We are delighted to announce that two Wipak customer packs have been unveiled as winners in the 2018 WorldStar Awards.

MarKo’s innovative climate-neutral stand-up pouch for Salami Sticks and Atria’s easy-open vacuum pack for mince beef were both recognised in the Food category, which was judged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last month by a panel of representatives from 16 packaging associations, including members of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Climate-Neutral Stand-Up Pouch

Having previously used metallized plastic packaging, Thuringia-based manufacturer, MarKo wanted a more eco-friendly pack for their Salami Sticks product. The Wipak team worked closely with MarKo to develop a paper-plastic composite pack, which utilized FSC®-certified paper, reduced global warming potential by 40%, and required approximately one third less energy in the manufacturing process*.

The second phase of the project saw MarKo enlist the support of our groundbreaking ProDirect inkjet printing technology, which combines extremely high-quality digital printing with wide web, high performance paper laminate structures. It was this new technology that helped to further reduce product-related CO₂ emissions.

*Confirmed by an independent institute.

Easy-Open Vacuum Pack

Launched in the Finnish market in February 2017, the Atria easy-open vacuum pack is unlike any other pack for minced beef.

Using our sandwich printed BIAXER, together with a matt black SC XX bottom film, the pack is incredibly easy to open and does not require scissors – consumers simply pull the tab to peel open the package. Once open, the minced beef is easy to remove from the pack and can be put straight into a pan or a bowl for preparation.

The vacuum pack uses over 50% less packaging material compared to traditional minced meat packages, and adapts perfectly to the shape of the product, saving space during transport, in-store, in consumers’ shopping bags, in the refrigerator, and in the bin. Furthermore, the beef is packed without the use of packaging gases.

All WorldStar winners will be recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony and gala evening on 2 May 2018, which will be held at the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia at the same time as the Australian Institute of Packaging’s National Conference.

For more information about the WorldStar Awards, please visit www.worldstar.org/winners.