Delipac won the highly anticipated Ecopack Challenge which took place at Packaging Innovations 2017. The company greatly impressed a panel of expert judges with the Delipac Cup and Delipac Foodboard which was voted the most innovative sustainable packaging solution, winning the opportunity to develop the idea with Marks & Spencer. 

Barrier coated packaging is common in the food and drink industry but is problematic for recycling due to its non-sustainable polymer coating. Delipac Cup and Delipac Foodboard tackle this issue by eliminating the need for polymer in its eco barrier packaging board. However, the material still benefits from the same moisture and grease barrier and the same self-sealing attributes, making it ideal for hot drinks, cold drinks, ice cream together with frozen and convenience foods.  

At end of life, it is 100% recyclable in any paper waste stream and if it becomes litter and discarded, there are no worries because it completely biodegrades within 12 weeks and is also fully compostable.  

These features impressed the expert judging panel which included Jonathan Couper, Packaging Development Manager at Mars Drinks, Ian Schofield, Own Label and Packaging Manager at Iceland Foods and Laura Fernandez, Packaging Technologist at Marks and Spencer. Indeed, they called Delipac the ‘holy grail in the present packaging climate’ as most end of life packaging, for drinks-to-go, currently ends in landfill. 

Paul Spring, CEO at Delipac, comments on its triumph: “We couldn’t be happier about this win. Recycling is a becoming a global issue that needs to be tackled and Delipac demonstrates a clear and positive direction enabling the food and drink packaging industry to make a difference. We are the first to bring this innovative paper engineering into the market and we must now make the global public, who have an acute awareness to the problems associated with recycling, aware of our products - In addition to the corporate retailers and brand owners, we want the industry to wake up and smell the coffee and this recognition definitely puts us on the right path!”

Delipac beat off strong competition from Metsa Board and KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation, to win the Dragons’ Den style Ecopack Challenge. Kapstone was runner up with KRAFTPAC, its low density uncoated and unbleached kraft paperboard grade. It’s designed to provide maximum strength, cleanliness and performance whilst using the least amount of fibre. Metsa Board’s entry was Lidloc, a new paperboard cup design which removes the need for a separate plastic lid due to its extended structure that folds and locks into an integrated lid.