OPPack Awards Winners offer originality

Flexible Packaging Gold OPPack Award winner for 2004 is an overwrap of reverse printed 20 micron Bicor MB 666 laminate used for a Christian Dior J'adore perfume box. The converter was SPO and end user was Parfums Christian Dior, France.

The announcement was made following the independent judging session at the ExxonMobil Chemical Films European regional headquarters in Luxembourg on January 14. The jury comprised packaging industry experts Aude Giabicani, senior production manager, Team Créatif Design Agency, France; Alexander Boiko from the Russian Federation of Commerce and Industry; Edgard Schroyens, an international consultant based in The Netherlands; Dr Sergio Visona, packaging consultant for Conpack, Italy; and Pierre Hamelink, worldwide product manager, Bosch, based in The Netherlands. The team chose a winner and two runners-up in the Flexible Packaging Applications category, and a winner and two runners-up for the Labelling Applications category.

The Dior overwrap was selected because of the outstanding print quality on the glossy OPP film, which "protects the printing against abrasion and gives added value to the package". The jury also commented: "The laminate provides excellent tamper protection for the luxury product at point of sale."

San Marino converter SIT took the Silver Flexible Packaging OPPack Award for Italian end user Grissin Bon's Fornarelli Bread Sticks wrap. The material was 20 micron Bicor MB 400 laminated to 36 micron OPPalyte MO 747. The citation read: "The attention of the consumer is immediately drawn by the play between the matt lacquer and the glossy look and feel of the packaging film, as well as the high quality printing and outstanding design. "They also noted that the film performs very well on the packaging machine.

Packaging for ION chocolate pralines from Greece took the Bronze in the category with the converter Typochrom using 38 micron Metallyte MW280. The jury commented that the packaging was innovative and well processed with excellent print quality and pack design, which is in perfect harmony with the product. They also praised the environmental aspects, highlighting the fact that the packaging needs less material so reducing pack weight.

Top honours in the Labelling sector went to the label for Arwa mineral water, United Arab Emirates. End user is Al Ahlia Gulf Line General Trading (Coca-Cola Bottling UAE) and the 35 micron Label-Lyte LL666 reel fed wrap around label film is converted by Pacman Middle East. The jury remarked that "the purity and quality of the product is reflected through the packaging". They highlighted the economic and efficient use of label material, since the area used for labelling is restricted, without neglecting the marketing function. Label-Lyte film is claimed to offer stiffness and easy machinability on the labelling machine as well as very good flexographic print quality.

The pack selected by the jury for the Silver Labelling Award was Viva La Prugna labelled in 65 micron Label-Lyte Lithor LT447 in-mould label film. The IML application for tubs of dried fruit comes from Italy. The end user is Noberasco, the in-mould labeller Syra and the printer GPS/Rotomec. "The product is highly appealing, thanks to excellent printing and an attractive design, with the moulding and labelling in the same process, giving the chosen film a very smooth appearance and feel. It demonstrates a new kind of packaging for this kind of product," commented the panel.

Bronze went to Elch Pro Universal Repair Coatings, an IML tub application from the UK, Germany and Belgium, labelled in 65 micron Label-Lyte Lithor LT447 in-mould label film. The end user is Rhodia Sealants, the in-mould labeller Saier Verpackungstechnik and the printer Drukkerij Verstraete. The jury praised the application for being a new step in communicating the marketing message to the consumer, with good quality printing, enabled by the in-mould label process. They felt that the product set a new high standard of DIY product packaging.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held during interpack, Dusseldorf next month.