The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has selected the winners for its 2018 WorldStar Packaging Awards, with five Australian companies and one New Zealand company taking medals.
Woolpack Australia wins three categories, and is one of the most awarded companies worldwide.
Peter Brennan, national sales manager, Woolpack Australia says, “To be judged by the world leaders in packaging is humbling and gratifying. It is a real honour and testament to the product.
“Australians realise there is no planet B, this is the only place we have to inhabit, if we do not do something soon it will be uninhabitable.
“We have just launched a production facility in October, the interest in New Zealand is quite overwhelming. We all know that their biosecurity standards are the highest in the world. They value the environmental beauty in their country. It has captured lots of businesses over there. So we are expanding in the NZ market alongside Australia, and various parts of Asia.”
The winning companies include Woolpack Australia, SPC Ardmona Fresh Technologies with Sealed Air Food Care, Plantic Technologies, Pact Group and CHEP Australia, who between them took out eight award wins.
These awards follow on from their wins in the Packaging & Processing Innovation (PIDA) Awards; which are the exclusive feeder program into the WorldStar Packaging Awards for Australia and New Zealand.
The awards will be presented at a joint Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and WorldStar event taking place in Surfers Paradise. It is the first time in years the event has taken place on Australian shores.
Nerida Kelton, executive officer, AIP, says, “We are running the national conference for two days, May 2-3. On May 3 both awards will occur in a single event at the Marriott Hotel in Surfers Paradise.
“Combining the awards with our conference we expect 400-500 people, and anyone in the industry is welcome to attend.”
A record number of 200 winners were awarded a WorldStar during the judging session held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Japan took the lead with 26 awards, followed by India taking 24 and China 14.
The candidates for the special categories – President’s Award, Sustainability Award, Marketing Award and Packaging that Saves Food Award will be announced in January.
All winners will be recognised in an awards ceremony and gala evening on May 2, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia at the same time as the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Conference.
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