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Starpack 2006: Packaging innovation is on the ballA host of packaging innovations were rewarded on a night of revelry and celebration at the Starpack Awards 2006. Held at the Grosvenor House Hotel’s prestigious Great Room in London’s Mayfair on July 5, finalists fought it out for honours in the UK’s premier packaging industry awards programme, organised by the IOP: The Packaging Society, a division of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.Now in their 47th year, the Starpack Awards rewarded excellence with 15 Gold Stars, a Supreme Gold and the Technical Innovation Award; 27 Silver Stars, 34 Bronze Stars and nine sponsor awards from a total of 867 individual category entries. Awards were presented by Hazel Irvine, one of the BBC’s top sports commentator in what was a timely choice as guests watched England’s conquerors Portugal fight it out with France in the World Cup semi-final. Guests were also treated to top class cabaret from comic Marcus Brigstocke of Have I Got News for You fame. The Starpack Awards 2006 saw the introduction of a number of new categories designed to mirror the many changes in the packaging supply chain. Categories such as Best Flexible Innovation, Best Inclusive Pack, Best Shelf Ready Pack; Best Packaging Component, and Best Use of Innovative Materials, certainly encouraged companies to enter this year’s awards. Heather Kendle, Packaging Board Chair of IOP: The Packaging Society, said: “Consumer concerns about convenience and sustainable packaging, and retailer demands for a more pro-active stance on packaging issues have been answered by many of this year’s innovative entries.” And she added: “For the first time this year only a single Gold has been awarded in each category ensuring that the quest for excellence is undiluted. Although this has made the judging process harder, it provides a “benchmark” by which companies can assess their performance against the packaging elite.” The Supreme Gold Award went to a beautifully designed and innovative bottle for Diageo’s Oronoco rum, which the judges said was a “stunning pack combining technical difficulty with real shelf presence”. The most innovative feature of this distinctive and slender glass bottle for Brazilian super-premium white rum imported by Diageo is the embossed bonded-leather wrap which shows the Brazilian map. Winner of several Gold Stars, the technical challenge for the Oronoco bottle lay in finding the correct leather in terms of thickness, ability to emboss, colour and adhesion. The leather used includes a latex additive which allows the material to bend around the bottle and also ensures good custom-colour matching and embossing. The wrap is applied using double-faced tape. Other brilliant, functional and innovative designs considered for the Supreme Gold Award were Plastohm’s user-friendly PopUp Cap, winner of the Gold Star for Best Consumer Convenience Pack, and the Vanish Dual Power container, winner of the Gold for Best Inclusive Pack. The Oronoco bottle was designed by Gordon Smith, Smith & Co, and manufactured by Saverglass, Feuquieres, France. The Diageo bottle also won Gold Star – Best Consumer Pack – Food; Gold Star - Best Use of Innovative Materials; Gold Star - Best Designer/Design House of the Year; Silver Star - Best Innovation in Glass Packaging; Bronze Star – Best Innovative Pack; Finalist - Rockware Glass Freshthinking Award for Innovation in Glass Packaging. Technical excellence was high on the agenda across all categories but the ultimate winner of the Technical Innovation Award was AstraZeneca, Jones Garrard and Perlos Corporation for the Zoladex™ SafeSystem™ Syringe. Presented to any entry where the judges believe significant technological innovation has been demonstrated, the syringe was described by the head judge Terry Robins as “a brilliant piece of technical innovation and design to create a one piece syringe developed to prevent accidental stick injuries”. The Zoladex™ SafeSystemTM, a pre-filled single-use aseptic packaging and delivery system is designed to meet three objectives: - to contain and protect the therapeutic drug during transit and storage; - provide an effective means of drug administration; and - offer automatic protection against accidental injury during the post injection and product disposal phase. Created to help prevent the 1.5 million/year accidental needle-stick injuries globally the SafeSystemTM is manufactured using high precision injection moulded parts and a stainless steel coil spring. The syringe is pre-loaded with a drug and placed in a sterile bag. To prevent accidental operation a plastic safety tab has to be removed. Once activated the plunger and the needle retract into the barrel ensuring that the empty syringe is safe to handle. Contact materials are HDPE and polystyrenes that have been cleared for compatibility and stability in contact with the drug. External parts are made to comply with patient safety requirements for high transparency, good mechanical performance, and polymer stability pre and post gamma irradiation. The result of three years’ development work by AstraZeneca, Jones Garrard and Perlos Corporation, the ZoladexTM SafeSystemTM is now sold in more than 100 countries. Also winners of: Silver Star – Best Inclusive Pack; Bronze Star – Best Innovative Pack; Finalist – Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition 2007 Award: Innovative Pack. The ingenious PopUp Cap from Plastohm took the Gold Star in Best Consumer Convenience Packaging and was rated so highly by judges that it also took the Gold Star for the Best Component and the Packaging News Award: Consumer Convenience Packaging. Used for a Disney Children’s range of bath time products, the ergonomically-designed closure can be opened with one hand and is equally suitable for a range of other applications and user markets. Described as a “revolutionary opening concept and the first ever push button flip top cap”, the PopUp closure system combines technical innovation, skilled ergonomics and aesthetic design. The injection moulded closure features a polypropylene (PP) cap while the push button is manufactured from polyoxymethelene (POM). POM combines high rigidity with mechanical strength to provide good elastic properties, toughness, dimensional stability and excellent sliding friction; any deformity caused by opening is rectified automatically. The textured closure is suitable for use across a range of product sectors and for all those with a lack of dexterity. Also winner of a Silver Star – Best Innovative Pack. Superfos walked away with a Gold Star - Best Consumer Pack: Non-Food - for its clever paint pack for ICI Glidden. The Superfos SuperCube container for ICI features a number of new customised solutions including an injection moulded ‘rollable’ grid which acts as a built in roller tray so consumers can roll direct from the container. Dubbed ‘Gliddens Rollable’, SuperCube also features an easy peel-off lid and re-close mechanism. Also winner of: Silver Star – Best Component; Finalist – Packaging News Award: Consumer Convenience Packaging. The Best Shelf Ready Pack Gold Star was won by Taylowe with its Options and Ovaltine solution for R Twining & Co. Designed to be easy to replenish in store, maintain good presentation and give easy access for the consumer, the packs are manufactured on an angle to make them easier to fill automatically and provide easier access for the consumer. The perforated packs are made from 650 micron Frovi Carrier and are litho printed in 6-colours with UV varnish. Also finalist Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Food. A well-engineered and attractive transit pack for a delicate handmade Japanese Tea Set took the Gold Star for the Best Transit Pack. Manufactured for Yautcha by Smurfit Kappa - Gosport, the pack features multiple layers of corrugated fibreboard sandwiched in a finely finished outer sleeve to provide a superior presentation pack. The high quality printed and gold blocked F-flute outer sleeve gives the pack a hand-made feel to complement the value-added product. Despite repeatedly dropping the pack on its sides and on its angles, the judges could not damage the pack leaving them enthusing about its construction. Also winners of: Silver Star – Best Consumer Pack – Non Food; Finalist - DHL Exel Supply Chain Award: Transit Pack. Nampak Cartons won the Gold Star - Best in Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Food, and the Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Food with a Cartonboard Sandwich Pack featuring a PLA window. Used by Marks & Spencer, it incorporates an easy-to-open zip at the rear of the pack that allows it to open out into a plate. The NatureWorks PLA window means consumers can see exactly what they are buying, while at the same time allaying their environmental concerns. The pack can also be opened in the conventional way, via the windowed area on the front of the pack. When opened from the front the aperture widens to create a tripod effect which provides both ease of access and improved pack stability. Also winners of Silver Star – Best Packaging Innovation Leading to a Significant Reduction in Household Waste; Bronze Star – Best Consumer Pack – Food. Gold Star - Best in Creative Cartonboard Packaging– Non Food - was won by Taylowe with a range of bespoke cartons for William Grant's Cask Selection. The collection of three triangular 500 micron Avanta Prima cartonboard tubes with colour co-ordinated lids and bases, replaces rectangular tinplate packs. The tubes feature pearlescent lacquers on a metallised polyester laminate and are litho printed in 7 colours. Finalist – Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Non Food. Excelsior Technologies’ Zip’n Steam which took the Gold Star - Best Flexible Plastic Innovation - was described as “a superb innovation in flexible plastic material” by the judges. The Zip’n Steam reusable and resealable pouches include a number of patented innovations such as an inbuilt pressure valve and a resealable zip that hold an overpressure of 0.4 bar. The bags, which are cool to touch at the top after cooking, give the consumer complete control over portion size and ingredients, and can be used for fresh, chilled or frozen foods. Also winner of Bronze Star – Best Consumer Convenience Packaging; Bronze Star – Best Consumer Pack –Food; Finalist – Packaging News Award: Consumer Convenience Packaging. A complex, wedge-shaped bottle for Sambao (a Cachaca Spirit) won a Gold Star for Allied Glass Containers and Diageo for the Best Innovation in Glass Packaging, while Diageo was presented with the Rockware Glass Freshthinking Award. The distinctive Sambao Lime Wedge white flint glass bottle features high shoulders and fine embossing to create an innovative and technically demanding pack. The bottle combines complex design and developmental production techniques that stretch the boundaries of glass manufacture. Its extreme profile is created by production techniques including a ‘non-conventional mould’ that features an undulating-staggered mould joint running the entire length of the bottle. Best Label Printer – Gold Star was won by Taylowe with its printed tubes for Antiquary 21 Years Old Superior Deluxe Scotch Whisky. Produced for the Chinese market using 900 micron flock-coated folding boxboard, it is the first time this unusual substrate has been used to produce a shaped tube. And Taylowe’s use of a flock material for self-adhesive labels is unprecedented. The labels add to the overall look of the pack, while lettering on the tubes and labels is foil blocked providing a stark contrast to the blue flock. Also Finalist in Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Non Food. A clever double-barrelled bottle with shrink sleeve won the Gold Star - Best Inclusive Pack and the Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition 2007 Award: Innovative Pack for Reckitt Benckiser (UK) and Fuji Seal Europe. Used for Vanish Dual Power the well-positioned shrink sleeve required special inks to resist the aggressive product. Judges were impressed by the complex blowmoulded container from Alpla which is made up of two separate chambers waisted to provide an even grip. The twin nozzles are positioned so that the two liquids meet and spiral together to create their chemical action. The consumer simply squirts the product on to the offending stain where the two active ingredients fizz as they activate. Also Winner of Bronze Star – Best Consumer Convenience Packaging; Finalist – Packaging News Award: Consumer Convenience Packaging. Cool-AirTM won the Gold Star – Best Innovative Pack for Robinson Paperboard Packaging. This is the first time a twin-walled paper board tube has been produced to deliver thermal protection. Cool-AirTM features a foil lining designed to keep a bottle of wine cool for up to 4 hours. Made from recycled paperboard it can be re-used after purchase and comes in a variety of sizes. It can be used to keep champagnes, wines and spirits chilled. Also Winners: Silver Star – Best Consumer Convenience Packaging; Silver Star – Best Consumer Pack – Food. The Starpack judges were unable to present a Gold Star for Best Packaging Innovation Leading to a Significant Reduction in Household Waste as they felt the entries were not sufficiently advanced to merit the Award. However, the progress made towards creating packs that address consumer concerns about environmental impact of packaging was worthy of congratulations. Silver Star & Best in Category went to Plantic Technologies for its water soluble thermoformed tray for Nestlé Dairy Box. The Plantic biopolymer is made from corn starch and produced from GM-free and compostable resources. It replaces the previous petro-chemical thermoformed tray with, it is claimed, no loss of functionality, appearance or consumer appeal. The judges noted that while the use of water soluble starch for the thermoformed tray gives this pack a high point of differentiation “the soluble nature of the pack means that when touched the tray starts to dissolve going soft and soggy”. SPONSOR AWARDSA series of special sponsor awards were presented for packs of special merit across many of the Starpack categories. Starpack 2006 was sponsored by DHL Exel Supply Chain, Rockware Glass, RPC Group, Pro Carton, Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition 2007, and WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme). Supporters of Starpack 2006 were human resources specialist Listgrove, and Ken Wilkins Print. Special awards were also presented by Printing World and Packaging News.The DHL Exel Supply Chain Award: Transit Pack was won by DS Smith Speciality Packaging with its Corishield Pallet Pack for Triplex Components Machining. James Hurrell, business development manager, DHL Exel Supply Chain described the pack as “a great innovation which enhances customer satisfaction whilst taking cost out of the supply chain”. The pack is manufactured from B/C flute corrugated board with a PET laminated film and Corishield anti-rust coating on the pads. The pads are placed inside double wall corrugated sleeves which secure the contents top and bottom. The coating and film are manufactured in-line on the corrugator. The Printing World Award: Label Printer went to Field Lithoprint for a range of short run Scotch Whisky Labels used for Black Dog Centenary De Luxe Scotch Whisky; Famous Grouse Scottish Oak; and The Cluny 12 Year Old. The short run labels feature a series of intricate processes including multi-colour work, foil blocking, embossing, matt and gloss varnishing, and punching. The varnishes exhibit good scuff and alcohol resistance to maintain the integrity of these high-value brands. Also winner of Silver Star – Best Label Printer. Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging - Non-Food went to Field Packaging Bradford with its Russian "Fairy Tale" Vodka Pack manufactured for Russkij Avangard. “This carton’s clever construction gives the consumer an experience of the brand that is full of surprise and fun, while using the properties of cartonboard to convey luxury and gift appeal,” commented the judges. The pack consists of five machined and hand glued units and is given a sense of theatre by a revolving opening mechanism at the top of the pack. The inner tubular carton features a back fold at the top and is reverse printed. The top also incorporates the twist opening mechanism created by creasing geometry that allows the pack to be opened by either a pushing or pulling motion depending on the application. Locks situated on the back fold hold the lid plinth in place. The hand assembled and unglued lid is locked onto the inner carton back fold with eight locks. The carton is litho-printed in 4-colours plus varnish and 1-colour reverse embossed. Pro Carton Award: Creative Cartonboard Packaging – Food: Nampak Cartons M & S Sandwich Pack – see above. Webb Scarlett deVlam (WSdV) walked away with the RPC Group Award: Designer/Design House of the Year for two contrasting design applications: the Boss Skin range of male cosmetics and Fairy Active Foam. “The winning entries show real expertise in graphic & product design, pack development work and technical expertise,” said Mark Seddon, General Sales Manager, RPC Containers – Oakham. The Boss range demonstrated how products can be successful linked by imaginative design provided by “classy” colour co-ordinated outer cartons and innovative primary packs. The range features: Instant Moisture Gel - a 50ml pump with PP Silver Inner Body, PS translucent blue outer, PP frosted pump head and pressed aluminium collar and button; Refreshing Face Mask, Smoothing Face Scrub and Relaxing Aftershave Balm come in 150ml and100ml ‘tottles’ featuring an HDPE/PP blend body, PP closure body and silicon valve, and pressed aluminium closure outer; Performance Shaving Gel 150ml aluminium aerosol with PP cap and nozzle; and Reviving Eye Gel in a 15ml PP pump. The ‘tottles’ and 50ml pump feature an integrated ‘twist to lock’ closure from Seaquist Closures, which won a Bronze Star for Best Component. The innovative pump pack introduced for Procter & Gamble’s Fairy Active Foam (375ml) provides a convenient, direct application solution for the consumer and was developed following consumer research that highlighted the need for a product that could deal with small washes. The pack includes an injection stretch blowmoulded PET refill pack, while the twist lock closure mechanism, which is retained by the consumer, is made from injection moulded PP featuring a foaming pump. Also winners of Silver Star – Best Designer/Design House of the Year (Boss Skin Care); and Bronze Star – Best Consumer Pack – Non-Food (Boss Skin Care). WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Award: Packaging Innovation Leading to a Significant Reduction in Household Waste went to Sealed Air - Cryovac Food Packaging Division for Simple Oven a Foamed C-Pet Food Tray and Sleeve produced for Northern Foods. “The packs marry consumer convenience with a real reduction in material usage and manufacturing resources,” said Mark Barthel, Special Adviser at WRAP. Simple Oven utilises new foaming technology to reduce the amount of CPET used in the manufacturing process by 30%. The result is a robust and stiff pack that is cool to touch after cooking. Packaging News Award: Consumer Convenience Packaging – Plastohm’s PopUp Cap – see above Rockware Glass Freshthinking Award for Innovation in Glass Packaging – Diageo, Sambao bottle – see above Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition 2007 Award: Innovative Pack – Fuji Seal Europe & Reckitt Benckiser (UK), Vanish Dual Power – see above Starpack 2006 awards were also presented to businesses, packaging professionals and students from with the packaging supply chain. Young Packaging Professional of the Year – Sponsored by IOM3: Joanne Hollins, Education Leader, Rockware Glass Packaging Personality of the Year – Sponsored by IOP: the Packaging Society: Chris Clough, Divisional Design Director, Field Packaging. Special Award for Services to the Packaging Industry – Sponsored by the Board of IOP: the Packaging Society; Chris Griffin, chairman, PI3. Student of the Year (Diploma in Packaging Technology) – Sponsored by PIABC (Packaging Industry Awarding Body Company): Awarded to the student who achieved the highest overall mark: Philip Gall, A. G. Barr Soft Drinks Packaging Team – Manchester. Student of the Year (Certificate in Packaging Technology) – Sponsored by PIABC: Shaun Killeen, Quality Control Manager, Thornton’s.
PR CONTACT: Audrey/Mary MMAssociates T: +44 (0) 1424 777783 E: Murphy-mmassociates@tiscali.co.uk Audrey-mmassociates@tiscali.co.uk IOP: PACKAGING SOCIETY CONTACT: T: +44 (0)1476 514594 E: rachel.brooks@iom3.org Date posted: 6 July 2006 |
Starpack is co-ordinated by IOP: The Packaging Society (a Division of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining)
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© The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining 2006