Packamama has emerged victorious from the Charles Sturt University Sustainable Packaging Innovation Challenge. This event, held in Wagga Wagga, NSW, saw 150 applicants narrowed down to eight finalists.
The challenge, organised by Charles Sturt University’s Agrisciences Research and Business Park (AgriPark) and The Growth Drivers, aims to address packaging issues in the wine and fresh food industries.
The initiative received support from Coles Liquor, Endeavour Group, Wine Australia, Planet Ark, the Australian Packaging Organisation (APCO), and Meat and Livestock Australia.
Packamama, represented by Alex Adda, sales and sustainability manager from Sydney, and Hannah Arkell, business development executive from Melbourne, showcased the eco-flat wine bottle made from 100 per cent Australian recycled PET.
Developed with the collaboration of Santiago Navarro, CEO and founder in London, their innovative solution distinguished them from other competitors.
The event included a welcome speech by Michael McCormack, MP for Riverina, and a Q&A session with Shae Courtney, national quality and sustainability manager at Coles Liquor. The eight teams presented pitches addressing environmental challenges in the packaging industry.
Nick Pagett, executive director of AgriPark, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The showcase event is not just a celebration of months of hard work and creativity but a testament to the power of collaboration between academia, industry, and government. We are excited to see the groundbreaking solutions our teams have developed, which will undoubtedly contribute to a more sustainable future for the wine and fresh food industries.”
Alex Adda shared his excitement, stating, “We are incredibly honoured to have won the Sustainable Packaging Innovative Challenge. This recognition fuels our motivation to drive impactful change in the wine industry. Our team is ready to continue pushing the agenda for sustainable packaging, ensuring that our innovations not only meet but exceed industry standards for sustainability. Hannah and I are committed to championing these advancements and are excited about the positive impact our work will have on the environment and our wine industry.”
The challenge focused on minimising carbon footprints, capturing packaging value, and creating novel sustainable products. The eight selected teams received mentorship from industry, government, commercial sectors, and research institutions, ensuring practical applications of their innovations.
