Amcor awarded for excellence at 2012 PCA Packaging Design Awards

Amcor Fibre Packaging has received Gold within the Industrial category of the 2012 Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) Packaging Design Awards.

Announced on 8 October, the awards recognise excellence in Australian packaging design and innovation across a range of categories including Food, Beverages, Health & Beauty, Household & Office, Seasonal & Promotional and Industrial applications. Judging for all categories is based on technical excellence in all areas of the packaging design and production process, with particular attention paid to design & materials, environment & sustainability, consumer accessibility and innovation.

Receiving the Gold award, Amcor?s Nursery Pallet Box was developed in conjunction with logistics and freight company „The Canopy Network? as an innovative way to transport horticultural products to both domestic and export markets. Judges were impressed by the new corrugated box solution, which delivers significant cost savings and improves safety and logistics by making it easier and faster to load and unload trucks using standard load handling systems, when compared with the traditional hand trolleys and plastic returnable crates.

Rick Woods, Group General Manager of Amcor Fibre Packaging, believes this innovation is a significant, and sustainable, improvement for the horticultural supply chain.

“The Nursery Pallet Box is a cost effective solution that provides greater protection to plants against damage during transit,” said Mr Woods, “The innovation also means, truck space utilisation is increased by almost 40 per cent, the need to wash and return plastic crates is eliminated, and the box is recyclable through standard paper recycling streams. This delivers a win-win for both our customers and the environment.”

The Nursery Pallet Box is currently available in four standard sizes, including 450mm, 750mm, 1050mm and 1350mm. The design incorporates a flap on the side wall to allow easy access and loading of plants, and can be easily converted to a display tray for retail merchandising. Furthermore, Amcor has used high-strength corrugated board, as well as Hydroshield™ and SureFresh® polymer liners to provide strength and water resistance, essential for the transportation of horticultural products.

Amcor also received a Highly Commended within the Beverage category for the Strongbow Cider Aluminium Bottle. This follows the company?s ongoing success at the PCA Packaging Design Awards, receiving the Gold Sustainability awards in 2008 and 2010, as well as the Gold awards for Brand Design and Industrial Packaging in 2010, and the Bronze award for Innovation in 2011.

“Our continued recognition at the PCA Packaging Design Awards across the range of Amcor packaging products is a testament to our focus on innovation and our passion for creating packaging that not only adds value to our customers? business, but enhances the products people use every day,” Mr Woods said.

About Amcor Australasia

Amcor Australasia, a division of Amcor Limited, is a market leader and the most diverse packaging supplier across Australia and New Zealand. With 51 plants located in two countries, Amcor Australasia delivers a broad range of packaging solutions for the food, beverage, grocery, household, personal care and industrial markets. The breadth of packaging manufactured by Amcor Australasia to service these markets includes glass bottles, aluminium beverage cans, plastic and metal closures, corrugated fibre packaging, folding cartons and multi-wall sacks. Amcor Australasia?s commitment to sustainable packaging is also supported by domestic and commercial recycling services. For more information visit www.amcor.com.

About Amcor Fibre Packaging

Amcor Fibre Packaging, a division of Amcor Australasia which is a subsidiary of the global packaging leader Amcor Limited, supplies corrugated packaging solutions across Australia and New Zealand. With 22 plants and 25 distribution sites located in two countries, Amcor Fibre Packaging services segments including fresh produce, meat and seafood, wine, beverage, grocery and industrial markets. For more information visit www.amcor.com.

For further information please contact:

Ebony Kenny
Communications Manager - Amcor Australasia

Email: ebony.kenny@amcor.com
Phone: +61 3 9811 7360