M and S support UK's premier packaging awards

Marks and Spencers has reinforced its commitment to packaging innovation with the announcement that it is to provide the chair of the judging panel for the Starpack Industry Awards 2007.

Talking about her appointment Sally Bowden, of the M and S packaging team, said, "I am looking forward to promoting the Starpack Brand and sending the message to packaging suppliers that innovation is key to the industry." The M and S connection also includes sponsorship of Student and School Starpack Awards where the company's commitment to creating an innovative future for the packaging sector sees it sponsoring an award for Environmentally Friendly Delicatessen Pack with WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme).

The most prestigious awards scheme for the UK packaging supply chain Starpack 2007 has also announced next year's award categories.

Designed to reflect consumer, market and environmental demands as well as represent all the major materials, a number of new categories have been introduced for 2007.

There will be the opportunity to win a Gold, Silver or Bronze Starpack Industry Award 2007 for the Best Pharmaceutical Pack; Best Cosmetics/Toiletries Pack; and for the Best Metal Packaging Innovation, alongside awards covering the food and drink sector, packaging design, environmental awareness and a host of technical innovation awards.

Security issues are of paramount importance to the Pharma sector and the Award for the Best Pharmaceutical Pack will focus on innovative developments that address issues such as how to make packs child-resistant without preventing access by elderly and physically restricted patients; tamper evident features that ensure medication reaches the patient in exactly the state in which it left the manufacturer; product information; technical developments that ensure each medicinal item has a unique 'e-pedigree' at all stages of manufacture and distribution, can demonstrate that it has not been counterfeited, and to prevent medication errors; and patient compliance.

The Best Toiletries/Cosmetics Pack is designed to address the growing demand for packs designed to create real differentiation and aesthetic appeal on-shelf through the application of technical know-how and manufacturing design skills.

The main Starpack categories are: Best Consumer Pack - Food and Drink; Best Consumer Pack - Non Food; Best Shelf Ready Pack; Best Transit Pack / Bulk Pack / Logistics Pack; NEW Best Pharmaceutical Pack; NEW Best Toiletries/Cosmetics Pack; Best Use of Innovative Materials; Best Component; Best in Creative Cartonboard Packaging; Best Flexible Plastic Innovation; Best Innovation in Glass Packaging; NEW Best Creative Pack Using Metal; NEW Best Printed or Label Package; Best Packaging Innovation Leading to a Significant Reduction in Household Waste; Best Designer/Design House of the Year.

In 2007 all the Starpack Awards programmes will be held alongside the Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition 2007, bringing even greater opportunities to educate a wider audience to the essential part packaging plays in all areas of manufacturing and the public's lives.

The glittering Awards ceremonies, dinner and cabaret will be held on May 15 2007 at the National Motorcycle Museum situated close to the Birmingham NEC.

The Awards programme is sponsored by RPC Group, Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition, IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) and is run in partnership with the Wilmington Group, publishers of Packaging Today, Converting Today, RFID Solutions, Manufacturing Chemist, SPC (Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics), ECM (European Cosmetics Market), and Blueprint Magazine (Design).

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