Balance® Organic
Alcan Packaging

To meet Kraft Balance Bar requirements, Alcan Packaging developed a lamination featuring its proprietary Ceramis® PET film as the barrier layer. The silicon oxide coated film combines outstanding optical clarity with high barrier properties. The result was a package that provided a crystal-clear window to highlight the appearance of the organic bar, which is loaded with hearty, naturally good ingredients. The cold seal system allowed Kraft’s horizontal flow wrap line to work at the highest possible speeds.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Bandito’s Blue Corn Chips
The Robinette Company

This package replaced a window type paper bag and eliminated the die cutting process. The change in packaging has increased the shelf life of the product. The matte finish substrate enhances the old west design and gives this package a unique shelf appeal. The ability to print two designs at once improved the efficiencies of the printing and converting process.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Barry’s Busy Bee Pure Honey
CL&D Graphics, Incorporated

We worked with Golden Heritage Foods, LLC, who coordinated the global continuity of container design and printing of displays with other marketing tools to promote not only Bee Movie but, Busy Bee Honey. Significant challenges were encountered with pre-distortion to match the contours of the container and effectively simulate the visual impact of DreamWorks’ Barry character. Multiple mock-ups with digital simulations and actual press print proofs were done in conjunction with shrink tunnel trials to achieve outstanding results. Barry’s Busy Bee Pure Honey is a sweet way to take the fun of DreamWorks Animation’s newest feature film, Bee Movie, home with you. Barry’s Busy Bee Pure Honey features innovative, eye-catching shrink wrap packaging in a convenient two ounce size so, you know he’s good to go!

Judged in Printing Achievement.

BelGioioso Sliced Cheese
Curwood, Incorporated, A Bemis Company

The new easy-open BelGioioso sliced cheese package is sure to become the new category standard, replacing tear-tape style packaging. The package features Curwood’s new Curpolene® 7202 film with IntegraScore® opening technology for easy, controlled directional tearing. The newly formulated film delivers superior abuse-resistance for 75 percent fewer leakers and less pinholing, improved roll conformity and COF, improved oxygen barrier, 40 percent less haze, and 6 percent less weight and 11.5 percent less volume than competitive films.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Technical Innovation and Environmental & Sustainability Achievement.

Bertolli Chicken Parmigiana and Penne Complete Skillet Meal, 48 oz.
Printpack, Incorporated

The new Bertolli Chicken Parmigiana and Penne Complete Skillet Meal club package combines a premium look with cost-effective convenience. The exterior c-fold bag, a metallized lamination with superior flexographic printing, imparts an upscale feel, while offering durable strength for the two interior pouches. Small openings in the side seals allow extra packing air to be vented, thus maintaining billboard area while reducing overall package volume.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Cades Cove Rib Pouch
Exopack, LLC

This exciting pouch from Exopack combines the technical innovation of a tough, puncture resistant, leak resistant cook-in pouch with the beauty and convenience of a pre-printed laminated pouch. The mouth watering graphics of the Cades Cove Rib Pouch differentiate this package in the retail meat case. The package stays tightly sealed through cooking and distribution to ensure an outstanding consumer experience.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Coldpack AirLiner
COLDPACK

AirLiner succeeds in providing an innovative alternative to a seventy year old cold chain management known as polystyrene, EPS or Styrofoam. AirLiner’s ability to maintain constant temperature is found in its patented, internal heat barrier technology. Compared to rigid Styrofoam, AirLiner offers superior protective cushioning, a reduction of 40 percent in global warming potential and costs less to use.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Environmental & Sustainability Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® BSC 6000 Chub Film
Cryovac Food Packaging, Sealed Air Corporation

Cryovac® BSC 6000 film is designed for high-speed retail chub packaging of ground meats such as fresh pork sausage, ground poultry or ground beef. With its high-abuse properties, excellent gloss and optics, and exceptional memory, the film creates an attractive, tight package from production to consumers’ homes.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® Freshness Plus™ Packaging
Cryovac Food Packaging, Sealed Air Corporation

The Cryovac® Freshness Plus™ family of products is uniquely designed to maximize freshness, flavor and product color while reducing confinement odors. Oxygen and odor scavenging technology is built into the package to prevent mold growth, preserve color, and eliminate oxygen and off-odors. Product quality can be improved without the need for additives or preservatives, resulting in better flavor, aroma and appearance.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Cryovac® Grip and Tear™ Bag
Cryovac Food Packaging, Sealed Air Corporation

With Cryovac® Grip and Tear™ Bags, the days of consumers fighting with vacuum shrink bags are over. This unique bag combines the superior shrink toughness and oxygen-barrier properties expected from a Cryovac® vacuum shrink bag with the addition of an easy-open feature. The name says it all — grip the package, tear it open. No sharp utensils or strong muscles required.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Dale and Thomas Movie Theater Popcorn,
7.5 oz.
Printpack, Incorporated

This unusual black and white bag with dashes of bright splashy color is a show stopper, leaping off the shelf and stopping customers in their tracks.
The limited palette creates mystique that appeals to everyone who loves the movies. Large enough to share, the bag invites customers to create their own movie-going experience right in the comfort of their own homes.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Dale and Thomas Store Bag
Printpack, Incorporated

The new Dale and Thomas Store Bag replaces a PET structure with more sustainable components while retaining features important to the customer such as a carry handle and a press-to-reseal zipper for freshness. Convenience for retail clerks at point of sale still remains built into the bag as well, with check boxes to note which flavor is being purchased. The paper structure also lends the package the gourmet boutique feel that customers have come to expect from Dale and Thomas.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Daniele® Delizia President’s Prosciutto
Re-Seal It Package
Printpack, Incorporated

Daniele’s new Delizia President’s Prosciutto Re-Seal It Package combines proprietary label technology with high performance barrier films. Designed and engineered with the consumer, retailer and food processor in mind, the Daniele package utilizes the Re-seal It packaging system, providing an innovative easy-to-open label with repeat reseal for meat and related thermoform packaging applications.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Dannon Light & Fit 0% Plus Nonfat Yogurt
Alcan Packaging

To promote the enhanced reformulation of Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt, new graphics were incorporated into an innovative, see-through OPS label that provides appetite appeal — fruit pieces appear to be suspended inside the yogurt — and a premium image to drive consumer interest. The reverse-printed label provides higher gloss and graphic quality with the lower package weight of the multi-pack, in-mold process.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Printing Achievement.

Disney Six Count Corn
Robbie Manufacturing, Incorporated

This value added package combines enhanced graphics with superior design reproduction of Disney’s Tinker Bell character for increased shelf presence through the use of process print. Printed nutrition information along with the Disney Health for Kids link is printed on the package to capture the health-conscious consumer’s attention. What makes this package so unique is the use of process print on light gauge PVC which is difficult to register dot on dot due to web handling issues.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Drop’n Go
North State Flexibles, LLC

This package represents an environmentally friendly solution through the use of non-volatile water based adhesives. A single 60 gram package replaced the equivalent of twelve (12) one-gallon bottles. Reduction of energies, water and waste, along with providing the consumer with an improved product and user-friendly press-to-close reseal feature, are all pluses for this package. The Drop’n Go package uses approximately eight times less warehouse space, consumes eight times less landfill space, and uses less than 50 percent of the packaging needed for reduction sustainability. This product and package combined reduced weight by 98 percent versus comparable products available today.

Judged in Environmental and Sustainability Achievement.

Duet Pouch
Rollprint Packaging Products, Incorporated

Prompted by focus group input from operating room nurses and doctors, the Duet Pouch was designed to address the concerns of healthcare providers.

It is a new generation peelable chevron header pouch ideal for ethylene oxide sterilization applications. The Duet Pouch provides easy opening features via its dual chevron seal and ensures aseptic product presentation, all while controlling cost.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Eastman Kodak Value Pack, 135 ct.
Printpack, Incorporated

Flexible packaging has the unique ability to offer product protection, promotion, and decreased energy costs. The new Kodak flexible pouch introduces all three into a market that has traditionally been dominated by cartons. Barrier properties of the pouch protect the paper, proving that a less conventional format can supplant a more entrenched one, and the bundling concept can help retailers build brand loyalty by offering a convenient and economic way to purchase their product.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Espoma Earth-tone® Garden Control Products
Printpack, Incorporated

The Espoma shrink label represents a type of packaging that enhances the brand identity of the product at the same time giving it a distinctive and dramatic look. It also provides a 360-degree image area, for all-over coverage, so important facts can be printed on the label and the glossiness of PET-G film allows for the vibrant inks and color. The PET-G film is also more environmentally friendly and will separate out of the recycle stream more easily.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Form-Tite™ Shrinkable Thermoforming Films
Curwood, Incorporated — A Bemis Company

Curwood’s proprietary new Form-Tite™ films were developed for high-speed thermoform/fill/seal machines that incorporate a shrink tunnel. The shrinkable thermoforming films offer superior gloss, clarity, shrink, draw and opening compared to other films used on this equipment, making the technology viable for a wider array of products, creating a more attractive branded presentation and adding a new level of consumer convenience. Form-Tite™ films maximize thermoform-shrink equipment’s potential to triple productivity and lower total costs compared to rotary chamber shrink systems.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Freshtables with Estersteam® Vent
American Packaging Corporation

Estersteam® provides real convenience and an easy way to enter the microwave steamed meal market. The specially designed Estersteam® valve is pre-applied to rollstock, lidding and pre-formed pouch specifications and works with frozen, chilled or ambient products. Under microwave conditions the valve activates allowing the package to vent, so food is moist and perfectly cooked. This technology is cost effective, running on standard heat-seal equipment with no effect on production efficiency and no capital investment. Additionally, this package is capable of holding liquids without leaking and will not explode while cooking or implode when cooling.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Goody’s Child Resistant Tear Stick Pack
Amcor Flexibles

Amcor SafeStick is a novel child resistant, easy, tear open packaging solution for pharmaceuticals incorporating a printed tear indicator. The tear opening feature is not evident to a child. The package tears only at a printed indicator, allowing easy opening and dispensing. Amcor SafeStick offers controlled unit dosing of pharmaceutical powders, granules, creams, gels and liquids. The package is lightweight and easy to dispose of.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

H. J. Heinz Company Black Label Single Serve Ketchup
Alcan Packaging

Heinz’s larger black packet was developed for operators looking to offer America’s favorite ketchup easily and stylishly. The long, slender package invokes the style of European packets and suggests greater consumer value in its larger size. Black foil and gold serif font create a luxurious look. This package enables operators to conveniently serve the finest ketchup and to preserve their image both inside and outside the dining room.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Harbor Seafood Flash-Frozen Packages
Gibraltar Packaging Group, Incorporated

The Harbor Seafood Flash-Frozen Packages represent the great attributes of flexible packaging. The laminated structure provides strength and durability to ensure product integrity while in the freezer case. The graphics of this package demonstrates the high-quality printing that flexible packaging offers. By choosing flexible packaging for this product, the customer was able to achieve an eye-catching shelf presence, an effectively packaged product for the retailer, and a fresh product for the consumer.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Hershey Cacao Reserve
American Packaging Corporation

The combination of the detailed graphics and the use of the foil substrate capture the design and the unique background print, and make it stand out in a very competitive marketplace. Fine details are reflected in the cocoa bean, and the tight registration of the individual pieces that are placed in this converted bag. Type throughout the label is clean, clear and legible. The overall coverage of the colors is excellent and lays well.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Hershey’s Halloween Assortment, 36.75 oz.
American Packaging Corporation

This reverse printed package uses flexographic digital plate technology to produce eye-catching graphics at a reduced cost over alternative printing methods for Hershey’s seasonal package. The glossy appearance and superior reproduction of the candy graphics met the customer’s goal of marketing its product in a package that is visually appealing, functional and exhibits excellent retail shelf presence.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Hershey’s Halloween 75 Pieces, 40.93 oz.
American Packaging Corporation

The use of flexographic digital plates was an excellent decision for The Hershey Company to illustrate its high quality product image on a short-run seasonal product line. The eye-catching design combined with superior graphic reproduction creates a finished package that has exceptional store shelf presence with the goal of capturing the consumer’s attention.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Hershey’s Nuggets/ Country Music Promo,
12 oz.
American Packaging Corporation

The use of flexographic digital plates resulted in achieving the high quality package design The Hershey Company required for its promotional package of branded chocolate. American Packaging Corporation utilized a combination of DuPont FAST digital plates and high-strength inks to create a package that captures the consumer’s attention.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Hot N Handy Rotisserie Pouch
Robbie Manufacturing, Incorporated

The Hot N Handy Rotisserie Pouch is a flexible all-in-one package that is designed to aid consumers by giving them value-added features like a built-in-handle for easy carrying, a resealable zipper for reclosing and a slim profile for saving leftovers. The pouch is also microwaveable and leak resistant. Flexible packaging is the best sustainable solution for rotisserie chicken in the market today. As compared to rigid containers, the Hot N Handy pouch uses 92 percent less fossil fuels, produces 84 percent less CO2 emissions and reduces solid waste by 66 percent.

Judged in Environmental and Sustainability Achievement.

Iams Plastic Recloseable Chunk Dog Food Bag
Exopack, LLC

The Iams Plastic Recloseable Chunk Dog Food Bag has all of the key features required for success in the marketplace. Beautiful eye catching graphics, strength for protection during distribution, and consumer convenience features to encourage repeat purchases. This new development from Exopack is an innovative alternative to standard multiwall pinch bags, which requires minimal filling line modifications.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Jam Treat
Flex America, Incorporated

This is a package with high level aesthetics and brand appeal due to the introduction of holography. The printing has been done in a rotogravure process in 8 colors using a UV ink system. Die based inks have been used to show the metallic sheen/holography. The concept of holography is catching on very quickly because of the enhanced brand appeal and high level aesthetics. Because of this, the product stands out on the store shelf.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Kaleidoscope Colored Play Sand
FLEX PACK, USA

One of the reasons Texans Agri Products became interested in switching from a five gallon pail to a flexible package was because it opened up a world of possibilities for a creative designer to really showcase their product. They also appreciated the functionality of the pouch for the consumer and the ability to pass on their cost saving to the consumer. This pouch was produced with a clear window allowing the naturally beautiful color of the product to showcase itself. The die cut handle allows ease of carrying compared to traditional sand bags and the re-closable zipper allows you to store unused product without a mess.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Keebler Take-Alongs™
Alcan Packaging

Keebler Take-Alongs™ cookies address the consumers needs for on-the-go convenience and portability with its multi-pack of detachable cookie cups. Additionally, the packaging helps protect cookies from breakage. The perforated tray and lid with reverse-printed high-gloss graphics provides a full size banner advertisement on the retail shelf with the individual polypropylene cups containing four cookies each.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Cereal Bar
Exopack, LLC

With the conversion of the cereal bar structure from a cold seal adhesive to a new enhanced heat seal structure, the customer can reduce its environmental impact with a material source reduction, contributing to distribution load reductions and improved sustainability scores.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

KerryGold Parchment Look Print
Alcan Packaging

To meet customer/market needs for a desired parchment look with increased heat and scuff resistance, Alcan Packaging formulated a new flexo overprint varnish with superior heat and scuff resistance. The result was a product that maintains the customer’s desired appearance, at an improved quality, that runs on existing packaging lines. An old world, hand wrapped look is featured for natural cheese without the use of true parchment or paper in a high performance, high speed, high shelf life packaging film structure.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Kettle Foods Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips Organic, 18 oz.
Printpack, Incorporated

The ink colors and matte finish create an overall package that is a physical manifestation of the company’s core values. Not only can the company impart a natural look and feel, but the entire package becomes a subtle advertisement for the sustainability and environmental movements that Kettle Foods supports and customers can identify with.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Kleenex 10/200
Robbie Manufacturing, Incorporated

Kimberly Clark wanted their same, clean, eye-popping graphics with the ability to include a coupon on the package without changing the look and feel of the package. With the ability to hide the technical printed bar code under the overall design of the package and without having to adhere unattractive labels, Kimberly Clark was able to achieve a calm and soothing, elegant design.

Judged in Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Lays
Flex America, Incorporated

This highly innovative structure is a technological wonder because high barrier plasma metallized film has been used along with extrusion poly, thus improving the shelf life of the product as MVTR values are as low as 0.15–0.3. The new improved structure gives an extended shelf life to the product as well as the convenience of easy opening.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Natural Choice Pork Loin Filet
Alcan Packaging

Difficult crusted and marinated applications are no match for Alcan Packaging’s newly developed proprietary sealing technology. The new film resists puncture and seals easily through marinade particulates, grease, salt and acidic environments, allowing processors to respond to consumer and retailer demands for convenient meal solutions in attractive, case-ready formats.

The primary seal sets quickly at lower temperatures to prevent uncooked cuts of meat from searing during the packaging process. Further, the complete secondary seal allows processors to achieve excellent film-to-film seal at fast speeds and enhances product appearance throughout shelf-life without purge. The company’s self-manufactured Q® film outperforms competitive coextrusions, with superior machinability that dramatically reduces leakers and provides outstanding “memory” for diminished purge and superior clarity to increase shelf-appeal.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Nestle Chocolatier™ Premium Baking Morsels
Printpack, Incorporated

Nestle Chocolatier™ Premium Baking Morsels replaces the “standard” pillow pouch with a new flat bottom pouch on the chocolate morsels aisle. The package represents a premium upgrade that offers differentiation and brand building potential due to its upright display presence and more appealing graphics. The metallized gold pouch announces a truly exceptional product, and any customer picking it up will feel like they have a little luxurious treasure in their hands.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Nestle Purina Pet Care- Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold
Nordenia U.S.A.

Nestle achieved an upgraded brand image by moving to Nordenia’s FlexBox. This side-gusseted bag offers convenience features such as resealable tape and protection from infestation and the environment. No more secondary container to keep the pet food fresh. Brand identity is maintained and value is added for the consumer. High impact graphics and additional billboard space allow for improved visual communication with the consumer.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Next Generation Coex Printed Shrink Film
Pliant Corporation™

An innovative combination of coex film technology, new raw materials, advanced inks and printing processes were synergistically combined to provide a significantly improved water bottle shrink package versus the historical product. This provided a more aesthetically appealing package while at the same time a stronger one. It reduces transit damage and provides for a highly desired one hand consumer pick up and carry versus two hands, which was required with the previous package.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Non-Foil Die-Cut Lidding
American Packaging Corporation

American Packaging Corporation’s new Non-Foil Die-Cut Lidding is a major advancement in lidding technology. The new lidding material provides improvements in cost, functionality and sustainability. It can be reverse/trap printed for improved consumer acceptance and shelf appeal. In addition, the unique characteristic of the sealant polymer facilitates sealing through contamination with a very wide operating window, while providing the potential for direct metal detection. Finally, the new lidding material offers improved sustainability through a substantial reduction in weight and energy used to produce individual components.

Judged in Environmental & Sustainability Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Novus Tea Sachet
Amgraph Packaging, Incorporated

This package uses a combination of films and resins that offer the pliability and barrier our customer was seeking. It is designed to withstand vigorous handling by the consumer while maintaining its structural and cosmetic integrity.

This line was originally introduced in Europe and was manufactured in Japan and then sent to the U.S. Our customer purchased the filling machine to cut down on the shipping/freight charges and lead time, and chose Amgraph as their supplier of choice to produce this for them.

Judged in Environmental & Sustainability Achievement and Printing Achievement.

Paint Texturizer
Robbie Manufacturing, Incorporated

Flexible packaging gave Red Devil the opportunity to give their consumers the convenience of viewing how to use instructions, and illustrations on how to mix the product printed on the package. Using a process print, a family room was printed on the front of the pouch showing the remarkable effects of the product. The added convenience of a recloseable zipper keeps the product in its original form and safe for the next project.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Perdue Bourbon Chicken
Alcan Packaging

The stand up pouch solution for the Perdue Bourbon Chicken provided a large billboard for the customer to display the package contents. Through the use of unique color separations, process and PMS colors, the image catches the consumers attention by focusing on a compelling product visual. Customer brand recognition, high quality process image and a difficult vignette, work in tandem to create depth and clarity. Additional graphic elements are incorporated to communicate the functionality of the pouch, which uses LaserTear™ technology for easy, clean and convenient opening.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Pliant SteamQuick™ Packaging
Pliant Corporation™

Pliant’s freezable/microwaveable SteamQuick™ package technology allows frozen food to be steam cooked in a microwave oven without having to remove the food from the bag. In the microwave, the package allows steam to build, cooking the food, and then safely venting near the end of the cook cycle. This innovative technology gives consumers both a quick and easy way to have tasty and uniformly cooked food — ready for mealtime in a safe and easy-to-handle package.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Plumrose Supreme Center Cut Bacon Re-Seal It Package
Printpack, Incorporated

Plumrose’s new Supreme Center Cut Bacon Re-Seal It Package combines proprietary label technology with high performance barrier films for easy opening and repeat reseal for thermoform applications. Plumrose’s Re-Seal It packaging system uses a unique precision sleeve rotary die cut and label application assuring package integrity and utility of use with easy product access.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Popeye Fresh Baby Spinach
Emerald Packaging Incorporated

The Popeye Fresh Baby Spinach package was specifically designed to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging. The base material used is PLA which is produced from a renewable resource, corn. The film provides excellent clarity, natural anti-fog properties and has very good heat seal characteristics. The material can be physically recycled, industrially composted, and chemically converted back to lactic acid through hydrolysis.

Judged in Environmental & Sustainability Achievement.

Purina Cat Chow Healthful Life, 3 lb.
Gateway Packaging Company

Looking closely at the detail of the printing on the Healthful Life package, the registration is tight from the smallest to the largest type areas, including the logo.

The offset printing process allows for magazine quality print on a retail package, which will entice consumers at the point of purchase. The offset press delivers an elite product with superior print quality at unmatched print speeds. New EB (electron beam) inks and curing process technology allows the press to lay down the ink wet on wet, alleviating drying time in between colors. Gateway packaging has used common substrates to display uncommon and coveted print quality to elevate the industry standards.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Quaker Cinnamon Crunch Snack Mix, 9 oz.
Printpack, Incorporated

This package was produced using a 7-color process gamut and digital photopolymer plates. The utilization of this technology over conventional flexo line and process printing eliminated the trap line in the 2-color background swirls and around the product shot. Overall, the combination created a printed package that reproduced the original illustration and created a catchy, appealing product for all consumers.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

riceworks™
Appleton Performance Packaging/Genpak LP

Appleton Performance Packaging-Films worked with Genpak LP from a total packaging perspective to create a sealant layer that would compliment the package contents and deliver on an upscale, gourmet product. This was accomplished through the combination of demanding barrier attributes, seal characteristics and stiffness properties. Flexibility to enhance graphics and UV protection through tinted film provides the converter with options to customize depending on customer or filler requirements. The package has a paper like feel and at the same time has very high end graphics.

The barrier properties allow for long shelf life and transportation. Overall, it has excellent shelf impact and has led to a large increase in sales of the product.

Judged in Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Roundy’s Meatballs
Alcan Packaging

The stand up pouch solution provided a large billboard for the customer to display the package contents. Collaboration between the separator, customer and printing plant resulted in the clean, fresh look of the package. Several vignettes and photo quality product reproduction make this a handsome package in the case.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Royal Canin- Feline Health Nutrition Indoor 27
Nordenia U.S.A.

Royal Canin is the market leader in the premium pet food segment and chose a package that would both promote quality and functionality. Nordenia’s FlexZiBox was the perfect package to showcase their product on the specialty stores’ shelves. It provides for five panels of billboard space for communicating to the consumer. The FlexZiBox is cube efficient and stands tall for optimal impact. High-end graphics coupled with a unique and consumer-friendly package have made this premium package a success in the marketplace.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Royco Sauce Pouch
CLP Packaging Solutions, Incorporated

The striking Royco Sauce Pouch presents consumers with a highly appealing and functional package for Royco’s line of heat-and-serve sauces and gravies. The shaped retortable pouch protects its contents with outstanding barrier properties, offers a cost-effective alternative to rigid packaging, and functions beautifully during the heating and serving process — adding to its appeal and its consumer convenience. The pouch is an outstanding example of how the power of packaging adds value to a product.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

SAFETY-PAK® PLUS Blister Lidding
Reynolds Flexible Packaging

Reynolds SAFETY-PAK® PLUS Blister Lidding provides a consumer-friendly, child-resistant flexible packaging option for today’s pharmaceuticals. SAFETY-PAK® PLUS lidding blends improved full-panel peelability with Reynolds trusted industry-leading SAFETY-PAK® child-resistant features. The enhanced printing surface allows for higher quality printing while the shorter dwell times assist in production efficiency. SAFETY-PAK® PLUS’ peel-push, peelable or lock-tight specifications provide child-resistance and offer various degrees of entry for consumers, depending upon the pharmaceutical manufacturer’s requirements. SAFETY-PAK® PLUS Blister Lidding is capable of performing on existing blister lines.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Seneca Foods Crispy Apple Chips, 2.5 oz.
Printpack, Incorporated

Seneca’s matte finish Crispy Apple Chips bag is a winner.

The look and feel of the bag differentiates it from competitors, inviting the customers to pick it up and experience the life-like texture of the burlap and the crunch of the apples. Natural colors and textures are combined to create an appealing snack package that says “good for you” to the consumer.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Shark Tooth
Flex America, Incorporated

This package is a technological wonder. This new packaging with a structure of PET/nylon/poly and high performance adhesives have been used to prevent delamination even after keeping for a longer period. This is a one time use pack, made more convenient with a laser-cut for easy opening. This is a profile pouch. Packaging of alcohol in this kind of package was recently introduced in India and has been highly successful in the market place.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Simply Out! Puppy Pads
Pliant Corporation™

The Simply Out! Puppy Pads package uses new materials and processes to improve the consumer experience. Pliant has designed graphics and selected anilox roll volumes to effectively print on the unique surface of this embossed film. The package has a “Touch of Silk” surface and excellent print quality. The Simply Out! Puppy Pads package stands out on the shelf as a consumer scans the aisle due to the contrast between brash, glossy competitive packages and the soft, matte appearance.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Sonoco Sonoscore™ Stickpacks
Sonoco Flexible Packaging

Sonoco is providing the industry’s first precision scored stick packs to 4C Foods thus creating a value-added package for consumers who like the convenience of stick packs, but don’t like to “wrestle” with those that don’t open properly. SonoScore™ allows Sonoco to control, with pinpoint accuracy, both the placement and depth of the score on the lap seal (flat) and fin seal stick packs. The score can be placed in a variety of ways at varied depths so that when the stick pack is opened, powder does not spill. Sonoco’s precision scored opening ensures the top tears cleanly and completely away from the stick pack.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Spiral Cut Bone-In Ham
Alcan Packaging

Alcan’s 9-layer Q4™ film provides the best balance of ideal properties for this deep draw easy-open application. TWQ film is the softest, yet toughest, film in the market with the best clarity. It provides a food safe delivery vehicle for applications with high levels of packaging integrity, low leaker rates, good barrier properties, and most importantly for this deep draw application, a balanced stiffness-to-strength ratio, and controlled wall thickness. An ideal forming film has a minimum of crystallinity and a minimum of orientation so that the package has even material distribution and rapid formability. The thickness of the “package wall” after the vacuum forms the pocket for the product will remain consistent and ensure uniform appearance and optimal food safety and shelf-life.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Stratos Machine Pallet Wrap Film
Pliant Corporation™

Offered as an excellent choice for improving packaging scorecards, Pliant continues to lead the market in value-added stretch films with the introduction of Stratos Stretch Film. Key attributes include:                      

• ability to down gauge 25–40 percent as compared to other machine operated stretch films
  
  
• no loss of puncture resistance or load containment, runs at full packaging speed
  
  
• significant cost savings to end user and higher margins to distributors
  
  
• revolution tradition of best performance, cling & optics in the industry

Judged in Environmental & Sustainability Achievement.

Sugar Snap Peas
FLEX PACK, USA

A new package that allows you to heat, serve and re-close remaining food for later use.

Judged in Technical Innovation.

Sugart iTea Wand
Alcan Packaging

The iTea Wand provides a unique solution and creates a new product and method to brew tea. The iTeam Wand has a built-in mechanical filter system that restricts the bitter components within the pod while releasing the liquor, resulting in a perfectly brewed tea serving. Just drop the stickpack into hot water. The unique perforation holes were designed for optimum brewing performance. The iTea Wand is a modern and fresh design for the modern tea consumer. It eliminates the necessity of a teaspoon and minimizes dripping. The resulting package provides excellent performance concerning extraction behavior and is convenient for on-the-go consumers.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Super-Tube
Coating Excellence International

Coating Excellence International’s Super-Tube woven poly bags are a significant improvement over traditional film and paper bags. In addition to being more environment friendly, cost-effective, tear and puncture proof, CEI also utilizes only FDA and AID-approved water-based inks that are reverse-printed onto Super-Tube bags for a high-gloss and durable finish. Additionally, using only high-quality water-based inks insures that the quality, taste and safety of the product inside are not affected.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Tata Tea
Flex America, Incorporated

This packaging is a revolution from a pouching point of view. A new design has been created as the package is made from five different webs where the front and back, and the two side gussets are registered. Due to this reason, the product stands out on the shelf. It is provided with a slider zipper for multi-use, easy opening and ensures product freshness. A diaphragm has been provided on the top for seal integrity. This product has met high market acceptance. This format can be adjusted for a variety of products, including the packaging of rice, snack foods, high count biscuits, tea and coffee.

Judged in Packaging Excellence.

Tyson — Beef Fajita Kit
Nordenia U.S.A.

This standup pouch was Tyson’s packaging choice for its newly-launched Meal Kit line. It offers an easy-opening feature for the consumer along with high impact graphics for clear, precise communication with the buyer and user of the meal kit. The gloss of the structure and high quality gravure printing further enhances the product’s ability to “shine” on the retailers shelf.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Unilever/Knorr Side Dish Pouches
American Packaging Corporation

Moving this product line to a metallized film spec created a win-win situation for Unilever and American Packaging. The improvements in structure and reduction in size provided the market with a more sustainable specification, while improving product performance characteristics. In addition, the transition was seamless through the manufacturing and distribution processes.

Judged in Environmental & Sustainability Achievement.

Ultra Peel Retortable Membrane End
Watson Standard Adhesives & Sonoco Flexible Packaging

Ultra Peel membrane ends are the first retortable, peelable membrane ends in the U.S. market and represent significant advancement over existing retortable end technology. The package is an economical, easy-to-use and safe alternative to easy open ends. The user friendly, reverse printable, foil laminate structure has a superior opening initiation and a more even draw, controlled peel than easy open rigid ends. The flexible membrane material that the consumer peels off is safer and more easily disposable than the sharp edged alternative. Ultra Peel ends for retort packaging are a safe flexible packaging solution to a rigid packaging challenge and represent a market expansion possibility for flexible/rigid package hybrid designs.

Judged in Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation.

Vemma V2
Osio International, Incorporated

Osio’s graphics department worked with the New Vision design team to ensure the files were properly prepared for this six color gravure printing project. Using direct-to-engraving technology, the gravure cylinders were laser-engraved in order to best control the size, shape, depth and angle of each dot. This was the key to achieving New Vision’s desired appearance. Fully automated, 360-degree video registration controls on press ensured optimum print registration.

Judged in Printing Achievement.

Wetbone™ Water to Go!
Ampac Flexibles, a division of Ampac Packaging

Wetbone™ is the first “water-in-a-pouch” product for pets.  The 16-ounce dog bone-shaped resealable stand-up pouch features two compartments — a reservoir for enriched water at the bottom and a drinking bowl at the top. The design includes channels allowing water to fill the bowl and ensures unconsumed water returns to the reservoir. The package is also the final product, a multi-use drinking bowl. The pouch is a polyester/foil/linear low-density polyethylene lamination manufactured by Ampac Flexibles.

Judged in Packaging Excellence, Printing Achievement and Technical Innovation.

Wrigley 5 — Rain
American Packaging Corporation

Wrigley 15 Stick Rain utilizes a lacquer / 5 color / film spec. The rotogravure printed on the film over wrap package met the customer’s marketing objectives of having a more aesthetically appealing package that separates it from the competition. The meticulous detail, sharpness of the graphics, and the glossy appearance accurately reflects the customer’s goal for its high end product.

Judged in Printing Achievement.