PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, has officially announced the finalists for the 2024 Technology Excellence Awards at PACK EXPO International. This prestigious event, which will be held from November 3–6 at McCormick Place in Chicago, is expected to be the largest and most comprehensive gathering in the packaging and processing industry this year. PACK EXPO International will feature more than 2,600 suppliers, offering cutting-edge solutions across 40+ vertical markets, covering over 1.3 million square feet of exhibition space. The Technology Excellence Awards are a focal point of this event, recognizing the latest and most innovative technologies in packaging and processing, with products being showcased for the first time at a PACK EXPO event.

For the 2024 awards, over 100 solution providers submitted their cutting-edge technologies, which were carefully reviewed by a panel of respected industry professionals. The panel narrowed the submissions down to three finalists in each of the four categories: Food/Beverage, General Packaging & Processing, Personal Care/Pharma, and Sustainability. Each of these categories represents critical areas of development in the packaging and processing industries, where technological innovation plays a vital role in improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

The panel of judges for this year's awards includes notable names such as Anne Marie Mohan, senior editor of Packaging World; David Smith, principal at David S Smith & Associates; Matt Reynolds, editor at Packaging World; and Michael Costa, editor-in-chief at ProFood World. These experts reviewed the nominations and selected the best technologies that will shape the future of packaging and processing.

The finalists in the Food/Beverage category are led by Food Radar (Booth LU-7464), an advanced detection technology capable of identifying soft plastic contaminants in food products, offering a proven solution to a widespread challenge in food safety. Also nominated is Antares Vision Group (Booth LU-6816 & S-3754), showcasing a food safety solution designed to enhance the quality assurance processes in food production. Oxipital AI™ (Booth LU-7243) completes the category, setting a new standard for resilient and efficient manufacturing through the application of visual AI.

In the General Packaging & Processing category, the finalists include Fogg's PF Series Pressure Filler (Booth S-3614), which offers precise and high-speed filling solutions for beverages and other liquid products. Amcor Revolution™ APET Packaging Solution (Booth S-3705) represents a major innovation in the recycling of PET materials, while the Syntegon Cookie Tray Loading System (Booth S-2914) provides an efficient and automated solution for loading cookie trays, optimizing the packaging process in the bakery sector.

For the Personal Care/Pharma category, the finalists include Amcor Opening Feature (Booth S-3705), which offers an innovative packaging solution designed for healthcare applications. Omni-IR™ by Pace Packaging (Booth S-3506) is an infrared technology that enhances the efficiency of personal care product manufacturing, and ThinPrinting by St Michel Print (Booth W-13062) offers a unique medical leaflet solution that uses ultra-thin Bible paper to produce highly compact booklets for pharmaceutical packaging.

In the Sustainability category, the finalists feature groundbreaking innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact. Smurfit Westrock (Booth S-2830) presents the EnduraGrip® Omada™, which automates the application of paper-based handles at scale, a crucial step in eliminating plastic waste. Harpak-ULMA Packaging (Booth N-4736) offers a solution in circular sustainability with packaging designs that enhance recyclability and reduce carbon footprints. Finally, Plastipak Packaging (Booth W-24100) introduces PPK Natura, the world's first PET resin made from waste carbon, setting a new benchmark for sustainable packaging materials.

Laura Thompson, Vice President of Trade Shows at PMMI, emphasized the significance of the awards, stating: 'The Technology Excellence Awards at PACK EXPO International are a testament to the incredible innovations shaping the future of the packaging and processing industries. These finalists represent the forefront of technology, driving advancements in sustainability, efficiency, and safety across multiple sectors. We are excited to give attendees the opportunity to engage with these trailblazing solutions and vote for their favorites both online and in person.'

New this year, voting for the Technology Excellence Awards will occur online starting from October 28, a week before the show begins, and will continue through noon on Tuesday, November 5. Attendees are encouraged to visit the booths of the finalists, interact with the technologies, and cast their votes either via the official show app or online. The winners of the 2024 Technology Excellence Awards will be announced after noon on November 5, giving the packaging and processing industries a glimpse into the innovations that will shape the future.

For a complete description of the finalists' technologies and to watch videos of each solution, visit the Technology Excellence Awards page on the PACK EXPO International website. To learn more about PACK EXPO International and register for the event, visit the official website.