Reusable pharma blister packs, reusable in-flight meal containers and biodegradable packaging made from banana waste emerged as the winners of Henkel’s new DESIGNathon event, which aims to bolster sustainable packaging design with cash prizes.
During the two-day event in January, 20 students met in Henkel’s Inspiration Center Duesseldorf (ICD) where they worked in groups to develop packaging designs and services that promote and facilitate reuse. The event aimed to inspire next-generation ideas for more sustainable packaging, with the concepts required to be capable of making a real-world impact on the market within the next five years.
They also had to be consistent with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) which aim to significantly reduce packaging waste in the coming years. After an application round, the shortlisted concepts were workshopped during the DESIGNathon.
In first place was a recyclable blister pack for medical pills made entirely from recyclable PEF material, designed to enhance recyclability, reduce waste and improve accessibility while meeting medical-grade packaging standards. In second place came reusable meal containers for in-flight services, aiming to reduce single-use plastic and minimize environmental impact through a closed-loop reuse system.
Third place went to biobased and biodegradable packaging made from agricultural waste, primarily bananas, to reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics, manage waste sustainability and support a circular economy.
Honourable mentions went to a reusable tank system for liquid products, hoping to encourage reuse through customer incentives and cross-industry applications; and a smart, modular, and reusable packaging system for e-commerce, featuring collapsible and recyclable packages with QR code tracking, promoting transparency and efficiency throughout their life cycle.
Henkel plans to expand the format globally to reach further up-and-coming innovators worldwide.
The company collaborated with UPM Specialty Papers and Koenig & Bauer last year to conceptualize a heat-sealable ’doypack’ confectionary pouch, said to combine recyclability, high barrier properties, and suitability for both traditional and digital printing methods. The pouches are said to be safe for food contact and recyclable in existing fibre recycling streams.
The following month, Henkel partnered with Panverta to create films with an improved oxygen barrier layer, said to reduce the number of layers in dry foods packaging. Apparently, the new packaging ensures that the oxygen barrier properties for dry food packaging can be achieved when switching from multi-material designs to mono-material polypropylene.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
The ultimate guide to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2024
How are the top brands progressing on packaging sustainability?
Sustainable Innovation Report 2024: Current trends and future priorities
Everything you need to know about global plastic sustainability regulation
No comments yet