From ditching polystyrene to on-demand 3D printing, the packaging industry is not only embracing sustainability but leading it, according to Foodtech Packtech & MHL expo event manager Deb Haimes.
The 2025 trade event launched the inaugural Sustainability Spotlight Awards to celebrate innovative technologies and service solutions. The winners highlighted the way forward in industrial sustainability, with benefits for not just businesses, but the New Zealand environment overall.
Energy and Resource Efficiency in Manufacturing
Winner: RORI (Return on Roof Investment) by Endless Energy – K08
A commercial solar rooftop model optimising unused roof space and exporting energy to the grid without tenant dependency. With no capital or operational costs for building owners, the model partners with Calder Stewart and Ecotricity to solve key barriers to commercial solar, including capital risk and consumption limitations.
Sustainable Packaging Innovation
Winner: Visycell by Visy
A fibre-based thermal insulation liner to move the industry away from expanded polystyrene.
Made from cardboard waste, it’s fully recyclable and, as it can be flat-packed, saves on transport costs and emissions. With 77 percent of EPS in the current supply chain going into landfill it has been earmarked as a plastic in need of phasing out.
Visycell has strong thermal and cushioning qualities and has undergone extensive testing.
Circular Economy and Waste Reduction
Winner: Capital Asset Recovery Solutions (CARS) by Proquip Solutions
Recycling surplus or end-of-life industrial equipment via strategic resale, recycling and reuse. Using circular economy methodology CARS repositions former liabilities as opportunities for value creation, carbon reduction and industry collaboration. It’s environmental responsibility meeting operational efficiency.
Smart and Clean Technology Solutions
Winner: Additive Manufacturing, 3D printing by Invenio 3D Pty Ltd
Foodsafe industrial 3D printing has taken a leap forward with the Markforged FX10, which enables on-demand printing with materials certified for food contact.
While offering significant benefits to manufacturers in efficiency, it also helps to achieve sustainability goals by reducing material waste, eliminating transport emissions and cutting down on stock excess and waste.
People's Choice Award, as voted by visitors to Foodtech Packtech & the MHL Expo
Winner: Rewrapt by StretchWrap Ltd
Rewrapt is redefining sustainability with the future of pallet wrap, made from 100 percent recycled content. While businesses are striving to reduce plastic use for greater sustainability, pallet wrap remains a necessity. StretchWrap supports its customers in reducing, reusing, and recycling the plastic wraps they use—and now, they're taking it a step further. We're proud to introduce Rewrapt, an innovative, high-performance pallet wrap made entirely from recycled plastic.
The Sustainability Spotlight Awards were judged by four industry experts: Nicky Solomon from the Food Innovation Network, Nerida Kelton of the Australasian Institute of Packaging and World Packaging Organisation, Lyn Mayes from the Packaging Forum, and Allan Birch of Tadpole. The judges were encouraged by the quantity and quality of the entries.
From over 50 entries, 33 finalists were selected across the four categories. A spokesperson for the awards, Haimes, said the entries showed sustainability was “not just a buzzword.” The high level of entries showed a shared sense of responsibility when it came to environmental concerns.
"These awards will continue to foster the crucial collaboration needed to drive innovative change," said Haimes.
"It is more important than ever to showcase what best practice looks like - from reducing waste to developing eco-friendly alternatives and more efficient technology. We're excited to see how the innovation and awards evolve for 2027."
