The Pouch Definitely Still Counts

Flexible constructions are still a driving force, as evidenced by the 2007 Flexible Packaging Achievement Award winners. Ease of use and high performance are at the forefront, along with good looks, advanced technology and top-notch printing.

Posted on 01 July 2007 by Lauren Hartman, Senior Editor, Packaging Digest

With its multifunctional attributes in retail, institutional and industrial markets, flexible packaging is a technology that simply cannot be ignored. As the 2007 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards competition produced by the Flexible Packaging Association (www.flexpack.org) proves, the industry remains strong, diverse and innovative.

The Packaging Achievement winners were judged on outstanding converting and packaging in four categories: Packaging excellence; technical innovation; environmental achievement; and printing merit. This year, the competition received 76 entries. Of those, 19 received a total of 21 Achievement Awards. Ten of the key winners, which include eight Gold awards and one Highest Achievement winner are described here.

According to Paul Gaster, divisional manager, Flexible Packaging, PCI Films Consulting, the flexible packaging market in Asia Pacific is worth $12.8 billion. Sales of food flexible packaging in Asia are valued at around $10.3 billion in 2005, growing by around eight percent per annum to $16.3 billion in 2011.

Countries like China and India will show dynamic growth of nearer 15 percent per annum, while others such as Japan and Australia will grow by no more than one to two percent per annum over the period.

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