FPA Announces the 2025 Flexible Packaging Achievement Award Winners

PRO-EVO Recyclable FL won the Highest Achievement Award in FPA's 2025 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards. | Credit: FPA

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), an advocate and voice for the growing U.S. flexible packaging industry, is excited to announce the winners of its 69th Annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition. The awards were presented during a special ceremony on Friday, March 7, 2025, held alongside the FPA’s Annual Meeting (March 5-7) at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida.

This year’s competition saw 67 package submissions, resulting in 226 entries, as some packages competed across multiple categories. Ultimately, 20 exceptional packages were honored with 34 Achievement Awards.

Special thanks are given to the 2025 competition judging panel: Dr. Bilge Altay, Assistant Professor, Packaging and Graphic Media Science, College of Engineering Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); Chris Lyons, Group President, Packaging Impressions magazine; and Scott Wilkins, Founder/Lead Consultant, Scorcia Packaging Resources, LLC.

The competition placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and advancements in printing technology. “The entries provided an excellent representation of current trends and key drivers in flexible packaging, particularly in sustainability,” notes Wilkens. “Around 70% of the submissions were either entered into the sustainability category or demonstrated clear advantages of flexible packaging over alternative structures. The range of innovations was impressive, including store drop-off solutions, all-PE structures, compostable films, and packaging incorporating post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.”

Commenting on printing innovations, Lyons states, “We saw outstanding examples of rotogravure, digital printing, and other advanced print production techniques. The market is fully leveraging the diverse range of printing technologies available. It’s exciting to examine each package and see how its print capabilities enhance shelf impact and deliver exceptional quality.”

Altay adds, “In reviewing the entries across both conventional and digital printing technologies, we saw companies effectively utilizing flexography, gravure, and digital printing. Each process showcased its unique strengths. Flexo and gravure printing demonstrated exceptional color consistency and high-resolution graphics, particularly in high-volume applications. Meanwhile, digital printing stood out for its versatility in short-run production while maintaining impressive color quality comparable to long-run printing.”

2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS

HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Highest Achievement Award is evaluated by the judges as possessing overall packaging excellence, significant attributes in all award categories, and contributing most to the advancement of the industry.

PRO-EVO Recyclable FL (Manufactured by ProAmpac)

Awards: Highest Achievement Award
Gold — Packaging Excellence
Gold — Technical Innovation
Silver — Sustainability

Description: PRO-EVO Recyclable FL is a high-performance flexible packaging solution that meets sustainability goals while maintaining reliable functionality. This curbside-recyclable package is compatible with widely accessible recycling streams, providing consumers with an option that ensures product protection. It features solid print quality and grease resistance. Designed using ProAmpac’s advanced material technologies, it offers barrier properties for enhanced shelf life, convenience for consumers, and reduced environmental impact. Supporting Nestlé Purina’s commitment as an Ellen MacArthur Foundation signatory, PRO-EVO Recyclable FL aligns with circular economy initiatives and sustainability targets.

GOLD ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Aara Basmati Rice 5-panel Pouch with Pocket Zipper and C-cut Handle, 10 lbs. (Manufactured by Paharpur 3P)

Award: Gold Award – Shelf Impact

Description: This 5-panel pocket zipper pouch with a unique printing design and premium matte finish look is a perfect packaging solution for packaging 10 lbs. of rice. The package is thoughtfully designed to protect against moisture and oxygen ingress with the help of a barrier packaging material and a reclosable pocket zipper. When designing the pouch, we considered the technical aspects and physical appearance by giving this pouch a unique printing design and matte effect film, making it aesthetically attractive and eye-catching to consumers.

Frito-Lay Super Bowl LVIII Commercially Compostable Package (Manufactured by Printpack)

Awards: Gold Award — Packaging Excellence
Gold Award — Technical Innovation
Silver Award — Sustainability

Description: Super Bowl LVIII offered Frito-Lay the opportunity to highlight its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainable goals with a direct-to-consumers package at its “Chip Strip” in Las Vegas. Consumers enjoyed their favorite Game Day snacks, including Lay’s, Doritos, CHEETOS, and Tostitos, all in eye-catching, commercially compostable packaging. The packaging incorporates unique graphic elements and hidden “Easter Eggs” synonymous with Las Vegas, the Super Bowl, and Frito-Lay, and showcases Frito-Lay’s sustainable commitment to “building a world where packaging never becomes waste.”

Goldfish Crisps, 6.25 oz. (Manufactured by Printpack)

Award: Gold Award — Shelf Impact

Description: This is Pepperidge Farm’s newest addition to its lineup is Goldfish Crisps. To make a big splash, the new packages have a different form factor than other Goldfish products. The goldfish inside are larger than other varieties with a package to match. The three new flavors—Sour Cream & Onion, Cheddar, and Salt & Vinegar—are showcased in vibrant, color-coded, 6.25 oz. packages with a flat bottom that stands on the shelf and offers an outstanding billboard effect.

HiPPiE ORGANiCS Organic Asparagus (Manufactured by PPC Flex)

Awards: Gold Award — Sustainability
Silver Award — Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging
Silver Award — Packaging Excellence
Silver Award — Technical Innovation

Description: HiPPiE ORGANICS Organic Asparagus has a winning combination of a bright and happy design with a beautiful print. HiPPiE ORGANICS strives to keep its products down to earth. With that in mind, this asparagus bag is printed and laminated using totally compostable material, a win for the environment.

Indi Grand Balti Curry Sauce (Manufactured by Integrated Plastics Packaging)

Award: Gold Award – Printing

Description: This vibrant stand-up pouch for sauces features a high-quality 7-color print with a purple background, highlighted by gold foil accents and an inline registered matte varnish. The design combines glossy and matte finishes to create an eye-catching shelf presence. Functional features include tear notches for easy opening, rounded corners for consumer safety, and a robust sealant layer that withstands high-temperature filling without leaks.

PepsiCo Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn Packaging (Manufactured by Bryce Corporation)

Awards: Gold Award — Printing
Silver Award — Shelf Impact

Description: Bryce Corporation and Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo and a leader in snacking, collaborated to develop a limited-edition Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn package. This project showcases both organizations’ mastery in flexographic printing and graphic design, featuring strikingly vivid colors and sharp details that captivate consumers. As a leader in the packaging industry, Bryce continues to elevate brands by providing packaging that leaves a lasting impression and sets a new standard for excellence.

Preserve Toothbrush Pouches (Manufactured by Nosco)

Award: Gold Award – Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging

Description: Preserve’s toothbrush pouch, designed for Trader Joe’s, embodies sustainability and functionality. This recyclable flexible packaging option is printed digitally to meet brand specifications, enhancing shelf appeal with vibrant graphics. Each pouch effectively houses a toothbrush that features a handle crafted from recycled yogurt cups, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable products.

ProAmpac Spouted Pouch for Ortho Home Defense (Manufactured by ProAmpac)

Award: Gold Award – Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging

Description: ProAmpac’s Spouted Pouch for Ortho Home Defense combines the advantages of rigid and flexible packaging to offer product protection and convenience. Utilizing chemical and ultraviolet-resistant printing and laminating, the pouch is durable and designed for consumer ease. The pouch serves as a refill to the rigid container and applicator, reducing plastic waste by 90% and making it an environmentally friendly option. With a strong shelf presence, enhanced functionality, and sustainable benefits, this packaging solution demonstrates innovation and reflects consumer-driven sustainability.

TerreGloss/Terrecote Compostable Butter Wrap (Manufactured by Novolex)

Award: Gold Award – Sustainability

Description: TerreGloss and Terrecote butter wraps earned Biodegradable Products Institute certification as compostable in commercial facilities—a feature consumers and dairies have long sought. The wraps use a proprietary blend of wax without intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This high-performance blend protects the butter while making the wrapper easy for consumers to open. Offered in a gloss or matte finish, with custom designs available, the wraps are manufactured from a renewable paper base and use environmentally friendly ink.

For the full list of winners, please see the upcoming print issue of Packaging Impressions.

Source: FPA

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.