Packaging update

Awards for sustainable packaging innovation

Included among sustainable achievements recognised in the 21st DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation were novel uses of renewable materials, effective recovery, energy efficiency and community benefit. A panel of independent jurors selected this year's winners from nearly 80 entries from the Americas, Europe and Asia. Among the ten winners and eight notable achievements honoured for innovative products and processes demonstrating breakthroughs in sustainable packaging were Sealed Air, Associated Packaging Technologies, and Unilever and Amcor flexibles.

Whole foods baked goods in Sealed Air's Renew-A-Pak compostable bakeware with technology from Biosphere Industries:
The new 100 percent renewable content baking tray and total system thinking helps to change the bakery processes for a more sustainable result. Previous bakery practice was to bake goods in disposable metal trays and transfer the goods to a second package for in store sales. Ultimately that package would be disposed of by the consumer as waste. The product now stays in the new dual-ovenable, microwavable trays all the way through to the consumer and is compostable at end of life, eliminating aluminium tray disposal, the need for a second package or disposal as waste at end of life. The baking tray was recognised for enhanced performance, resource and energy optimisation and effective recovery.

Healthy choice trays from ConAgra, developed and produced by Associated Packaging Technologies - U.S.:
A significant achievement is the high recycle content of these trays, a first in dual-ovenable food packaging. In 2008, 8MM pounds of PET were saved from the landfill through the use of post consumer recycling and 236 million fewer BTUs of energy were used in the making of these trays due to the use of recycled content. Typically virgin CPET is used for this type of application due to hygiene requirements. The company met FDA requirements for the use of recycled content in this application. The healthy choice trays were recognised for resource and energy optimisation, clean production and responsible sourcing.

Bertolli pasta sauce pouches by Unilever and Amcor Flexibles - U.S.:
Now microwavable right in the pouch, this new packaging offers significant consumer benefits and ease of use versus jars, and offers retail benefits through easier handling and equivalent shelf life. The benefits of transport efficiency are substantial. One truckload of unfilled pouches equals 25 truckloads of unfilled glass jars. The pouches were recognised for enhanced performance and resource and energy optimisation.

Source: http://www.dupontevents.com/custom/awards_2009/award.aspx

The full list of winners and notable achievements can be found at: http://www.dupontevents.com/custom/awards_2009/award.aspx 

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