Innovia Films’ leading biodegradable, compostable, flexible film - NatureFlex^TM has scooped prizes at two major packaging awards held recently.

First, was the prestigious 20th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. The annual DuPont Awards is the industry’s longest running, independently judged global awards honouring packaging materials, processes, technology and service innovations.

Submission of the winning entry was made in conjunction with Earthcycle - a Canadian packaging company, which manufactures trays made from agricultural bio-mass palm fibre. The trays protect the integrity of fresh produce such as kiwi fruits, which are then overwrapped with Innovia Films’ NatureFlex^TM NVS film. Customers using these home-compostable, sustainable fresh produce packs include Wal-Mart, who carry them in 11 of their distribution centres, servicing over 2,000 stores. Since the kiwi pack was launched in May 2006, sales of these packaging units have increased by 300 percent.

The judges of the DuPont Awards were highly impressed by the calibre of all the 80+ entries in this year’s competition, which made their job, extremely difficult for them. While all the entries were outstanding this year, the Kiwi Fruit Pack excelled in the areas of SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION and QUALITY.

Following on from the success at the DuPont Awards, other prestigious accolades have been presented to Innovia Films. Malcolm Cohn and Christopher Tom from the company’s Americas’ Sales and Marketing Team attended the inaugural "Sustainable Packaging Leadership Awards" organised by the Packaging Association of Canada and held on April 22 (to coincide with Earth Day) in Toronto, Canada. The keynote address was delivered by Justin Trudeau, son of the former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau.

NatureFlex^TM was entered in the category of "Raw Materials sold in Canada" for which Innovia Films received the Gold "Sustainable Packaging Leadership Award". In addition, all the winners from the respective categories were evaluated for innovation in packaging. Innovia Films also received a second Gold, the "Sustainable Packaging Innovation Award".

The judges noted as follows:-

NatureFlex^TM is a game changing product, which exemplifies Sustainable Packaging. It offers an alternative to a non-renewable product, without sacrificing performance, is manufactured in a sustainable manner, and has many applications. CarbonZero status has been achieved on the full range of coated biodegradable and compostable films. They are reducing their footprint - energy efficiency targets, reduction of solid wastes from facilities, CO2 offsets, examining renewable energy, FSC certification of base materials.

"A most exciting entry - they have clearly thought this through thoroughly, from raw material, to source reduction, and compostability. This product strongly embodies the criteria for sustainable packaging."

David Beeby, Innovia Films’ Chief Executive said:

“We are extremely pleased and proud to win these major awards. It is gratifying to know that Innovia’s commitment to sustainability has been acknowledged through its compostable packaging film, NatureFlex^TM”