Dow announces finalists for the 35th edition of its Packaging Innovation Awards

Dow has announced the finalists of its 35th Packaging Innovation Awards (PIA). The winners will be unveiled at an award ceremony on October 24, 2024, held in conjunction with Tokyo Pack – where they will also be showcased at the exhibition.

Evaluated in terms of technological advancement breakthroughs, sustainability, and enhanced user experience, the finalists were identified following an evaluation process that took place in June.

During the judging period, 18 thought leaders from across the packaging value chain convened to lend their expertise to identify the next generation of innovative packaging solutions.

The judges represent cross-disciplinary leadership across various fields, including business and strategic planning, design, technology and R&D, sustainability, and academia.

The panel also brings extensive knowledge in marketing and branding, retail, customer experience, product development, packaging engineering and performance, process and systems development.

Packaging Europe’s Tim Sykes was one of the international experts who participated in the jury event in Bangkok. He commented:

“The Packaging Innovation Awards is an important barometer for the state of global packaging, which both identifies game-changing innovations and gives us a snapshot of the wider shifts in the industry.

“I came away from this year’s judging impressed by the general progress we’re seeing, particularly around sustainability, with increasing permeation throughout global markets of mono-polymer and recyclable paper solutions, substituting hard-to-recycle formats and materials.

“In a way, this broader raising of standards with adoption of recent innovation and incremental improvements e.g. in amount of recycled content, is just as important a story as the eye-catching breakthrough innovations highlighted among the finalists.”

“This year, the Packaging Innovation Awards had the privilege of receiving over 300 submissions from across the world – a record-breaking number of entries that has almost doubled since the previous edition. Participants have raised the bar for winning, and it is important that we spotlight the top innovations that will drive robust, lasting change across the industry,” says Daniella Souza Miranda, global marketing director at Dow.

David Luttenberger, the jury chairperson for the 35th edition of the PIA, and global packaging director for Mintel Group Ltd., adds: “During the evaluation process, the judges had the opportunity to crystal ball the future while bearing witness to today’s game-changing solutions that marry both sustainable impact and innovation.

“We recognize the cutting-edge technology and smart use of the renewable materials ecosystem to promote design for recyclability and ideas to reduce local waste.”

The following 28 finalists will be recognized as individual Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, or Special Award winners:

AmPrima PE Plus for Coffee by Amcor with Kjeldsberg
BarrierFlex NutVault – Plastic Packaging Bag for Nuts by Packaging Industries Limited
Bom Ar Spray de Ambientes by Reckitt Industrial
Cioccoriso Perugina – Plastic Bottle for Chocolate by Nestlé Italiana Spa
EcoLamHighPlus – Polyethylene-based Fully Recyclable Pouches for Breakfast Cereals by SB-Constantia Flexibles India
Fiama Handwash Recyclable Standup Pouch – First in India by ITC Limited
Figmint Paper-based Packaging for Kitchen Products by Target Corporation
First-of-its-kind Biscuits Outer Paper Bag by ITC Limited
Flat-shaped Multipurpose Repair Tape by 3M
Graphene-enhanced Packaging – Gerdau Graphene’s Sustainable Innovation by Gerdau Graphene
Heat-shrink Labels from Recycled Light-blocking PET Bottles by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd
Hetbahn® with Bio-Circular Packaging by CJ CheilJedang Corp
Ice-cream Packaging Box to Create a DIY “Pino Gacha” by MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD with TOPPAN Inc.
Inikin Brew-on-demand Tea Beverage Packaging with Freshness Retaining Cap by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd (Yili Group)
Macada – Paper Box for Macadamia by Starprint Public Company Limited
Magmark SS by Magnomer
Neo Dropper Autoload Design by Aptar (China) Investment Co., Ltd
Paper-based Bag for Dry Batteries by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd with TOPPAN INFOMEDIA CO., LTD
Paper Based Packaging for Spreads by Upfield
PET Film for Cold Blister Forming by UFlex Limited Film Division
PharmaGuard® Recyclable Blister Packaging for Pharmaceutical Products by SÜDPACK MEDICA AG
Reciplus – Cafe Sello Rojo Mono-Material Coffee Packaging by Alico SAS BIC
Reusable Transport Packaging for Large Household Appliances by Free Pack Net Holding Sagl
Star Drop – Squeeze Bottle for Liquid Cosmetic Products by Aptar (China) Investment Co., Ltd
‘Tube Pouch’ Plastic Tube Container for Food and Cosmetics by TOPPAN Inc.
Versafiller Paper-based Honeycomb Structure by P&G China
100% Recyclable Stand-up Pouch for Detergent Liquid by Henkel Guatemala (Henkel La Luz, S.A.)
26mm Lightweight Water Closure Beverage Cap by Alltrista