Henkel’s first-ever DESIGNathon in Düsseldorf saw 20 students from across Europe collaborate on sustainable packaging concepts. Held at the Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD) in January, the two-day event focused on developing ideas aligned with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), targeting significant reductions in packaging waste.
The winning concept was a recyclable blister pack for medical pills made entirely from PEF material, enhancing recyclability, reducing waste, and meeting medical-grade packaging standards. Other ideas included reusable meal containers for in-flight services and biobased packaging made from agricultural waste, such as banana peels.
Kerstin van Wijk, head of innovation for Adhesive Technologies Packaging and a contest judge, remarked, “As a leading player in adhesives and coatings for packaging, we see it as our responsibility to foster innovative ideas that push the industry toward a sustainable future.”
Participants worked in groups to refine their designs, which also included refillable cartridge systems for non-food goods and reusable e-commerce packaging. These concepts were evaluated for their potential market impact within the next five years.
Rajat Agarwal, global head of Henkel Packaging Adhesives, said, “The winning idea of reusable pharma packaging convinced us by tackling a significant challenge with a realistic solution that addresses key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry value chain.”
Henkel's DESIGNathon is part of the company's ongoing efforts to advance sustainability in packaging. Their adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings are designed to reduce emissions and waste across multiple markets, including the packaging sector.
Kathleen Burzycki, head of strategy and marketing for Henkel Consumer Goods Adhesives, noted, “The enthusiasm around the event showed us that the next generation of packaging designers is ready to step up to sustainability challenges. And we are ready to listen to them and work with them as we roll the Henkel DESIGNathon concept out globally.”
Henkel plans to take the event global, bringing together more aspiring innovators to tackle sustainability challenges and create practical solutions for packaging in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
