Innovation, sustainability, performance, and economics were among the key criteria for packages recognized with AmeriStar Package Awards at a May 10 AmeriStar and IoPP Honors & Awards Dinner hosted by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).
More than 100 packages were submitted for awards, with some 25 winners, including seven in the “Food” category, five in “Beverage,” five in “Health & Beauty Aids,” two in “Electronics,” two in “Medical Device,” and one in “Other Retail.” One AmeriStar was awarded in the new categories, “Pet & Vet.”
In its AmeriStar literature, IoPP described the “Best of Show” winner as follows: “This creative package structure delivers on unique needs both behind the counter and with the consumer. The hingeless, polypropylene design provides significant operational efficiency improvements, as well as product differentiation. In addition, it provides consumers with product protection, portability, visibility, insulation, and calibrated moisture release through the inventive integration of vents when the package is in the “closed” orientation. The eye-catching, unique, plate-like package is recyclable (where facilities exist), reusable, and formed from a custom, downgauged resin sheet thickness.” The “Best of Show” package was sponsored by Lansmont Corp., earning AmeriStar honors for HAVI Global Solutions.
Meanwhile, the bag-in-box system for automotive chemicals earned Scholle Packaging an AmeriStar as the Sustainable Packaging Award winner, in the new “Automotive” category. The award was sponsored by 3M.
IoPP said, “Scholle Packaging’s bag-in-box system for automotive channels and fluids allows industry suppliers to satisfy their customers’ needs with an efficient, environmentally conscious package. Each bag-in-box packaging system removes 24 one-liter bottles from the waste stream and features superior product evacuation, saving suppliers money and damage to our environment upon disposal into landfills. Overall, petroleum-based resin usage in the packaging is reduced by nearly 90 percent compared to rigid on-liter bottles, reducing harm to our environment through the manufacturer of the packaging system. During shipping, greenhouse gas emissions are overall lower than the incumbent packaging due to more efficient cube utilization on trucks, in warehouses and at the end user. The outer carton of the packaging system is also fully recyclable.”