FPA Reveals 2021 Flexible Packaging Achievement Award Winners

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), the leading advocate and voice for the growing U.S. flexible packaging industry, is pleased to announce the winners of its 65th Annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition. The winning entries were recognized during a virtual awards ceremony that was live-streamed on March 10th.

This year, 75 package entries were submitted for the competition, with a total of 201 entries (some packages were entered into multiple categories). Twenty packages were honored with 27 Achievement Awards.

The judges for this year’s competition included Cory Francer, Editor-in-Chief, Packaging Impressions; David Luttenberger; Global Packaging Director, Mintel Group Ltd.; and Keith Vorst, Ph.D., Director, Polymer and Food Protection Consortium, Iowa State University.

Even though we’re amid a pandemic, the judges were thrilled at the number of entries for the competition. Luttenberger notes “I think the first thing that stood out was the number of entries. We've certainly had a unique and challenging year, but to have this many entries, as many, if not more, than we've had the past couple of years certainly was unexpected.”

Technical innovation and sustainability continue to be a focus of the competition. “We saw some packaging that was what I would call the total package for new ideas and innovations,” says Vorst. “It’s not just one component but companies are looking at all the package components now, and that’s exciting.” Luttenberger notes “the technological innovations we saw this year were really unique, clever, and practical constructions, looking at the advancement of barriers, particularly for recyclable materials and extending shelf life.”

An increasing trend seen for this year’s competition was the increase in international entries. "We saw some entries from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia as well. So, really a nice global mix of packaging,” notes Francer. According to Vorst, “the international entries in many cases, brought some new technology to the game. I think we're seeing a different approach for packaging, maybe some things that we wouldn't typically see here in the U.S., and some of the entries that were entered were really impressive.”

The printing quality of the entries this year was also remarked on by the judges. “The print quality that we saw this year was really, really impressive. Some amazing things are being done with the graphics in flexible packaging,” states Francer. Vorst agrees with Francer’s observation and adds, “it was the first thing that grabbed our attention.”

Another trend seen for the competition is companies focusing on user experience for packaging. According to Luttenberger, “flexible packaging converters are recognizing that the end-user is not always a consumer - it could be an operating room technician, an EMT, or someone in a warehouse. Making sure that the packaging works as it's supposed to, and making sure that the product maintains safety, efficacy is protected, is easy to open, can tell us when it's already been opened is important. We have to think about the user experience in the context with who the user is, not just a shopper in a store or someone preparing a meal at home, for instance.”

2021 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.

Crunch Pak's Toy Story Lunch Kitz
Manufacturer: American Packaging Corporation
End-User/Customer: Crunch Pak
Description: American Packaging Corporation (APC) is proud to be part of the packaging for Crunch Pak’s Lunch Kitz. Lunch Kitz is a 4 oz. snack tray having individual compartments containing fresh sliced apples, an artisan cracker, string cheese, and Italian salami. The foods are fresh and healthy, including the salami which is without nitrates, nitrites, or artificial ingredients.

Gold Achievement Awards

Amcor's Dual Chamber Pouch
Award: Gold Award - Technical Innovation
Manufacturer: Amcor Flexibles

Arbor Teas Organic Tea
Award: Gold Award - Sustainability
Manufacturers: Polykar, Eagle Flexible Packaging, and Futamura USA, Inc.

Chameleon for Tyvek
Award: Gold Award - Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging
Manufacturer: PAXXUS, Inc

Hunter's Gourmet - Quinoa Chips
Awards: Gold Awards for Packaging Excellence, Printing, and Shelf Impact
Manufacturer: Emirates Printing Press, L.L.C.

Industrial Compostable Coffee Pod Lidding & Mother Bag
Award: Gold Award - Sustainability
Manufacturer: TC Transcontinental Packaging

Infused Face Mask
Award: Gold Award - Shelf Impact
Manufacturers: Karlville and The Packaging Lab

Nutra Dates 3D Pouch
Award: Gold Award - Printing
Manufacturer: Emirates Printing Press, L.L.C.

Ruffles Lime and Jalapeño Anthony Davis Bags
Awards: Gold Awards for Packaging Excellence, Printing, and Shelf Impact
Manufacturer: Printpack

Shield Pack Clear High Barrier Aseptic IBC Liner
Award: Gold Award - Technical Innovation
Manufacturer: Amcor Flexibles

Volga Shahi Gold Pouch

Award: Gold Award - Printing
Manufacturer: Emirates Printing Press, L.L.C.

Silver Achievement Awards

50% Recycled Content Multi-Use E-Commerce Mailer
Awards: Silver Awards for Packaging Excellence and Sustainability
Manufacturers: Berry Global and PAC Worldwide Corporation

Amazon Tea Stand-up Pouch
Awards: Silver Award - Printing
Manufacturer: Emirates Printing Press, L.L.C.

Aunt Millie's Live Organic BIOVANTAGE Bakery Bag
Awards: Silver Awards for Sustainability and Technical Innovation
Manufacturer: Berry Global

Brookside Hershey's Exotic Dark Pouch
Awards: Silver Award - Technical Innovation
Manufacturer: Paharpur 3P

CaPao Cacaofruit Smoothie Balls
Award: Silver Award - Shelf Impact
Manufacturer: ProAmpac

Krakatoa Hot Chips, 6.7 oz.
Award: Silver Award - Shelf Impact
Manufacturer: Printpack

Numi Tea
Award: Silver Award - Sustainability
Manufacturers: Plastic Suppliers, Inc., and Elk Packaging

Reset360 Large Format Protein Pouch
Award: Silver Award - Printing
Manufacturer: Nosco

Smithfield Prime Fresh Delicatessen
Award: Silver Award - Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging
Manufacturer: Berry Global

Source: Flexible Packaging Association

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