THE SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
The global competition for sustainable packaging innovation
Packaging waste, the climate crisis and other environmental challenges demand an urgent and joined up response from consumer goods and the wider packaging value chain. Challenging us to take a rigorous and holistic view, the Sustainability Awards sets the agenda on best practice, turns the spotlight on the most important areas of R&D, and helps separate greenwash from the innovations that make a genuine difference.
Since its inception, the initiative has not only exponentially grown, but continually evolved its criteria and categories in order to better reflect the innovation landscape and the sustainability demands that industry needs to meet. However, its core principles are constant: the Sustainability Awards is free to enter, and open to all kinds of organisations throughout the packaging value chain and beyond – from start-ups to global brands and universities to manufacturers. It emphasizes the importance of holistic and substantive impacts, and watching out for unintended consequences. Its rules and processes are transparent and, though it is organized by Packaging Europe, the Sustainability Awards is independently judged by an diverse, international jury of experts, with zero input from the organizers.
You can learn about winners of the most recent editions of the competition below.
2024 Winners
Molded Fiber Labeling™ decorated moulded tub for spreads
Upfield (Netherlands, Belgium, USA)
Wet fibre moulded tubs for plant spreads decorated with Molded Fiber Labeling™, therefore recyclable as a mono-material.
Vytal @OMR
VYTAL Global
The OMR Festival with 80,000 participants was the first large-scale pilot of Vytal’s fully digital experience for reusable food & drink containers at events.
GemCorp Recycling
Gemini Corporation (India)
GemCorp is a social initiative founded to uplift the lives of waste reclaimers and establish a formal collection network.
NextGen Furnace
Ardagh Glass Packaging (Germany)
The NextGen Furnace uses hybrid technology to reduce the carbon footprint of glass packaging by as much as 69%, by replacing fossil fuel energy with renewable electricity.
rPET film from household waste collection
Henkel (Germany, Austria)
Via fine-tuning of sorting & washing processes, more than 80% of unused PET blisters & trays from household waste collection were integrated into a high-quality 100% PCR film for blister packaging.
Amazon’s paper-padded envelope for ecommerce deliveries
Amazon, Mondi (Poland)
Amazon and Mondi have developed a fully paper-based, flexible envelope that eliminates the need for plastic-based bubble-wrap padding through its shock-absorbent protective padding.
RecycleOS
EverestLabs (USA)
An AI-powered robotics solution for recycling facilities which analyses the waste stream and picks out recyclable materials, improving a facility’s efficiency by 30-50%.
GreenLabel™ BlockOut shrink sleeve
Brook + Whittle (USA)
A recyclable, light-blocking shrink sleeve which blocks up to 99% of light from 200 to 900 nanometres – enabling brands to switch from coloured to clear PET packaging.
Molded Fiber Labeling™ decorated moulded tub for spreads
Upfield (Netherlands, Belgium, USA)
Wet fibre moulded tubs for plant spreads decorated with Molded Fiber Labeling™, therefore recyclable as a mono-material.
PulpaTronics
United Kingdom
Recyclable, chipless and metal-free RFID tags for smart inventory management, which eliminate resources, simplify manufacturing and streamline recycling.
Circular PET closure
Husky Technologies (Luxembourg, Canada)
A closure manufactured from bottle grade PET designed for still water, compatible with existing PET recycling streams.
Ecotwist minimal multipack
John West Foods (UK)
This project created a ‘naked’ multipack with a recyclable aluminium smart-strip sticker to join the cans, eliminating plastic or carton wrap from multipacks.
Organic Battery
Avery Dennison & Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (France)
A biofuel cell made from paper, carbon, and enzymes that converts sugars and oxygen into electricity, providing smart packaging data opportunities without downsides of battery disposal.
GreenBlue
Educate. Collaborate. Take Action.
GreenBlue is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to empowering a diversity of stakeholders to promote a more sustainable materials economy. Focused on packaging, green chemistry, and recycling.
2023 Winners
Applying AI and automation in recovery of flexible packaging
AMP Robotics (USA, Netherlands, UK)
AMP Vortex™ is the recycling industry’s first artificial intelligence powered automation system for film recovery in recycling facilities.
Refill station for Formil laundry detergent
Lidl, Algramo and Fyllar
Lidl, partnered with Algramo and Fyllar, offer in-store automated refill stations for liquid laundry detergents in smart HDPE bottles.
Mess-free smart refill solution
Fyllar (Netherlands)
Fyllar’s patented technology provides a mess-free smart refill solution thanks to a closed cap with an integrated RFID tag.
IoT platform for supply chain sustainability
Wiliot (Israel, USA)
An ambient IoT connecting everything in the supply chain, through battery-free, stamp-sized connectors that enable products to transmit item-level information.
Label-Free Multipack
Pepsi (China)
Pepsi removed the plastic label from PET bottles in multipacks and eliminated print from the cap, simplifying recycling and reducing the carbon footprint.
Alu-free full barrier for aseptic cartons
SIG (Germany)
The world’s first aluminium-free full barrier packaging material for aseptic cartons, combining a high renewable content, low carbon footprint and full recyclability.
Closed loop recycled paint containers
Berry Global (UK)
Berry addressed the problem of recycling used plastic paint containers through a circular partnership combining recovery and recycling of both paint and packaging.
Air cushions from recycled paper
Flöter and AirWave (Germany)
Flöter and AirWave have developed the PaperWave Box featuring protective paper-based air cushioning for the e-commerce channel.
Applying AI and automation in recovery of flexible packaging
AMP Robotics (USA, Netherlands, UK)
AMP Vortex™ is the recycling industry’s first artificial intelligence powered automation system for film recovery in recycling facilities.
Mono-material Balaton dispensing closure
Kraft Heinz (Netherlands)
Kraft Heinz’s recyclable Balaton closure features an inbuilt product retention system for controlled dosing, which can replace current, non-recyclable silicon valves.
ECOCLIC® Box for liquid laundry capsules
P&G (Beligum)
The new Ariel ECOCLIC® box combines safety, inclusive consumer experience, recyclability and 70% recycled content in a cardboard box replacing a plastic container.
Starch-based biopolymer active, intelligent food packaging
National University of Malaysia and Tunku Abdul Rahman University
This prototype film is an active food packaging which easily indicates food spoilage to consumers via a colour change.
Canupak Carbon-optimised packaging
ALPLA
ALPLA’s prototype Canupak system for beauty care uses pilot moulds to deliver ultra-light design, and featuring fully recyclable bottle and cap, both made of recycled HDPE.
COtooCLEAN
NEXTEK (UK)
COtooCLEAN technology decontaminates post-consumer polyolefin films back to food-grade quality, using super-critical CO2 to remove oils and inks.
Recycle ready yogurt FFS pack
CITEO, Olga, Amcor, Cedap, Plastiques Venthenat and Synerlink (France)
This collaboration produced a mono-polystyrene form-fill-seal yogurt pack for a made-for-recycling packaging solution.
OneBARRIER FibreCycle
Bobst Mex, UPM Specialty Paper and Michelman
High-barrier paper-based structures with a thin primer and top coating on vacuum coated layers, recyclable in existing fibre waste streams.
Breakthrough chemistry process for barrier paper
Cellulotech (Canada, France)
A solvent-free, dry process to provide paper packaging with barriers, using a chemical reaction that attaches bio-based molecules instead of coating.
Gian de Belder
Technical Director, R&D Packaging Sustainability at Procter & Gamble
2022 Winners
UniNATURE Packaging Inks with High Bio Renewable Content
Siegwerk (Germany)
Siegwerk have created a new generation of water-based inks with up to 50% renewable carbon content. This represents an alternative to conventional inks without impacting the recyclability of paper and board packaging, taking a step towards reducing the microplastics which can be found in inks.
SealPPeel Packaging
Vandemoortele & MCC Verstraete
SealPPeel is a heat seal die-cut lidding innovation made from PP, which allows PP packs to become fully mono-material. According to the company, this solution ‘drastically increases the chances of the packaging getting recycled into valuable rPP; while simultaneously increasing the shelf appeal thanks to superior print quality’.
CO2 AI by BCG
Boston Consulting Group (France)
An end-to-end, ready-to-deploy, AI-powered digital solution that corporations from all industries can use to quantify emissions accurately and find solutions to reduce them at scale. According to one of the company’s clients: “CO2 AI is the most comprehensive E2E tool for sustainability on the market and most advanced decision support tool”.
Technomelt® Supra ECO Carbon-Negative Packaging Hot Melt
Henkel (Germany)
The first carbon-negative hot melt adhesive helps to move to a negative carbon footprint for the same adhesive consumption. Technomelt® Supra ECO is an adhesive made from 81% bio-based material, providing full traceability of its carbon footprint and sustainable sourcing of raw materials.
R-Cycle Digital Product Passport for Sustainable Plastics
R-Cycle (Germany)
As a platform for all stakeholders along the packaging lifecycle, this solution automatically collects and provides recycling-relevant data in an open standard format during packaging production and makes it accessible for improved waste sorting and further applications to improve sustainability.
Future Pump
Aptar (Italy)
Aptar’s ’future’ pump combines eco-design principles with cutting-edge innovation: mono-PE, fully recyclable, and e-commerce ISTA6-compliant. Aptar’s easy-to-use pump features an incorporated on/off locking system with a 360°-degree rotator and is available in two dosages and neck sizes, suitable for a large range of viscosities and PCR FDA capable.
Cyclone C4+ Can Printing
Tonejet Ltd (UK)
Cyclone C4+ is a direct digital can printing system which replaces pressure sensitive labels and shrink sleeves for short run beverage can decoration. The system prints directly onto the can which stays 100% recyclable. Brewers will cut costs, save time and no longer need to wrap cans in plastic!
AmSky™ Blister System
Amcor (USA)
AmSky is a recycle ready, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical blister packaging system that is designed to be a drop-in replacement for existing thermoformed blister packaging applications that currently use PVC/Foil (which is one of the least sustainable packaging combinations in all of packaging).
UniNATURE Packaging Inks with High Bio Renewable Content
Siegwerk (Germany)
Siegwerk have created a new generation of water-based inks with up to 50% renewable carbon content. This represents an alternative to conventional inks without impacting the recyclability of paper and board packaging, taking a step towards reducing the microplastics which can be found in inks.
ColorSensing
ColorSensing
ColorSensing helps food packing companies and retailers cut down food waste thanks to a digital, multiparametric and cost-effective smart label to check possible package leaks, cold chain breaks, and the real freshness of the product. As a result, they ensure the quality and safety of their products while improving their profitability.
Flexpenser
Flexpenser
A technological breakthrough for sustainable storage and consumption of liquids and semi-liquid for households and industries, Flexspenser is a container which remains sealed while in use, aiming to extend home-life, retain the original quality and control the dispensing of liquids and semi-liquids for households and industries.
polycirQ Deinking Process
polycirQ and Siegwerk Druckfarben
polycirQ and Siegwerk Druckfarben came together to develop the polycirQ deinking process, an advanced mechanical recycling process that removes printing inks from LDPE and PP films to prevent downcycling of valuable plastic resources.
PP-Based Barrier Sachet
Taghleef Industries & Gerosa Group
This PP based, high barrier four-side sealed sachet sets out to replace multi-material structures made of PET/Alu/PE or PET/metPET/PE. The most common applications are dry powder products or dressing sauces.
Barley Packaging
Anheuser-Busch InBev and Sustainable Fiber Technologies
AB InBev have developed a new technology from leftover barley straw, using straw pulping developed by Sustainable Fiber Technologies in combination with fully recycled wood fibres to create a high-resistance six-pack box.
2021 Winners
Nextek’s NEXTLOOPP Project
The first part of the project, POLYPRISM, involves the development of invisible UV-fluorescent markers used on the labels that, once placed on food-grade packaging, can be used to sort food from non-food packaging. The second innovation, PPRISTINE, is a two-stage process that decontaminates PP in the melt and solid state to ensure that any residual chemicals are totally removed from the plastic.
P&G’s Refillable Bottle System
Procter & Gamble’s first refillable bottle system at scale sees a number of its most well-known brands, including Aussie and Pantene, using reusable aluminium bottles and refill pouches. The system consists of a 100% aluminium bottle and recyclable refill pouch, which the company says is made using 60% less plastic (per mL versus standard brand bottle).
MOSSUP (Moroccan Supermarkets Tackling Single Use Plastic)
The WWF estimates that as much as 55% of plastic waste leaks into the Moroccan environment due to uncollected trash and illegal dumping. The project consists of two elements – an incentivised bottle-to-bottle recycling scheme, and a second scheme that focuses on replacing single-use containers with reusable alternatives.
Huhtamaki’s 100% Wood Fiber Cup and Lid for McDonald’s
This specifically engineered sundae cup and lid was developed by Huhtamaki in partnership with Havi for McDonald’s to be used throughout Europe initially. The product is made from 100% wood fiber, without any plastic additives and has been formulated for use with ice cream and a broad range of sauces and toppings.
Nextek’s NEXTLOOPP Project
The first part of the project, POLYPRISM, involves the development of invisible UV-fluorescent markers used on the labels that, once placed on food-grade packaging, can be used to sort food from non-food packaging. The second innovation, PPRISTINE, is a two-stage process that decontaminates PP in the melt and solid state to ensure that any residual chemicals are totally removed from the plastic.
Genesys Innovation
Genesys Innovation from CMC allows customers to feed and pack multi-line orders without the requirement to be strapped or wrapped together. This 3D packaging machine can be directly connected to warehouse storage through the CMC Patented Vary-Tote system. Orders are picked and consolidated into the CMC VaryTote, which is directly conveyed to the Genesys.
Cera2seal by Watttron
Watttron’s digital sealing systems solution offers precise temperature control in sealing, enabling the usage of mono and recycled materials without loss of output and with an approximately 30% energy reduction. It can also be retrofitted into existing machinery.
Smartie’s Worldwide Shift to Paper-Based Packaging
According to Nestlé, Smarties is the first global confectionery brand to switch to recyclable paper packaging, removing approximately 250 million plastic packs sold globally every year. Its new paper packaging is said to be sourced sustainably and is made of a coated paper, paper labels, and carton board.
Dynamic Packaging Configuration X Big Data Innovation
This solution helps HelloFresh to predict its packaging consumption completely autonomously and dynamically. The DPC bundles all data points from production, procurement, logistics and everyday temperature with the goal of calculating the optimal packaging size and coolant quantity.
Mibelle Group’s PET Bottle made from 30% CO2
A fundamental system change in the area of plastic packaging is essential. Mibelle Group’s project aims to initiate and promote such a system change! With the recycling technology of the start-up LanzaTech, CO2 is converted into ethanol and forms the raw material for many other materials, e.g. plastic packaging.
2020 Winners
bioORMOCER® Biodegradable Functional Barrier Coatings
Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research have deloped coatings so thin (< 1-3 µm) that the coated packaging materials can be treated as monomaterial packaging. They significantly improve the barrier performance of conventional bio-packaging systems and offer good barrier properties against water vapor, oxygen, aromas and plasticizers.
Nivea Shower Gel Refill Station
Beiersdorf’s shower gel refill station for Nivea is the first mass market example of its kind. Customers take an empty bottle from the station and fill it will the Nivea product of their choice (“Nivea Creme Soft” and “Nivea Creme Sensitive”) and pay for their purchase using the printed label.
Henkel’s EasyD4R Software Tool
Henkel Germany’s EasyD4R® publicly shared software tool for evaluating recyclability of packaging. It sets out to allow packaging developers to quickly and reliably assess the recyclability of packaging solutions made of plastic, paper, glass, aluminium and tinplate and identify possible areas for improvement.
bioORMOCER® Biodegradable Functional Barrier Coatings
Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research have deloped coatings so thin (< 1-3 µm) that the coated packaging materials can be treated as monomaterial packaging. They significantly improve the barrier performance of conventional bio-packaging systems and offer good barrier properties against water vapor, oxygen, aromas and plasticizers.
Penn Color’s Innovative Masterbatch Technology
This innovative masterbatch technology (pennaholt™) for PET bottles is the first ever 0% TiO2 masterbatch achieving levels of opacity and whiteness that would typically require around 8% TiO2 with a conventional technology, enabling better recyclability.
Syntegon’s PaperForming Technology
Syntegon’s TPU 1000 Paperforming machine is specifically designed to form paper and paper-based materials. It can realise appealing packaging solutions and is suitable for various products and filling technologies. The TPU 1000 is designed for product launch, small or medium-size production, and multi-purpose solutions.
BERICAP 100% Silicone-Free Valves
BERICAP’s BERICAPValve is a silicone-free advancement of the proven silicone valves. It possesses of the same characteristics, but is made of environmentally clean TPE, a polyolefin that recycles with the HDPE and PP recycling stream without contaminating it.
Ruinart’s ‘Second Skin’ Paper Champagne Cases
Described as innovative, eco-responsible and ultra-light, this collaboration between Maison Ruinart, Pusterla 1880 and James Cropper France is crafted from natural wood fibers sourced from sustainably managed European forests that is easily and fully recyclable.
Closing the Glass Recycling Loop Method by Ardagh Group
Ardagh Group has developed a method to produce briquettes from the fine particle glass rejected during the recycling process, allowing 100% of recycled glass to be remelted into new bottles and jars.
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