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

Company: Sun Centre USA Inc.; suncentre.us

Description: Introducing the patent-pending POUCH³™ Cuboid—a breakthrough in flexible packaging. Its headspace-free, box-like design delivers a truly full pouch while using up to 30% less material than flat-bottom or stand-up pouches. Made from recyclable LDPE, POUCH³™ supports circular-economy goals with a single-web structure that simplifies production. Fully customizable with handles, zippers, Velcro®, or MagneClose, it can be made in any size or shape. Stackable for efficient carton packing, retail display, expanded branding, and secondary messaging, POUCH³™ reduces waste without compromising performance.

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

Company: Flavour Makers & Cheerpack Asia Pacific–Australia; flavourmakers.com.au and cheerpack.com.au

Description: Flavour Makers, Australian Organic Food Co., and Cheerpack Asia Pacific–Australia developed a world-first mono-material retort pouch that has taken the region by storm. This world-first packaging has been developed for vanilla custard, a delicious, portable snack made with certified organic ingredients. While this looks like a typical spouted pouch, it represents a significant leap forward in mono-material innovation. The mono-material structure of our packaging ensures that the entire package is fully recyclable. To further enhance the design, the new cap design uses 20% less plastic compared to the previous version. This thoughtful improvement underscores our commitment to material reduction.

Award: International Gold Award—Sustainability

Company: AirWave Packaging Inc.; airwave-packaging.com

Description: PaperWave air cushions are an FSC® (C162510)-certified, compostable packaging
solution designed to protect a wide range of e-commerce shipments. Made from 100% recycled paper, they deliver high-performance cushioning with substantial environmental benefits. The certified home-compostable sealing layer is an ultra-thin film made from potato starch and a compostable plasticizer. PaperWave can replace more than 80% of the plastic air pillows currently used in e-commerce. The material composition includes recycled FSC® paper, a potato-starch blend sourced from food-processing waste, biodegradable adhesives, compostable inks, and calcium carbonate as a natural binder. The entire composite is fully compostable and biodegradable within 90 days, even if misdisposed of or exposed to marine environments. Available as a cold-water-soluble version, AquaWave, and in over 60 colors through the PRISMA range, PaperWave proves that sustainability can be both effective and beautiful.

Award: Gold Award—Sustainability

Company: SmartSolve; smartsolve.com

Description: Part of SmartSolve’s innovative X-Series, the 3X15 pouch stock features a
dual-layer construction combining a responsibly sourced paper outer layer with a biodegradable, heat-sealable PVOH inner layer. Designed for dry, single-use applications, this water-soluble technology provides a sustainable alternative to traditional flexible packaging without sacrificing performance. Ideal for markets including household cleaning, agriculture, feminine care, healthcare, and personal care, SmartSolve 3X15 enables brands—like noodees—to eliminate single-use plastics and reduce water waste while delivering high-quality, dissolvable packaging that aligns with a commitment to doing daily good.

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

Description: The ALDI Pure Being® Cat Food Bag combines sustainable design with advanced printing capabilities. Each dry kibble pouch is constructed using recycle-ready film engineered to deliver high-barrier protection, product freshness, and shelf stability. The flat bottom structure maximizes functionality, enhances merchandising, and maintains its shape for optimal presentation. Premium registered matte and gloss finishes showcase printing precision, while vibrant graphics elevate shelf impact and strengthen brand visibility. This package meets modern performance and sustainability standards without compromising quality or visual appeal.

Company: Amcor Flexibles; amcor.com/afna

Description: The Amcor HealthCare™ AmSecure™ rollstock and thermoformed trays platform was developed to provide customers with a recycle-ready alternative to PETG while maintaining the performance required to meet the rigorous demands of both medical and pharmaceutical applications. The raw materials used in AmSecure™ were specifically selected to deliver performance comparable to PETG while remaining compatible with the PET recycling stream. This platform also offers a more robust supply chain and a lower-cost option compared to PETG.