Manufacturer: Paharpur 3P; paharpur3p.com

Description: This small stand-up pouch for Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in India converts Kissan Mixed Fruit Jam from the traditional rigid packaging in a thermoformed plastic tub to a flexible pouch, a prudent step toward achieving HUL’s sustainability goals. The pouch is designed to keep the product fresh, protected, and safe for consumers over its specified shelf life. The package offers a high-barrier protection against oxygen and moisture ingress to keep the product fresh until consumer use. The conversion results in a significant reduction in HUL’s carbon footprint and packaging landfilled as compared with the traditional packaging of rigid plastics and glass.

Awards: Highest Achievement Award; Gold Award—Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging; Gold Award—Packaging Excellence; Gold Award— Sustainability; Gold Award—Technical Innovation 

Manufacturer: Brook + Whittle; brookandwhittle.com 

Description: A household name in the chemical industry since 1953, WD-40 Company products are well known for their iconic aerosol packaging. In 2023, the company broke from that tradition by launching WD-40 Specialist® EZ-Pods, a degreasing product in a pod format—in sustainable flexible packaging. Without sacrificing performance, cost, or aesthetics, WD-40 settled on two recyclable flexible packaging formats: a stand-up pouch with a child-resistant closure and a sample-size three-sided sealed pouch. Both options are recyclable through store drop-off collection services. 

Awards: Gold Award—Printing; Silver Award— Shelf Impact; Silver Award—Technical Innovation 

Manufacturer: Emirates Printing Press, L.L.C.; eppdubai.com 

Description: A combination of polyethylene terephthalate/metallized polyethylene terephthalate/special film/ high-dart polyethylene layers is used for the lamination of this pouch to improve the dart impact, sustain drop tests, and improve bursting strength during transport and handling of the 14kg package. To print this job, Emirates Printing Press used three sets of cylinders and printed it three times—printing the front, back, and gussets of the pouch separately due to its large size. The quad-seal pouch has a zipper for easy multiple-opening. This packaging is easily recognizable as cat food, with elegant and eye-catching contrast colors and a matte effect that gives this huge pouch a vibrant look on the shelf. 

Award: Gold Award—Shelf Impact 

Manufacturer: TC Transcontinental Packaging; tctranscontinental.com/en-us/packaging

Description: To support the customer’s need to export this product, these bags were developed to reduce any risk of pinholes or unsealing during transport. This was achieved through the use of metallized polyethylene terephthalate and a clear sealant film that provides a larger sealing window as well as an optimized structure that provides a superior level of support for shipping and handling. Perforations in the bag facilitate air excavation for optimal palletization. 

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

Manufacturer: Amcor Flexibles; amcor.com 

Description: This Danoninho ice pop launched in Brazil with Danone and Gualapack is the first yogurt pouch that can be converted into an ice pop for kids. The top of the pouch has a spout that is used to drink the yogurt. However, if placed in the freezer for a few hours, the contents of the pouch become an ice cream that can be consumed from the bottom of the pouch, thanks to the two notches and the laser cut, allowing the consumer to open the pouch and eat it like an ice pop. 

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

Manufacturer: Amcor Flexibles; amcor.com 

Description: The McCoy™ dunnage free IBC liner protects up to 330 gallons of aseptic food products such as diced tomatoes through the supply chain via abusive intermodal transport. This industry-changing solution is one of the many hardworking industrial flexible packages that never sees a retail shelf. The stronger, lighter IBC virtually eliminates the need for layers of protective dunnage at the top and bottom of containers, which significantly reduces packaging waste and cost, streamlines processing, and improves sustainability. Benefits include 40% system cost savings over conventional liners and a 25% reduction in carbon footprint.