This year, Packaging Europe is once again presenting the Sustainability Award for the most sustainable packaging solutions. The winners have already been announced.
If any further proof were needed that sustainability is the industry's all-pervasive theme, then perhaps this is it: the number of entries to the this year's award. There were 275 in total. The jury has now selected the winners in the eight categories.
Best sustainable packaging innovation
This year's overall winner is once again the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research with its biodegradable functional barrier coatings, which also won in the Biobased Packaging category. This development has already won the German Packaging Award and a nomination at the German Sustainability Award.
Efficient use of resources
In this category, the jury chose the „Second Skin“ champagne case made of paper, which was created through a collaboration between Maison Ruinart, Pusterla 1880 and James Cropper France. Described as innovative, eco-responsible and ultra-lightweight, the champagne case is made from natural wood fibres sourced from sustainably managed European forests and is lightweight and fully recyclable.
Best Practise
The winner in the ‚Best Practice‘ category is the EasyD4R software tool from Henkel Germany for assessing the recyclability of packaging. It is designed to enable packaging developers to quickly and reliably assess the recyclability of packaging solutions made of plastic, paper, glass, aluminium and tinplate and to identify potential improvements.
Best recyclable packaging
The silicone-free BericapValve valve from the Bericap Holding company emerged as the winner in the „Recyclable packaging“ category.
Driving The Circular Economy
In the „Driving the Circular Economy“ category, this year's honour went to PENN COLOR for its high opacity and first-class whiteness of PET with 0 % TiO2 content, which enables better recyclability.
Best packaging machine
The PaperForming technology from Syntegon the judges the most. The TPU1000 paper moulding machine from Syntegon is specially designed for moulding paper and paper-based materials. It can realise attractive packaging solutions and is suitable for various products and filling technologies.
Pre-Commercialised Innovation
The Ardagh Group took first place in this category for its „Closing the Glass Recycling Loop“ method for producing briquettes from fine glass, a method that gives new life to glass that is discarded during the recycling process and allows 100% of the recycled glass to be remelted into new bottles and jars.
Audience Award
The Audience Award goes to Beiersdorf for the Nivea shower gel refill station. Customers take an empty bottle from the station and fill it with the Nivea product of their choice, paying for their purchase with the printed label.
Source: Packaging Europe
