DuPont VP and GM William F Weber announces 10 winners and 8 notable achievements for breakthroughs in improving sustainability of packaged goods.
A&C Packers has been awarded a global DuPont Award for Packaging Innovation for Achievements in Enhanced Sustainability and Performance, for its Easy Pour Barrier Containers.
The Queensland-based blow moulding company was one of ten companies across the globe to receive the prestigious award, which recognises innovation in packaging design, materials and processes that can help create a world sustainable world for us all. It is the first time an Australian company has been recognised in the awards' under the new sustainable criteria.
The Easy Pour Barrier Containers are redesigned 20 liter drums that are 30 percent more efficient for transport and storage, are reusable and recycled at end of life. The new barrier structure replaces steel drums in most common solvent applications and is reusable with a 5-year life compared to previous 1-time use. The innovative design enables better stacking and cube efficiency – 30 percent improvement. The new Easy Pour neck design also helps avoid spills or splashing when pouring. At end of life, the containers are recycled for items such as drain pipes.
In announcing the winners in the 21st DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, DuPont reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and sustainable packaging. The winners were honored in a global on-line event including exchanges on key sustainability topics in the packaging industry including solutions for end of life.
'We apply DuPont science in working with consumer goods companies to redesign their packaging in order to minimize packaging content and improve environmental performance, as well as to be more cost effective,' said William F. Weber, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers,.
'The industry needs to work together to achieve these kinds of innovations, which is why DuPont sponsors the independently judged, industrywide DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, to honor companies that are working to make their products more sustainable.'
According to recent studies, consumers are not backing off from green purchasing despite the economy - 44 percent of consumers say their green buying habits remain unchanged despite the current economy and a third of consumers say they are more likely to buy green today than previously. Among consumer goods producers, over half (55 percent) say their commitment to sustainability initiatives have not changed and that packaging is their top focus area (76 percent).
An independent, international expert jury panel facilitated by Anne Johnson, director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, evaluated the over 120 entries in this year’s competition on seven innovation factors including resource and energy optimization and enhanced performance in selecting ten winners and eight notable accomplishments.
DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 19 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
