DuPont Packaging Awards Honor Innovations in Plastic Packaging

In 2003, Heinz introduced EasySqueeze!™, a squeezable, upside-down, plastic ketchup bottle. The bottle not only featured an innovative flip-cap made with plastic, but also a clever, upside-down design—meaning no more shaking or pounding on the bottle to dispense its contents. A shatter-resistant plastic bottle was perfect for kids and picnics, too. The Heinz upside-down bottle design became so popular that it accounted for 10 percent of all U.S. dollars spent on ketchup after only 12 months on the market.

While we may not think about packaging very often, the Heinz upside-down bottle shows what a difference innovative packaging designs can make. Some of the most innovative and convenient consumer product packaging is made with plastics. These versatile, durable, lightweight materials continually inspire packaging designers to come up with new ways to make our favorite products easier to transport, store, and dispense.

An exclusive group of the most significant achievements in packaging—including the Heinz upside-down ketchup bottle—have been honored at the annual Awards for Packaging Innovation, founded by DuPont in recognition of all the landmark packaging developments that improve our daily lives. Judged by an independent panel of jurors, submissions are evaluated for excellence in three key areas: innovation, sustainability, and cost/waste reduction.

The 24^th annual awards competition will culminate this May at a ceremony with DuPont senior leadership in Wilmington, Delaware.  Packaging designers, converters, consumer goods producers, retailers, and equipment manufacturers from around the world are encouraged to enter their new product packaging developments, with a submission deadline of Feb. 24. In addition to the ceremony, DuPont will hold an educational program in which winners will have the chance to engage with the panelists to gain insights and advice.

To submit a packaging innovation for consideration, or to learn more about previous winners, please visit www.packaging.dupont.com. Check back at www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com for more information on plastic product innovations including those recognized at the upcoming DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation when the winners are announced in June 2012.