PRO-EVO® Recyclable earns highest achievement award for Nestle Purina® PetCare packaging

Edited by Managing Editor Dianna Brodine

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) announced 34 winners from among 226 entries in its 69th annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition. The awards were presented on March 7, 2025, during the FPA’s annual meeting in Miami, FL.

This year’s judging panel was comprised of Dr. Bilge Altay, assistant professor, Packaging and Graphic Media Science, College of Engineering Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); Chris Lyons, group president, Packaging Impressions magazine; and Scott Wilkins, founder/lead consultant, Scorcia Packaging Resources, LLC.

The competition placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and advancements in printing technology. “The entries provided an excellent representation of current trends and key drivers in flexible packaging, particularly in sustainability,” noted Wilkins. “Around 70% of the submissions either were entered into the sustainability category or demonstrated clear advantages of flexible packaging over alternative structures. The range of innovations was impressive, including store drop-off solutions, all-PE structures, compostable films and packaging incorporating post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.”

Commenting on printing innovations, Lyons stated, “We saw outstanding examples of rotogravure, digital printing and other advanced print production techniques. The market is fully leveraging the diverse range of printing technologies available. It’s exciting to examine each package and see how its print capabilities enhance shelf impact and deliver exceptional quality.”

Altay added, “In reviewing the entries across both conventional and digital printing technologies, we saw companies effectively utilizing flexography, gravure and digital printing. Each process showcased its unique strengths. Flexo and gravure printing demonstrated exceptional color consistency and high-resolution graphics, particularly in high-volume applications. Meanwhile, digital printing stood out for its versatility in short-run production while maintaining impressive color quality comparable to long-run printing.”

Highest Achievement Award

ProAmpac (Cincinnati, Ohio) took the competition’s highest award for the PRO-EVO® Recyclable FL, a high-performance flexible packaging solution that maintains reliable functionality and meets sustainability goals. The curbside-recyclable package is compatible with widely accessible recycling streams and provides consumers with an option that ensures product protection. PRO-EVO Recyclable FL features solid print quality and grease resistance, making it the choice for the Nestlé Purina® PetCare Company. The product was designed using ProAmpac’s advanced material technologies, offering barrier properties for enhanced shelf life, convenience for consumers and reduced environmental impact.

The Highest Achievement Award is evaluated by the judges as possessing overall packaging excellence, significant attributes in all award categories and contributing most to the advancement of the industry. The PRO-EVO Recyclable FL also won Gold Awards for Packaging Excellence and for Technical Innovation, and a Silver Award for Sustainability. More info: www.proampac.com.

Nine Gold Achievement Awards winners

In the 2025 competition, the judges recognized nine packages with Gold Achievement Awards. They include:

Aara® Basmati Rice Pouch: Taking a Gold Award for Shelf Impact, designers Paharpur 3P and Star Rice Land (India) launched a new solution for packaging 10 lbs of rice. When designing the Aara Basmati Rice pouch, the firms considered the technical aspects and physical appearance by giving this pouch a unique printing design and a premium matte effect film that caught the attention of the judges. The 5-panel pocket zipper pouch is thoughtfully designed to protect against moisture and oxygen ingress with the help of a barrier packaging material and a reclosable pocket zipper. The pouch is being used by the Shakti Group, Hamilton, NJ. More info: www.paharpur3p.com.

Frito-Lay Super Bowl Package: Super Bowl LVIII offered Frito-Lay the opportunity to win a Gold Award in Packaging Excellence and in Technical Innovation, and a Silver Award in Sustainability, as the company highlighted its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) sustainable goals with a direct-to-consumers package at its “Chip Strip” in Las Vegas. Consumers enjoyed their favorite Game Day snacks in a new compostable package manufactured by Printpack (Villa Rica, GA), including Lay’s®, Doritos®, CHEETOS® and Tostitos®, all in commercially eye-catching packaging. The new Super Bowl packaging incorporated unique graphic elements and hidden “Easter Eggs” synonymous with Las Vegas, the Super Bowl and Frito-Lay. More info: www.printpack.com.

Goldfish® Crisps: Winning Gold for Shelf Impact, the Goldfish Crisps are Pepperidge Farm’s newest addition to its lineup from the manufacturer Printpack (Villa Rica, GA). Three new flavors – Sour Cream & Onion, Cheddar and Salt & Vinegar – are showcased in vibrant, color-coded, 6.25 oz. packages designed by Sterling Design. The flat bottom on the package allows it to stand on shelves and offers an outstanding billboard effect. To make a big splash, the new packages have a different form factor than other Goldfish products, and the goldfish inside are larger as well. More info: www.printpack.com.

HiPPiE ORGANiCS®: Earning a Gold in Sustainability and several Silver Awards for Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging, Packaging Excellence and Technical Innovation, HiPPiE ORGANICS Organic Asparagus created a winning combination of a bright and happy design with a beautiful print. It is a brand that reflects unique artwork and labeling concepts that everyone can appreciate. Payson, Utah, manufacturer PPC Flex released this asparagus bag that is printed and laminated using totally compostable material, a win for the environment. More info: www.ppcflex.com.

Indi Grand Balti Curry Sauce: The Dubai plant of Integrated Plastics Packaging won Gold for Printing of the Indi Grand Balti Curry Sauce pouch. The vibrant standup pouch made for sauces features a high-quality 7-color print with a purple background, highlighted by gold foil accents and an inline registered matte varnish. The design combines glossy and matte finishes to create an eye-catching shelf presence. Functional features include tear notches for easy opening, rounded corners for consumer safety and a robust sealant layer that withstands high-temperature filling without leaks. More info: www.ipp.ae.

Smartfood® White Cheddar Popcorn: Bryce Corporation (Searcy, Arkansas) and Frito-Lay (Plano, Texas), a division of PepsiCo and a leader in snacking, collaborated to develop a limited-edition Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn package that won Gold for Printing and Silver for Shelf Impact. Showcasing both organizations’ mastery in flexographic printing and graphic design, this product features strikingly vivid colors and sharp details that captivate consumers. As a leader in the packaging industry, Bryce continues to elevate brands by providing packaging that leaves a lasting impression and sets a new standard for excellence.More info: www.brycecorp.com.

Preserve® Toothbrush Pouches: Earning a Gold Award for Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging, Preserve’s toothbrush pouch, designed for Trader Joe’s® and manufactured by Nosco (Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin), embodies sustainability and functionality. This recyclable flexible packaging option is digitally printed to meet brand specifications, enhancing shelf appeal with vibrant graphics. Each pouch effectively houses a toothbrush that features a handle crafted from recycled yogurt cups, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable products. More info: www.nosco.com.

Spouted Pouch for Ortho® Home Defense®: Manufacturer ProAmpac (Hanover Park, Illinois) and its customer, The Scotts Company LLC (Marysville, Ohio), were proud to present the Spouted Pouch for Ortho Home Defense which earned a Gold Award for Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging. The pouch combines the advantages of rigid and flexible packaging to offer product protection and convenience. Using chemical- and ultraviolet-resistant printing and laminating, the pouch is durable and designed for consumer ease. The pouch serves as a refill to the rigid container and applicator, reducing plastic waste by 90% and making it an environmentally friendly option. More info: www.proampac.com.

TerreGloss™/Terrecote™ Compostable Butter Wrap: Winning a Gold Award for Sustainability, Novolex (Hartsville, South Carolina) designed and manufactured the TerreGloss and Terrecote butter wraps. The product earned Biodegradable Products Institute certification as compostable in commercial facilities – a feature consumers and dairies have long sought. The wraps use a proprietary blend of wax without intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This high-performance blend protects the butter while making the wrapper easy for consumers to open. Offered in a gloss or matte finish, with custom designs available, the wraps are manufactured from a renewable paper base and use environmentally friendly ink. More info: www.novolex.com.

For more details on all the winners, go to www.flexpack.org.