed to foster ease of use to packaged meat, poultry, seafood products for processors, food service and retail markets;
Campbell Arnott’s for its redesign of 10 SKUs from its catering (portion control packaging) range.

Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and Packaging New Zealand, the 2019 Australasian PIDA winners will be announced at a gala dinner on April 30 at SOFITEL Wentworth, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Edited by Joshua Poole