Mondi's Paperboard Hug&Hold Wins RISI PPI Product Innovation Award

Credit: Mondi

Paperbased, printed packaging continues to capture the market’s interest as Mondi reports its Hug&Hold printed paperboard carrier has won a global award for product innovation. Designed as a plastic shrink wrap alternative and developed to wrap and transport PET beverage bottles, Hug&Hold is a recyclable 100% paper-based solution, comprising a kraft paper sleeve and a corrugated clip to secure the bottles and offer a comfortable handle for transportation. The Hug&Hold is not the first innovative, printed paperboard carrier solution; Graphic Packaging announced the competing KeelClip on October 17, 2019.

The award won by Mondi is The Fastmarkets Forest Products PPI Awards, which is a global competition that recognizes the achievements of companies, mills and individuals in the pulp and paper sector. The Product Innovation Award is presented to companies that demonstrate how a newly developed product solves an existing need or problem.

Graphic Packaging announced the competing KeelClip in 2019, with AB InBev being the first fast-moving consumer goods company to commercialize KeelClip. | Credit: Graphic Packaging

In a written statement, Tarik Aniba, sales & marketing director, corrugated solutions at Mondi, comments on the win: “We are committed to making the most sustainable packaging solutions for our customers and we are very proud to see our innovations being recognized by our peers.” Silvia Hanzelova, sales director, specialty Kraft paper at Mondi, says: “Leveraging Mondi's team of Kraft paper and corrugated specialists, we were able to develop a fully paper-based solution with minimal material usage. Following thorough testing, Hug&Hold has been confirmed in terms of runnability and viability.”

With Hug&Hold, Mondi reports that it is the first to manufacture and market a complete concept, providing a strong and stable solution that is made from renewable and fully recyclable materials, suitable even for the stringent, existing paper waste streams throughout Europe. The Hug&Hold also has a handle specifically designed for comfortable transportation of beverages from store to home by the consumer.