The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) announced the winners of its 64th annual awards competition in conjunction with the 2020 FPA Annual Meeting March 4-6 in Bonita Springs, FL.

This year’s competition drew 73 packages totaling 206 entries, with some entered into multiple categories. Thirty packages were honored with 48 Achievement Awards in various categories, including 11 gold awards highlighted in this slideshow.

The judges were Min Degruson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Packaging, University of Wisconsin – Stout; Matt Reynolds, Editor, Packaging World; and Mike Richmond, Ph.D., Principal, PTIS, LLC.

Sustainability continues to be a focus, with several entries using bio-based and compostable materials, noted Richmond. “I'm excited about how the industry has really stepped up to the sustainability and circular economy challenges with enhanced barriers and recyclability, increasing the post-recycled content, and reusability.”

An increasing trend seen in this year’s competition was the number of entries that contain both matte and spot gloss aspects.

The transition of products previously packaged in rigid containers to flexible packaging was also seen as a growing trend.

“Several of the entries looked like rigid, traditional looking packages, but they were made of flexible packaging,” noted Degruson. “That's something that stands out to me because companies are addressing that consumers want to see the traditional rigid packaging or glass jar, but the packaging is made as a flexible packaging to reduce the material usage.”

Several of the entries also addressed consumer convenience, making it easier for the consumers to shop, transport, dispense from, and use flexible packaging.

Highest Achievement Award.

Now the winners starting with the Highest Achievement Award bestowed on Aeroflex as evaluated by the judges as possessing overall packaging excellence, significant attributes in all award categories, and contributing most to the advancement of the industry.

Gold Award — Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging

Gold Award — Packaging Excellence

Gold Award — Shelf Impact

Gold Award — Sustainability

Gold Award — Technical Innovation

Manufacturer: AeroFlexx

AeroFlexx is a “new to the world” package format that is revolutionizing the liquid packaging industry as the only flexible package providing features and benefits that are superior to that of a conventional bottle. It uses an air frame to integrate tailored rigidity into a flexible film, creating a package with no discreet closure; clean and controlled one handed dispensing functionality; a 360 degree palette for branding; a structure that is e-commerce compliant without additional protection, all with at least 50% less plastic than a bottle. The package is consumer preferred, customer centric, more sustainable, and cost competitive with bottles and designed to disrupt the entire liquids packaging value chain.