Global sustainable packaging leader BioPak has taken home three accolades at the 2025 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards. The company’s revolutionary PHA Cups earned gold in two categories: Sustainable Packaging Design – Certified Compostable and Beverage Packaging Design, while their Beer BioCups secured silver in the Labelling & Decoration Design category.

Hosted annually by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the PIDA Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in packaging design and innovation, spotlighting companies that are driving excellence and sustainability across the industry.

BioPak CEO Gary Smith reflected on the significance of the awards and the potential of PHA as a game-changer for sustainable packaging.


"For decades, food packaging manufacturers have asked: how do we make a leak-proof cup without relying on fossil-based plastics? In 2024, BioPak answered that question with the launch of our first-to-market home compostable PHA cups. We’re incredibly proud to have this innovation recognised with two gold awards, a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainable design," said Smith.


PHA (short for polyhydroxyalkanoate) is a next-generation biopolymer produced via fermentation using renewable resources such as plant sugars and vegetable oils, a process similar to brewing beer.


"PHA has been years in the making, and our dedicated team worked tirelessly to bring this product to market," Smith added. "As a certified B Corp, we’re committed to being at the forefront of innovation and reducing our environmental impact."


BioPak’s Beer BioCups, which won silver for their labelling and decoration design, were developed specifically for outdoor venues, stadiums, events, clubs, and pubs, places where reusable cup systems are not yet widely adopted. These cups offer a compostable, plastic-free alternative to the tens of thousands of traditional plastic cups used at large-scale events. For example, a typical AFL game can generate between 50,000 and 80,000 beer cups, while cricket matches see 20,000 to 50,000.

Made from FSC™ certified paper and lined with a plant-based bioplastic coating, Beer BioCups meet all single-use plastic ban guidelines across Australia.

BioPak’s Product & Innovations Director, Trevor Rumble, spoke about the design inspiration behind the Beer BioCups

"We consulted with our partners and heard feedback from event-goers who missed the visual appeal of drinking beer from traditional cups," said Rumble. "This is a small change to our existing Cold BioCup that makes a big difference when savouring ice-cold beer at an event."

"At BioPak, sustainability is more than a product feature, it’s our mission. We’re committed to educating consumers and businesses about reducing single-use plastics and transitioning to compostable alternatives. With Beer BioCups, we aim to help venues deliver a better environmental outcome without sacrificing quality or experience," he added.


Following its wins at PIDA, BioPak will now compete on the world stage at the 2026 WorldStar Packaging Awards, the industry’s most prestigious international competition for packaging excellence.

For more information on PHA cups: https://www.biopak.com/au/materials/pha
please click here, and for Beer Cups: https://www.biopak.com/au/cups/cold-cups/beer-paper

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Hi-res imagery showing mockups of the cups can be downloaded here: Link> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z4PtuJ5rNrz9o28V2G33p9WFTO9ckcUK

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