Gold for packaging innovation by Masterpack Group

The 31st edition of packaging innovation competition De Gouden Noot has been won by Masterpack Group, with a breakthrough application of Modified Atmosphere technology in the world of FIBCs.

This innovative Modified Atmosphere technology embarks on using ICT and the appropriate packaging materials, dramatically lowering the food waste and possibly also improve responsible Collect-Control and Backend-processing in the world’s supply chains.

High-quality foodstuffs maintain their quality longest under extremely low oxygen levels. This FIBC extends the shelf life from months to years. The innovation consists of a connection 'MA Valve 125' that is sealed into the airtight inner bag. A wireless sensor can be attached to this connection, monitoring oxygen, temperature and humidity.

Previously, the oxygen level was measured with a needle. This required a lot of manual work and brought with it a high risk of contamination because the new liner pricked directly into the product. With the new connection and sensor, measurements are done continuously without having to puncture the FIBC.

Silver for daring Capsule Dispenser

The Silver went to the Capsule Dispenser by PACKSYS GmbH. The elegant and well-conceived design may signal a significant step forward in the healthcare at home. The refillable dispenser enables patients at home to have their required medication in a controllable and easy-to-handle, yet safe manner. The pack is compatible with existing filling lines.

Approximately 50% of the female and 30% of the male population in Europe over the age of sixty suffer from arthrosis. In many cases everyday tasks, such as opening a jar or taking a capsule out of a blister pack, turn into a painful struggle. The PACKSYS capsule dispenser enables patients with constrained motor function of their hands to take their medication without having to seek assistance from a caregiver.

The dispenser ensures easy and hygienic single-dosing of pharmaceutical capsules. By pushing down the dispensing actuator, the system releases exactly one capsule into the dosing cup - which can be used for administration of the product without hand contact.

Bronze for plastic bottle manufacturing process using carbon dioxide CO2 as sourcing material

The Bronze was won by Mibelle Group with an amazing PET bottle made on the basis of (among other ingredients) CO2 recycling. What nature can, mankind can do as well: making ethanol from CO2 (carbon dioxide). This PET bottle by Mibelle is made in a Frontend-process doing just that, on the way to achieving industrial scale biobased polymer packaging materials. Plot spoiler: only the ethanol source for the PET is sourced this way, the other molecule needed to synthesize PET is still petrol-based.

With the CO2 recycling technology of the start-up LanzaTech, CO2 is converted into ethanol for MEG production, which is used together with PTA to produce PET. LanzaTech has found a way to produce alcohol from this CO2 via a fermentation process, which is also used for brewing beer, for example. The CO2 recycling process uses micro-organisms that are able to convert the carbon dioxide directly into ethanol. Resultingly, around 30% of the PET bottle is made from this CO2 ‘recycling’ process.

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