DuPont Packaging announces Advisory Panel and calls for entries

DuPont Packaging today announced the formation of an Advisory Panel to help ensure the industry’s longest running, independently judged competition continues to foster and celebrate packaging innovation around the globe. DuPont also announced today the call for entries for the 27th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation program. The deadline for entries is Feb. 2, 2015, and entry forms are available at packagingawards.dupont.com.

“The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation enjoys growing success due to the quality of the entries and the astute knowledge of the judges, who are packaging industry leaders from around the world,” said Yasmin Siddiqi, DuPont Packaging Awards leader at a session called “Honoring Packaging Innovation” held during Pack Expo International 2014 in Chicago, IL. “Creating an Advisory Panel comprised of leaders from industry, academia and media will help ensure the program remains relevant, fosters a better connection to the packaging industry and builds on the program’s ability to serve as a catalyst to inspire discussion on packaging innovation.

“Adding the Advisory Panel is part of our strategy to grow the program’s equity,” Siddiqi said, adding that last year the awards criteria were refreshed to reflect current trends in the packaging industry. “We want to continue to focus on the value that packaging delivers while honoring the collaborative and the collective efforts it takes to make that happen.”

Members of the Advisory Panel will virtually meet a few times a year to discuss the various program elements. Members of the new Advisory Panel include:
—Aparecido Borghi, packaging manager & PMP, Multi Varejo, Brazil
—Peter Clarke, Founder & CEO, Product Ventures, USA
—Joseph Hotchkiss, director of the School of Packaging, Michigan State University, USA
—David Luttenberger, global packaging director, Mintel Group, Ltd., USA
—Lisa McTigue Pierce, executive editor, Packaging Digest, USA
—Philippe Roulet, head of Global Packaging, Nestle, Switzerland
—Anthony Wong, vice president and general manager, China, Amcor Flexible, Asia Pacific   

“The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation celebrates packaging innovation often driven through collaboration throughout the value chain,” said Siddiqi. “We are proud of the way the DuPont Awards has grown from its modest beginnings nearly three decades ago and look forward to seeing where the refreshed criteria and an Advisory Panel can take the program.”

Brand owners, retailers, packaging designers, converters and technology providers from around the world are encouraged to enter new packaging that has been commercialized since Jan. 1, 2013. There is no fee for entry and DuPont materials do not need to be in the packaging structure. In evaluating entries, judges will consider excellence in these areas: technological advancement, responsible packaging and enhanced user experience. Winners will be honored at a ceremony on May 14, 2015. Information on the program and past winners is posted on the DuPont Packaging website.