The inaugural PIDA Awards for Australia and New Zealand developed by the Packaging Council of New Zealand (PAC.NZ), the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), and the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) are designed to recognise companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in their field.

 

2017 Design Innovation of the Year Award – Health, Beauty & Wellness

The Health, Beauty & Wellness Category recognised organisations that have designed innovative packaging and processing materials, packaging and machinery/equipment within cosmetics, toiletries, personal hygiene, supplements, vitamins, perfumes, hair body and oralcare.

 

Materials & Packaging Winner

Nestlé Health Science Australia and qDesign Enterprises for Nestlé Health Science Resource® ThickenUp® Hydration range with Innovative Sipper Lid.

Nestlé Health Science Australia asked the question ‘How can we improve patient care with our packaging? The answer was designing the ThickenUP Hydration range with the Innovative Sipper Lid and improved shipper design. The Shipper Re-Design removed the multiple step (overcap) opening of cup, B-Flute for protection, Labelling and Artwork aligned with Arthritis Australia Guidelines to meet patient needs, Pictorial Opening Instructions, Shippers designed to be stacked for at Home Patients and Hospital and Perforated Opening Design. The sleeve design includes clearly Coloured packaging for Patient Safety regarding levels of Viscosity. Best Before Coding within the Arthritis Australia Guidelines for labelling. Coding on lid and on the base of cup for traceability to meet hospital requirements, 30% increase to size of pull tab to improve opening and rivet to assist manufacturing and provides texture to improve ease of opening. The design engaged Engaged Arthritis Australia, Speech Pathologist and Dieticians to assist on concept design to ensure packaging meets consumers poor dexterity needs. In addition the unique and innovative Sipper Lid has taken the pack to new design heights. With a specially designed cap designed to control flow and delivery of fluid; limiting the risk of aspiration, an easy-to-hold ridge to assist with dexterity issues, and a tilted spout to lessen neck bending the Sipper Lid has provided a solution unlike anything available in the market to give patients back their independence.

Machinery/Equipment Winner

HMPS for the HMPS6000 End Load Cartoner

HMPS designed a highly-flexible packaging machine capable of packaging personal care products of different sizes, varying shapes and weights into a variety of case sizes in various configurations; all the while at high speed with maximum productivity output. The customer wanted a plug and play solution which would not require a lot of maintenance and was easy to install and maintain. This HMPS 6000 is an auto-adjust End Load Cartoner designed to pack product into the erected cartons in the correct orientation and carton format. Products are horizontally packed into the erected carton by multiple pushers. Loaded cartons are automatically glued before exiting the machine. What made the design unique is the clever balance between size, weight, energy saving and the high level of flexibility which was required. The design is based on continuous motion to achieve the high throughput requirements of 50 cases per minute.

2017 Design Innovation of the Year Award- Beverage Category

The Design Innovation of the Year Award – Beverage Category recognised organisations that have designed innovative packaging and processing materials, packaging and machinery/equipment within packaging and processing for liquid or dry tea, coffee, water and soft drinks including wine, beer and spirits.

 

Materials & Packaging Finalists were: CHEP Australia for the CHEP Retail Display Pallets (RDP) and Beverage Trays (BT), Kraft Heinz Australia & qDesign Enterprises for the Golden Circle 2L Cordial Bottle and Pact Group & a2 Milk Company for the a2 Milk Company’s new 2L bottle.

Materials & Packaging Winner

CHEP Australia for CHEP Retail Display Pallets (RDP) and Beverage Trays (BT)

RDP and BT are a unique packaging system in the way that they provide an alternative merchandising solution for the beverage category. A fully stocked RDP can hold 240 bottles of 1.25L soft drink and replaces the 20 cardboard cartons that would normally be required to move them through the supply chain. The RDP can be filled at the manufacturer and then be moved right through to the shop floor and used to display the product as opposed to the traditional shelving that would be used. This improved replenishment efficiency, reduces store labour costs for retailers and improves on shelf availability, resulting in higher sales that benefit both retailers and manufacturers. The CHEP BT demonstrates structural creativity through its unique design features. The top of the tray grips the base of the soft drink bottle while the underside includes unique moulding that encompasses the caps of the bottles beneath it. This system provides fantastic stability that allows the fully loaded RDP to move throughout the supply chain. The slim design also ensures the height of the tray is minimised, which leads to benefits when merchandising product as it doesn’t hide the label and maximises exposure of the product to consumers. The trays are also nestable which improves efficiency in reverse logistics when the trays are returned empty from retailers.

Machinery Finalists are: INOX-Australia for the Inox Instantiser, INOX-Australia for the Inox Pressure Vacuum and Intralox Australia for the ARB Technology.

Machinery/Equipment Winner

Intralox for ARB™ Technology

Intralox’s proven Activated Roller Belt technology solves the future challenges of packaging lines. It moves the smallest, lightest,and widest range of package types at the fastest speeds. Reliable, soft handling operations significantly amplify throughput in turning, switching, and laning applications over robotic solutions. The technology offers optimised conveyance solutions by providing more functionality and reliability while reducing total system costs. Intralox’s ARB™ technology is a patented conveyance solution that brings the benefits of modular plastic belting to complex package handling processes like sorting, merging, and aligning. The result is an automated conveyance platform that enables critical improvements where it was previously cost-prohibitive or overly complex. ARB technology is a reinvention of the way packages move from point A to point B.

2017 Design Innovation of the Year Award – Food Category

The Design Innovation of the Year Award - Food Category recognised organisations that have designed innovative packaging and processing materials, packaging and machinery/equipment within food packaging and processing including fresh, frozen or other.

 

Materials & Packaging Finalists were: Australian Wholefoods for the Levodo Grain Thin Crackers, Klockner Pentaplast for clikPET, Nestlé Health Science Australia and qDesign Enterprises for Nestlé Health Science Resource® ThickenUp® Hydration range with Innovative Sipper Lid, TetraPak for Tetra Recart and W.W.Wedderburn for Stick ‘n’ Sleeve.

 

Materials & Packaging High Commendation

Nestlé Health Science Australia and qDesign Enterprises for Nestlé Health Science Resource® ThickenUp® Hydration range with Innovative Sipper Lid.

Materials & Packaging Winner

Australian Wholefoods for Levodo Grain Thin Crackers

The Levodo clear plastic packaging is an innovative and unique design for the healthy biscuit category, which is traditionally dominated by cardboard box or plastic sleeves. The product is clearly visible at point of purchase and the carrier tray reduces product breakages during transportation (tall container). The design of the Levodo packaging is beneficial to product shelf life once the tamper proof seal has been broken. The tube can be used as a storage container for the remaining crackers and by returning the packaging lid, the product will remain fresh without having to transfer contents to a separate storage unit, providing ease-of-use for consumers, as the pack stands up it is also easier to find in the pantry and the branding is always clearly visible to the consumer and not destroyed when the pack in opened like traditional flow wrapped products. To avoid importing the plastic tubes, Australian Wholefoods has purchased the manufacturing equipment for the formation of the cylinder here in Australia.

Machinery Equipment Category

Machinery Equipment Finalists were: Fibre King for the Four Magazine Lidding Machine, Heat and Control for E-FLO™, HMPS for the HMPS5000 Wraparound Case Packer, Matthews Australasia for CDI Authentication Solution, Robotic Automation for Multi-Product Robotic Packaging Solution and tna for the tna solutions ropac 5 side loading case packer.

Machinery/Equipment High Commendation

Robotic Automation for the Multi-Product Robotic Packaging Solution

 

Machinery/Equipment Winner

Heat and Control for E-FLO™

The E-FLO is an innovative machine designed to benefit the food processing industry, in particular potato product producers. It increases efficiency, reduces long-term costs and allows producers to develop a healthier product for their customers by lowering the amount of acrylamide in potato products. The patented E-FLO uses Pulse Electric Field (PEF) processing, or electroporation, to perforate the cell walls of potatoes, creating micro holes that allow asparagine and reducing sugars to be washed out of the potato in a cold water wash. It provides numerous benefits and, in most cases, eliminates the need to blanch the product. The E-FLO™ Electroporation System can improve cost of ownership for manufacturers through its ability to significantly reduce production costs, and it can fit seamlessly into existing processing lines, with low voltage requirements and minimal maintenance upkeep.

2017 Sustainable Packaging & Processing Award

The Sustainable Packaging & Processing Design Award recognised companies that have developed innovative packaging or processing solutions that incorporates sustainability considerations. Elements included Social, Material, Source Reduction, Energy and Recovery.

Materials & Packaging Finalists were: Campbell Arnott’s for Salada carton, CHEP Australia for CHEP Retail Display Pallets (RDP) and Beverage Trays (BT), Pact Group for rPET Moisturelock Meat Tray, Plantic Technologies for PLANTIC™ R Packaging Material and Woolpack Australia for Woolcool.

 

Materials & Packaging – Transport Winner

Woolpack Australia for Woolcool

Woolcool aims to reduce oil-based packaging use with an innovative product where the thermal insulation component is waste wool. Woolcool is made of 100% 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 an environmentally-friendly product transforming supply chains and is a game changer in high performance packaging options for many different industries (e.g. food, beverage, pharmaceutical). Woolcool cooperated with global wool mills to ensure 25% minimum Australian waste wool content is included in each shipment. It operates two Sydney manufacturing facilities where the product is assembled and distributed. Over 25,000 Woolcool liner units per week are assembled for national distribution.

 

Materials & Packaging – Retail Primary Packaging Winner

Plantic Technologies for the PLANTIC™ R Packaging Material

The growing trend of consumer awareness towards the impact of their actions on the environment has seen Plantic Technologies successful in developing and commercialising ultra-high barrier bio-plastic materials. One of the ranges of materials PLANTIC™ R has many unique features, ultra-high barrier, renewably sourced, high clarity and certified. PLANTIC™ R material is utilising the best of Plantic bio based high barrier material with PET to create a material that is globally unique. PLANTIC™ R material is manufactured using modern technology where thin layers of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) are adhered to a core layer of renewably sourced, ultra-high barrier PLANTIC™ HP sheet. The PLANTIC™ HP core provides exceptional gas barrier and the PET provides moisture/water vapour barrier to the structure. PLANTIC™ R is very versatile and suitable to most thermoforming and tray sealing applications. The renewable content can be altered to meet specific requirements. Among the unique features of PLANTIC R™ include: Recyclable High Barrier Pack, High renewable content, Outstanding gas barrier performance, Excellent barrier to taint and odour, Sealable to PET based lidding films  and Excellent surface gloss.

JOINT Materials & Packaging – Retail Primary Packaging Winer

Pact Group for the rPET Moisturelock Meat Tray

Creating a suitable alternative to the hard to dispose of expanded polystyrene (EPS) meat trays has been a long running environmental challenge. Pact Group developed, designed and manufactured the rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) Moisturelock Tray. The new tray comprises 50% 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 real innovation however lies in the trays ability to capture fluid in the base. The little ‘dimples’ in the bottom of the tray hold the fluid there even when tilted or turned upside down, meaning customers don’t have to worry about any meat fluids sullying their shopping or having to remove and dispose of the unsightly blood soaked pad prior to preparing their meat. The labour efficiencies achieved through removing the soaker pad equate to approximately 70,000 hours for the meat processor.  By moving from EPS trays to rPET Moisturelock, the equivalent of 14 Olympic size swimming pools full of polystyrene are saved from landfill every year and the avoidance of the cost to landfill the community equates to $1.8 million per annum.

Pact Group were 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 report can be used for internal purposes or as a valuable sales tool in B2B presentations with key buyers.

Empauer provides companies with the tools, authority and power to better understand the true sustainability of their business. Employing the insights generated by Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and its own EcodEX® software, the company provides detailed environmental information into your products and operations. The knowledge of this information can be used to better design products and lead to higher returns. With offices in New York, Milan, Shanghai and Melbourne, Empauer partners with consumer goods companies with real time support on a global basis. Using EcodEX®, which is certified to ISO standards, allows product developers to conduct a sustainability assessment of a product and packaging, based on the evaluation of carbon footprint, water use, energy use, land use and other criteria. EcodEX® enables non LCA experts the ability to conduct a thorough sustainability assessment enabling better design decisions.

Machinery/Equipment Finalists are: HAVER & BOECKER Australia for the HAVER & BOECKER ADAMS® technology, Omni for Omni Pallet Wrapping Solution, Packsize & Samsung Australia for the Packsize EM7™ and iQ Fusion® On Demand Packaging® system and Scott Automation & Robotics for the Automated Robotic Beef Rib Cutting system.  

Machinery/Equipment Winner

Omni for the Omni Pallet Wrapping Solution

The Omni Stretch and Pallet Wrappers have the revolutionising ability to reduce the amount of film used to wrap a pallet by up to 70% results in substantial benefits to the environment. The Omni Stretch and Pallet Wrappers have been engineered together to maximise film usage efficiently. Using Nano-technology, the multi-layer Omni Stretch Films are thinner, stronger and longer than the world has ever seen allowing you to wrap more pallets with less film. Through cutting-edge resin advancements, they have developed high-performance films that are less than half the micron of conventional films with superior puncture resistance and load containment. Used in conjunction with the Omni Wrappers Power-Pre-stretch technology, our Omni Films have a stretch yield over 400%. That is why these two elements combined is The Perfect Pallet Wrapping Solution. The environment benefit of The Perfect Pallet Wrapping Solution isn’t just that it reduces plastic usage. The film manufacturing equipment is world-leading in efficiency, using over 30% 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. The manufacturers work with ExxonMobil in the responsible sourcing of raw materials and utilising renewable resources were possible. The stretch is a 100% recyclable and is reusable for light wrapping applications. The Omni stretch wrap truly incorporates the 3 R’s; reduce film usage, reuse the film, and recycle the film.

2017 Save Food Packaging & Processing Award

The Save Food Packaging & Processing Design Award recognised companies that have developed innovative and sustainable packaging or processing solutions that minimises food losses and food waste.

 

Finalists were: Fresh Technologies Ltd & Sealed Air Food Care for Fressure™ and Cryovac® Freshness Plus® and Woolpack Australia for Woolcool.

 

2017 Save Food Packaging & Processing Award High Commendation

Woolpack Australia for Woolcool

Woolcool is on track to removing 2M polystyrene boxes from manufacture and disposal in year one of trading. The attributes of Woolcool create the following recovery initiatives: The food grade film can be recycled via major retailers through soft plastic recycling bins. Woolcool liners can be used many times, often more times than polystyrene boxes which easily crush. Woolcool can be composted as it breaks down quickly in the environment which unlike polystyrene, is fully biodegradable. Woolcool has a customer recycling program where they can collect and recommission the used liners. Less damaged goods end up in landfill as Woolcool has a cushioning effect during transport ensuring products arrive in better condition. On-line grocery, food, beverage and pharmaceutical items that have very temperature sensitive transport needs can easily be spoiled resulting in significant wastage due to risks in food and human safety. Woolcool has been proven to keep chilled items at the critical 5oC or lower for more than 24 hours. Woolcool prevents food wastage and maintains nutritional content which can be lost due to damage and fluctuating temperatures. Since the launch of Woolcool, it is estimated over 25,000 polystyrene boxes are saved from landfill each week resulting in approximately 1,300,000 polystyrene boxes saved annually. This number continues to grow on a weekly basis.

2017 Save Food Packaging & Processing Award Winner

Fresh Technologies Ltd & Sealed Air Food Care for Fressure™ and Cryovac® Freshness Plus®

With an alarming 45% of all fruit and vegetables produced globally going to waste, it is clear that addressing food waste is a priority we should all own. The team at Fresh Technologies (New Zealand’s largest avocado processor) are playing their part by ensuring their hard-earned avocado harvests are optimally processed and packaged, enabling a waste free supply chain that can span wide enough to support the global growth in avocado consumption. The combination of Fresh Technologies’ best in class Cold High Pressure Processing (CHPP) and Cryovac® Freshness Plus® Active Barrier packaging has enabled Fresh Technologies to achieve a chilled shelf life of 90 days, which is a 60-day extension over existing passive high barrier packaging technology. This product is sold into the Food Service industry. The smarts behind Fresh Technologies’ Cold High Pressure Processing is not only pivotal to driving extended shelf life, but also delivers high yields – recovering 100% of avocado flesh, leaving only the skin and seed. Avocado in its natural state would last between 7 – 10 days (chilled), but smart processing and packaging technologies have enabled the shelf life.  With Avocado consumption growing globally by about 3% every year and are New Zealand’s third largest fresh fruit export this innovative technology sets Fresh Technologies apart.

2017 Industry Packaging & Processing Professional of the Year Award

The Industry Packaging & Processing Professional of the Year Award recognised and acknowledged the outstanding achievements and contribution by an individual currently working within Packaging and Processing. The judges looked for individuals who have demonstrated vision and leadership, shown innovation and are not afraid to take risks. For significant and continued contribution of an Individual to the Packaging and Processing industry over a minimum period of 25 years.

 

Finalists were: Keith Chessell FAIP, Director, Sustainable Packaging Design, Mark Emmett MAIP, Managing Director, HMPS, Paul Haberland FAIP, Packaging Manager, Nestlé Australia, Rob Lawrence, General Manager, Walls Machinery, Terry O’Brien, Managing Director, Simplot and Lester Nichol, Managing Director, Matthews Australasia.

Winners are:

Paul Haberland FAIP, Packaging Manager, Nestlé Australia

Paul Haberland has been in the packaging industry for an outstanding 48 years. He has vast experience with a variety of packaging mediums, a proven ability to solve problems and identify opportunities for improvement, and great knowledge and experience in manufacturing processes and analytical procedures in the food and packaging industries. He is able to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders and establish excellent working relationships at all levels of his organisation and industry. And above all, his passion for packaging knows no bounds. He is a graduate of the Diploma in Packaging Technology and is a Fellow of the AIP. When Paul joined Nestlé as the Senior Packaging Technologist for Confectionery, the technology was not coordinated or correctly structured which resulted in errors and write-off of materials. The manual coordinated the activities of all the technologist and minimised technical errors significantly. The document is referred to as the Packaging Bible.  Each year, Paul delivers a full one-week training course to all new Packaging Technologists in the company, referred to internally as the Packaging 101s, and coordinates with the packaging industry to deliver more specific training material for Nestlé Packaging Technologists. Paul’s work on refining, testing and embedding Safety Factor theory in the design of corrugated boxes was a step-change in the industry in the 70s, and it lives on today, 40+ years later. Paul was able to not only work with suppliers and the supply chain to test and validate the theory, but he then implemented this into Nestlé’s procedures, resulting in significant time and cost savings. He has continued to adapt the theory as the industry has changed, from the increase of recycled content to the introduction of shelf ready corrugated boxes with perforations. Corrugated boxes are on almost every packaging format and therefore the impact of being able to quickly and accurately calculate the potential performance of a corrugated box without the need of lengthy and many trials over the years is phenomenal. A great legacy to have been involved with.

Lester Nichol, Managing Director, Matthews Australasia

Today, barcoding is taken for granted, but in the late 1970s it was viewed by many as a costly nuisance that the supermarkets wanted for their advantage. Not too many people realise that Lester recognised the need for product identification and symbology, as well as the technologies and methodologies that apply the codes onto products in the 1970’s. In 1978, he was one of the founders of the APNA (Australian Product Numbering Association) — the forebear of GS1 Australia. The group subsequently brought barcoding to Australia. In the 80’s Lester established Matthews International (Australia). Through his early days leading Matthews, Lester keenly added to his practical knowledge and his focus was always on the value-add of what technologies (including barcoding) can bring to a business beyond mere compliance. Because of his knowledge in implementing barcode-printing solutions, Lester was invited to contribute in the design of the EAN/ GS1 Supply Chain Knowledge Centre, which opened in 2004. As an example of using barcoding technology to improve overall supply chain efficiency, in conjunction with EAN, Lester led Matthews in developing a unique EAN128 carton-coding solution that interfaced with the powerful EANnet data-synchronisation tool. This highlights the leadership Matthews has always shown in applying leading-edge technology solutions. Without peer, Lester is a leader who has demonstrated vision and leadership, has shown innovation, and is not averse to taking calculated risks that he believes will benefit Australian businesses. Lester has created a strong second-generation business from nothing, being very proud of the fact that two of this three children have joined him in the family business.

 

2017 APPMA Scholarship

The APPMA, in conjunction with the AIP, offered the ninth annual scholarship program enabling a one person the opportunity to complete a Diploma in Packaging Technology valued at $9,000. The Diploma in Packaging Technology prepares students to take responsibility for packaging operations at any level through the supply chain. The qualification is internationally recognised, comprehensive, and provides an opportunity to study the principles of packaging, packaging materials and packaging processes.

 

Finalists were: Nelson Bulsari, Technical Director, Roto Converters NZ, Liz Cagorski, Brand Custodian Packaging Specialist, Liza Rose design and communications, John Ferrier, Quality Manager, Campari, Claire Lee, Packaging Quality Coordinator, LION and Michael Van Dord, Technical and Design Engineer, Caps and Closures.

 

The judges reviewed all written applications and were impressed with the packaging technologists who wished to advance their knowledge through the AIP Diploma in Packaging Technology course. The challenge is always selection amongst such great talent.

 

The Winner is

Michael Van Dord, Technical and Design Engineer, Caps and Closures. Michael Van Dord also has a design background since moving over from Aerospace engineering and has moved into project engineering across many applications of caps and closures with numerous FMCG companies. He also has a passion for education and has already conducted lectures on packaging related matters.

In Michael’s own words “As my understanding of the packaging world grows so does the realisation that I have only scratched the surface of the full design cycle within the vast category that is packaging. I am excited by the prospect of becoming a specialist within packaging and expanding my knowledge base within injection moulded closures and delving into areas of packing that I have not had experience within. I look forward to building on my skill set and through my link with the AIP sharing my knowledge and experience with the broader packaging community.”

 

2017 Young Packaging & Processing Professional of the Year Award

The purpose of the Young Packaging & Processing 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 and Processing industry.

 

Finalists were: Alexandra Brayshaw, Accessible Packaging Researcher, Arthritis Australia, Nina Cleeve-Edwards, Manager- Oceania Innovation Acceleration Team, Nestlé Australia, Sergio Palacio, Project Manager, HMPS and Gavin Wong, Product Design Engineer, O-I.

 

Joint Winners are

Alexandra Brayshaw MAIP, Accessible Packaging Researcher, Arthritis Australia Alexandra is a winner of the APPMA Diploma in Packaging Technology scholarship and is proceeding through that course with excellent results. During her time at the Accessible Design Division of Arthritis Australia Alexandra has worked with a number of packaging organisations to test and provide advice on how to develop accessible packaging, including Nestlé, SPC and Kellogg’s. She has played an important role in both educating the packaging community on accessibility issues, as well as working one-on-one on with clients to develop easy to open packaging solutions. Alexandra has also worked to improve packaging accessibility through the development of our national Packaging Accessibility Rating Database, used by organisations including Health Share NSW, Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV) and the Institute of Hospitality in Health Care (IHHC). The database allows users to make informed purchasing decisions based on which packaging is more accessible for the community, with the aim to improve patient nutrition in hospitals, as well as potential unnecessary waste from unopened hard to open products. Alexandra plans to continue to work with the packaging and processing industry to further its understanding of consumers’ needs and abilities.

Nina Cleeve-Edwards MAIP, Manager- Oceania Innovation Acceleration Team, Nestlé Australia

Nina is an AIP Diploma in Packaging Technology graduate. Nina was the second recipient of the Certified Packaging Professional designation in Australasia and has been awarded a Harry Lovell Award and that is just her academic expertise. Nina has also contributed the eco-design tool, PIQET, in Nestlé, became an expert in its use, and subsequently worked with the developers to make it a global tool. She successfully rolled this tool out in Nestlé to more than 500 packaging technologists across the globe. She is a key member of the industry working group on PaSS to implement standardised industry packaging specifications, industrialised the packaging for NESTLÉ CARNATION Lite Cooking Cream and designed the opening feature for the pouches for MAGGI Wet Recipe Bases. This is to name just a few of her fine and remarkable achievements. Nina has certainly crammed a lot of expertise into her years and there is no doubt that she will continue to make her mark as a leading packaging technologist in this industry for many decades to come.

The 2017 PIDA Awards were sponsored by Platinum Partners: Midway Metals, NCI Packaging, SMC Pneumatics, Gold Partners: Agility, Fuji Xerox, Packaging Council of Zealand and Wellman Packaging, Exclusive Media Partner PKN Packaging News, Silver Partners: NHP and UPM Raflatac and Supporters: Auspouch, EcodEX, Empauer, Esko and qDesign Enterprises. The Packaging & Processing Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA) are the exclusive entry point for Australia and New Zealand for the prestigious WordStar Awards.