The 2017 Sustainable Packaging & Processing Award recognised companies working hard in the categories of transport and retail primary packaging.
The 'Materials & Packaging – Transport' winner was Woolpack Australia for Woolcool while the 'Materials & Packaging – Retail Primary Packaging' winner was Plantic Technologies for the PLANTIC R Packaging Material.
Woolcool aims to reduce oil-based packaging use with a product where the thermal insulation component is waste wool.
Woolcool is made of 100 per cent sheep's wool, a renewable resource that is biodegradable, sustainable, natural and compostable.
The ‘waste’ wool they use cannot be used in fashion or in textiles/carpets because it is too coarse, does not produce a comfortable garment, and won’t absorb dye.
This wool has been used for housing insulation products and is now in our innovative packaging solution that outperforms other options currently on the market for transporting temperature sensitive goods.
Woolcool is claimed to be a "game changer" in high-performance packaging options for a range of industries.
Plantic R packaging material has been developed in response to demand for ultra-high barrier bio-plastic materials.
The material is ultra-high barrier, renewably sourced, high clarity, and certified.
It uses Plantic bio-based high barrier material with PET to create a unique material, according to the company.
Thin layers of PET are adhered to a core layer of renewably sourced, ultra-high barrier PLANTIC HP sheet.
Plantic R is suitable to most thermoforming and tray sealing applications.
The 'Materials & Packaging – Retail Primary Packaging' winner was Pact Group for its rPET Moisturelock Meat Tray, while the 'Machinery & Equipment – Retail Primary Packaging' winner was Omni for its pallet wrapping solution.
Pact Group developed, designed and manufactured the rPET Moisturelock Tray, which comprises 50 per cent recycled material and is accepted by every kerbside recycling scheme.
It is made from clear plastic, not black, so it can be easily separated in the recycling centres. The trays can capture fluid in the base due to little ‘dimples’ in the bottom of the tray which hold the fluid there even when tilted or turned upside down.
Pact Group was also awarded the custom EcodEX packaging environmental assessment valued at $10,000. Empauer will implement its acclaimed EcodEX assessment and provide the winner a reputable third-party environmental evaluation of the product package or formulation.
The Omni Pallet Wrapping Solution was recognised for its ability to reduce the amount of film used to wrap a pallet by up to 70 per cent.
Using nano-technology, the multi-layer Omni Stretch Films are thinner, stronger and longer, benefiting the environment as less film is needed.
The film manufacturing equipment also uses over 30 per cent less energy than the industry standard energy consumption of machinery.
Recycled plastic is used in the manufacturing process within the plant to minimise the use of raw materials.
