Australian and NZ companies that are helping to save the planet with their smart, sustainable packaging designs were recognised at the 2019 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA) in Sydney last night.

The PACT Group, a global leader in packaging solutions, was a big winner.

The company, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland picked up two major awards including thePackaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award in the Beverage Category and the Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award.

PACT won the awards for its new 100% recycled rPET milk bottle range under the New Zealand brand Lewis Road Creamery.

The new bottle resembles a traditional glass milk bottle but is made from sustainable, recyclable plastic – a world first.

The PIDA Awards recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field across Australia and New Zealand.

Winners were announced from five manufacturing categories:

1.  Food 

2.  Beverage 

3.  Health, beauty & wellness 

4.  Domestic & household

5.  Labelling & decoration (a new award)

The PIDA Awards are coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and Packaging New Zealand and are the exclusive feeder program for the prestigious WorldStar Packaging Awards.

The 2019 PIDA winners are eligible for entry into the 2020 WorldStar Packaging Awards competition.

In the sector categories, judges said they looked for entries that displayed innovative – design and thinking, technology and/or material use; benefit to consumers; functional and /or convenient elements. They also took into account design and cost elements between standard packaging and premium/promotional packaging.

At last night’s gala award presentation there were also three awards to honour individuals who have made specific contributions to the packaging industry.

They included:

1.   Young Packaging Professional of the Year

2.   Industry Packaging Professional of the Year

3.   Packaging New Zealand Scholarship

Karunia Adhiputra AAIP, Packaging Technologist – Technical & Production, Nestle Australia, was named Young Packaging Professional of the Year.

Joseph Foster MAIP, Co-Founder & Director, OF Packaging won the Industry Packaging Professional of the Year Award for his significant and continuing contribution to the packaging industry.

And Poonam Patel, Senior Packaging Technologist, Goodman Fielder won the Packaging New Zealand Scholarship to enrol in the Diploma in Packaging Technology.

2019 Award Winners

Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award - Beverage Category

• PACT Group for the New Zealand brand Lewis Road Creamery PCR 100% recycled PET milk bottle range.

Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Food Category

• Danone ELN NZ Supply Point for their sachet multipack for Aptamil and Karicare Infant Formula ranges.

Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Health, Beauty & Wellness

• Impact International for the Sarah, Craig and Margorie 100% recycled PE and sugar cane PE tubes

Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Labelling & Decoration

• Currie Group for their new transformational printing technology for packaging that showcases high-end printing, finishing, coding, marking and AR technology driving awareness to The Australian Rhino Project (TARP)

Packaging Innovation & Design of the Year Award – Domestic & Household

• 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.

Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award (Circular Economy)

• PACT Group for the New Zealand’s Mix Ltd Essano rPET shampoo range

Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award (General)

• Punchbowl Packaging for the Kaituna Blueberries peel-able, re-sealable, tamper-proof top seal fibre punnets

• Save Food Packaging Design Special Award

This award recognises companies that have developed innovative and sustainable packaging solutions that minimises food losses and food waste.

• Hazeldene's Chicken Farm & Sealed Air for Cryovac Darfresh on Trayvacuum skin technology that has been engineered to address food safety, 25% extension of shelf life over the previously used ModifiedAtmosphere Packaging (MAP) format, improved on-pack communication.

Accessible Packaging Design Special Award

A new award to recognise packaging that is accessible, intuitive, easy-to-open and innovative.

SPC Ardmona for their 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.