Trio of new Gold Awards attributed to collaborative work process

Re-affirming the success of Mpact Paper Converting to deliver smarter, sustainable innovation, the company recently claimed three prestigious awards at the premier South African packaging championship, Gold Pack. Its success topped the achievements by Mpact Group, the largest paper and plastics packaging business and recycler in Africa.

The 2.5kg Cooking Tomatoes Carrypack, created specifically for leading local retailer Woolworths, received two golds while beer carton packaging designed and developed for the Cape Brewing Company’s (CBC) Amber Weiss received a third.

Cornerstones of this consistent success is that the packaging comprises 100% of paper; and, is sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable.

Mpact Paper Converting has invested in resources to help solve customer problems and to push paper to deliver solutions in new ways such as the two design centres situated in Epping and Springs. These are backed by two in-house research laboratories allowing for innovation beyond mere structure and print quality, but also to drive paper’s performance boundaries and test in simulated environments.

Sustainable packaging innovation for Woolworths

Known as a trendsetter in sustainability, national retailer Woolworths constantly challenges market-accepted packaging standards, rethinking the conventional way of packaging everyday goods. With a vision of zero packaging waste to landfill, the retailer sought out a sustainable packaging solution for their new 2.5kg tomato product that would be easy for the customer to carry and align to their speciality tomato shop look and feel that converted from plastic to craft punnets in 2019.

Supported by a long-standing relationship between Woolworths and Mpact Paper Converting, the Mpact design team created a plastic-free solution constructed from food-safe paper that is recyclable. Fully FSC certified and containing around 50% recycled fibre, the board offers a light yet sturdy pack for optimized logistics, an improved aesthetic along with ease-of-carrying. In addition, the corrugated board incorporates a layer of cushioning for fragile tomatoes that reduces food waste.

The carrypack received a special gold medal award from the Paper Manufacturers’ Association of South Africa (PAMSA) as well as a gold medal in the Perishable Food category of the overall competition.

CBC chooses smarter, sustainable innovation

The Cape Brewing Companies’ Amber Weiss carton was awarded gold in the Transit & Secondary Packaging category. Earlier this year it also received a GAPP award for outstanding Flexographic printing.

Mpact designers worked with CBC to develop a shelf-ready pack with premium branding, reworking original artwork to allow for print consistency and clear representation with a reduced number of colours. The carton was designed to allow for high-speed in-line folding and gluing paired with a reinforced base with self-locking design. The top flaps were designed to neatly line up the CBC logo to the opposite flap. Fold in, self-protective handles allow for easy handling and are nicked to remain unbroken before handling by the customer. Hand packed, this carton is palletised without the need for an additional shipper carton, not only reducing costs but also eliminating potential scuff damage.

This carton was awarded gold in the Gold Pack 2022 category Transit & Secondary Packaging alongside a GAPP award for outstanding Flexographic printing.

Choose sustainable packaging solutions

Mpact Paper Converting prides itself on working with customers to understand their environments and challenges. This informs the design of a holistic solution, supported by innovation centres and a history of over 79 years in the production of corrugated packaging.

Contact Mpact Paper Converting for more information on smart, sustainable packaging innovations.