Ardagh celebrates a trio of wins at the 2013 UK Packaging Awards

Josh Brooks ( Event Organiser) Robert Fell (R&D Manager, Aerosol & Speciality Containers, Ardagh, Crosmières), Nick Mullen (MPMA director and CEO), Adam Hills (Event Compere)The judges gave recognition to Ardagh’s “three outstanding submissions in an event attended by key players from across the breadth of the packaging industry, from the UK and beyond.” Against heavy competition, Absolut Unique, the next generation Nemo can for Bonduelle and The Paint Can Recycling Project all came out top in their respective categories in what was a spectacularly successful evening for the international packaging company.Absolut Unique topped the entries in the International Sourcing Award.Judges said: “It was a daring concept: to make nearly four million bottles where each one had its own colours and design. But Ardagh stepped up to the challenge and helped create these stunning special edition bottles for vodka brand Absolut, manufactured in Sweden. Very innovative, creating totally unique bottles and the execution also looks great with fantastic sprays.”

The Nemo can for Bonduelle, winning the Metal Pack of the Year Award, was described by the judges as “a huge leap forward” and “a real game changer in metal packaging”. Nemo represents the future of food packaging,  based on 10 years of R&D and using nitrogen dosing techniques the can walls are 43% thinner giving an overall material saving of 15% versus a standard industry food can.

Ardagh was also a winner  in the CSR Initiative of the Year category, where its joint Paint Can Recycling Project with the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA)  scooped top honours. The initiative received glowing recognition from the judges “A ground breaking project that enables safe disposal of metal paint cans,” said one, while another remarked: “A brilliant initiative that will be widely welcomed by consumers, local authorities, manufacturers and retailers.”

Ardagh Group can now add the 2013 UK Packaging Awards to its list of 2013 triumphs, which also include the 2013 Beverage Innovation Awards, 2013 German Packaging Awards, 2013 Pentawards, 2013 Starpack, 2013 Clear Choice Awards, 2013 iF Awards, 2013 Best in Metal Supreme Gold Award and  Can of the Year.