The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has announced the winners of its WorldStar Special Award, with Australia taking home titles in three out of four categories.
Bronze, silver and gold special award winners were names in categories including marketing, sustainability, packaging that saves food, and the president’s award.
Winners are as follows:
President’s award winners
GOLD – Magna International, Singapore for the Vappro VBCI 826 Soluplast
SILVER – Cafès Novell, Spain for the Compostable Barrier Organic Coffee Capsules compatible with Nespresso Coffee Makers
BRONZE – Plantic Technologies, Australia for the PLANTIC RV Skin Packaging Materials
BRONZE – Coca-Cola Brazil for the Universal Returnable Bottle
WPO President Pierre Pienaar said Magna International won gold for its revolutionary biodegradable non-toxic water-soluble plastic packaging film, which is a world first in solving corrosion problems of the industry with the environment in mind.
“It exceeds the 3R’s of packaging philosophy: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It was developed to replace conventional polyethylene non-biodegradable anti-corrosion films, without the need for environmentally harmful rust preventives,” he said.
“It is to be noted that it aligns with my objectives of eliminating the plastics pollution of the oceans as it’s completely dissolvable in water. It can be used in conjunction with any packaging materials such as paper, paperboard, wood crates or plastic films. My personal and heartiest congratulations as a standout clear winner”.
Sustainability award winners
GOLD – Pact, New Zealand for the Lewis Road 100% rPET Milk Bottle
SILVER – Woolworths, Australia for the Woolworths Bakery Plant Fibre Tray
BRONZE – JASA Packaging Solutions B.V, Netherlands for the Bag-2-Paper
Packaging that Saves Food Award Winners
GOLD – Sealed Air, Australia for Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm and Sealed Air for Cryovac (Darfresh on Tray
SILVER – Beijing Easite Packaging Design Co. Ltd for the Npop DEQINGYUAN Recyclable Egg-box
BRONZE – PLACON, USA for HomeFresh Entrée
Marketing award winners
GOLD – PepsiCo Inc, USA for the PEPSI NFL Laces Can
SILVER – LG Household & Health Care, South Korea for the O Hui Day Shield Smart Pumping Foundation Cushion
BRONZE – Placon, USA for the Paclock Bi-Fold Clamshell
A special ceremony is expected to take place during Interpack 2021, on 26 February, to present the special awards to the respective recipients.
“I apologise for this change from our usual annual presentations, but do assure you that all will be back to normal for the May 2021 award presentations in Buenos Aires, Argentina,” Pienaar added.