TECH FLASH

DuPont names 2016 packaging award winners

Graham Packaging received the highest honor for its ThermaSet blow molded PET container for hot-fill, pasteurized food.

Food and beverage packaging innovations were once again the highlight of DuPont’s annual awards competition, which garnered entries focused on improving consumer experience and sustainability, and incorporated simpler messaging across cost-efficient production technologies.

"Ascending to new heights in packaging innovation, this year’s winners show how collaboration, innovation and packaging excellence converge to generate game-changing solutions that positively impact our lives," says Dale Outhous, vice president of DuPont Ethylene Copolymers.

Now in its 28th year, the international DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation competition honors innovations in packaging design, materials, technology and processes. An independent panel of packaging experts evaluated nearly 200 entries from more than 25 countries.

Lancaster, PA-based Graham Packaging received the highest honor, the Diamond Award, for its ThermaSet blow molded PET container for hot-fill, pasteurized food. The container is shatter resistant, easy to hold and recyclable, and significantly reduces shipping, breakage and other manufacturing costs.

The judges awarded a new Leadership in Innovation Award to Melbourne, FL-based MGI, which was recognized for its digital spot UV and hot foiling technology for next-generation digital package decoration, with advancements in customization, personalization and cost effectiveness.

“Noticeable this year was a strong commitment to the greater good, with a focus shift from just package functionality to more solutions-based packaging, which provides consumers greater access to products that make their lives better,” says David Luttenberger, lead judge and global packaging director of Mintel Group Ltd.

A full list and description of the 2016 award winners can be found here.

KEYWORDS: award food packaging technology

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Jeremy Gerrard was Food Engineering's Digital/Online Editor. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism. His previous work experience includes years spent as a reporter with the Daily Local News out of Chester County, PA. In addition to writing feature articles for Food Engineering, Jeremy covered the Dry Processing, Field Reports and People and Industry news sections.