The Transformation of Paper Packaging! These two FPA award-winning products redefine the possibilities of flexible packaging!Recently, the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) announced the winners of the 68th Annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition. The winners showcased various flexible packaging solutions that successfully met market expectations and demands through innovations and advancements in materials, printing, structures, new application areas, extended shelf life, and sustainability.Additionally, the FPA released the 'Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards and Innovations Showcase,' detailing all award-winning works and entries from the competition. This year, the FPA received 67 sets of entries, with a total of 226 entries (some sets participated in multiple award categories). Here, we will focus on two paper-based packaging solutions.First worth noting is the new TerreGloss™ and Terrecote™ butter wrapping paper manufactured by Shields®, a subsidiary of Novolex, which won the Sustainable Development Gold Award. This wrapping paper cleverly combines excellent performance with sustainability, fully meeting the needs of consumers and the dairy industry. Notably, the product has also been certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), demonstrating its capability to be composted in commercial composting facilities.
Novolex's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Adrianna Tipton, stated: "We are incredibly proud to have our butter wrapping paper awarded the FPA Sustainable Gold Award and BPI certification. At Novolex, we are always committed to producing high-quality products, promoting sustainability, and providing a variety of innovative packaging options. These two honors reaffirm our steadfast commitment to developing the best packaging solutions." Novolex uses a unique high-performance wax blend that does not intentionally add PFAS to produce TerreGloss and Terrecote butter wrapping paper. This wrapping paper, designed for 4-ounce butter sticks, is one of the first products in its category to receive BPI compostable certification. This certification indicates that the wrapping paper meets all relevant requirements for industrial composting, which is a significant difference compared to traditional paper foil or paper polyethylene composite rolls.TerreGloss and Terrecote butter wrapping paper offers several advantages, including: a smooth wax-coated surface that provides excellent barrier performance for the fat in the butter; made from renewable paper-based materials; customizable printing using environmentally friendly inks; effectively protects the product through its barrier against water vapor and oxygen; facilitates easy removal of butter sticks upon opening the packaging; provides wrapping paper sizes suitable for both Eastern and Western styles of butter sticks; and offers glossy or matte surface finishes.On the other hand, ProAmpac, a leading company in flexible packaging and material science, has a paper product called ProActive Recyclable® RP-1000, specifically designed for Marks & Spencer's selected organic potato series. This product not only won a silver award in the technology innovation category at the U.S. Flexible Packaging Association but also captured the best in class award and the outstanding award at the 2025 PAC Global Awards.This product perfectly combines high-speed forming-filling-sealing performance, enhanced durability, and complete curbside recyclability. These honors further solidify ProAmpac's commitment to providing high-performance, sustainable packaging solutions to meet the evolving market demands and requirements for a circular economy.
ProAmpac product development technologist Abigail Sawyer-Parker stated: "The RP-1000 series represents a significant advancement in the field of sustainable flexible packaging, achieving an ideal balance between functionality, durability, and recyclability without sacrificing performance. We are very grateful for the collaboration with Marks & Spencer, and it is a great honor that our efforts to promote packaging circularity have been recognized by PAC."This packaging utilizes advanced sealing technology to provide strong protection for the product and is optimized for high-speed forming-filling-sealing equipment. Its eye-catching design significantly enhances the product's shelf appeal through high-quality flexographic printing patterns. This sustainable packaging is made from renewable resources, replacing traditional composite materials, and not only aligns with the increasing environmental consciousness among consumers but also helps improve recyclability and reduce environmental impact.Hessam Tabatabai, Senior Vice President of Global Product Development and Innovation at ProAmpac, stated: "Receiving these awards demonstrates our commitment to utilizing materials science to develop high-performance and sustainable packaging technologies that ensure product shelf life, durability, and production efficiency. We appreciate FPA's recognition and will continue to strive for more sustainable solutions."