There's a strong line-up of finalists in the 2023 round of the annual Australasian Packaging Innovation and Design Awards – the PIDA Awards – with the high number of outstanding innovations across 11 categories demonstrating the depth and breadth of design expertise for which the ANZ region is fast becoming renowned.
Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging, the PIDA Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field across Australia and New Zealand.
The top category in terms of number of finalists is, not surprisingly, Sustainable Packaging Design, with no less than 16 companies and their innovations making the cut.
Across the board, the finalists include a line-up of past winners and recognised innovators, plus a sprinkling of first-timers.
PKN and Food & Drink Business, the exclusive media partners for the PIDA Awards, has packaged up this year's finalist round-up into a six-minute video snapshot. Watch it here:
And if you'd like to see it in writing, here's the full list:
2023 Food Packaging Design of the Year
The Food Packaging Design of the Year award recognises organisations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials within food packaging and processing including fresh, frozen or other categories.
The finalists are:
- Australian Organic Food Co. Minestrone Soup mono material retort pouch – Flavour Makers
- BioShield – Caps & Closures
- DualPakECO compostable food trays – Confoil & BASF
- EarthPouch High Barrier Quad-Seal – Mikro Coffee Roasters & TCL Hofmann
- Priestley’s Gourmet Delights Fibre tray insert – Opal
- JBS Swift Lamb Cutlets CRYOVAC Darfesh Mono-PET rollstock – Sealed Air
- Jindurra Station 2 Star beef mince in Flotite non-shrink – Aldi, Bindaree Food Group and Amcor Flexibles
- Majans Desi snack pouch with dual tear notch & laser score – O F Packaging and Close the Loop Group
- Vitor Grapes ‘hippie punnet’ – NAVI Co Global
2023 Beverage Packaging Design of the Year
The Beverage Packaging Design of the Year award recognises organisations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, within packaging and processing for liquid or dry tea, coffee, water and soft drinks including wine, beer and spirits.
The finalists are:
- Australia’s first 100% recycled flavoured milk bottles – Brownes Dairy
- Banrock Station Eco Bottle – Accolade Wines
- 400 ml Still Spring Water – Wallaby
- Oysterlean – Caps & Closures
- Penley Sustainability Range – Cutler Brands
- Wine Protector – Planet Protector Packaging
2023 Labelling & Decoration Design of the Year
The Labelling & Decoration Design of the Year award is designed to recognise the addition of content to a pack which creates a unique or innovative appearance, function or communication. This may include labels, sleeves, tags, coding/markings, etching, directly applied inks or by any other similar process.
The finalists are:
- Christmas BioCups – OzHarvest and BioPak
- Herma InNo Liner Labelling – Result Group and Hanes Australasia
- The Good Smoothie Milk Powder Composite Pack – Nutura Organic and Zipform Packaging
2023 Marketing Design of the Year Award
Packaging can elicit emotional responses in consumers and should be seen as your best form of marketing. The right packaging design and eye-catching aesthetics can create emotional stimuli that ensures a brand is purchased. The award considers not only primary packaging but also secondary and tertiary packaging designs.
The finalists are:
- Dulux Jellybean Promotion Pack – Dulux Australia
- Keen’s Meal Bases – BrandOpus Australia and McCormick Foods Australia
- Sara Lee Deluxe – BrandOpus Australia and Sara Lee Holdings
- Sustain OzHarvest Cups – Bunzl Australia and New Zealand
2023 Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year
The Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year award is designed to recognise companies that have developed innovative packaging or processing solutions that incorporate sustainability considerations. Elements include Social, Material, Source Reduction, Energy and Recovery.
The finalists are:
- Aqueous BioCups – BioPak
- Australian Organic Food Co.’s Minestrone Soup mono material retort pouch – Flavour Makers
- Banrock Station Eco Bottle – Accolade Wines
- Coles Finest Carbon Neutral Steak Vacuum Packaging – Coles Group and Plantic Technologies
- DualPakECO compostable food trays – Confoil & BASF
- Dulux 50% rPP Paint and Lid – Pact Group & Dulux Group
- EarthPouch High Barrier Quad Seal – Mikro Coffee Roasters and TCL Hofmann;
- Priestley’s Gourmet Delights Fibre tray insert – Opal
- Herma InNo Liner Labelling – Result Group and Hanes Australasia
- JBS Swift Lamb Cutlets CRYOVAC Darfesh Mono-PET rollstock – Sealed Air
- RafCycle – UPM Raflatac
- Store Operations Fruit & Vegetable PE film – Woolworths Group
- Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging – Detpak and Woolworths Supermarkets
- Tempguard Gusset for HelloFresh – Sealed Air
- The Juice Brothers – Bega Dairy & Drinks
- Wine Protector – Planet Protector Packaging
2023 Industry Packaging Professional of the Year
2023 Industry Packaging Professional of the Year award is designed to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements and contribution by an individual currently working within the packaging industry in Australia and New Zealand.
The judges look for individuals who have demonstrated vision and leadership, show innovation and are not afraid to take risks. This award is for significant and continued contribution of an individual to the industry over a minimum period of 20 years.
The finalists are:
- Anhely Millán, Founder, Sustainability for Kids
- Michael Dossor, Managing Director, Result Group.
2023 Young Packaging Professional of the Year
The purpose of the Young Packaging Professional of the Year Award is to provide incentive and recognition to young professionals who are both currently working in and wish to continue their career path within the packaging industry in both Australia and New Zealand.
The finalists are:
- Fredie More Pablo, operations project manager, Pact Group
- Huzaifa Mohsinally, packaging manager, Goodman Fielder NZ
- Lars Ljung, sustainability manager, Planet Protector Packaging
- Pippa Corry, founder, Philo and Co
- Sarish Shashidhar, industrial designer, BioPak
2023 ABA Scholarships
The Australasian Bioplastics Association, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Packaging, is offering an annual Scholarship program for Australia and New Zealand.
The Scholarship program will enable one eligible candidate the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Packaging Technology and a second person the opportunity to undertake a Certificate in Packaging.
The finalists are:
- Jessica Ansell, marketing manager, Close the Loop Group
- Tony Crowther, packaging development technologist, Lion Co
- Shannon Lee, associate packaging technologist, The Arnott’s Group
Winners will be announced at the first in-person PIDA awards ceremony that will be held in person since the start before the pandemic. The PIDA awards will be held on 28 March at the Crown Promenade, alongside the AIP Conference in Melbourne. Book your tickets here.
