The Beverage Packaging Design of the Year award recognises organisations that have designed innovative packaging and/or materials, within packaging and processing for liquid or dry tea, coffee, water and soft drinks including wine, beer and spirits.
Closely allied to food, the beverage category is another seeing innovation on multiple fronts.
PKN publisher Lindy Hughson, who co-hosted the event with AIP executive director Nerida Kelton, commented that the beverage category has to be one of the most visibly creative in its presentation of packaging design, both in labels and primary containers, again with a strong focus on sustainability.
Hughson said: "The designs winning in store are those able to incorporate sustainability and accessibility, without losing sight of that visual appeal and clear messaging on shelf that is so important to consumers in a category where there is a veritable proliferation of new products, both in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic sector.
"The ground has certainly shifted for beverage bottlers in recent years in terms of consumer pushback on plastic, and while we’ve seen a strong drive toward the use of post-consumer recycled plastic, we’re seeing a growing uptake of aluminium and paper-based containers."
The PIDA 2022 Beverage Packaging Design of the Year award saw a high commendation go to Pact Group for the Norco 100% rPET Milk Bottles; a bronze award to Brownes Dairy for its entry of Australia’s Most Sustainable Milk Cartons; and a silver to retailer Coles for the Coles Home Compostable Coffee Capsules.
New Zealand company Synlait Milk took out the gold award for the Synlait Swappa Bottle, designed with clean lines and a retro style with broad shoulders and a large easy pour mouth featuring an embossed Synlait brand logo and ergonomic finger holds allowing optimal hand placement.
The Swappa Bottle is sealed with a recyclable closure and the material of choice is food grade stainless steel, selected for its durability, cleanability and its ability to provide product protection ensuring the milk remains fresh, offering an extended shelf-life. The bottle’s physical dimensions allow it to fit refrigerator doors with finger holds positioned for ease of reach. The footprint suits industry standardised milk crates, supply chain and manufacturing assets.
Adding a smart packaging dimension, each bottle has a unique bottle identifier using a laser etched QR code protected within a recessed base. Integrated QR code functionality allows consumers to scan the code to be directed to the ‘swappabottle’ website. It tracks the bottle’s journey and displays live information on the specific bottle – where it was filled, best before date and how many times the bottle has been reused and most importantly how many single-use plastic bottles it has offset.
