AIP June 2023 eNewsletter

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JUNE 2023

AIP: PEAK PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR PACKAGING EDUCATION & TRAINING IN AUSTRALASIA

Single Polymer PE Recyclable Films

ANZ winners celebrated at 2023 WorldStar Packaging ceremony in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Inaugural Women in Packaging Forum @ interpack Page 79

Page 11 & 12

Packaging Sessions to be held alongside

Flexible Packaging: Now & Into The Future Training Course - 24 July

Page 12

POSITIONS VACANT Available

AIP to take 2x training courses & 2x packaging sessions to FoodPro - 23-26 July

Packaging Job Vacancies available

2023 Page

Position Vacant O F Packaging: Sales Director

Are you ready to take your career to new heights? Do you have a passion for driving sales and leading a high-performing team?

O F Packaging have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Sales Manager to join their dynamic and rapidly growing company.

Why join them?

• A competitive salary package with attractive incentives and benefits.

• Exciting growth opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment.

• Collaborative and supportive work culture that values teamwork and individual contributions.

• Chance to make a significant impact and be part of a company driving industry transformation.

About the Company

O F Packaging P/L (O F Pack) is a distinguished division within Close the Loop Group (CLG), an esteemed and successful company listed on the ASX. With a strong focus on environmental responsibility, O F Pack aligns its operations with CLG’s mission of creating a circular economy.

At O F Pack, they pride themselves on being at the forefront of innovation in the industry. As a leading provider of sustainable packaging, they are committed to delivering exceptional solutions to their valued clients. To further enhance their market presence and drive revenue growth in Melbourne, they are currently seeking a talented and driven Sales Director.

About the Role

The Sales Director plays a pivotal role in developing and executing sales strategies, managing key accounts, expanding their customer base, and building strong customer relationships in addition to leading the Sales and Sales Support Teams to achieve revenue targets.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing and executing strategic sales plans to achieve targets and increase market share.

• Leading and motivating a team of sales professionals, providing guidance, training, and support to maximise their potential.

• Fostering a customer-centric culture within the sales team, ensuring exceptional customer service and satisfaction.

• Identifying new business opportunities, building strong relationships with clients, and negotiating contracts.

• Monitoring market trends and competitor activities to stay ahead of the competition.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless delivery of products/services and excellent customer satisfaction.

• Analysing sales data, preparing reports, and presenting findings to senior management.

• Staying updated with industry developments, emerging trends, and regulatory requirements related to the packaging industry.

Requirements

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Proven experience as a Sales Director or in a similar senior sales leadership role within the packaging industry.

• Demonstrated success in driving sales growth and achieving revenue targets.

• Exceptional leadership abilities with the aptitude to inspire and guide a team to achieve and exceed targets.

• Strong business acumen and the ability to analyse market trends and customer needs effectively.

• Results-driven mindset with a focus on delivering outstanding customer experiences.

If you are a passionate sales professional with a proven track record and the desire to be part of a dynamic team, O F Packaging want to hear from you! Take the next step in your career and seize this opportunity to join their thriving organisation.

Join us and let’s achieve remarkable success together!

Position Vacant Driscoll’s Australia: Packaging Specialist

Apply Now

• Key touch point for all business packaging requirements

• Be part of a cross-functional team environment

• Newly created role

The Opportunity

Driscoll's have an exciting newly created role for an experienced Packaging Specialist to join their team based in their HQ. Reporting directly to the National Supply Chain Manager, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing packaging solutions for their fresh produce products. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure that packaging solutions meet product requirements, quality standards, and regulatory compliance. Your key duties will include:

• Developing the businesses packaging strategies and develop sustainable packaging solutions aligning with the business’ sustainability initiatives.

• Providing oversight, review and coordination of the company’s packaging supply chain working closely with key stakeholders including growers, regional teams, suppliers and DC’s.

• Conducting testing and validation of packaging materials to ensure they meet product and quality requirements.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product development, manufacturing, logistics, and quality assurance, to ensure packaging solutions meet business goals and objectives.

• Efficient coordination of packaging supply chain activities including order management, inventory and stock control.

• Identifying efficiency improvement initiatives through packaging innovation.

• Running PREP reports via the APCO tools.

Skills & Experience

To be considered for this role, applicants will need to demonstrate capabilities in the following:

• Tertiary Qualifications and previous experience in packaging design, solutions engineering and sustainability is essential.

• Previous experience with project management, including timeline management, budgeting, and vendor management.

• Experience in Heat Sealing not essential but highly regarded.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Suite.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Valid Australian working rights.

About Driscoll's

Driscoll’s Australia is an exciting joint venture company owned by Costa Group – Australia’s leading integrated growing and marketer of premium quality fresh produce and Driscoll’s (USA) – the world’s market leader in berries. Partnering with a broad grower base across a national footprint, Driscoll’s Australia supplies year round delicious, branded berries to consumers using exclusively patented varieties developed by their joint venture partners breeding programs. Since their inception they have successfully achieved significant yearly growth and market share, enabling them to become the market leader in their category.

Benefits

At Driscoll’s, they are passionate about berries and their people. They take the time to nurture and invest in their people capabilities to help them grow and prosper. If this role is suitable for you, they would encourage you to apply.

Driscoll's have recently introduced their Employee Reward & Recognition Program. Employees have access to many benefits, discounts, perks and more! At Driscoll’s, employee engagement and recognition is something they believe is key to maintaining a good company culture and happy workplace!

Position Vacant JBS Australia: Packaging Technologist

Apply Now

From humble beginnings as a butcher shop, Primo is now a household name on a journey to being a purposeful food brand. They hold market leading positions, across a house of brands, in multiple categories from Smallgoods to Cheese Snacking.

Primo are truly local for local, dedicated to serving their Customers and Consumers without politics: strategy, production and execution starts and ends there, and they are not burdened by the overbearing processes and approvals that often constrain companies of their size.

And last but not least, they are building a culture to match the ambition and they are proud to be part of the JBS Group.

Primo Foods has a rare opportunity for a Packaging Technologist to join the team, based at their Chullora facility. This role will assist in the Implementation of the Company’s Innovation & Sustainability strategy and deliver projects. These projects may involve new packaging development, value engineering, packaging sustainability, quality improvements and technical assistance to internal departments.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Work closely with the Packaging Development Manager and the Lead Product Developers to assist in delivering and commercialising packaging requirements for projects to meet business objectives & goals using a Stage & Gate approach.

• Work with key stakeholders (Operations, Quality, Innovations, Procurement & packaging suppliers) to identify, develop, validate & commercialise cost optimised packaging solutions to improve efficiency, cost, quality, safety and shelf life of products.

• Manage packaging timelines for projects. Prioritise work schedule to ensure that tasks are completed within agreed timeframes and within project timelines.

• Stay abreast of packaging trends, legal & regulatory requirements that apply to the relevant/applicable packaging and packaging/product interface.

• Perform packaging line trials autonomously at company owned and contract manufacturing locations as needed.

• Conduct relevant package performance testing on packaging materials & components.

• Write and maintain accurate project trial and testing reports.

• Conduct PREP assessments & understanding ARL artwork requirements.

• Develop and maintain current and accurate specifications for all packaging.

About you:

• Degree or diploma qualified in food science/ technology and/or Packaging Technology.

• Previous experience working in packaging development and packaging related role, ideally in the meat or smallgoods industry.

• A drive and passion for everything Packaging.

• Good communication and relationship management skills.

• Ability to manage several projects and tasks simultaneously.

• Knowledge of products, process and packaging.

• Able to work with all types of meat and meat products.

Benefits include (but not limited to):

• Heavily discounted Primo/meat products.

• Retail discounts with national partners.

• Health insurance discounts on Bupa Health and Medibank Private.

What's next?

If you’re passionate and want to be a part of the largest meat, pork and salmon manufacturer and producer in Australia, this opportunity may be for you. Apply now!

THE AIP WANTS TO HEAR FROM ALL OF OUR MEMBERS

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is celebrating 60 years as the peak professional body for packaging training and education in Australasia

Celebrating 60 years

2023 is a very special year for the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) as we will be celebrating 60 years as the peak professional body for packaging training and education in Australasia.

We are inviting all of our Members and industry colleagues to help us celebrate by finding out what you have seen change in the industry, what you have learned along the way and more.

We ask that you please complete the survey using the link below.

Should you have any photos from over the years that you would be able to share please scan them and send them as well to info@aipack.com.au.

Thank you in advance

https://forms.gle/58hQKuCziZbR4Qz26

60th Anniversary dinner to be held in Melbourne

SEPTEMBER Friday

Mark this date in your calendar

Bunzl becomes AIP Corporate Partner

The AIP would like to take this opportunity to welcome our latest Corporate Partner, Bunzl. Bunzl’s operations in Australia & New Zealand are part of the Bunzl plc group of companies, operating across four continents in 29 countries.

Bunzl reliably sources, consolidates and delivers an extensive range of quality products and services to businesses across all market sectors. Through specialist knowledge, strong supply chain and logistical capabilities, Bunzl ensures the right products are sourced and arrive at the right time, allowing customers to focus on their core businesses - achieving purchasing efficiencies and savings.

The business’s sustainability program extends throughout the entire supply chain; from sourcing practices, operations and the value Bunzl provides its customers.

Bunzl is proud to announce they are a corporate partner of the Australian Institute of Packaging.

Contact: Felicity Kelly, Felicity.Kelly@bunzl.com.au

As a business, we have always appreciated the work AIP has been doing, particularly around more sustainable packaging. Our Bunzl values align with AIP goals, and working with like-minded people and businesses has, and will always be, core to how Bunzl operates.

Up until now, most of our engagement has been directly through our individual professional AIP memberships. Joining AIP as a company member made sense to us – to take our partnership with AIP forward. Having access to technical expertise, networking with industry experts, keeping abreast of industry trends, and staying ahead of the curve is a must – and AIP enables us to do that. Being a corporate member also gives us the opportunity to give back to a terrific organisation.

Felicity Kelly MAIP, Head of Sustainability

Calling

LIQUID FILLING SYSTEMS

FILL BAG-IN-BOX FROM 1.5 TO 20 LITERS

FILL STAND-UP POUCHES FROM 0.175 TO 3 LITERS

TOOLING FOR ALL TAPS, CAPS & CONNECTORS

FILL RATES FROM 60 TO 1500 BAGS PER HOUR

From small to large scale production. We have the filling solutions to meet your production requirements.

AUTOMATIC WEB FILLERS FOR BAG IN BOX

180

A unique twin fill head assembly with a single bag infeed and box loader provides reliable and consistent filling of 3-liter bags at up to 1500 bags per hour. Servo powered.

145B

Features the same servo powered fill head as the TORRfiller 150. Production rate is up to 900 3-LT bags per hour. Separates bags after fill.

140H

Semi automatic pouch and bag filler. Optional Vacuum & Nitrogen purge. Rates up to 480 bags per hour. Fills from 1 to 20 liter.

150

A single head version of the TORRfiller 180. Production rate is up to 960 3- LT bags per hour. Separates bags from the web before filling. Servo powered.

140W

An economy automatic web feed filler with air operated fill head. The operator separates the filled bag from the web and hand loads into a box or onto a conveyor. The filler paces the operator. Production rates up to 720 bags per hour.

SEMI - AUTOMATIC WEB FILLERS FOR BAG IN BOX

110

Semi manual bag and pouch filler with turbine flowmeter. Manual uncap and recap. Optional Vacuum & Nitrogen purge. Rates up to 200 bags per hour. Fills from 1 to 20 liter.

TORR Industries products are supported in Oceania by AUSPOUCH’s locally based Engineering and Sales team.

Victorian Contact: 0412 597 178

NSW Contact: 0480 254 400

130

Semi manual pouch and bag filler. Automatic uncap and recap. Optional Vacuum & Nitrogen purge. Rates up to 240 bags per hour. Fills from 1 to 20 liter.

Head Office : 02 8852 2660

4, 9 Salisbury Rd Castle Hill NSW 2154

www.auspouch.com.au

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

Foodpro 2023

WHEN: 23 - 26 July 2023

JULY 2023

AIP to host training course & more alongside

WHERE: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

WHAT: foodpro, Australia's most trusted and proven trade event in the food manufacturing industry, is back for the first time in 6 years.

Returning 23-26 July 2023 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, foodpro provides the first opportunity for the industry to celebrate the contribution of Australian food producers, distributors, and manufacturers. Showcasing the latest packaging and processing solutions, foodpro is where the food industry gathers to make big business deals, network and explore ways to create an efficient future for manufacturing. Generate leads and close deals at an action packed four day gathering attracting premium and qualified buyers.

AIP Sustainable Packaging Session for the Meat & Proteins Industry

WHEN: 23 July 2023

WHERE: Smart Food Lounge, Foodpro 2023, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

WHAT: AIP Sustainable Packaging Session for the Meat Industry: Showcasing innovative award-winning sustainable and circular packaging solutions that have won PIDA Awards and WorldStar Packaging Awards for the meat/proteins side of the industry. This session will bring together a number of experts in this field that have recently been recognised for their unique, innovative and sustainable packs.

Active & Intelligent Packaging: Training Course NEW COURSE

WHEN: 24 July 2023

WHERE: Alongside Foodpro 2023, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

WHAT: Printed Packaging will NEVER be replaced even though nearly every other printed medium has shifted to digital and now sits on a smartphone or PC. Likewise, email and social media platforms are a crowded space where it is difficult to stand out.

To be held alongside

To be held alongside

We use smartphones and smart appliances, drive smart cars, and we increasingly purchase consumer goods that are supplied and transported in smart packages. So, what makes all those things ‘smart’ and how can 'smart packaging' be implemented?

This course is designed to assist anyone who is responsible for packaging, marketing, operations, logistics in the consumer goods and broader supply chain seeking to stay relevant in their consumers lives by using smart packaging solutions that offer out-of-the-box business value.

The course will provide attendees with a better understanding of the smart packaging solutions currently available to transform the way they package, deliver and market their products and connect directly with consumer or offer value that will ensure customers ‘come back for more’. Best Practice examples of award-winning packs from the PIDA awards and WorldStar Awards across Active & Intelligent Packaging will also be discussed in the course.

Discussions will cover Active & Intelligent Packaging in easy to understand terms, and will highlight applications being embraced by brands across various industries who are trying to leverage the benefits of smart packaging solutions to enhance their operations whilst at the same time providing an unparalleled customer experience. Is your business prepared for such transformations?

Course Objectives:

• Develop a better understanding of Active & Intelligent Packaging solutions and the core technologies involved in their delivery.

• Understand the global standards the underpin the smart packaging revolution

• Learn how various smart packaging solutions could be implemented and developed

• Understand applications and use case examples of active and intelligent packaging from inventory management, to customer interaction as well as recycling, brand protection and product recall

• Learn how reducing food waste is possible via smart packaging

• Understand how to use data for insights and increased sales for your products

• Learn how to utilise smart packaging platforms to stay relevant in consumers lives and increase sales

• Learn how smart packaging can help mitigate loss events in the supply chain

LECTURER:

Michael Dosser MAIP Education Team Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

* = 12.5 CPP PTS

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

JULY 2023

Flexible Packaging: Now & Into The Future: Training Course

WHEN: 24 July 2023

WHERE: Alongside Foodpro 2023, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

WHAT: One of the fastest growing segments of the packaging industry, flexible packaging combines the best qualities of plastic, film, paper and aluminium foil to deliver a broad range of protective properties while employing a minimum of material. Typically taking the shape of a bag, pouch, liner, or overwrap, flexible packaging is defined as any package or any part of a package whose shape can be readily changed.

Course Objectives:

The objectives of the course are to provide participants an understanding of:

• A good broad understanding of the benefits of Flexible packaging.

• The process of manufacturing.

• Where the future lies with flexible films and the changes ahead.

• Snap shot of some of the latest packaging trends and what are the driving forces.

• Understanding the challenges facing us with the sustainable packaging race toward.

LECTURER:

AIP Sustainable Packaging Session for the Food Industry

WHEN: 25 July 2023

WHERE: Smart Food Lounge, Foodpro 2023, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

WHAT: This session will showcase innovative packs that have recently award-winning PIDA Awards and WorldStar Packaging Awards including certified compostable packs, fibre based packs, packs made out of renewable materials and smart packaging. This session will bring together a number of experts in this field that have recently been recognised for their intuitive packaging that can potentially save food loss and waste across a value chain and also are more sustainable.

INTRODUCING...

4P Technical Services provides an independent technical service to the Australian manufacturing industry, with core competencies including packaging and food technology, quality management, cost minimisation and continuous improvement.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

To be held alongside

To be held alongside

• Packaging design, optimisation, and cost reduction

• Packaging sustainability, convent plans, projects and reports

• Supply chain efficiencies/cost reduction

• Process continuous improvement and problem solving

• Total product and process value analysis/cost reduction

• Quality systems and HACCP auditing

• Packaging training relevant to all business levels

• Artwork management system optimisation

• Technical project management

• Expert Witness support

Please contact Greg Roberts Dip.Pkg.Tech. FAIP CPP: 0437 868 958 • greg roberts@4ptechservices.com.au • www.4ptechservices.com.au

Joe Foster FAIP Education Team Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

AIP to take 2x training courses & 2x packaging sessions to FoodPro - 23-26

July

As an Association Partner the AIP is proud to advise that it will be hosting 2x packaging sessions, 2x training courses and have an exhibition stand (K49) at FoodPro on the 23-26 of July an the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. We hope that you will join us.

Sunday 23rd of July AIP Sustainable Packaging Session for the Meat Industry:

Showcasing innovative award-winning sustainable and circular packaging solutions that have won PIDA Awards and WorldStar Packaging Awards for the meat/proteins side of the industry. This session will bring together a number of experts in this field that have recently been recognised for their unique, innovative and sustainable packs. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional designation and a certificate of attendance. Speakers will include:

Monday 24th of July Training Course #1: Flexible Packaging – Now & Into the future

The Flexible Packaging: Now & Into the Future training course will cover the basic fundamentals of flexible packaging, its benefits, how you chose the specific structures to match the product, its performance, marketing challenges and how the packaging is manufactured.

With the latest challenges facing us regarding sustainability in packaging the course will discuss the options, pros and cons of Compostability vs Recyclability, moves to mono material recyclable packaging to meet CEFLEX standards and other innovative alternative materials now available. As an add on, the course will be looking at the future plans for flexible packaging and available closed loop collection programs, kerbside collection development, advanced recycling options for circular design and many others to meet Packaging and Food Waste Targets.

Course Objectives:

The objectives of the course are to provide participants an understanding of:

• A good broad understanding of the benefits of Flexible packaging.

• The process of manufacturing.

• Where the future lies with flexible films and the changes ahead.

• Snap shot of some of the latest packaging trends and what are the driving forces.

• Understanding the challenges facing us with the sustainable packaging race toward. This course is designed for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 12.5 CPD points per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional designation and a certificate of attendance.

http://aipack.com.au/event-registration/?ee=397

Alan Adams MAIP Sustainability Director APAC Sealed Air

Warwick Armstrong MAIP General Manager Business Development & Marketing Plantic Technologies

Jasson Mills Director Research & Development Amcor Flexibles ANZ

Course Lecturer * =1 CPP PT

BOOK

AIP to take 2x training courses & 2x packaging sessions to FoodPro - 23-26 July

As an Association Partner the AIP is proud to advise that it will be hosting 2x packaging sessions, 2x training courses and have an exhibition stand (K49) at FoodPro on the 23-26 of July an the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. We hope that you will join us.

Monday 24th of July Training Course #2: Introduction to Active & Intelligent Packaging

We use smartphones and appliances, drive smart cars, and we increasingly purchase consumer goods that are supplied and transported in smart packages...So, what makes all those things ‘smart’ and how can ‘smart packaging’ be implemented?

This course is designed to assist anyone who is responsible for packaging, marketing, operations, logistics in the consumer goods and broader supply chain seeking to stay relevant in their consumers lives by using smart packaging solutions that offer out-of-the-box business value. The course will provide attendees with a better understanding of the smart packaging solutions currently available to transform the way they package, deliver and market their products and connect directly with consumer or offer value that will ensure customers ‘come back for more’. Best Practice examples of award-winning packs across Active & Intelligent Packaging will also be discussed in the course.

Discussions will cover active and intelligent packaging in easy to understand terms, and will highlight applications being embraced by brands across various industries who are trying to leverage the benefits of smart packaging solutions to enhance their operations whilst at the same time providing an unparalleled customer experience. Is your business prepared for such transformations?

This course is designed for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 12.5 CPD points per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional designation and a certificate of attendance.

http://aipack.com.au/event-registration/?ee=398

Tuesday 25th of July AIP Sustainable Packaging Session for the Food Industry:

This session will showcase innovative packs that have recently award-winning PIDA Awards and WorldStar Packaging Awards including certified compostable packs, fibre based packs, packs made out of renewable materials and smart packaging. This session will bring together a number of experts in this field that have recently been recognised for their intuitive packaging that can potentially save food loss and waste across a value chain and also are more sustainable. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional designation and a certificate of attendance.

Speakers will include:

Michael Dossor MAIP Education Team Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

Course Lecturer

Richard Fernandez MAIP Business Development Manager Confoil

Gilad Sadan MAIP N.A.V.I Co. Global The Packaging Hippie

Felicity Kelly AAIP Head of Sustainability Bunzl Australia & New Zealand

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

JULY 2023

Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) 2023

WHEN: 26 - 27 July 2023

WHERE: International Convention Centre, Sydney

AIP packaging sessions alongside

WHAT: The waste, recycling and resource recovery industry is continuing to transform and has quickly become the nucleus for driving Australia towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. AWRE is THE premier national platform for waste professionals to join forces and work towards this common goal. The event will include three exciting elements for visitors and exhibitors alike.

AIP AWRE Sustainable Packaging Design Session

WHEN: 26 July 2023

WHERE: Alongside AWRE 2023, International Convention Centre, Sydney

WHAT: The AIP will be running a session at AWRE that will be focussed on how to design out waste, create more circular and sustainable packaging with lower environmental impacts. The unique innovations that will be discussed in the session will be awardwinning PIDA and WorldStar examples. The Sustainable Packaging Design session is free for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.

AIP AWRE Sustainable Packaging Design Session #2

WHEN: 27 July 2023

WHERE: Alongside AWRE 2023, International Convention Centre, Sydney

WHAT: The AIP will be running a session at AWRE that will be discussing the balance required between the environmental impacts of food waste vs packaging waste. The session will discuss the trade-offs, unintended consequences and also showcase award-winning best practice examples of intuitive and innovative Save Food Packaging Design that can minimise food loss and waste across the value chain. Speakers will be recognised designers in the field and will be discussing their most recent PIDA and WorldStar award winning packs. This Food Waste vs Packaging Waste session is free for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.

AWRE 2023 - 26-27 July

The AIP will be continuing their support of Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) with an AIP stand and some packaging educational sessions that are free to attend. All of industry is invited to attend. Please book your place at the three packaging sessions and also come and see us on stand B37 during the show.

Wednesday 26 July | 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm

Circular & Sustainable Packaging Design

The AIP will be running a session at AWRE that will be focussed on how to design out waste, create more circular and sustainable packaging with lower environmental impacts. The unique innovations that will be discussed in the session will be award-winning PIDA and WorldStar examples. The Sustainable Packaging Design session is free for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.

Speakers to include:

ATTEND

Thursday 27 July | 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm

A Balanced Approach between Packaging Waste & Food Waste

The AIP will be running a session at AWRE that will be discussing the balance required between the environmental impacts of food waste vs packaging waste. The session will discuss the trade-offs, unintended consequences and also showcase award-winning best practice examples of intuitive and innovative Save Food Packaging Design that can minimise food loss and waste across the value chain. Speakers will be recognised designers in the field and will be discussing their most recent PIDA and WorldStar award winning packs. This Food Waste vs Packaging Waste session is free for all of industry to attend so book your place today. All attendees will attain 1 CPD point per session towards the global Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation.

Speakers to include:

FREE TO ATTEND

Thursday

27 July | 3.00 pm to 3.30

pm

Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) and how it cuts out consumer recycling confusion

The AIP, AFGC, NRA and APCO are working together to help raise the profile of the value that the ARL brings to all sized businesses, the environment and consumers. This session will provide updates on the ARL, the Marketplace and the new tools and resources available for everyone to access to embed ARL on their packaging, one pack at a time.

Speakers to include:

FREE TO ATTEND Register to attend the show which will give you access to these free sessions

Lars M. Ljung Sustainability Manager, Planet Protector Packaging

Brendon Holmes Managing Director, Caps & Closures

Michael Dossor MAIP Managing Director, Result Group

Alan Adams MAIP Sustainability Director APAC, Sealed Air

* =1 CPP PT

Nerida Kelton FAIP Executive Director, Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

Bonnie Marshall Policy Officer, National Retail Association (NRA)

Sarah Sannen Head of Operations, Australian Packaging Covenant

* =1 CPP PT

Jack Glover Marketing Director ANZ, Accolade Wines

26-27 July 2023

ICC SYDNEY

AIP to have a stand and run 2x packaging forums alongside of AWRE

Driving a World of Solutions

The waste, recycling and resource recovery industry is continuing to transform and has quickly become the nucleus for driving Australia towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

AWRE is THE premier national platform for waste professionals to join forces and work towards this common goal. Discover the latest innovations and solutions and connect with like-minded experts as we propel Australia to lead the charge to global and national waste targets – together.

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

SEPTEMBER 2023

AIP 60th Anniversary Dinner

WHEN: 1 September 2023

WHERE: Aviary, Crown Promenade, Melbourne

Save the date

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2023

WHEN: 11 - 13 September 2023

WHERE: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

WHAT: Every two years, PACK EXPO Las Vegas brings together all packaged goods and life sciences industries for the most productive week of the year. This is where suppliers showcase their latest innovations and end users discover game-changing solutions to packaging and processing challenges. With thousands of solutions on display, PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2023 is the one show in North America where consumer packaged goods and life sciences companies can count on finding the right solutions for their next project.

MixedoutlookforAustralianco-packingsector PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 Covidimpactsresultsofmajorpackagingplayers Towardsarefillablefutureforpackaging Boxsectorstandssolidintoughtimes

FoodTech PackTech 2023

WHEN: 19 - 21 September 2023

WHERE: Auckland Showgrounds

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

SEPTEMBER 2023

AIP to host training course & more alongside

WHAT: New Zealand’s foremost food and packaging technology exhibition where New Zealand’s food manufacturing sector encounters new materials, processes and technology from the world’s top suppliers. FoodTech PackTech (FTPT) is New Zealand’s largest food manufacturing, packaging and processing technology trade show. Running strong for over 20 years this free to attend event brings industry professionals and decision makers together providing a forum for education, discussion and the sharing of knowledge and expertise, critical in the sustainability and growth of the industry.

The AIP are a supporting association of the FoodTech PackTech New Zealand again this year and as a part of the partnership the Institute will be hosting four hours of packaging sessions on Day One, a training course on the Future of Flexible Packaging on Day Two and an exhibition stand.

We hope that you will join us as this will be our first time in New Zealand since the pandemic started..

AIP & FoodTech PackTech Sessions

WHEN: 19 September 2023

WHERE: Alongside FoodTech PackTech 2023, Auckland Showgrounds

WHAT: The AIP will be running a series of packaging sessions which will be designed as panel discussions covering a broad range of topics including packaging targets, waste directives, Sustainable & Circular packaging innovations and designs, incorporating recycled content into packaging, the future of soft plastics and flexible packaging, how to embed the 10 Sustainable Packaging Design Principles into your business, the role that packaging plays in minimising food waste, the future of fibre and renewable materials, the important role that the Australasian Recycling Labelling program plays across ANZ and updates for ANZPAC. The speakers will also include a number of our NZ winners of the ANZ PIDA Awards and the WorldStar Packaging Awards.

Flexible Packaging: Now & Into The Future: Training Course

WHEN: 20 September 2023

WHERE: Alongside FoodTech PackTech 2023, Auckland Showgrounds

WHAT: The Flexible Packaging: Now & Into the Future training course will cover the basic fundamentals of flexible packaging, its benefits, how you chose the specific structures to match the product, its performance, marketing challenges and how the packaging is manufactured.

With the latest challenges facing us regarding sustainability in packaging the course will discuss the options, pros and cons of Compostability vs Recyclability, moves to mono material recyclable packaging to meet CEFLEX standards and other innovative alternative materials now available. As an add on, the course will be looking at the future plans for flexible packaging and available closed loop collection programs, kerbside collection development, advanced recycling options for circular design and many others to meet Packaging and Food Waste Targets.:

Course Objectives:

The objectives of the course are to provide participants an understanding of:

• A good broad understanding of the benefits of Flexible packaging.

• The process of manufacturing.

• Where the future lies with flexible films and the changes ahead.

• Snap shot of some of the latest packaging trends and what are the driving forces.

• Understanding the challenges facing us with the sustainable packaging race toward.

LECTURER:

Joe Foster FAIP Education Team Australian Institute of

Packaging (AIP)

* = 12.5

CPP PTS

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

The AIP will be running a series of packaging sessions which will be designed as panel discussions covering a broad range of topics including packaging targets, waste directives, Sustainable & Circular packaging innovations and designs, incorporating recycled content into packaging, the future of soft plastics and flexible packaging, how to embed the 10 Sustainable Packaging Design Principles into your business, the role that packaging plays in minimising food waste, the future of fibre and renewable materials, the important role that the Australasian Recycling Labelling program plays across ANZ and updates for ANZPAC. The speakers will also include a number of our NZ winners of the ANZ

Awards and the WorldStar Packaging Awards.

19 September 2023 | Venue: ASB Showgrounds Auckland

Huzaifa Mohsinally MAIP Packaging Manager Goodman Fielder New Zealand

Ben McCulloch AAIP Product Manager (rPET) Martogg

Kitty Sandoval MAIP Senior Packaging Manager Frucor Suntory Oceania

Nerida Kelton FAIP Executive Director - AIP VP Sustainability & Save Food WPO

PIDA

Alan Adams MAIP Sustainability Director APAC Sealed Air

Sarah Yanez MAIP, CPP Director Totally Wrapt Packaging

Nikki Withington MAIP NZ Co-ordinator - ARL & the ANZPAC Plastics Pact APCO

Apoorv Mehrotra AAIP Business Development Manager Oji Fibre Solutions

Florian Graichen General Manager – Forests to Biobased Products Scion

Barbara Nebel CEO thinkstep-anz

Vikas Ahuja Sustainability Director Tetra Pak

Deanne Holdsworth General Manager Sales - Pact Packaging NZ Pact Group

Joe Foster FAIP Chief Executive Officer Close the Loop Group

Chris Thomas Divisional Manager Packaging BJ Ball NZ Ltd

Just some of the Speakers confirmed thus far...

19 - 21 September 2023

Auckland Showgrounds

New Zealand’s foremost food and packaging technology exhibition where New Zealand’s food manufacturing sector encounters new materials, processes and technology from the world’s top suppliers

See us at stand 160

The AIP will have a stand, run multiple packaging sessions and a training course alongside FoodTech PackTech.

Up-Coming Courses, Webinars & Tradeshows

OCTOBER 2023

Waste Expo Australia

WHEN: 25-26 October 2023

WHERE: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

WHAT: Waste Expo Australia is the country's largest gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals.

Alongside their largest ever conference program, running across 4 different tracks with 60+ individual sessions and over 100 leading national and international experts, Waste Expo Australia will feature 100+ brands with presence from both local and international exhibitors, providing a platform to discover the latest breakthrough innovations shaping the future of the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry.

Attracting more than 6,000 industry professionals, Waste Expo Australia is a must-attend event in the industry's calendar. Be part of this free-to-attend exhibition and conference from 25-26 October 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The AIP will have an exhibition stand and will be hosting three packaging sessions at Waste Expo.

Australian Institute of Packaging returns to Waste Expo Australia in 2023

Join us as we exhibit and speak at the largest gathering of waste management and resource recovery professionals in the country.

With 2700+ visitors and 100 brands+ on display in 2023, there are only a limited number of stands and sponsorship opportunities still available!

Scan the QR code or click here to enquire to exhibit today

25-26 October 2023

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

6th Edition arrives in Australasia

Order your copy of the New 6th Edition of the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology Textbook today!

Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, 6th Edition is more comprehensive and better than ever.

The newest Edition contains a reorganised and expanded discussion on sustainability, the circular economy, packaging law, a more in-depth discussion of e-commerce, additional on-line resources, and updated information on technical considerations, standards, and testing procedures!

Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, 6th Edition is peer-reviewed to add to the extensive past contributions of Walter Soroka, with fresh insights from nearly 100 packaging subject matter experts.

This revised Edition also includes a chapter review answer key and an updated look at considerations for machinery in packaging, including robotics, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

If you are thinking about starting your Certified Packaging Professional designation or undertaking modules from the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology course then this textbook is for you!

SAVE FOOD PACKAGING RESEARCH

CERTIFICATE IN PACKAGING (On-Line )

FUNDAMENTALS IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY (On-Line & Residential)

HELPING SHAPE THE CAREERS OF EVERYONE WHO WORKS IN AND AROUND PACKAGING aipack.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) AWARDS

MASTER OF FOOD & PACKAGING INNOVATION (Residential)

DIPLOMA IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY (On-Line)

30 TRAINING COURSES (Virtual & Hybrid)

WORLDSTAR PACKAGING AWARDS

SITE VISITS, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES & FORUMS

CERTIFIED PACKAGING

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

On the 8th of May the 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards, which are run by the World Packaging Organisation, saw 300 people from over 40 countries converge at interpack in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Of the 300 guests, 20 were Australians who had travelled half way across the globe to receive their awards and to be recognised by their global peers for their packaging designs. Australian & New Zealand companies received the second highest amount of wins in the world behind Japan. This is the second year in a row that the region has dominated the global awards program, which is a true reflection of the innovative packaging designs being developed in the Southern Hemisphere.

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

Not only were ANZ PIDA Award winners recognised with 19x awards across 9x categories but 2x of the companies also picked up the coveted WorldStar Special Awards which were announced live on the night.

2023 WORLDSTAR PACKAGING THAT SAVES FOOD SPECIAL AWARD SILVER WINNER

2023 WORLDSTAR ACCESSIBLE PACKAGING DESIGN SPECIAL AWARD SILVER WINNER

Caps & Closures was recognised with silver recognition for two different products - the NEW Accessible Packaging design special award for the EzyGrip and Packaging that Saves Food special award for the ThermoShield Temperature Monitoring System – Food. This brought the tally for Caps & Closures to 6x WorldStar awards; making them the first Australian company in history to win this amount of awards.

According to Brendon Holmes, Managing Director of Caps & Closures, “When the recognition comes from your industry peers, representing our Australia comes with immense pride. Receiving two WorldStar Special Awards recognising our efforts in Save Food Packaging and Accessible Packaging was tremendous. Our dedicated team has invested hours, weeks and months into finding solutions for challenging issues we all face as consumers. Our focus on fighting food waste, brand protection, accessibility and sustainability remains, and these awards inspire us further to continue down this path. It was good to see many companies at interpack adopting similar innovative solutions that improve the consumer experience in accessibility and functionality.”

2023 WORLDSTAR SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL AWARD GOLD WINNER

BioPak also made history being the first Australian company to win the coveted GOLD Sustainability special award for the Sugarcane Pulp Hot & Cold Cup Lids. This brought BioPak’s tally to 3x for the 2023 edition.

Gary Smith, Chief Executive Officer, BioPak who was on a jetlag high during the evening added that, ‘Each day we come into BioPak with a passion for change and a passion for sustainable improvement in our industry. There is little focus on anything else. Working at a screen all day, working in a closed environment not understanding the impact of what we take for granted as our day-to-day, has a danger of stuffing passion. Attending the WorldStar Awards and being surrounded by so many innovators and change makers was humbling and a boost to make me excite all at our business into working harder and smarter at continual improvement and sustainable developments! We were humbled to be singled out in an evening to receive the coveted Gold for the Sustainability special award, where there is so much good in overcoming mediocrity and bad practices. Seeing so many new developments and innovations, and meeting so many talented people was a privilege!”

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

FIRST TIME WINNERS

In addition ANZ had one table of firsttime winners such as Result Group, Ego Pharmaceutical, JBS and Opal which was a great moment to watch.

“Being amongst global peers and fellow Australian Worldstar award winners was one hell of an experience that’s for sure! Sharing the night itself with our project partners was sensational, but bringing the award home to the team and seeing the pride on every face is something I will never forget.” Michael Dossor MAIP, Managing Director, Result Group.

The 9x general categories where ANZ designs were recognised include Food, Fresh Fruit & Vegetables, Beverages, Household, Transit, Medical & Pharmaceutical, Health & Personal Care, Labelling & Decoration and Other.

Food

• Smarties Paperisation - Nestle Australia

• Waitoa free range chicken - Ingham’s New Zealand, Sealed Air New Zealand

• Ecotite R barrier shrink bags – Amcor Flexibles

• Praise 100% rPET Mayonnaise Bottle –Goodman Fielder

• FSC Rectangle Paper Containers - BioPak

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

• Australian Table Grapes (ATGA) pilot – Result Group

Beverages

• Kraft Renewable Milk Carton - Brownes Dairy

• Norco 100% rPET Milk bottle – Pact Group

• Coles Home Compostable Coffee Capsules –Coles Group

• Sugarcane pulp hot and cold cup lids –BioPak

• ThermoShield Temperature Monitoring system – Caps & Closures

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

Household

• Earthwise Eco Laundry Scoop – Earthwise Group

• KOH Kerbside recyclable spout pouch refill pack – O F Packaging & Close the Loop Group

Health & Personal Care

• Etch & Ethos – EGO Pharmaceutical

Medical & Pharmaceutical

• EzyGrip – Caps & Closures

• ID Shield Anti counterfeit system – Caps & Closures

Transit

• JBS and Opal Dunnage Solution – JBS and Opal

Labelling & Decoration

• ID Shield Anti counterfeit system – Caps & Closures

Other

• Royal Australian Mint Coin Box – Macher

The full list of 2023 WorldStar Packaging Award winners are available to view on https://www.worldstar.org/winners/

ELIGIBILITY FOR WORLDSTAR AWARDS

Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the annual Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand. The PIDA Awards are the exclusive awards program for all Australia and New Zealand entries into the prestigious WorldStar Packaging Awards. http://aipack.com.au/pida-awards-overview/

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

ANZ Special Award Winning Packaging Designs

Caps & Closures ThermoShield – Silver Save Food Packaging Special WorldStar award winner

The core value in developing ThermoShield is to combat food loss resulting in wastage. ThermoShield is developed to be a crucial cold chain safeguard across refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities.

With the ability to account for, identify and improve the weak links in the supply chain network, Caps & Closures provides a simple yet effective solution to one of the primary causes of food waste. Clever use of ThermoShield can also improve the product brand through intuitive design that would boost consumer confidence and purchasing happiness, knowing that what is purchased has been taken care of.

Caps & Closures ThermoShield is an optical system, where the packaging will dynamically change its colour appearance at a preselected temperature switching point. ThermoShield packaging safeguards cool and cold chain products by monitoring temperature through the entire process, using thermochromic materials designed to change colour when the temperature of a product changes. This is useful in the transport and warehousing because the over temperature stock can be clearly seen. ThermoShield products are smart and ensure that there is no overheating of perishable food and temperature sensitive items in transit and in storage; which is a major cause of food spoilage, loss and waste.

BioPak Pulp Hot & Cold Lids – Gold Sustainability Special WorldStar Award winner

Switching from single-use plastic packaging derived from finite fossil resources to sugarcane packaging makes a big difference: if a large QSR swapped out 10 million conventional plastic lids to sugarcane pulp BioCane alternative they could avoid 37,400 kgs of fossilfuel plastics, offset 83,478 kgs of carbon emissions and if all were composted at home, the organic waste would create 25,900 kgs of nutrient-rich soil which in return sequesters even more carbon from the atmosphere, reversing climate change.

In comparison to other packaging products in its class BioPak maintain the ability to increase or decrease the gauge of the pulp, the density of the pulp and its composition. Their blend of wheat straw pulp with bagasse ensures a stiffer package at a reduced weight. Their production facility is certified to ISO 14001 environmental standards, their products are made from rapidly renewable plantbased agricultural byproducts designed to be compostable at the end of their life. The sugarcane pulp lids are PFAS free as drinks don’t contain grease and these lids perform well as a takeaway lid. The BioPak Sugarcane cup lids are recyclable (when not contaminated with food) and certified home compostable to AS5810 and European NF T51-800 standards, and industrially compostable to Australian AS4736 or European EN13432 standards. They are independently tested and verified to completely biodegrade within 120 days in a commercial compost facility, the end product is a non-toxic, nutrient-rich compost.

2023 WORLDSTAR PACKAGING THAT SAVES FOOD SPECIAL AWARD SILVER WINNER

2023 WORLDSTAR SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL AWARD GOLD WINNER

CHANGING THE WAY YOU INTERACT

Globally Recognised

4x WorldStar Awards

6x PIDA Awards

Sensory • IDShield, ThermoShield, BioShield

Ergonomic Cap • EzyGrip

We are redefining how people interact and buy their products. Dynamic visualisation of anti-counterfeit and temperature quality assurance. A passive technology that continuously protects against harmful microbes. Through our human senses, we know, and we care. Learn more at capsandclosures.com.au.

Australian delegation attends 2023 WorldStar Packaging Awards to pick up 22 awards; including 3x special awards

ANZ Special Award Winning Packaging Designs

Caps & Closures EzyGrip – Silver Accessible Design Special WorldStar Award winner. NEW CATEGORY

Easy to grip, ergonomic design and child-safe. Thanks to medical and scientific achievements, more of us enjoy good health as we age, with longer more fruitful lives and a more active lifestyle.

Consequently, we are experiencing a global trend where national populations are ageing, and a growing number of consumers suffer reduced hand strength and dexterity. Our senior population would benefit from a better ergonomic design that makes opening a product easier. EzyGrip features large evenly distributed side lobes enhanced with mini surface ribs to improve hand grip over the standard cap significantly, reducing hand and wrist strain and allowing the adult consumer to get what they need with ease. While the enhanced grip design makes opening easy, EzyGrip can be integrated with the Caps & Closures leading child-resistant closure design, resulting in a safer product, especially in the application of prescription medicine and hazardous substances. EzyGrip has optional additional safety, hygiene and sustainability functions such as tamper-evident seals and advanced additive technology like BioShield™, EnviroShield™ and Oysterlean™. EzyGrip’s ‘senior-friendly’ design methodology gives seniors easy access while providing safety, health and sustainability benefits to our community through additive technology.

2023 WORLDSTAR ACCESSIBLE PACKAGING DESIGN SPECIAL AWARD SILVER WINNER

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

ANZ PIDA Awards Winners take Second in the World with 22x WorldStar Packaging Awards

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 WORLDSTAR WINNERS FROM AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

AMCOR FLEXIBLES ASIA PACIFIC ECOTITE R BARRIER SHRINK BAGS FOR THE FOOD CATEGORY

I am delighted to share Amcor’s new PrimeSeal ™ Eco-Tite ® Recycle-Ready Shrink Bag has just won a prestigious WorldStar award at the World Packaging Organisation’s Global Packaging Awards. This international recognition continues to highlight Amcor’s position as leader in market innovation in meat packaging locally and globally, demonstrating what we can deliver for our customers. The development of the Eco-Tite ® R Shrink Bag has been no small feat for our local team, creating a new lighter, high barrier shrink bag that is free of PVdC and other contaminants that would prevent it from being recycled. It has been designed to be circular, with the ability to add local advanced recycled content by 2025. We will proudly be launching the first shrink bags in Australia in early 2023.

Mike Cash, President, Asia Pacific Flexibles

Opal Shapes the Future through Sustainable Packaging so winning this WorldStar award sends a strong message that OPAL is living its vision with a bias to action. Also supporting our customers on their own individual sustainability journeys and delivering real and meaningful outcomes, could not make us feel prouder.

Craig Madden, Regional Sales Manager - Industrial,

Close the Loop Group are so grateful to have the hard work and dedication that went into creating this project recognised. Forwardthinking and sustainable brands like Koh are pushing the boundaries, to ensure simpler packaging materials and less plastics are used. This award further substantiates our aim to be leaders in the sustainable packaging solutions, and we will continue our efforts towards helping achieve a more circular economy for the packaging industry.

Joe Foster FAIP, CEO, Close the Loop Group

Opal

JBS AND OPAL

JBS AND OPAL DUNNAGE SOLUTION FOR THE TRANSIT CATEGORY

O F PACKAGING/CLOSE THE LOOP GROUP

KOH KERBSIDE RECYCLABLE SPOUT POUCH REFILL PACK FOR THE HOUSEHOLD CATEGORY

ANZ PIDA Awards Winners take Second in the World with 22x WorldStar Packaging Awards

COLES GROUP

COLES HOME COMPOSTABLE COFFEE CAPSULES FOR THE BEVERAGES CATEGORY

We are thrilled to accept the WorldStar Packaging Award for our Coles Home Compostable Urban Coffee Culture Pods. At Coles we are always looking for ways to make supermarket Own Brand and Coles Liquor’s exclusive products more eco-friendly and sustainable for shoppers. We know our customers love the convenience of pod-based coffee machines and being able to make café-style coffee at home, but want a better solution for dealing with the used pods which can be difficult to recycle. We also know that very few councils accept compostable packaging in their council food and organics waste bin, which is why we have worked with our suppliers to find a coffee pod solution which customers can compost at home. Composting at home is also a great way for our customers to reduce the amount of food waste going into landfill.

The Home Compostable Urban Coffee Culture Pods allow Coles to provide coffee-lovers a more sustainable solution, while still delivering a delicious quality brew.

Natalie Shaw, Packaging Technologist, Coles Group

SMARTIES RANGE PAPERISATION FOR THE FOOD CATEGORY

Winning the prestigious WorldStar Awards is an amazing recognition for the work in the development of this packaging material. The transition from plastic bag and blocks formats to paper was a collaborative effort between Nestlé packaging experts at our Confectionery R&D Centre in the UK, the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences in Switzerland, and our packaging suppliers. This award shows that there is a strong focus on sustainable packaging materials and we are proud to be leading the way in packaging sustainability. Shifting Smarties packaging to recyclable paper is an important step in realising Nestlé’s ambition to reduce our use of virgin plastics by a third by 2025. We will continue to innovate and work with industry to further our progress in developing packaging for a sustainable future. We thank the Australian Institute of Packaging and the World Packaging Organisation for this award!

Karunia Adhiputra MAIP (Adhi), Head of Packaging Oceania, Nestlé Australia

NESTL É AUSTRALIA

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

Australian Delegation attend the 2023 WorldStar Awards in Germany

The #1 platform for Specification Management

Digitize & manage all your specification data – from raw materials, and ingredients, to packaging and finished goods – and collaborate across teams and suppliers with Specright.

Learn why more than 1 million products are on Specright at www.specright.com

AIP Out & About

The AIP in partnership with AusIndustry hosted three webinars over two months that discussed the Future of Soft Plastics, The Future of Fibre & Renewables and How to market without Greenwashing. Close to 1200 people attended these sessions. Our very own Keith Chessell FAIP, Ralph Moyle FAIP, CPP and Joe Foster FAIP presented these webinars.

AIP Out & About

The AIP continues to run a broad range of educational programs and webinars with many of our partners. AusIndustry has run a number of webinars with the AIP in the last two months including The Future of Fibre with Joe Foster FAIP with close to 400 people in attendance.

AIP talks to SEE about sustainability that makes lots of cents

Shining the light on SEE's sustainable packaging innovation that makes cents.

A prelude to the WorldStar Global Packaging awards, the Australian Institute of Packaging's annual Australasian Packaging Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA) awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding packaging innovation across Australia and New Zealand. If you've been watching closely, collectively across both prestigious events, SEE (formerly known as Sealed Air) and its customers are the proud owners of more than 23 awards, including 3 WorldStar Save Food special awards. Behind every prestigious award is value that's been unlocked for SEE's food and e-commerce customers. Watch this interview between Nerida Kelton (Executive Director, AIP and Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, World Packaging Organisation) and Alan Adams (Director Sustainability, APAC - SEE and 2021 Industry Professional of the year) learn what it takes to deliver award winning sustainable packaging design that makes lots of cents. Watch the full video here

AIP Education Director, Prof Pierre Pienaar FAIP, CPP recently visited Grade 12 students at Parklands Christian College to discuss sustainability, packaging waste and recycling.

This is one of Pierre's favourite educational programs to do as he believes it is critical that the AIP educates the young people on sustainability and recycling.

12 of our AIP Members recently supported the Monah University Supply Chain & Logistics Business School as Guest lecturers. Michael Dossor MAIP presented a lecture on Active & Intelligent Packaging to the students in person.

AIP Education Coordinator, Ralph Moyle FAIP, CPP recently lectured at the Monash University Masters of Food degree. Ralph discussed Sustainable Packaging & Circular Design and Food Safety.

AIP Out & About

5 0 people recently attended the AIP Introduction to Packaging Specifications training course with Prof Pierre Pienaar and Matthew Wright, CEO of Specright as the lecturers.

Lear n ings from the course included:

• Who controls the data? The answer is the brand.

• Packaging Specifications allow the brand to take control.

• Without adequate packaging specifications it creates risk, slows speed to market and inhibits innovation.

• The Packaging Specification is the DNA of the product.

• The next generation of the workforce is moving rapidly towards more advanced technology and systems.

• Packaging Specifications create a common language, clarity for all, visibility and enable a brand to move to a single source of truth.

• The Packaging Specification serves as a contractual benchmark if there is a dispute.

The AIP would like to thank the team at Specright for working with the Institute on this course. We look forward to running this again soon. All attendees receive 12.5 points towards the Certified Packaging Professional designation.

The AIP will also be hosting a webinar with Specright in the next few months so stay tuned for more information.

ANZPAC Impact Report & Recyclability Assessment Communications Support

The ANZPAC (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands) Plastics Pact has today released the first ANZPAC Impact Report, which provides a crucial look at how the region is progressing towards the development of a circular economy for plastic.

The ANZPAC Impact Report contains aggregated data from ANZPAC Member Reports from 2021, the year the program was launched, and delivers on ANZPAC’s commitment to a transparent and data-driven approach towards circularity. This benchmarking data provides critical insight into the gaps and opportunities for future collective action of Members and tracks progress towards the ANZPAC Regional Plastics Targets.

Chris Foley, APCO CEO, said: “The data confirms that whilst we have a long way to go to the 2025 ANZPAC Regional Plastics Targets, Members are already undertaking upstream initiatives, and some materials have a reliable recovery pathway.

“However, collection presents a considerable issue towards increasing recovery rates in the region, while reuse systems are failing to reach significant scale. The vast distances of remote and regional geographies and data gaps across the ANZPAC region are presenting challenges that must be considered when developing up and downstream circular solutions.

“It is vital that businesses across the region continue, accelerate and expand their efforts to reduce the impact of plastic packaging. We have seen some fantastic collaboration and innovation in a very challenging space, but, put simply, more needs to be done. Cooperation across the industry and with governments across the region will be critical to driving change, particular in those areas in need of significant investment in recycling infrastructure.”

The report outlines key findings for each of the Regional Plastics Targets:

• Target 1 – Eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging through redesign, innovation and alternative (reuse) delivery models .

o Result – 2,232 tonnes of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging were eliminated by Pact Members during the reporting period.

ANNUAL

IMPACT REPORT

20 21

• Target 2 – 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

o Result – 63% of plastic packaging put on the market by ANZPAC Members is currently designed for end-of-life recoverability (reuse, recycling, or composting).

• Target 3 – Increase plastic packaging collected and effectively recycled by at least 25% for each geography within the ANZPAC region.

o Result – 16% recovery rate recovery of plastic packaging placed onto the market across the ANZPAC region

– 25.8% recovery rate of plastic packaging placed onto the market in New Zealand.

– 15.9% recovery rate of plastic packaging placed onto the market in Australia.

– 0.1% recovery rate of plastic packaging placed onto the market in Pacific Island Countries.

• Target 4 – Average of 25% recycled content in plastic packaging across the region.

o Result – 7.5% average of recycled content included in plastic packaging across ANZPAC brand owner and retailers.

The report can be accessed here.

Establishing a baseline for the 2025 Regional Plastics Packaging Targets

THE ANZPAC PLASTICS PACT

Australian Institute of Packaging Helping small to medium-sized enterprises adopt the Australasian Recycling Label

The AIP is proud to be partnering on a new campaign helping SMEs to put the ARL on their packaging.

Small businesses can access:

The ARL Marketplace: new educational hub featuring free AIP training videos and the Packaging Impact Calculator.

Expertise from four campaign partners: the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, the National Retail Association, and the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Weekly ARL drop-in session: Register for the online sustainable packaging discussion.

COMING SOON: a new online directory of approved packaging that’s ready to label with the ARL.

To find out more register* today at arlmarketplace.org.au

1. 2.

3. 4.

How the ARL helps businesses prioritise sustainability

Every business has a part to play in safeguarding our environment – even SMEs. With 80% of supermarket goods set to feature the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) by the end of 2023 under the Federal Government’s National Plastic Plan, it’s worth understanding how your business can make a stand for responsible packaging.

In their SmartCompany webinar with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), host David Adams explores the power of the ARL, the role of SMEs in sustainable packaging, consumer demands in recycling and the businesses making the change. Joining Adams is Bonnie Marshall, Policy Officer, National Retail Association; Nerida Kelton, Executive Director, Australian Institute of Packaging; and Alison Appleby, Engagement and Capability Manager, APCO.

A uniform labelling scheme

For businesses, displaying the ARL is an easy way to inform consumers on how to dispose of their packaging correctly.

The push to make the ARL a standard addition to packaging, says Alison Appleby, will make things even more streamlined and avoid the confusion of other schemes. “The chasing arrow symbol, or the Möbius loop with the number inside of it…you see that on your bottle and you think, ‘Oh, it’s recyclable,’” Appleby says. “But actually that symbol isn’t meant for consumers, it’s meant for industry.”

Without the consistency of one easily-understood scheme, there’s plenty of potential for mistakes. “If we can help the system and ensure that the packaging that we are putting in our recycling bins is in fact recyclable – and that’s what the ARL tells us – it means that we’re going to have a cleaner system,” Appleby says.

Boosting the bottom line

Businesses, says Bonnie Marshall, will find plenty of incentives to include the ARL on their packaging. “Often you find when you move to more sustainable packaging, there’s often a huge cost-benefit to business,” Marshall says. “The more customers become aware of the ARL, the more likely they are to look for products with the ARL.”

The idea that businesses stand to benefit from applying the ARL on-pack is borne out in the research.

“About 75% of Australians have indicated that they agree that the ARL is a great idea, and they want to see it on all packaging,” says Appleby. “And about half of participants in the survey from the ARL Consumer Insights Report said that the ARL would positively influence their purchasing behaviours.”

Advice for SMEs

Nerida Kelton understands that, for smaller businesses, planning for packaging change can be daunting. “The reality is that we don’t expect SMEs to have technical packaging experts in their teams,” says Kelton. “So for a small-to-medium-sized business, understanding the materials, specifications, dimensions, inks and adhesives is very overwhelming.”

How the ARL helps businesses prioritise sustainability

For SMEs listening in, the panel offered plenty of advice for how to get started with both the ARL and sustainable packaging in general.

One simple place to start is the ARL Marketplace. “It’s not just about the ARL, it’s also about how to create sustainable packaging and make decisions that will ensure that your packaging is sustainable,” says Appleby. “The intention is that in the longer term, it will be a platform where small businesses can go online and find products or packaging that they can apply the ARL on-pack.”

Kelton also gave some suggestions based on the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (the SPGs). “You would be amazed at how many SMEs sit with the Principles and they think, ‘Well, I could do that in my warehouse, I could change my pallet wrap. I could look at eliminating PVC in one of my lines. Or I could get rid of polystyrene.” These are all steps to lower your environmental impact. And as Bonnie said, “this is about low-hanging fruit. The first step is evaluating your packaging and if you get the ARL on at least one of your products, it’s a great start.”

Small changes, big impact

This idea of low-hanging fruit is a constant theme and, for SMEs looking to make effective and easy improvements to their packaging, the outlook is good. Nerida Kelton gave the example of milk company Little Big Dairy and one easy switch that made a big difference. “That was simply changing the cap colour on their milk bottle,” Kelton says. “If you take away that colour, and you go back to clear, then you have a quality feed stock with value to put back into the recycling stream.”

Keen to learn more about the SPGs? Visit this link to find out how it can help your business.

The ARL Marketplace is home to a range of free educational resources, including a new online training course developed by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), designed to help small businesses make the switch to more sustainable packaging options. Please tick AIP as the association you heard about the ARL Marketplace from on the registration page. Visit www.arlmarketplace.org.au or join the weekly ARL sessions with the AIP and National Retail Association to get started.

'Level-up your SME sustainability plans with the ARL' took a deep dive into the ARL and its benefits for businesses and the environment with AIP, NRA and APCO joining forces to discuss the program in more detail.

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle™ recycling service wins the silver PIDA Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year 2023 award, which is designed to recognise companies that have developed innovative packaging or processing solutions that incorporate sustainability considerations. Elements include Social, Material, Source Reduction, Energy, and Recovery. Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the PIDA awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field across Australia and New Zealand.

RafCycle is label release liner waste recycling at its simplest

Climate change is a major challenge of our time. The global population is living beyond its means in terms of natural resources and eroding the planet’s ability to compensate for this. The unsustainable linear use of materials drives climate change. Growing product and packaging waste streams paired with tightening sustainability regulation and sustainable consumer trends equal a concrete need for circular solutions.

The label release liner is an often-overlooked waste stream. Put in proper circular use, it has the potential to be turned into a concrete positive impact on both the environment and business. With RafCycle recycling service, self-adhesive label waste is given new life that would otherwise be landfilled.

UPM Raflatac collects the waste from its RafCycle partners, de-siliconises the paper release liners, and recycles it back into pulp and papers at the UPM Plattling paper mill. Paper release liner can be recycled up to seven times with the help of UPM’s

technology. It enables you to put those valuable raw materials to better use, even as closed-loop solutions. Beyond the simplicity and the service, RafCycle helps you reach your sustainability goals and you can also take full advantage of those tangible sustainability actions in your storytelling and marketing.

UPM Raflatac’s network is continuously growing, for over a decade, they have been helping companies around the globe to join the circular economy. Till now, they have had over 400 partners globally. More intuitively, the liner waste collected between 2014 and 2022 is equivalent to the weight of over three Eiffel Towers. Concretely, however, it means that 463 000 trees are left for other uses. The fossil CO2e emissions avoided is the equivalent of 334 long-haul flights compared to the waste ending up in landfill.

“As a frontrunner in solutions for managing the challenges of label waste, we offer our partners possibilities to contribute to circular economy by turning their label waste into a resource through our RafCycle service,” says Juha Virmavirta , Director, RafCycle Solutions, UPM Raflatac. “We invite any brands looking to achieve their sustainable packaging and zero waste targets to contact us to learn more about how our RafCycle solution can benefit them.”

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle™ service closes the recycling loop

DESIGN OF THE YEAR - LABELLING

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle™ service closes the recycling loop

Be the changemaker and implement sustainability actions

RafCycle waste management concept is a good example of thinking and acting circularly, thus taking responsibility to lower impacts on the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. UPM Raflatac offers customers and end-users a recycling solution that gives their label waste a new life, thus achieving a truly sustainable circular economy and being the changemaker.

You can download a guide to the RafCycle concept here and learn about the RafCycle service here.

The Economic Contribution of the Australian Recycling Industry

Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions (AEAS) was commissioned by ACOR (Australian Council of Recycling) to determine the economic benefit of the Australian recycling industry to the Australian and State economies.

The Australian recycling industry in 2021–22 recycled an estimated 40.6 million tonnes of material. Across the decade the Industry’s recycled tonnage has grown by 3.1 per cent each year, compared to Australia’s average population growth rate across the same time of 1.4 per cent. Australia’s overall material recycling rate in 2021–22 is estimated at 63.1 per cent, equating to 1,568 kilograms of recycled material for each person in Australia.

Direct Economic Benefit

The Australian recycling industry is an important contributor to the Australian economy. Results of a macro-economic analysis of the Industry reveal the following:

• 1,828 businesses operating

• Recycled and processed 40.6 million tonnes of material in 2021–22

• Providing 30,606 jobs to Australian residents

• Pays over $2.5 billion in wages and salaries and an additional $253 million towards employee superannuation

• Provides an average livelihood to each employee within the industry of $82,618 which compares to Australian average weekly earnings of $69,103

• Has a collective industry turnover of over $14.6 billion

• Sources and provides $10 billion in benefit across its supply chain

• Invested over $1 billion in 2021–22 million in land, buildings, plant and equipment and vehicles each year

• Contributes $5.1 billion in industry value add to the Australian economy

Download the full report here

Ecoporium launch

Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials and consumables aims to drive the conversation for sustainable packaging with its new online educational resource, ecoporium by Ball & Doggett.

As anyone operating in the packaging industry knows, the conversation around sustainability is broad and nuanced, with layers of complexity to be unpacked with expert input as the industry works to build its understanding of sustainability and the objectives it seeks to achieve.

Zaidee Jackson, Ball & Doggett’s national business development manager Sustainable Packaging, and the principal creative project lead on the ecoporium by Ball & Doggett brand, says, “As distributors, we are well positioned to partner with customers to support their sustainable pathways. Recognising what sustainability means to the market and the need for continued education, we are proud to deliver a resource that focuses on the conversation around sustainability and materiality for Australia.”

Positioned as ‘The Destination for Sustainable Packaging’, ecoporium by Ball & Doggett creates a channel for all audiences to gain insight to the world of packaging materials through the lens of the company’s Labels & Packaging division.

Jackson says, “We are the architects of our own business future and building the foundation of our sustainable culture. It’s about the conversation, the collective impact and sharing important information pertaining to sustainable packaging – supporting the market as we look to achieve national packaging targets set by APCO.

“This resource has been curated with intent and purpose to offer visibility on our labels and packaging range along with an experience that our customers can trust.”

“Following the release of APCO’s Review on the 2025 Targets, it’s clear we need to be more proactive and act with urgency, so driving education and supporting decisions by brands that are new to this arena is imperative,” Jackson adds. “In doing so, we will work collectively with a shared economy with regards to information being made available so that targets and sustainable roadmaps can be achieved.”

Jackson says ecoporium by Ball & Doggett allows the distributor to shape a resource that is accessible not just for companies in the industry who already know Ball & Doggett but reaches a new audience.

Ecoporium launch

This includes the membership base of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), creatives that have pivoted to packaging design, emerging creatives completing design degrees, the average consumer, the brand owner adopting a position of activating a sustainable roadmap for their business and in turn offering sustainable packaging as the norm to consumers.

Nerida Kelton, executive director of the AIP, says, “In the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of sustainability, education is critical, so it is wonderful to see one of our corporate partners Ball & Doggett develop the ecoporium platform. This innovative and detailed platform will enable even more people access to podcasts, articles, research and learnings from experts in the industry.

“We commend Ball & Doggett for having the foresight to create a place for people to learn, share knowledge and be able to redesign their solutions to have lower environmental impacts. I would strongly recommend that you have a look around ecoporium as there is something for everyone.”

https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/john-bigley/ https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/neridakelton/

https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/darylthompson-koko-black/

https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/dr-helenlewis-environmental-consultant/

https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/lindyhughson/

https://ecoporium.com.au/interview/anthonypeyton-prep-design-greenchip/

HEAR FROM AIP MEMBERS:

Increasing the ease of machine operation and verifiable consistency of throughput whilst allowing for data metrics, reporting and remote access. Trademarked and exclusive to Asset Packaging Machines Pty Ltd.

Is food packaging as bad as we think it is? ABC Radio interview #1

Food waste is responsible for up to 10 percent of greenhouse emissions, yet good packaging design can help reduce the amount of food we throw out.

What can consumers do about reducing food waste and can the industry do more?

A new study from the Fight Food Waste CRC has some insights.

Guests:

Lukas Parker , Associate Professor, RMIT and co-researcher at Fight Food Waste CRC.

Keith Chessell is on the education team for the Australian Institute of Packaging.

Listen to the full interview here

Pura reduces 2L milk by one gram of plastic ABC Adelaide interview #2

Our very own AIP Member Neil A. Ainslie recently joined an ABC Adelaide Radio interview discussing how Pura Milk have lightweighted and downgauged milk bottles and how 1 gram per bottle makes a difference in sustainable design.

Listen to the full interview here

Wrap up: Kissel + Wolf Open House

Kissel and Wolf's recent Open House event for AIP Members in Melbourne was a resounding success, showcasing a diverse array of printing solutions. The event, spanning two days at their Melbourne Showroom, attracted a sizable audience and offered valuable one-on-one interactions.

The Australian Institute of Packaging and Kissel + Wolf collaborated to host an exclusive afternoon session for AIP members.

The focus of the 3 hour session revolved around AI in the imposition process, productivity improvements using a suite of software solutions and digital cutting and inkjet printing for corrugated board and folding carton.

Scott Thompson and George Nastas of ESKO showcased AIoptimised planning and imposition processes, while Mark Staffieri from eProductivity Software discussed productivity enhancements with their suite of software solutions.

Jamie Weller of Kissel + Wolf Australia showcased a diverse range of digital cutting and inkjet printing solutions for corrugated and folding cartons. The presentation included a live demonstration of the large-format digital creasing and cutting solution.

The sessions sparked lively engagement with numerous questions and interests. The Open House provided a valuable networking opportunity for AIP members to connect with like-minded individuals.

Staying Ahead in the Corrugated Packaging Industry

Why Digital Inkjet Printing is the Key to Staying Ahead in the Corrugated Packaging Industry

Digital inkjet printing is crucial for staying ahead in the corrugated packaging industry. This technology has revolutionised how packaging solutions are produced, providing several advantages over traditional printing methods. One significant change is the introduction of direct-to-corrugated printing, also referred to as post-print, which eliminates the need for laminating offset-printed sheets onto the board. This results in faster printing times and reduced waste, making it an efficient solution.

Among the various digital printing methods, inkjet corrugated printing stands out as a popular choice. It allows for printing high-quality images and text on corrugated boards of different sizes and thicknesses. Moreover, it is a sustainable option, generating less waste, consuming less energy, and reducing warehousing costs.

Efficiency is paramount in the corrugated packaging industry to maintain competitiveness. Digital printing technology enables companies to reduce printing times, minimise waste, and achieve cost savings while enhancing productivity. Ensuring reliable printing processes is equally vital to avoid mistakes or delays that could lead to lost sales or damage to brand reputation.

The importance of sustainable packaging is growing among consumers, and digital printing helps businesses meet their sustainability goals. By producing less waste, no need for plates, no setup time and consuming less energy compared to traditional printing methods, digital printing offers an eco-friendly solution. Implementing sustainable corrugated packaging solutions can enhance a company's brand image and attract environmentally conscious consumers.

To stand out in a competitive market, businesses must prioritise high-quality corrugated printing. Digital printing technology delivers sharp, vibrant images and text, enabling companies to showcase their brand through packaging effectively.

The corrugated packaging industry is continuously evolving, with digital printing technology leading the way. Inkjet corrugated printing and other versatile options provide benefits such as faster printing, reduced waste, and improved sustainability. Embracing these new printing technologies allows businesses to stay ahead of the competition and meet changing market demands.

Digital inkjet printing is the key to success in the corrugated packaging industry. This innovative technology offers efficient, sustainable, reliable, and high-quality printing capabilities. By adopting digital printing solutions, businesses can reduce costs, increase productivity, and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Embracing these new printing technologies allows companies to stay competitive and thrive in the ever-changing corrugated converter space.

During May hundreds of Australians were able to visit interpack, which is the largest packaging and processing tradeshow in the world and after a six year hiatus, due to the pandemic, the 2023 edition saw 143,000 visitors from 155 countries walk the 17 halls that saw 2,807 exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest in all things packaging and processing. Our very own Executive Director, Nerida Kelton, also represented Australia and New Zealand as the Board Member for the World Packaging Organisation at the Board Meeting. As Nerida is also the VIce President for Sustainability & Save Food she moderated the working group meeting and also spoke at a Save Food Org session on the role that packaging plays in minimising food waste, and moderated the first ever Women in Packaging forum for interpack.

Australians converge on interpack 2023

Australians converge on interpack 2023

Our very own Lindy Hughson AAIP, became the President of the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) during interpack! We extend our heartiest congratulations to Lindy for this global achievement!

AIP Members and industry colleagues we met at interpack 2023

AIP Members all the way from Indonesia

One of our Members who moved to Germany

An AIP Member who moved to the Netherlands

Not 1, but 2x PIDA Trophies at interpack 2023

A visit to the Toppan stand to see if the Flavour Makers GOLD 2023 PIDA award winning pack was being promoted showed that not only was it highlighted but the actual PIDA trophy was there as well! How exciting to see this travel from Japan to Germany for interpack.

Avery proud moment for the AIP to see the PIDA trophy travel half way around the world to be formally presented by Michael Dossor MAIP to Martin Kuhl from Herma.

The Gold award was for the Herma InNo Liner Labelling by Result Group and Hanes Australasia.

Herma InNo Liner is a new labelling system that enables more eco-friendly packaging through shipping labels that do not contain any liner material. The system is completely recyclable, has no liners, and is silicone-free.

A huge amount of waste is avoided because the HERMA InNo-Liner system can drastically minimise the entire climate-relevant CO2 footprint of labels – by managing the material without any silicon release liner material or even coating, they are 100 per cent removed. Watch the full video here

SO GREAT TO SEE THAT THE 2023 AUSTRALASIAN PACKAGING INNOVATION & DESIGN (PIDA) GOLD AWARD TROPHY FOR SUSTAINABILITY - LABELLING AT INTERPACK.

GOLD WINNER DESIGN OF THE YEAR - LABELLING

Innovative solutions at interpack 2023

Innovative solutions at interpack 2023

German retail stores

During the trip to interpack Nerida visited some retail stores to see what the latest innovations and trends were in sustainable packaging design. The key trends were refillable and reusable solutions with a rigid container for reuse and soft plastic refills. What was interesting to her was that many of the stores did not have the refills next to the reusable rigids containers to make it easy for customers to select their refills easily. Some in-store training could solve this quite easily.

In addition there was a significantly high number of fibre and renewable material solutions for fresh produce; not dissimilar to our region.

German retail stores

Trayak's EcoImpact sustainability platform is the leading sustainability solution designed for product and packaging engineers and designers as well as sustainability professionals to manage their company's environmental impact. Use a reliable, data-driven approach to evaluate your environmental footprint, establish practical sustainability goals, and design alternatives and measure tradeoffs.

Set Sustainability Goals

Inaugural Women in Packaging Forum @ interpack

Inaugural Women in Packaging Forum @ interpack

Inaugural Women in Packaging Forum @ interpack

The Women in Packaging Wrap Up video for the extremely successful inaugural Women in Packaging event that was held at interpack is now available on YouTube. We need to help support the growth and career progression of other women in this industry as much as we can and this event emphasised that there is enough room in the industry for everyone. Click here to watch the video

WPO Sustainability & Save Food Working Group

The World Packaging Organisation ran their Sustainability & Save Food Working Group during interpack 2023. Over 235 people from across the globe attended this working group. This working group is moderated by our very own ED, Nerida Kelton.

Save Food Org

The AIP is very proud to be a member of Save Food Org and it was great to see our logo showcased all throughout the show. A very special opportunity was also presented to Nerida to be able to present at the Save Food Org Spotlight Talks and Trends day where she discussed the important role that packaging plays in minimising food loss and waste and showcased the AIP's Save Food Packaging Guidelines.

109th WPO Board Meeting

The 109th World Packaging Organisation Board Meeting was held during interpack where over 35 countries were in attendance. During the Board Meeting three new countries were welcome France, Republic of Ireland and Egypt.

109th WPO Board Meeting

NWith Australians wasting four times more food than food packaging, experts are calling for a more nuanced approach to help consumers and industry understand packaging's role in reducing food waste, rather than a simple war on plastic. The research, supported by the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), surveyed 965 Australian consumers on their perceptions of the role of packaging in reducing food waste.

RMIT project lead Professor Linda Brennan said consumers' negative perceptions of packaging were due to it being seen as a single-use waste product that needed to be disposed of once the food had been consumed.

"A lot of people don't realise packaging can play an important role in preventing food waste," and Communications.

"Packaging designed with food waste reduction in mind can keep food fresher for longer and provide protection from damage."

A final report consolidating the team's five-year research included alternative packaging designs to save food. Suggestions included better date labeling, divided portions for bulk foods, resealable packaging and clearer communications on how to best avoid bacterial contamination.

Leading apparel business Hanes Australasia says YES to Herma InNo Liner Linerless labelling system and reaps the rewards and awards.

With an increased focus on environmental sustainability and a high demand for waste reduction, the packaging industry has made a lot of noise about a number of packaging innovations. However, when it comes to labelling space, it is not easy to identify a sustainable and eco-friendly approach, since nearly all labelling materials cannot avoid the use liner materials or silicon coating… UP UNTIL NOW.

What the industry hasn't seen yet is the capacity of the Herma InNo Liner , introduced to the region by the Result Group and installed at Hanes Australasia’s Distribution Centre in Melbourne. The system is operational and labelling 24 hours a day with no release liner, no silicon content and no waste disposal.

Herma InNo Liner is a truly sustainable labelling option. It contains no liner material, is silicone-free, and enables environmentally friendly packaging through use of shipping labels that contain no liner waste material.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) places Removal/reduction at the top of the packaging recycling Hierarchy. The Herma InNo liners systems fit into this category based on the removal of traditional liner materials. They are gone, there is no waste.

This innovative technology requires the simultaneous application of two layers of adhesive. Until the dispensing process begins, the outer adhesive layer remains inactive. As part of the application process water is misted onto the dry adhesive instantly creating a permanent adhesive ready to be applied to the cartons as normal.

When compared to a traditional self-adhesive label, the costs are lower, and the costs for disposing of the liner material are eliminated. The materials used are the same as those used today and perform to industry standards. Herma InNo liner uses what works and simply take away the landfill component 100%.

Labelling System

Similarly, because the weight of the liners is removed, the freight costs of linerless label rolls can be reduced by up to 50%. Waste disposal costs are reduced because there are no liners to discard or collect from a production area. Everything is halved from current usage figures. More material fits on a reel to reduce operator interaction and change over times. There is no waste matrix that again becomes landfill as there is no gap required like a traditional Self Adhesive liner based material.

"At Result Group, we are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative solutions from around the world, and Herma has been a long-term, valued partner of ours. For over a decade, we have proudly distributed Herma labelling machines and self-adhesive materials in Australia. The innovative HERMA InNo-Liner System is the result of HERMA's pioneering work and many years of advancement in multi-layer technology for adhesive material production combined with the machine division who produces the applicator. This is a game changer for Tertiary carton labelling," said Michael Dossor, Group General Manager at Result Group.

Hanes Australasia , the owner of such brands in Australia as Bonds, Sheridan, Champion and Bras N Things, was an early adopter of the innovative solution Herma InNo Liner, implementing the new Herma linerless technology as part of its 2025 global sustainability goals. Hanes originally installed two Herma InNo Liner machines at its Melbourne Distribution Centre, followed by a new order for multiple units recently.

Michael Dossor, Group General Manager at Result Group and Sebastian Siccita, General Manager - Logistics & Operations, Hanes Australasia.

Herma InNo Liner Linerless Labelling System

A huge amount of waste is avoided because the HERMA InNo-Liner system can drastically minimise the entire climate-relevant CO2 footprint of labels – by managing the material without any silicon release liner material or even coating, head to www.resultgroup.com.au and use the CO2 saving calculators available online.

What are the benefits in a nutshell compared to standard Self Adhesive technology:

• No liner waste and therefore no waste disposal costs

• Lower transport volume and weight and therefore reduced CO2 emissions

“Hanes Australasia is committed to a more sustainable future and have set ambitious goals to achieve zero waste across our operations by 2025. The implementation of Herma labelling equipment in our Distribution Centre is a reflection of this commitment to more sustainable practices and our leadership in implementing innovative solutions. The Herma labelling equipment proved to be an effective solution where we have seen a reduction of over 2.0 tonne of waste and has provided valuable insights into the potential for further innovations in sustainable technology”, said Sebastain Siccita, General Manager – Logistics and Operations Hanes Australasia.

"Herma is a leading label technology manufacturer in Germany, specialising in the entire field of selfadhesive technology... But what Herma's team has accomplished in the last few years in the field of sustainability with InNo liners cannot be compared with any other product. Many companies have tried and failed to master linerless labelling and none have mastered linerless silicon free, but Herma succeeded; they mastered and introduced the most sustainable solution in a labelling. 100% Germany quality… We're proud to be in a position where we can support sustainability in the logistics and distribution space in any industry in ways never available before," said Michael Dossor, Group General Manager at Result Group.

Labelling currently generates millions of tonnes of waste liner and it serves no purpose once the labels are applied. Avoiding this residual material completely eliminates the current costly disposal and recycling operations can continue as normal with no new material or silicon being added to the cardboard or label themselves. Millions of squares meters of backing (liner) material can be removed and their costly disposal or worse yet seeing it end up in landfill.

• More material on each roll and therefore fewer roll changes

• Less material consumption (No label feed or waste stripping)

• No Issues with torn backing paper, there is none

• Ability to produce Variable label length

• Free from silicone and any other additives

• More material on each roll and therefore Less warehousing space

The printing possibilities are endless. Each label is printed uniquely for its use case in supply chain management, to be scanned and diverted in warehouses, shipping, or supply chain. Barcodes are currently being printed. The system used traditional Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer printers that are industry standard today.

Herma InNo Liner Linerless Labelling System

If necessary, this could be expanded to include 2D codes to cover any advanced supply chain requirement or standard. Consumer QR codes and traceability for real-time supply chain movement and tracking could be added.

Strong ROI is delivered with not just material savings but the oncosts that go with it are removed as well, materials are less expensive because there is less material, and the liner is no longer present so you don’t need to throw it away.

Labelling in the shipping industry currently leaves behind millions of tonnes of liner material that is completely useless after the labelling process all over the world. The complete removal of this residue also means the complete removal of previously required and costly disposal or recycling processes.

Having just been awarded Gold in the PIDA 2023 Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year and Silver in the Labelling and Decoration Design of the Year , it’s fair to say the industry is taking notice of the Herma InNO Liner system. Hanes Australasia have been the early adopter and should be congratulated for their forward thinking.

The solution is here, implemented in Australia by Hanes and Result Group. Now it’s your call to make … Herma InNo liner is exclusively distributed by Result Group in Australia and New Zealand.

https://resultgroup.com.au/herma-inno-liner-hasbeen-launched/

https://resultgroup.com.au/linerless-labels-withhermas-inno-liner-system/

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING GUIDELINES

WANT TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF YOUR PACKAGING?

The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) is a national resource used to assist in the design and manufacture of sustainable packaging in Australia. The guidelines are made up of 10 principles that can help businesses to design effective, sustainable packaging that work towards optimal outcomes to deliver the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

BELIEVING IN PRINT

The print market is changing, and the transition from analogue to digital technology is accelerating. Creating inkjet technology that drives the industry forward, we introduce a level of quality, speed, and usability that exceeds expectations and gives creative control to the user. We develop our products so customers can effortlessly reach the future and achieve their own goals.

With over 80 years moving forward, we never stop improving and creating value from innovation that helps change the world.

With print, the possibilities are endless.

• High performance mode of 5,400 sheets per hour

• High quality mode for 3,600 sheets per hour of near offset quality prints

Tomra Cleanaway celebrates Victorian Container Deposit Scheme Network Operator Appointment

TOMRA Cleanaway today celebrated the news of their appointment as a Network Operator for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), “CDS VIC”.

TOMRA Cleanaway Chief Executive Officer, James Dorney stated, “Today’s announcement by the Hon. Ingrid Stitt – Minister for Environment is a great outcome for TOMRA Cleanaway, Victoria and the Victorian community”.

Regarding the geography that TOMRA Cleanaway has been appointed to provide CDS network operator services, James said of the news, “TOMRA Cleanaway’s appointment as a network operator in Zones 1 and 4 covering the majority of Western Victoria will provide the community with a world class container deposit network. Zones 1 and 4 represent a population of over 2 million Victorians and an estimated half a billion eligible drink containers each year”.

“With a refund of 10c for each of these containers, we will look to return an estimated $50 million each year back to the Victorian community,” said Mr Dorney.

One of the outstanding features of TOMRA Cleanaway’s network will be the provision of TOMRA’s world-leading Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) technology that will scan and verify each container as it enters the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme, and which combine convenient placement of return points with a full range of deposit refund options for consumers, including retail cash, digital transfers direct to bank account and donations to charities or community groups.

Every container returned through the TOMRA Cleanaway network represents the Victorian community’s support and active participation in the domestic circular economy. Plastics will be taken to local recycling plants, glass delivered to beneficiation plants for reuse and aluminium sold into an open commodity market to be infinitely recycled.

“Ultimately, we look to embody our vision of delivering a positive legacy in the jurisdictions in which we operate and to achieve our mission of driving value through recycling,” Mr Dorney said.

Partnership will also feature at the heart of TOMRA Cleanaway’s container deposit network operation. Strong partnerships with collection point operators, hosts, charities and community groups will embed enduring recycling behaviour change in Victoria.

“TOMRA Cleanaway’s extensive experience in container deposit scheme network delivery has demonstrated the importance of partnerships. We have already established positive relationships with the Victorian Government, Scheme Coordinator VIC Return Ltd and Collection Point Operators, that will deliver Victoria an outstanding Scheme that will stand the test of time.”

Collection Point Operators that provide the community with access to the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme “CDS VIC”, will be critical to the Scheme’s success.

“TOMRA Cleanaway has an open approach to continually engaging on community participation opportunities” Mr Dorney advised. “We are keen to hear from community groups, commercial operators and not-for-profits that want to partner with us to deliver an important feature of activating Victoria’s circular economy.”

“TOMRA Cleanaway is excited to activate our network and forge a collaborative working relationship with the Victorian Government, Scheme Coordinator, VIC Return Ltd, other network operators and importantly, the Victorian community to deliver Recycling Victoria’s flagship program”.

For more information visit, www.TOMRACleanaway.com.au

AIP Member and 2023 Industry Packaging Professional of the Year Michael Dossor has made the cover of Produce Plus Magazine and has also been interviewed for an article in the publication.

Another Member of the AIP Gilad Sadan who was also a winner at the 2023 PIDA awards also has an article covering his award-winning pack.

Interview: Michael Dossor by Matthew Jones

Fresh from being named PIDA Industry Packaging Professional of the Year, Result Group’s general manager Michael Dossor reflects on his career in the packaging industry and discusses the opportunities and challenges for the sector.

Congratulations on winning the 2023 PIDA Industry Packaging Professional of the Year Award. What does winning the award mean to you?

Michael Dossor: It’s a big question… Where do I start? There have been so many great winners of this award; people in the industry who I have looked up to and who have supported and mentored me. Based on that alone, it means the world to me and is very humbling.

The judging criteria for the award includes ‘vision and leadership’, ‘innovative thinking’, and ‘a willingness to take risks’. Can you reflect on how you’ve displayed these attributes over your career, and how they’ve influenced the development of the Result Group business?

MD: I hope people see me as someone who never accepts the status quo. We all talk about ‘points of difference’ but it’s honestly something embedded in the culture at Result Group. Making things happen, not watching them happen, that’s something I am very proud of.

We are constantly pushing the boundaries and we try to stay ahead of the curve. If I am honest, sometimes we probably jump a bit too far ahead, but that’s helping us big time right now.

We are constantly innovating, and we are also constantly collaborating. We’re not just sharing ideas with our partners and clients; we’re undertaking a process we call ‘deep collaboration’. If we are going to tackle some of the biggest issues the packaging industry has ever seen then I don’t see another way to do it. All of our ‘standard products’, like an Inkjet Coder for example, have at least one feature that is gamechanging for our customers and the broader market.

All of our ‘new development products’ are the same, but they add another layer – something outside of the machine or material becomes a tangible benefit. If my industry peers have seen fit to see those values in me and Result Group, then that’s all the endorsement I need.

What are some of your proudest achievements over your professional career?

MD: Making mistakes, learning from them, resetting, then making it work. For me, there are only wins and learnings, not losses.

Creating something from nothing with Result Group and seeing where the brand and business are now, it’s absolutely amazing. It’s something not only I but many inside and outside the company should be very proud of.

Launching new concepts and product developments in both packaging materials and machinery is also right up there. There are too many of these to count!

But above all, it’s about people and the impact I have been able to have on them and they have had on me. Seeing someone develop and grow within Result Group – even leaving the company and taking on senior roles elsewhere – is what really matters to me. The people are the number one value for sure.

Two AIP Members feature in Produce Plus Magazine

A minimum 20-year contribution to the packing industry is also a prerequisite for the award. Can you explain how the packing sector has evolved over your time in the business?

MD: There are people far more qualified than me to answer this one, and 20 years is a long time! The biggest change I think is the rate of development we see today, versus what it was 20, ten, or even five years ago. It’s ridiculous how quickly technology is developing, evolving and changing. We have some big issues to deal with – there’s that sustainability word again – and knowing your customer is simply not enough these days. You need to be across the entire supply chain, up and down. The circular economy means there is no choice, and nor should there be.

Looking forward, what trends and/or requirements are shaping the future of the packaging industry in Australia?

MD: For me, the buck stops in two places – sustainable packaging and food waste minimisation. Stakeholders in fresh produce don’t need me to tell them that produce packaging has got a bad rap recently – unnecessarily of course.

There are many things that can be done and are being worked on that can turn that around. For example, clam shell packs are being replaced with lidding film options – reseal lidding films are even better. One change reduces plastics and limits food waste. At Result Group we are working on laser-based natural branding with our EcoMark Natural Branding system (pictured above). This solution has the potential to replace labels on a single piece of produce with a natural ‘tattoo’, if you like. No labels, no consumables, no production bottlenecks. It’s removing an element that is causing all sorts of challenges in a circular economy and delivering improved ROI in terms of consumable savings.

Labelling in general is a big one. Linerless labelling is evolving at a rapid rate. Materials are evolving. There are solutions available now and they are game-changing for any market, especially fresh produce.

Interesting, where do other growth opportunities lie for your business?

MD: Traceability. At Result Group we have very much tried to take a market leading position on traceability. The world is getting smaller and governments are

already legislating around traceability.

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when traceability is going to be required. It will become as important as a use by or best before date.

Smart brand owners will be ready and will capitalise on being ready before it’s mandated.

I then go back to the natural branding with our EcoMark Natural Branding and linerless labelling. Also, label materials that are defined ‘sustainable’.

As you’ve mentioned, Result Group is a specialist in product identification. What gives you such a good eye for what your customers want and need?

MD: Our people and our experience base. We are one of the few companies that work in both packaging machinery and materials. Having strategic relationships with brand owners, as well as packaging material suppliers and the recycling industry is crucial. It enables us to deeply collaborate with industry and get results – pardon the pun!

Result Group is exhibiting at the Hort Connections trade show in Adelaide this June. What products and/or innovations will you be showcasing?

MD: At Hort Connections we will have the EcoMark Natural Branding system in full working capacity. Our Herma InNo-Liner linerless labelling system for carton printing and apply labelling will also be on display, and we will have information on our traceability platform, which is already being used in the fresh produce sector. There will also be a range of our reseal packaging materials on display.

Two AIP Members feature in

Vitor's new bunch bag by John Hey Costa Group has successfully trialled an innovative paper bunch bag for premium Vitor-branded Autumncrisp grapes on Australian retail shelves this season, with plans to build on the offering in 2024. The ‘kerbside recyclable’ bunch bag – developed together with packaging specialist Gilad Sadan of NAVI Co Global – was launched in February with a focus on differentiating the premium table grape variety on retail shelves, explains Costa’s divisional manager for grape marketing, Campbell Banfield.

“Autumncrisp is an ultra-premium white grape and we’ve had great success with it in Asia. We were keen to see how we could differentiate it domestically at store level and not have Autumncrisp confused with other white seedless varieties on the shelf,” he says.

“We decided to develop a bespoke packaging with a much higher spec, and we approached the project with a focus on sustainability and finding alternatives to plastic packaging.”

The packaging design, which was developed and selected for trial after what Banfield describes as “an exhaustive process”, has several unique features. The brown paper bunch bag makes the grapes stand out on the shelf, and it underlines the premium quality of the Autumncrisp offering under the Vitor brand, Sadan explains.

“Autumncrisp is a great eating variety. When consumers eat it, they go ‘wow, this is really crunchy, crisp and sweet’. And it’s very moreish. From a consumer perspective, it’s one of the varieties consumers are beginning to recognise and come back to repeat-purchase,” he says.

“What the bunch bag enabled us to do was differentiate on the shelf from the plastic bunch bag and clamshell offerings. We were able to signpost and direct consumers to the Autumncrisp variety and help them recognise it as the one that carries that premium.”

DISPLAY WINDOW

Sadan says the paper bunch bag is the first of its kind to include a viewing window that clearly displays the product, protected by a robust paper webbing.

“Paper bunch bags do already exist for grapes and they’re more common in Europe, but most of them are gusseted with string handles and no viewing window. When you merchandise a product upright, you can’t see through the side, so the only visibility you have is through the top of the funnel,” he explains.

While Sadan notes there has been move away from plastic packaging in the fresh produce business over the past few years, he says concerns remain over the lack of product visibility in paper and cardboard alternatives.

“It’s about finding a balance – showing enough of the fruit to gain consumer confidence but not as much as you can with plastic packaging.

“With this particular design, the size of the window is quite large, and the webbing is strong, so it doesn’t tear. The mesh moulds around the shape of the bunch so you can see the fruit clearly from the side.”

Another distinctive feature of the packaging is that it’s kerbside recyclable for consumers, Sadan notes. “We’ve made a point of underlining this message on the pack to say ‘I’m 100 per cent kerbside recyclable’ – a call to action to consumers directing them to dispose of it in their recycling bin.”

FIELD PACK-FRIENDLY

In addition to addressing targets from a sustainability point of view, Banfield says the packaging had to work from an efficiency perspective.

“It was important for us that the paper bunch bag replicated the field packaging process into bunch bags,” he explains. “We trialled other sustainable premium packaging options, but they would only work when packing in shed (packhouse). We needed a format we could pack in the field rather than in the shed.”

Sadan says developing a sufficiently robust paper packaging to stand up to these rigours of the supply chain was one of the key challenges. “Plastic is very malleable, soft and strong. In some instances, plastic bunch bags are considerably stronger than the paper alternative,” he says. “So we had to design it with enough strength to carry the product throughout the entire chain, to handle storage and maintain structural integrity.” Banfield says the packaging has held up well in terms of product integrity and factors such as condensation. “We made some tweaks to the packaging to avoid things like ripped handles and we’ll refine it further, but overall, it’s been a very successful trial season.”

Costa has marketed close to 500,000 units in the new packaging this year, representing a significant commercial trial, Sadan notes. “It was important to trial the bunch bag in sufficient volume to get a clear insight of how it behaves across the entire supply chain, to get a cross-section representation,” says Sadan.

The cost of the paper packaging is significantly higher than plastic alternatives, which means it is only viable for use on premium varieties at this stage, Banfield notes.

“We’ll focus on increasing the use of it on Autumncrisp next year, with more tonnage and an extended season to provide greater availability on shelf,” Banfield concludes.

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Collaboration the cornerstone of circularity

The AIP Australasian Packaging Conference

‘2025 & beyond’, held in Melbourne in March, saw industry leaders share their insights and exchange ideas on forging a path to a sustainable future for packaging. Will Wain-Williams reports.

IN A LONG-AWAITED and timely gathering of packaging industry professionals, the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) created a successful forum for ideas exchange and education. Over 300 delegates came together to hear from 70 local and international speakers across the two-day event.

Jason Fields, president of the AIP, opened with a hearty welcome and encouraged the participants to take the opportunity to learn from each other and to network, noting that this was first time for many to meet face to face in a long time. As part of his address, he played a video message from event sponsor Aleks Lajovic, MD of Impact International, that showed that for each participant who attended the conference, a native tree has been planted along the bank of Five Mile Creek, just

outside of Canberra at Impact’s carbon offset forest. Lajovic said this will improve soil retention, reduce flooding and droughts, and provide shelter for native wildlife.

Keynote speaker Pierre Pienaar, president of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), made an impassioned speech on our collective desire to preserve the planet for our future generations. “It’s not about us, it’s about the generations to follow,” he emphasised. Pienaar joked that in his extensive travels around the world, people always want to take him to dumpsites in their countries. But the reality of this was that he has gained much insight into the peril we are all in.

His takeout from this was that extended producer responsibility (EPR) is the most effective tool in

combatting plastic waste. He noted that 70 per cent of all packaging could be converted to mono-material right now, the technology already exists. He said we should not focus on the remaining 30 per cent, because 70 per cent will make a significant change to the current waste situation.

Nerida Kelton, VP Sustainability & Save Food at WPO, reinforced much of Pienaar’s message, while explaining that the WPO has three main goals, which are reducing food waste, reducing packaging waste and reducing problematic materials. Kelton said that what is important to remember is that a balance must be struck between developing packaging that can effectively protect the products inside and the reduction of unnecessary materials that make up that packaging. This, she

said, should be done through designing with these three prerogatives in mind.

Gian De Belder, technical director of Procter & Gamble, greeted the audience online from Belgium, where he had stayed up until 1:30am to talk to the gathering about technological developments the company has been making in streamlining recyclability of materials in Europe via the digital watermark initiative called Holy Grail.

Digital watermarks are invisible to the naked eye but are embedded into either the design on a product, or directly into the material itself, and allow a camera to scan them upon entering a recycling facility so they can be more effectively sorted into the appropriate stream.

While this technology is currently in its testing phase, it is expected to be rolled out in France in 2024 with 30-50 units set up in recycling centres to test how well they can cope with large volumes of waste in real time. As France has particularly aggressive waste-reduction targets, this technology is expected to accelerate movement towards them.

In the two days of interesting and thought-provoking discussions that followed, a very strong message around the need for collaboration emerged, with presenters and delegates of one mind that innovation, and infrastructure development required calls for a united industry effort across the value chain.

BRAND OWNERS REPORT SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS

In the second keynote session of the conference, chaired by AIP president

BILL HEAGUE, MARS FOOD

Jason Fields, attendees heard from three large brand owners about the progress they are making towards meeting the sustainability targets.

Bill Heague, general manager Mars Food, kicked off by saying, “it’s great to be in a room of likeminded people who want to solve problems.”

Heague said that the family-owned multinational Mars has so far invested $1 billion to sustainability, and plans to devote a further $2 billion over the next three years. Mars, he said, has already reduced its carbon footprint by six per cent, and has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement, with plans to one day totally source its power from sustainable means.

With regards to Mars’ progress on sustainable packaging goals, he said that the company still has a way to go, with currently only 20 per cent of packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable, although 43 per cent is designed with circularity in mind.

The company has a goal of moving that first figure up to 100 per cent, while also reducing the use of virgin plastic by 25 per cent and to

It’s great to be in a room of likeminded people who want to solve problems.

Left: The long-awaited conference drew crowds.

Below: The panel discussion looked at the steps towards the 2025 targets.

From far left: Michael Dossor shows Result Group’s innovations.

Brooke Donnelly talks about the intersection between packaging and food waste.

Joe Foster questions the panel about targets.

incorporate 30 per cent recycled content into its plastic packaging.

Heague stated the importance of balancing the need for more efficient use of plastics in packaging with reducing food waste. Although Mars is rolling out such innovations such as paper packaging for chocolate bars, he still believes that plastic is the best material for preserving foods. With this in mind, the key, he said, is to create a fully circular economy.

His closing statement to the audience was that this is a collective problem we have to solve and asked all those in attendance to start now with a long term view. “It’s happening and so the sooner you start to make a plan, the better.” Later on, PKN spoke to Heague on our podcast, where he gave the example of how one of the products Mars designed was nine years in the making, highlighting just why companies need to start planning early.

Brian McKay, head of packaging at Woolworths, echoed Heague’s sentiments, and opened his presentation by conjuring a powerful image: “If we continue what we are doing there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2025.” He said the planet needs sustainable packaging and customers are demanding it.

Customer surveys conducted by Woolworths have shown that customers have put ‘less packaging’ and ‘more sustainable packaging’ among their top demands. He said pressure is also coming from the government, and noted that Government is getting ready to step in if significant progress is not shown.

“Customers demand it, governments expect it, the planet needs it,” he stated.

McKay’s advice for other companies was to not design something into a packaging product unless you absolutely have to. He said there are simple things that can be done to reduce the use of unnecessary materials, citing the example of how one home care brand owner took laundry spoons out of their laundry detergent and saved 8000 tonnes of plastic.

In a follow up interview on PKN ’s podcast, McKay emphasised that all of this work towards using recyclable materials means nothing if there is no uptake, stating “we must close the loop”. He also mentioned that Woolworths was proud to win the Gold Banksia Award for its sustainability efforts as a group. Later that evening, McKay went on to pick up two PIDA awards for Woolworths, gold for the the Sustainability Award for Mono

Above left & right: Planet Ark’s Dr Nicole Garofano contributes from the audience; Keynote speaker Nerida Kelton: we need to strike a balance struck between ensuring packaging can effectively protect products and reducing unnecessary materials .

Right: AIP president Jason Fields encouraged participants to learn from each other.

Below: John Bigley demonstrates Zipform Packaging’s products.

Material Advancements and bronze for Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging.

Also joining this powerful session was Karunia Adhiputra, head of packaging Nestlé Oceania, who shared the company’s journey so far towards its very ambitious targets.

Nestlé has launched some packaging with innovative designs, Adhiputra said, citing the example of Nespresso pods which use 80 per cent recycled aluminium, and the recent paperisation of Smarties packaging. In addition, Nestlé has recently trialled paper packaging for KitKat wrappers, as well as for 30 per cent recycled content flexible wrappers produced via advanced chemical recycling. By trialling these kinds of innovations, Nestlé hopes to gain insights into consumer acceptance, useability and producibility, among other aspects. During the PKN podcast interview afterwards, Adhiputra said that one of the biggest challenges with recycled material is the limitation of the barrier properties of the material to ensure freshness of the product.

He said that it is important to also look beyond 2025 and consider the long term solutions for a fully circular economy. The focus right now, he said, should be on incorporating more recycled packaging materials back into new packaging, and to find opportunities to reduce material and make the entire supply chain more efficient.

LEADERS DISCUSS THE NEXT STEPS

A panel discussion with leaders of peak industry bodies at the recent Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) 2025 and beyond conference, looked at progress towards the 2025 targets, and important next steps.

The panel comprised Rebecca Gilling, CEO of Planet Ark; Geoff Parker, CEO of the Australian Beverages Council; Greg Griffith, CEO of the National Retail Association; and Chris Foley, CEO of the Australian

Broadcasting from the floor

Packaging Covenant Organisation.

Gilling kicked things off by talking about the hierarchy of the three Rs, saying that the top of the list should add a “refuse”, meaning that use of materials should be the first concern – not only refusing a product in its entirety but refusing to have virgin materials within a product.

Redesign should then come second on the list, as in rethinking how packaging is designed to consider the whole of life of the packaging, from creation to use to reuse, she said. Recycling comes further down the list, and recovery is at the bottom.

Parker spoke with enthusiasm about Container Deposit Schemes (CDS). He said that once Victoria and Tasmania get on board then next year Australia will be the only country to be totally covered by such schemes.

The main hindrance to progress, in his view, is the “patchwork” of different policies across the country and even within each state. It is localised policies, he says, which is slowing down progress.

Foley spoke of the need to focus on the long term, beyond 2025, and that a reset was in need. He said a whole of systems approach is necessary, with collaboration across the board in order to tackle the current problems.

Foley later told PKN in a live podcast interview: “There needs to be a reset across the system as far as who takes accountability, how we actually bring product stewardship to life for packaging, and have the right economic levers being pulled to recover the cost or to put money back into the system, to be

PKN PODCAST LIVE CAPTURES CONFERENCE SOUNDBITES

In a conference first, PKN brought its pop-up podcast studio to the event, to sit down with industry leaders, and those at the forefront of innovation, to discuss key take-outs from the conference. Across the two days, 17 interviews were recorded and PKN Podcast livestreamed the conversations directly from the event. These are now available on packagingnews.com.au/ videoandpodcasts and also on PKN ’s YouTube channel.

The podcast sessions were sponsored by PKN ’s partner Ball & Doggett. Interviews were conducted by PKN managing editor & publisher Lindy Hughson, and produced by Southern Skies Media’s managing director, Grant McHerron.

If we continue what we are doing there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2025.

BRIAN MCKAY, WOOLWORTHS

Below: PKN publisher Lindy Hughson interviews WPO president Pierre Pienaar following his presentation.

Left: Brian McKay: Design to reduce the use of unnecessary materials.

able to capture, recycle and reuse those materials. Packaging needs to be seen as an asset.”

Griffith explained that the National Retail Association’s purpose is to support smaller retailers and help them to navigate and understand the expectations of government and industry. He said that a lot of retailers are making good decisions, and have positive intentions, however, there is a lot of nervousness around the costs associated with sustainability, especially for those whose business is smaller.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to ask their most pressing

questions. The AIP’s Jason Fields asked Gilling a short but pertinent question, “paper or plastic?”

She responded by saying that despite the increasing demonisation of plastic, it is in fact a “fantastic material” for preventing food waste. She said there is much confusion among the community about this, due to messaging around plastics polluting the ocean.

As a result, she said, there has been an increase in fibre-based packaging, which she maintained can leak toxins into food products via the chemicals in the barrier layer added to make the packaging grease and water proof.

Gilling proposed that rather than

abandoning plastic, we should instead focus on using it more sustainably. Foley chimed in and said that plastic is definitely a part of a sustainable economy, but more infrastructure is needed to make it so, and this comes with a cost.

Another attendee said he had to address the elephant in the room and asked Foley for an update on the soft plastics recycling scheme, with reference to the Soft Plastics Taskforce. Foley’s response was guarded, noting that APCO was not actually involved in the taskforce but was an observer.

He said there is a lot of work underway to develop short term fixes over the next 12 months, and there are meetings currently being held with the Australian Food and Grocery Council to engage with the ACCC to finalise a playbook on filling the gap left by REDcycle. Foley stated that in the coming weeks we will hear more about this.

The major challenge, according to Foley, is building confidence that the system will work, especially with investors. “There is also a need for better governance, and so APCO will move in to try to gain access and make sue the scheme actually does what it says it does, ensuring brands can go in with confidence,” Foley said.

Foley added that they are working on various stewardship schemes to work out who will front the costs, to which Griffith responded that those costs can’t just be put on the consumer.

Close the Loop Group’s CEO Joe Foster asked whether the targets for soft plastics will be changed if we can’t meet them, to which Foley responded that they won’t.

“The numbers aren’t ‘new news’, and progress is slow at best. The government is looking at it and saying if industry doesn’t engage and support stewardship schemes, they will get involved,” Foley stated.

Gilling noted that she has observed in Australian businesses less willingness to collaborate than in their European counterparts. Her comment came as a pertinent reminder of the crucial need to collaborate, which all speakers mentioned in their closing remarks.

A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN FOOD WASTE AND PLASTIC

While much of the recent discussion around sustainability in packaging has focused on the negative impact plastic waste has on the environment, there is another important talk that needs to be had. And that is the role packaging

Below: Rebecca Gilling: Refusal should be added to the waste hierarchy.

Bottom: Karunia Adhiputra: Consider long term solutions.

Plastic is in fact a fantastic material for preventing food waste... there is much confusion among the community about this, due to messaging around plastics polluting the ocean.

REBECCA GILLING, PLANET ARK

plays in reducing food waste.

Liz Goodwin, director food loss and waste, world resources institute, joined us by video from the UK, where she began with some sobering statistics. A third of all food produced, or more than a billion tonnes, is wasted. This amounts to a quarter of the world’s food supply of calories. Eight per cent of carbon emissions comes from wasted food. A quarter of all water and fertiliser used in agriculture goes to waste. Meanwhile, a ninth of the global population is malnourished.

Goodwin summed it all up by saying “it’s bad for the economy, it’s bad for farmer’s incomes, it’s bad for supply chain incomes, it puts pressure on resources, it’s bad for the climate and it’s bad for society.”

The causes, she went on to say, are complex and include technological, managerial, logistical and more. The main cause is a lack of taking a whole of system approach.

Goodwin feels that the role of packaging is crucial in tackling these issues and advised companies to “set a target

Right: Kelson and Pienaar engage with the speakers.

Below: Geoff Parker: The challenge for CDS is the “patchwork” of different policies.

that shows ambition,” and then measure the progress, as that is crucial to driving strong action.

Her institute produces an annual report called Champion 4.3, and the current one states that progress is not being made fast enough to tackle the issue of food waste. According to the report, businesses have made progress, retailers have set targets, but distributors and suppliers have fallen behind.

Brianna Casey, CEO of Foodbank Australia, followed on from Goodwin and gave an Australian context to the audience. According to her, Australia produces enough food to feed the population three times over, but at the same time, 1.2 million Australians are going hungry. More than half of these people are ones who have a job, “that’s people living in your neighbourhood”, she said, adding that many are too embarrassed to seek help. Foodbank is assisting more than one million people a month, and in the last five years has had to increase the volume of food and personal care items distributed. Of the 7.6 tonnes of food wasted annually, 70 per cent of that is edible.

One thing that Foodbank does is rescue large volumes of food that may be imperfect or damaged and distribute it to those who need it. Farmers and other producers are also donating.

Casey told the audience that there is a place for packaging to be a part of this. Packaging can be used by companies to tell the story of how they are helping

Food Bank. “Imagine if we could capture half the attention that soft plastics gets,” she concluded.

Brooke Donnelly, general manager Sustainability of Coles Group talked on the intersection between packaging and food waste and said that we need to consider where plastic sits in this. According to Coles surveys on customers’ biggest sustainability concerns, food waste and landfill sat second after plastic bags and packaging.

Donnelly cited the example of soft plastics to demonstrate the importance of collaboration and said that food waste needs it just as much. “We can’t do this alone, even our big numbers are nothing compared to the scale of the problem,” she said.

Bringing the conversation back to reducing plastic waste, she outlined some of Cole’s strategies, such as removing unnecessary single use plastics from its own brand products,

Right: Karunia Adhiputra talks on PKN’s podcast.

Below: Chris Foley: The targets won’t change.

Bottom: Greg Griffith: Supporting smaller retailers.

not creating give away plastic toys and offering reusable mesh bags for fruit and vegetables. She claimed that Coles has saved 1.5 million kg of plastic by not offering single-use tableware and saved 2000 tonnes of virgin plastic by using 100 per cent recycled packaging for its bakery range.

THE FUTURE OF SOFT PLASTICS

The final keynote session of the Australian Institute of Packaging’s (AIP) conference 2025 and beyond saw leaders from industry and government come together to discuss the future of plastics recycling. The session was moderated by AFGC sustainability director Barry Cosier.

Andrea Polson, marketing director of Licella, opened the session by stating the importance of advanced recycling in order to meet the demands for the 2025 targets. She cited the example of the paper recycled content KitKat wrapper prototype, in which Licella played an integral role, saying that this validated what is possible when collaboration takes place.

Polson explained the benefits of Licella’s Hydrothermal Liquefaction technology and outlined Licella’s plans for scaling up its advanced chemical recycling capacity, which will see the first Australian commercial-scale facility built in Altona-Victoria.

Target feedstocks are end-of-life PE and PP from post-consumer packaging, mechanical recycling rejects, and

70% of the 7.6 tonnes of food wasted is edible

product stewardship schemes.

The facility will be built in three stages, starting with 20,000 tonnes per annum capacity in stage one, and achieving 120,000 tonnes per annum by stage three. Licella is targeting commissioning in the second half of 2024.

In his opening remarks, Darren Thorpe, managing director of APR Plastics, APR Kerbside and Australian Paper Recovery, summed up the entire conference, saying “the major word I have heard here is ‘collaboration’ and I am in the same space,” and then went on to suggest to attendees to “stop calling it waste, it’s a resource… we are not in the waste industry, we are in the resource industry.”

fortnightly. If this was rolled out to 70,000 households, Baldwin said that would equate to 9.3 tonnes or 18,000 bales of soft plastic collected annually.

One pertinent point Baldwin made is that people generally don’t like the process of having to take all their soft plastics to the supermarket for collection. Being able to collect from kerbside, in her opinion, would see a much greater uptake.

Against the backdrop of successes Amcor has already achieved in terms of design for recycling – 95 per cent of what Amcor places on market is now meeting APCO guidelines for design –Richard Smith, director sustainability at Amcor Flexibles, said his number one goal in his role is to get plastics out of the environment and oceans.

He believes that advanced recycling is the only pathway available to us today to produce food-grade recycled content, and since the material has the same properties as virgin resin, it enables a drop-in solution. He said the certification Amcor is pursuing for PCR-content materials will mean brand owners can make credible claims on the packaging’s recycled content, building consumer confidence in the value chain.

Smith alerted the audience to the need for collection infrastructure to get up to speed in time for all the projected recycling capacity that will be coming on stream by 2024/25. Without sufficient feedstock, these plants will not be viable, and the recycling system as a whole will not be sustainable, he warned.

A changing of words may sound simple, but Thorpe’s comment had powerful connotations for how plastics are viewed. He claimed that Victoria alone could potentially see over 100,000 tonnes of plastics being recycled.

APR Plastics is currently engaged in pilot trials with the AFGC’s National Plastics Recycling Scheme, converting post-consumer plastic to recycled oil using the pyrolisis process.

Julie Russ of Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action concurred with Thorpe that Victoria is a state on the front foot. She said that Victoria is the first state to talk about the need for harmonisation, citing its ban on single-use plastics, introduction of a container deposit scheme and standardisation of household recycling with a four-stream system. She suggested that soft plastics may also be accepted into the recycling stream at a later date, as well as beverage cartons.

Andrea Baldwin, team leader for waste management at Albury City Council, shared a pilot program undertaken across Albury and Wodonga, in which households have been provided with a flat pack of 15 bags for disposing soft plastics. The bag is then placed in the regular recycling bin and collected

Smith cited several initiatives the company has invested in of late, saying that Amcor is “trying to demonstrate that a circular economy is possible with circular plastics.”

“At the end of the day, for us it’s all about local waste [resources] going back into packaging.”

Above: Brianna Casey: Australia produces enough food to feed the population three times over

Below: Bill Heague: It’s a collective problem we have to solve; the sooner we start, the better.

As the event wrapped up, everyone concurred that collaboration across the value chain is the cornerstone of building a smarter circular economy, together. As PKN ’s Lindy Hughson said in a poem during the closing ceremony: “We can’t lace with spin, and wash with green, missed targets and goals, the buck stops with us, to rebuild the trust, and move ahead as one.” ■

Stop calling it waste, it’s a resource… we are not in the waste industry, we are in the resource industry.

DARREN THORPE, APR

Women in packaging step in and step up

One of the keynote session at the AIP conference was a PKN Women in Packaging panel moderated by Lindy Hughson, with three inspirational women discussing some of the challenges they have faced and overcome in this traditionally male-dominated industry. Will Wain-Williams reports.

TO SET THE context for why elevating voices of women in industry is so important, Lindy Hughson opened the discussion citing some statistics on gender disparity in the industry supplied by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. In 2022, within the food product manufacturing sector, women made up only 10 per cent of CEOs and 30 per cent of senior managers, but 66 per cent of clerical and administration staff; and across all of industry, women are paid on average $27k less than men a year.

She then invited the panellists to share their respective career journeys, after highlighting that not only were these successful professionals all women, but also (Hughson included) all migrants, which she said pointed to the value of diversity in the workplace and the contribution migrants can make.

Maria Becerril Roman hails from Mexico and originally came to Australia to study a master’s degree in 2019. She became a member of the AIP a year later and is currently working for Mondelez International at the Cadbury factory in Ringwood, focusing on packaging innovation. In 2022 she won a silver award in the 2022 Packaging Innovation Design at the PIDA Awards for her Cadbury Roses packaging design.

Roman said that having originally studied chemistry, she became fascinated by the world of packaging and realised there is so much to it. She said that having already worked in CocaCola back in Mexico, one of the biggest challenges for her was getting used to the different work culture here. She also spoke of the challenges of being on a temporary visa, and how many companies were not willing to take her on initially. To that, she implored employers to not close the doors to migrants, students or women, who in her words “can bring a fresh approach as we know how things are done elsewhere”.

Roman’s main takeaway message was that she wants to encourage more women to get involved in packaging, and that with the 2025 deadline for sustainability targets looming, there is huge opportunity for innovators to get involved in the industry.

Anhelly Millan is originally from Venezuela and having had a colourful career in multiple fields including packaging, has now turned her attention to education. In early 2022 she founded Sustainability for Kids and launched her first book – The World Behind Recycling – which is aimed at educating children on how to bring sustainability to their day-to-day activities.

She talked about her desire to want to

Above: l-r: Anhely Millan, Lindy Hughson, Azadeh Yousefi, Maria Becerril Roman.

Right: Women in packaging sharing their experiences and challenges.

do something meaningful after undergoing some personal hardship during the pandemic. This inspired her to take the leap to being self employed and devoting her time to writing her book.

Millan said that her biggest challenge was the English language. “I had to take many courses and sit many exams,” she said. “When I left Melbourne for Wodonga, nobody could understand me and I couldn’t understand them,” to which she got laughs when impersonating a broad Aussie accent.

Millan concluded by stating that women have an obligation to “step in and step up”, adding that as a woman you will encounter those that want to keep you down, and so you should surround yourself with those who will support and mentor you.

Azadeh Yousefi migrated to Australia in 2017 from Iran, driven by her strong passion for working in the packaging industry. She told of how in her home country there were many barriers for women in this field, despite having a master’s degree from a top university. She now works full time at Production Packaging Innovations and has won two

PIDA gold awards for her designs.

Yousefi talked of how it felt “magical” to be able to step into the factory for herself, something she had never dared to do in Iran as a woman. One thing that had particularly moved her after coming to work in Australia was that within her company she has never been made to feel like her gender is on her colleague’s minds; she is considered a working professional and a part of the team. This was something that took her a while to get her head around coming from Iranian society.

Despite her experience in the workplace, Yousefi felt that many women, despite having excellent credentials, may feel hesitant to apply to work in a company that they perceive as male dominant. However, it is important to be “brave enough and strong enough” to convince an employer you are just as competent as anyone else. ■

PKN Women in Packaging is a platform for amplifying the voices of women in Australasia’s packaging industry. This panel was presented in partnership with the Australian Institute of Packaging.

Above: Anhey Millan showcases her children’s book to attendees.

Labelling system keeps liners out of landfill

Apparel business Hanes

Australasia has installed the Herma InNo liner linerless labelling system at its distribution centre in Melbourne, which it says reflects its commitment to sustainable practices and its leadership in implementing innovation.

THE HERMA INNO liner is a PIDA 2023 award finalist in both the sustainability and labelling & decoration categories. It was introduced to the region by Result Group and is now operational at Hanes Australasia, labelling 24 hours a day with no release liner, no silicone content and no waste disposal, according to the company.

The technology requires the simultaneous application of two layers of adhesive, with the outer layer remaining inactive until the dispensing process begins. As part of the application process water is misted onto the dry adhesive, which instantly creates a permanent adhesive that can be applied to the cartons as usual.

Labelling currently generates millions of tonnes of waste liner, which serves no purpose once the labels are applied. Avoiding this residual material eliminates the current costly disposal, and recycling operations can continue as normal with no new material or silicone being added to the cardboard or label themselves.

LOWER COST ALTERNATIVE

Herma says that this offers a lower cost alternative to traditional self-adhesive labels, and that the cost for disposing the liner material is eliminated. The labelling system still uses the same materials as those typically used today and performs to industry standards, while completely eliminating the landfill component, according to the company.

As the weight of the liner is removed, the freight costs of linerless label rolls can potentially be reduced by 50 per cent. Waste disposal costs are also reduced as there are no liners to discard or collect from a production area. The company asserts that this product allows all current usage figures to be halved, and that more material fits on a reel to reduce operator interaction and changeover time.

Michael Dossor, group general manager at Result Group, says the new technology is a “game changer for tertiary carton labelling”.

He says Result is always on the lookout for innovative solutions to add to its portfolio, so it was a clear choice when Herma developed the new system.

VALUED PARTNERS

“Herma has been a long-term, valued partner of ours. For over a decade, we have proudly distributed Herma labelling machines and self-adhesive materials in Australia. The innovative Herma InNoLiner System is the result of Herma’s pioneering work and many years of advancement in multi-layer technology for adhesive material production combined with the machine division who produces the applicator,” Dossor says.

Hanes Australasia, which owns several Australian brands including Bonds, Sheridan, Champion and Bras N Things, was an early adopter of the solution and is implementing the new Herma linerless technology as part of its 2025 global sustainability goals. Hanes originally installed two Herma InNo Liner machines at its Melbourne distribution centre, followed by a new order for multiple units recently.

COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE

“Hanes Australasia is committed to a more sustainable future and has set ambitious goals to achieve zero waste across our operations by 2025. The implementation of Herma labelling equipment in our distribution centre reflects this commitment to more sustainable practices and our leadership in implementing innovative solutions,” says Sebastian Siccita, general manager – logistics and operations Hanes Australasia.

Siccita says, “The Herma labelling equipment proved to be an effective solution where we have seen a reduction of over two tonnes of waste and has provided valuable insights into the potential for further innovations in sustainable technology.”

“Herma is a leading label technology manufacturer in Germany, specialising in the entire field of self-adhesive technology. But what Herma’s team has accomplished in the last few years in the field of sustainability with InNo liners cannot be compared with any other product,” Dossor says.

“Many companies have tried and failed to master linerless labelling and none have mastered linerless silicon free, but Herma succeeded; they

mastered and introduced the most sustainable solution in a labelling,” he adds.

“We’re proud to be in a position where we can support sustainability in the logistics and distribution space in any industry in ways never available before.”

Dossor explains that with the Herma InNo liner, each label is printed uniquely for its use case in supply chain management, to be scanned and diverted in warehouses, shipping or supply chain.

Main: Linerless labelling: reducing landfill waste

Above left: PIDA 2023 Finalist in both sustainability and labelling categories.

Above right: Linerless rolls offer savings of up to 50 per cent.

Herma: Benefits of InNo Liner

• No liner waste, thus no waste disposal costs

• Lower transport volume and weight, reducing CO2 emissions

• More material on each roll, so fewer roll changes

• Less material consumption (no label feed or waste stripping)

• No issues with torn backing paper, there is none

Barcodes are currently being printed. The system uses traditional direct thermal or thermal transfer printers that are industry standard today.

“If necessary, this could be expanded to include 2D codes to cover any advanced supply chain requirement or standard. Consumer QR codes and traceability for real-time supply chain movement and tracking could be added,” he says.

Recognised as a finalist in the 2023 AIP PIDA Awards, and already clocking up successes with local manufacturers, it’s fair to say the industry is taking note of the Herma InNO liner system. ■

We have seen a reduction of over two tonnes of waste and [the system] has provided valuable insights into the potential for further innovations in sustainable technology.

SEBASTIAN SICCITA, HANES AUSTRALASIA

Winners crowned at PIDA’s night of nights

It was an evening to remember for the 350 packaging professionals gathered at the Crown Promenade in Melbourne for the long-awaited in-person gala dinner presentation of the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards. PKN reports.

THE AWARDS EVENING followed a successful first day at the AIP’s Australian Packaging Conference, where many of the ideas shared on sustainable design and innovation were reflected in the winning entries.

MC for the night was Damian Walsh, with co-host Lindy Hughson, publisher of PKN Packaging News and Food & Drink Business, the exclusive media partners for the awards since the programme’s inception nine years ago. The duo presented the winners and category commentary in tandem, with presentation of special prizes made by senior AIP board members, Jason Fields, Pierre Pienaar and Ralph Moyle.

The AIP presented a surprise award on the night, which brought the audience

to their feet in a standing ovation for Nerida Kelton, as they acknowledged the significant contribution the Institute’s executive director has made to the AIP and the wider industry. Kelton was recognised as a Fellow of the Institute, joining a special group of AIP leaders and contributors, many of which were in attendance on the night. Kelton, who was overcome by emotion, said she was humbled and honoured to be made a Fellow.

All 2023 PIDA winners across the main categories are eligible for entry into the next round of the WorldStar Packaging Awards programme, run by the World Packaging Organisation and considered to be the most prestigious awards platform globally.

Main: Celebration was in the air for all PIDA 2023 winners.

Above: Nerida Kelton was recognised with an AIP Fellowship award. She is flanked by AIP colleagues Jason Fields (left) and Pierre Pienaar (right).

FOOD PACKAGING

The Food Packaging Design of the Year award recognises organisations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, within food packaging and processing including fresh, frozen or other categories.

“In this highly competitive sector, where trends are a moving feast, a constant stream of product innovation is required to feed consumer’s changing tastes and maintain shopper interest, and thus market share,” said PKN ’s Lindy Hughson.

“But the biggest demand driving packaging design comes from the requirement to package food in sustainable materials – which includes designing for recyclability and compostability, while also designing to prevent food waste.

“As a result, we’re seeing a rise in new sustainable, high barrier structures, across fibre-based; compostable; and monomer plastic materials, as well evidenced in this year’s selection of finalists.”

There were two High Commendations awards for the category: Australian Organic Food Co. Minestrone Soup mono material retort pouch by Flavour Makers and Toppan Inc.; and DualPakECO compostable food trays by Confoil and BASF. Both of these innovations went on to win Gold in the Sustainable Packaging Design categories, for Mono Materials Advancement and Compostable Materials respectively.

The Bronze winner was Vitor Grapes ‘hippie punnet’ by NAVI Co Global, while the Silver winner was EarthPouch High Barrier Quad Seal by Mikro Coffee Roasters and TCL Hofmann.

Topping the category was Australia’s largest meat and food processing

company JBS Foods

Australia and packaging supplier Sealed Air, who won gold for the packaging used for JBS’ Swift brand of quality lamb products.

Sealed Air’s Cryovac Darfresh monoPET vacuum skin pack offers the combination of high barrier (low oxygen environment) with extended shelf life. An 18-day fresh-chilled shelf life was achieved with this pack, reducing product waste across the value chain.

For processors, it means efficient batch manufacturing, further product distribution and enhanced sales. For retailers, it means longer merchandising periods, less retail markdowns and less waste. And for consumers, it means a longer window to consume product as it can be frozen.

JBS switched to a mono-PET rollstock to address both recyclability and material efficiency. JBS says the new design has delivered optimum protection against abuse and spoilage, without compromising product quality or safety.

BEVERAGE PACKAGING

Looking at the Beverage Packaging Design of the Year category, Hughson said: “Next to food, the beverage category is one of the most visibly creative in its presentation of packaging design, both primary pack and labels, again with a strong focus on sustainability.

“The designs moving from shelf to

Above: PKN’s Lindy Hughson provided commentary on category trends.

Right: Beverage Gold – Banrock Station Eco Bottle by Accolade Wines

Top right: Food Gold – JBS Foods Australia, and Sealed Air for JBS’ Swift lamb packaging

trolley are those combining sustainability with functionality, visual appeal, clear on-pack messaging and smart packaging utility – thus engaging consumers in a crowded category.”

The Bronze winner was Wine Protector by Planet Protector Packaging, while the Silver winner was Penley Sustainability Range by Cutler Brands. Wine Protector went on to win Gold in the Sustainable Packaging Design Renewable Materials category.

Topping the category with the Gold was Banrock Station Eco Bottle by Accolade Wines, which also achieved Silver in the Sustainable Packaging Design Recycled Content category.

The Banrock Station bottle shape has adopted a smart cross-sectional design of a traditional Bordeaux wine bottle – the bottle has the silhouette of a Bordeaux wine bottle face on but when turned to its side, it is flat. Accolade Wines says this innovative change in shape allows the same volume of wine (750ml) to be packed into a bottle that is 30 per cent more spatially efficient than its round, glass predecessor.

The eco bottles are made from 100 per cent recycled PET, and incorporate an active oxygen scavenger barrier technology to offer advanced shelf-life performance over PET with no barrier. Lightweighting has also been addressed. The new pack weighs 63g, 84 per cent lighter than the average 400g glass bottle.

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS

“With wellness at is core, this is a category that is closely linked to lifestyle trends. Expectations around the brand experience and packaging aesthetics are high, but at the same time consumers

will reward brands who take a stand on sustainability, with recyclable, refillable and reusable criteria strongly influencing the purchasing decision,” Hughson said.

In this category the Bronze winner was BioShield by Caps & Closures, while the Silver winner was Habitat Shipper Box by Production Packaging Innovations. Topping the category with the Gold was KOi refillable foaming handwash starter kit and 4-pack refillable handwash tablets by Coles Group.

This entirely new concept for the KOi brand is the first step towards a reuse model within the Coles Own Brand health and beauty category.

The primary packaging for the starter kit includes a HDPE bottle made from 30 per cent post-consumer recycled content, and a lightweight cardboard tag. To reduce excess packaging, the two tablets included in the kit are placed inside the bottle without packaging. The refill tablets are wrapped in a polypropylene (PP) wrap and outer cardboard box.

The refillable tablet packaging is smaller in size and approximately 85 per cent lighter in weight than a traditional single-use handwash bottle. This has reduced the overall pallet weight by 47 per cent and increased the quantity of cartons per pallet by 38 per cent.

The bottle clearly outlines to customers the sustainability benefits including a ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ label on front of pack, the ‘Australian made’ logo on back of pack, and the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on back of pack to help customers recycle the cardboard tag correctly.

DOMESTIC & HOUSEHOLD

In the Domestic and Household Packaging Design of the Year category, functional design has a big role to play, with a strong focus on solutions that have high accessibility, enable ease of dispensing, and maintain product integrity throughout the supply chain, according to Hughson.

“Without losing sight of the all-important sustainability angle, the designs making the final cut this year demonstrate the application of highly creative ideas to deliver thoughtful, innovative form and structure with high convenience value.”

There were two Bronze winners –BioShield by Caps & Closures, and The Dirt Co Circular Refill Pouch Packaging by O F Packaging and Close the Loop Group; while the Silver winner was Easy Pour by DuluxGroup – British Paints.

Topping the category with the Gold was 10:PM Mattress Box by Production Packaging Innovations, which is based on a FEFCO 0201 style box with fully overlapped flaps and secure locking tabs. The box is designed in five sizes, and is equipped with a pair of wheels and a strap handle for easy delivery and transportation.

Above: Health & Beauty Gold – Coles Brand KOi Foaming Hand Wash Refill and

Below: Outside the Box Gold – Coola Box by Oji Fibre

10:PM Mattress Box is made of a recycled twin-walled corrugated board, which is an industrial grade board and able to create a robust structure providing enough cushioning to protect the product during transit. The unique design of the top and the bottom flaps creates an easy installation of the handle and wheels, which are robust enough to carry the weight of a king mattress.

LABELLING & DECORATION

The Labelling and Decoration Design of the Year award is designed to recognise the addition of content to a pack which creates a unique or innovative appearance, function or communication.

“In this category we’re seeing an impressive roll-out of new technology for print finishing and pack decoration technologies, using sustainable inks and substrates,” said Hughson.

“Beyond that, the label or printed pack is now recognised as the platform for engaging directly with the consumer via smart technologies, delivering experiences and important campaign messages directly to their smart devices via the QR code on pack.”

Above left: Domestic & Household Gold – 10PM Mattress Protector by Production Packaging Innovations

Tablets

Solutions NZ

The Bronze winner was The Good Smoothie Milk Powder Composite Pack by Nutura Organic and Zipform Packaging, while the Silver winner was Herma InNo Liner Labelling by Result Group and Hanes Australasia.

Topping the category with the Gold was Christmas BioCups by OzHarvest and BioPak.

The Christmas BioCups were designed to spread cheer this Christmas throughout Australia, while raising money for a good cause. This was delivered in partnership with Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, OzHarvest.

The cups feature Australian animals dressed in festive attire and a prominent yellow panel with the recognisable OzHarvest logo. The message reads, “for the cost of a coffee, you can feed people in need”. The cup explains that you can scan the QR code to donate to those in need. The Christmas cups had a more impactful purpose by including a QR code to bring consumers straight to the OZHarvest website to donate.

The campaign sold over 500,000 units

of these OzHarvest Cups. In addition to the funds raised through the QR code, BioPak donated five per cent of profits of these cups directly to OzHarvest.

The total funds raised enabled OzHarvest to deliver an additional 7662 meals to the community, rescuing over 3800kgs of perfectly good food from ending up in landfill.

The BioCups are printed using soybased inks and are certified industrially compostable to AS4736 Australian standards.

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

The Outside of the Box Design of the Year Award has been established for miscellaneous packs and materials that are not included in any other category.

“With fibre the material squarely in the spotlight on all trendwatch platforms, it’s not surprising that the shortlist of innovations for this award are all fibrebased. The packs selected push the boundaries of design conventions, while considering product safety and end of life for the sector they are servicing,” Hughson commented.

Above left: Marketing Gold – Sustain OzHarvest cup by Bunzl ANZ

Above right: Labelling & Decoration Gold –Christmas Biocups by OzHarvest and BioPak

Oji Fibre Solutions NZ took out all three prizes in this category, winning Bronze for Future Ecology – EmGuard, Silver for Snell Packaging – Mattress Corner Protector, and Gold for its Coola Box design.

The innovative Coola Box caters for cool air containment inside the box that is needed for e-commerce deliveries. The box-in-a-box structure is designed with snug-fit overlapping walls that can assist in better chilled and frozen ingredient

CHANGING THE WAY YOU INTERACT

Globally Recognised 4x WorldStar Awards

6x PIDA Awards

Sensory • IDShield, ThermoShield, BioShield Ergonomic Cap • EzyGrip

We are redefining how people interact and buy their products. Dynamic visualisation of anti-counterfeit and temperature quality assurance. A passive technology that continuously protects against harmful microbes. Through our human senses, we know, and we care. Learn more at capsandclosures.com.au.

arrangements packed with ice packs and appropriate headspace as needed. This design achieves the required temperature control needed for all delivery cycles, a reduction of transit damages.

The box is made from 100 per cent NZ recyclable corrugate board.

MARKETING DESIGN

“It’s often said that ‘packaging is the billboard for the brand’, that it carries enormous swaying power from the shelf and once it’s in the consumer’s hand, it’s the final marketing touchpoint in the shopper experience,” said Hughson.

“Given this, we can see the importance of tying a brand’s broader marketing campaign messaging closely to the on-pack communication, using the packaging as the primary channel to convey and reinforce those messages.”

The Bronze winner was Keen’s Meal Bases by BrandOpus (Australia) and McCormick Foods Australia, while the Silver winner was Dulux Jellybean Promotion Pack by Dulux Australia. Topping the category with the Gold was Sustain OzHarvest Cups by Bunzl ANZ.

Sustain’s OzHarvest Collection is a range of eye-catching compostable cups with an aqueous barrier lining. The Collection is made from renewable material sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests.

The collection was purposefully designed to build on the existing brand mission to create more visually and emotionally appealing sustainable alternatives in food packaging that will deliver real change.

The hot cups range was created to contribute to the fight against food waste, leading to a meaningful collaboration with not-for-profit food rescue organisation OzHarvest. Bunzl has

pledged that with every car ton of cups sold, two meals are supplied to those in need via OzHarvest.

Sustain’s OzHarvest Collection aims to connect with businesses by providing them a quantifiable achievement (with the donation of meals), and supply them a sustainable product to offer customers that encourages fur ther education on food waste using the QR code.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING DESIGN

Due to the broad array of innovative and sustainable packaging designs in this cat egory, this year the judges split up the winners into the follow ing categories: Recycled Content; Labelling; Mono Material Advancements; Renewable Materials; and Compostables.

“We’re seeing the rapid development of new material technology to support and advance recyclability or compostability, and the emergence of innovation that enables the reduction of materials, and or the reuse of the packaging itself,” Hughson said.

Recycled Content

Bronze went to Dulux 50 per cent rPP Paint and Lid by Pact Group and Dulux Group, while Silver went to Banrock Station Eco Bottle by Accolade Wines.

Topping the category with the Gold was Coles Finest Carbon Neutral Steak Vacuum Packaging by Coles Group and Plantic Technologies.

The Plantic RV tray is manufactured using modern technology where locally sourced recycled PET is combined with

the renewable sourced, high barrier Plantic HP sheet. The vacuum tray is made from 70 per cent recycled PET and 20 per cent renewable starch. The LCA study shows that the use of the Plantic packaging will reduce C02 emissions by approximately 14,000 kgs when compared to traditional oil-based virgin plastics. Compared to the original design, a size reduction of 26 per cent and a weight reduction of 28 per cent per pack has been achieved, saving approximately 1.4MT of material. The choice of a linerless label that easily separates from the top film and tray reduces excess material usage.

Each primary unit is packed into a cardboard carton which is fully recyclable via Coles back of house recycling system, contains 74 per cent recycled fibres and is PEFC certified.

The tray is kerbside recyclable. During the recycling process, the thin starch layer uniquely washes away, allowing the PET tray to be recovered.

Labelling

The Silver winner was RafCycle by UPM Raflatac, and the Gold went to Herma InNo Liner Labelling by Result Group and Hanes Australasia. Herma InNo Liner is a new labelling system (see the full review of this product in PKN March-April issue) that enables more eco-friendly packaging through shipping labels that do not contain any liner material. The system is completely recyclable, has no liners, and is silicone-free.

Mono Material Advancements

Clockwise from above:

Sustainable Compostables Gold

– DualPakECO tray by Confoil and BASF

Sustainable Renewable Materials Gold – Wine Protector by Planet Protector Packaging

Sustainable Monomaterials Gold

– Australian Organic retort pouch by Flavour Makers and Toppan Inc.

Sustainable Recyclables

Gold – Coles Finest

Carbon Neutral by Plantic Technologies

The Bronze winner was Store Operations Fruit & Vegetable PE film by Woolworths Group, while the Silver winner was JBS Swift Lamb Cutlets Cryovac Darfesh Mono-PET rollstock by Sealed Air. The Gold winner was Australian Organic Food Co. Minestrone Soup mono material retort pouch by Flavour Makers and Toppan.

The package is Australia’s first 100 per cent recycle-ready high-barrier mono-material retort pouch suitable for heat sterilisation, using breakthrough materials. The new structure is OPP 20μm, (Barrier) OPP 20μm, CPP80μm. Although the finished product may look and feel like a traditional pouch, everything is different. Maintaining print registration on OPP requires greater precision and attention to tension control. The Toppan team have achieved

perfect print registration on this package and Toppan’s specially developed sealant has reduced the thickness of the sealant layer to 80μm. The CPP layer was developed specifically for monomaterial applications to maximise the sealing window. This improved sealing performance, along with the calibration of the sealing equipment has reduced CPP usage to 80μm.

Renewable Materials

The Bronze winner was Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging by Detpak and Woolworths Supermarkets, the Silver winner was Tempguard Gusset for HelloFresh by Sealed Air and the Gold award went to Wine Protector by Planet Protector Packaging.

The Wine Protector has been developed using Woolpack technology; it is a sustainable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) shippers used to protect bottled wine from temperature and impact damage throughout the supply chain. The Wine Protector is made of an insulating wool sleeve used to stabilise wine temperatures and impact resistance to cushion

and protect the wine in transit. The packaging reduces material handling costs. Also, 900 units fit on a pallet, which means less pallet movements and lower labour costs, which translates to a lower number of shipments and a lower carbon footprint. This is achieved through an easy-toassemble compact design along with compressing the Wine Protectors to up to 50 per cent of their size.

Compostables

The Silver winner was Aqueous BioCups by BioPak and the Gold win ner was DualPakECO compostable food trays by Confoil and BASF.

DualPakECO trays are certified compostable to Australian standard AS 4736-2006. They are made in Australia by Confoil, and coated on the inside with BASF biopolymer ecovio PS 1606, a partly bio-based and certified compostable biopolymer specially developed for coating food packaging made of paper or board.

The paperboard for DualPakECO can easily be formed and allows for

printability. The board is lightweight yet rigid enough for in-line production facilities. It also offers secure sealing across a variety of film substrates and machinery. The coating is applied in a mono-layer extrusion process. The high content of renewable raw materials leads to a reduced material carbon footprint, which allows savings of greenhouse gas emissions. This new solution is an alternative to conventional PET packaging for readyto-eat meals. DualPakECO trays can be used for ready-to-eat meals and are suitable for storing food cold or frozen in supermarkets, as well as for catering and hot take-away from restaurants. Organically recyclable, the pack extends the end-of-life options for paper-based packaging. ■

More information on all winning packs is available on PKN‘s website.

Result Group

People making change happen

A special part of the PIDA presentation every year is the people awards, recognising individuals’ contribution and commitment to building the region’s packaging industry.

THIS YEAR, THE Industry Packaging Professional of the Year was presented to Michael Dossor, general manager, Result Group. With over 30 years’ experience in the packaging industry, Dossor has grown Result Group into a leading product identification company, bringing innovative solutions to the region.

As an industry professional, he was commended for always being available to help and assist others, especially volunteering for anything that the AIP and its members need.

“Michael’s dedication and contribution as a volunteer to the industry has been exceptional. He represents the AIP on numerous working groups and committees, and is always there to provide speaking, training and lecturing support to the Institute,” said AIP president Jason Fields. “Michael is now a lecturer in the Master of Food & Packaging Innovation degree at the University of Melbourne, a trainer in the AIP Education team, and a speaker whenever the AIP needs help. Nothing is too much trouble for Michael when it comes to supporting industry associations.

“In recent years, Michael has started focusing on bridging the gap between Sustainability and Food Waste, and has already implemented technology to deliver on those key drivers.”

“He is inspiring, driven and passionate, and a fine example of an exemplary packaging professional.”

YOUNG PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL

The 2023 Young Packaging Professional of the Year title was awarded to Lars Ljung, sustainability manager, Planet Protector Packaging.

Seven years ago, armed with an outstanding academic record, Ljung joined the Planet Protector team. As a disruptive startup with audacious aspirations to rid the world of EPS, their vision resonated with Ljung who knew that he had found his ‘tribe’.

From the onset, Ljung has achieved a high level of success and displayed exacting attention to detail and a competency and maturity well beyond his years. The judges said that what shone through the most was that Ljung shares Planet Protector’s mission and a deep passion to create sustainable impact. He is a visible leader and pioneer of change, motivating and leading by example to inspire others to take smart risks and to learn.

As a young professional, Ljung brings to the business a unique value proposition, rooted in the practical application of science and technology. Recently, he led the research and development of the company’s building insulation

ABA & AIP Scholarship Recipients

Clockwise from top: 2023 Industry Professional: Michael Dossor

AIP Founders Award winner: Keith Chessell Pierre Pienaar congratulates 2023 Young Packaging Professional, Lars Ljung.

solution, which sees the company expand into new verticals. He believes the development of more sustainable and high-performing natural products is essential for the building sector to reduce the environmental impacts of construction. Ljung finds reward in knowing he is making a difference in the world. (Read more about this young leader on the facing page.)

AIP FOUNDERS AWARD

The AIP Founders Award is given for outstanding performance that advances the profession of Packaging Technology. The Founders Award has only ever been attained by five other people –the late Professor Harry Lovell, George Ganzenmuller, Llewelyn Stephens, Pierre Pienaar and Ralph Moyle. The sixth award, in AIP’s 60th anniversary year, went to Keith Chessell.

The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA), in partnership with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) awarded its annual Scholarship program for Australia and New Zealand at the PIDA 2023 Awards evening.

The Certificate in Packaging Scholarship was awarded to Jessica Ansell, marketing manager, O F Packaging & Close the Loop Group, while the Diploma in Packaging Technology scholarship was awarded, in absentia, to Tony Crowther, R&D packaging development technologist, Lion Co.

Chessell has 46 years’ experience, having worked for major brands in the food, beverage and confectionery industry to develop new products and relaunch existing products and packaging. In recent years his focus has been on sustainable packaging design, and assisting the AIP and WPO on Save Food initiatives and training support for educational institutions.

“Nothing is too much trouble for Keith, and he always go above and beyond in everything that he does for the industry. Keith is being honoured for truly being the epitome of the Founder Award,” AIP executive director Nerida Kelton said. ■

Left: Jessica Ansell

Winner of the

Professional of the Year Award, Lars Ljung is sustainability manager at Planet Protector Packaging, where he has been instrumental in developing the technology behind the award-winning range of insulated solutions under the Woolpack brand. PKN’s Will Wain-Williams spoke to him about his career to date.

Never stop learning

So, first of all, congratulations on winning the Young Packaging Professional of the Year Award. What did winning this award mean for you?

Winning the Young Packaging Professional of the Year Award was an incredible honour, and I am absolutely over the moon about it. It means a lot to me to have my work recognised and to be able to represent the next generation of packaging professionals.

How did you get started in the packaging industry? What inspired you to start this career path?

I got interested in the packaging industry while studying sustainability at the University of Sydney. I became fascinated with the way that conscious packaging design and material choices could come together to create functional and environmentally responsible products. After graduating, I started working at Planet Protector and quickly realised that packaging was the perfect intersection of my interests in materials research and sustainability. I was inspired by the potential to make a tangible

impact on the environment and help reduce waste and improve Australia's sustainability efforts.

As a young professional, what sort of challenges have you faced getting to where you are now, and how did you overcome them?

As a young professional, one of the biggest challenges I faced was building my knowledge base in regards to packaging. I overcame this by attending industry events and conferences, and reaching out to professionals in my circle. It also helps to be a part of professional organisations like the Australian Institute of Packaging. These connections have been invaluable in helping me build my knowledge and advance my career.

What were your biggest takeaways from the recent AIP conference?

The recent AIP conference was an amazing experience. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of collaboration and cross-functional teamwork in the packaging industry. I came away with a renewed sense of

excitement about the potential for collaboration and innovation in the packaging industry.

While so much focus is currently on 2025, as a young person in the industry, that is really only the beginning for you. How do you see the future of packaging post-2025? Looking to the future of packag ing post-2025, I see a continued focus on sustainability, circular ity, and innovation. There will be new challenges to face, such as the increasing demand for e-commerce packaging, an increased need for efficient recycling systems, and stringent legislation around prob lematic plastics. However, I am confident that the packaging indus try will rise to these challenges and

continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.

And finally, what advice do you have for those either just starting in the industry, or considering starting a career in packaging? For those just starting in the industry or considering a career in packaging, my advice would be to be curious, stay up-to-date on industry trends and innovations, and never stop learning. Attend industry events and conferences, join professional organisations, and seek out mentors and networking opportunities. And most importantly, be passionate about

PIDA Young Packaging

Be curious, stay up-to-date on industry trends and innovations, and never stop learning.

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Delivering environmentally conscious plastics packaging for FMCG products under its E-ZERO™ sustainability program that aims to be Better-Than-Carbon-Neutral™

AIP: Peak Professional Body for Packaging Education & Training in Australasia

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is the peak professional body for packaging education and training in Australasia; helping to shape the careers of generations of packaging professionals – from packaging technologists to international packaging business leaders along with a host of people in associated disciplines – sales and marketing, purchasing, production and environment.

The AIP was founded in 1963 in response to a need for packaging technologists to interact and provide a professional identity for individuals within the packaging industry. Having served the industry for 60 years the AIP is the only professional body designed to provide professional and personal development to all levels of the packaging industry; educational offerings include the Diploma in Packaging Technology, the Certificate in Packaging, the Master in Food & Packaging Innovation, Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) Designation, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology course, half-day training courses, conferences, technical forums, site visits, Influential Women’s Mentoring program, internship program and more. The AIP covers Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia. To find out more email info@aipack.com.au or www.aipack.com.au

Annual Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards

Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the Annual Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand.

PIDA Categories include: Food

• Beverage

Labelling & Decoration

• Health, Beauty & Wellness

• Outside of the Box

Accessible & Inclusive Packaging

• Domestic & Household

• Sustainable Packaging

• Marketing

Industry Packaging Professional of the Year

• Save Food Packaging

• Young Packaging Professional of the Year

• ABA Scholarships

• AIP President’s Scholarship

The PIDA Awards are the exclusive award program for all Australia and New Zealand entries into the prestigious WorldStar Packaging Awards, which are coordinated by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The AIP are the Member for Australia and New Zealand for the WPO. To find out more email pida@aipack.com.au