Discover the future of packaging at London Packaging Week 2024, where the prestigious Innovation Gallery will showcase 10 projects that set new benchmarks in sustainability and creativity within the industry.

Easyfairs UK, the organisers of the UK's premier exhibition for sustainable and stylish packaging solutions, London Packaging Week, are proud to announce the 2024 cohort for its prestigious Innovation Gallery. Set to be the centrepiece of September's two-day event at the ExCeL international convention centre, the Innovation Gallery will spotlight 10 of the past year's most innovative and transformative packaging projects.

This carefully curated selection highlights leading advancements in creativity, sustainability, and technology within the packaging industry. Over 4,500 expected visitors will have the opportunity to explore these innovative solutions in a dedicated gallery space and vote for the most inspiring project by swiping their visitor pass on the plinth of their choice.

Paul Jenkins, a leading packaging expert and Founder of ThePackHub, expressed his enthusiasm for this year's gallery, stating, "The ten products showcased in the Innovation Gallery represent a significant convergence of creativity and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in packaging design. Each product addresses a specific industry challenge and sets a new standard for environmental responsibility, demonstrating that innovation and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand."

Taking place on 11 & 12 September 2024, this year's event will feature over 190 exhibitors from around the globe, all presenting their latest solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of today's environmentally conscious market. The final 10 products were selected from hundreds of entries, each representing a design, sustainability, or functionality breakthrough.

Jenkins continued, "This year's selections highlight the incredible diversity in packaging solutions, from reusable systems that challenge the throwaway culture to cutting-edge materials that significantly reduce carbon footprints. The breadth of these innovations is a testament to the industry's commitment to sustainability across all sectors, whether it's food and beverage, beauty, or e-commerce."

Among the featured innovations are RE-ZIP Packaging's reusable boxes and bags, which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 88%, and Fenner Paper Company's PaperWise, which transforms agricultural waste into high-quality paper with a significantly lower environmental impact. Each product was chosen not just for its environmental benefits but also for its potential to redefine industry standards.

RE-ZIP Packaging (Stand A14) - Reusable Boxes and BagsProduct Description: RE-ZIP Packaging's innovative reusable boxes and bags are designed for webshops looking to improve customer loyalty while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. This solution can potentially cut CO2 emissions by up to 88%, offering a tangible benefit for businesses committed to sustainability.

“Each time we reuse packaging, we halve packaging waste, along with significant reductions in emissions, water use, and deforestation. It’s a win-win for both the people and the planet,” says Bo Bach Boddum, CEO and founder of RE-ZIP.

Meadow (Stand D82) - Daisy Top™ Refill SystemProduct Description: Meadow's Daisy Top™ Refill System, a judge's favourite, revolutionises aluminium beverage cans by converting them into reusable, circular packaging for beauty and personal care products. This 100% recyclable system eliminates the traditional pull tab and offers a simple twist-to-open mechanism, reducing raw material usage and waste.

“Scalability is key for global CPG companies. By repurposing the aluminium beverage can and using currently available recycling infrastructures, Meadow created a circular refill system that is easy to implement and scale up globally,” said Victor Ljungberg, CEO.

Berry Global (Stand E50) - Domino Rectangular Embossed/Debossed BottleProduct Description: Berry Global's 250ml Domino bottle features a customisable design with a high-impact shelf presence. The fully recyclable HDPE bottle, available with up to 100% PCR plastic, is designed for optimal stacking efficiency, minimising waste during transport and storage while offering unique branding opportunities.

“In a retail environment where consumers are influenced by how brands are presented on-shelf, impactful packaging and graphic design is critical. Domino offers the ‘Wow’ factor with its embossing and high impact flat front,” said Joe Horton, Sales Director at Berry CPI – Agile Solutions.

Curtis Print & Packaging (Stand F60) - Joonbyrd Product Description: Curtis Print & Packaging's JoonByrd pattern is playful and innovative, combining embossing with spot gloss finishes. Made using FSC-certified materials, vegetable-based inks, and water-based coatings, this packaging solution exemplifies a commitment to environmental responsibility and design excellence.

“We loved the challenge of creating a truly bespoke ‘bashed’ foil effect and further enhancing the packaging and subtle JB branding through combinations of bespoke ink mixes, embossing and a combination of varnishes. We’re delighted with the end result! Steve Parkhouse, Key Account Director, Curtis Packaging.

Viscose Closures (Stand C16) - Plastic-Free Shrink SleevesProduct Description: Viscose Closures introduces a plastic-free shrink sleeve made from sustainable wood pulp. These sleeves are biodegradable, home-compostable, and utilise a heat-free self-shrink technology that eliminates the need for heavy machinery. They provide a versatile solution for brands with low minimum order quantities and customisable designs.

Ranpak (Stand A62) - RecyCold Climaliner and Cool PacksProduct Description: Ranpak's RecyCold™ climaliner and cool packs offer sustainable, paper-based thermal protection for the Cold Chain food and beverage markets. These FSC®-certified, 100% recyclable solutions provide up to 48 hours of temperature control during transit, maintaining optimal conditions between -5°C and 8°C.

Fenner Paper Company Limited (Stand H78) - PaperWiseProduct Description: Fenner Paper's PaperWise transforms agricultural waste into high-quality paper and board. With an environmental impact significantly lower than both FSC-certified and recycled papers, PaperWise embodies the "Wise With Waste" philosophy, turning waste into a valuable resource for the packaging industry.

FAVINI (Stand H30) - Refit DenimProduct Description: FAVINI's Refit Denim turns waste from wool, cotton, and denim into a sustainable paper product with a distinctive stonewashed look. Incorporating over 50% recycled content, Refit Denim is produced using FSC™ certified materials and 100% in-house hydroelectric energy, setting a new standard in eco-friendly paper manufacturing.

EVIOSYS (Stand G10) - ECOPEEL™Product Description: EVIOSYS presents ECOPEEL™, a revolutionary eco-friendly metal packaging solution that reduces CO2 emissions by 20% compared to traditional cans. With a design that facilitates easy pouring without waste, ECOPEEL™ contributes to lower global GHG emissions and sets a new standard for sustainable food packaging.

Jain Alufoils (Stand H72) - Cold Foil Stamping on BoxesProduct Description: Jain Alufoils introduces a sustainable innovation in packaging with its registered cold foil stamping and printing technology. This eco-friendly, plastic-free solution can print on boxes ranging from 18gsm to 350gsm, offering a new standard in sustainable and high-quality box design.

In addition to the Innovation Gallery, this year's London Packaging Week will also host the inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in packaging design and creativity. Attendees will have the chance to engage with top suppliers such as AllPack, Evisosys, and Berry Global and connect with industry leaders such as Favini, Holmen Iggesund, and International Direct Packaging.

With just one week until the event, Easyfairs UK is encouraging those interested to secure their complimentary visitor passes as soon as possible. London Packaging Week 2024 promises to be an unmissable opportunity to discover the latest trends, technologies, and innovations shaping the packaging industry's future.