The IMDA Awards competition is an annual event organized by the American ‘In-Mold Decorating Association’. The IMDA is an organization of molders, printers, material suppliers and equipment manufactures representing in-mold labeling and decorating industries, whose products can be found all over the world.
The jury of the eleventh IMDA Awards ceremony congratulated market leader Verstraete IML on winning in the following four categories: Best Thermoformed IML Package, Best Part Design, Best Label Design and for the second consecutive year the Best Thin Wall Package. In total Verstraete IML brought home 4 of the 13 awards, having increased its IMDA collection to 12 awards in just three years of participation.
IMDA Symposium defines the IML future
On June 19 th , Verstraete IML received 4 IMDA Awards during the international IMDA Symposium 2017 at Marriot Resort in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Peter Paelinck (Business Development Manager North America): “For many years, we participate in the IMDA awards competition. We love to show the plastic packaging industry inspirational IML projects. Thanks to a good collaboration with our customers and brand owners, we were also this year able to submit multiple entries. I can honestly say that we are delighted to win 4 awards in 4 different categories. All of the winners show the exceptional abilities on how to decorate thin wall packaging with IML.
IML has endless possibilities. It has evolved from the standard IML labels towards more and more use of innovative aspects in both ‘look & feel’ and ‘functionality’. Visual aspects such as Metallic, Doublesided and Matte & UltraGloss give brands the possibilities to stand out on shelf. Furthermore, IML labels can also help to preserve food for a longer time, thanks to Barrier IML.”
And the award goes to…
- Best Thin Wall Package – Gold for Dairymaid Plastic packaging producer Dairypack Tubs developed, together with Verstraete IML, a new Country Fresh IML box that became the very first ice-cream packaging in South Africa with the lid entirely covered by an IML label. Not only is the new design eye-catching, it is also more user-friendly thanks to the ‘open here’-corner. The advanced injection molding technology helped to make the package 10% lighter. This, together with a new compact format allowed shop owners to stack up to 25% more. The entire packaging is 100% recyclable as both the container and the lid are made out of polypropylene. The usage of temperature resistant IML labels was an ideal solution for decorating plastic packaging for refrigerated products such as ice cream. The innovative IML packaging already won no less than 2 awards and still keeps on conquering the podiums.
- Best Thermoform IML Package - Gold for Pillsbury As one of the leaders in the consumer packaged goods industry, J.M. Smucker, partnered with Tech II and Verstraete IML to launch a new and exciting Pillsbury Peanut Butter/Chocolate Frosting product. In-mold labeling provides this package with premium, picturesque graphics highlighting every detail of the peanut butter swirl. This innovative IML packaging is in compliance with several sustainability criteria. Because of its unusual form it requires fewer truckloads, thus reducing carbon footprint. The elongated shelf life provided by the oxygen barrier layer also decreases the spoilage rate of the product on the grocery store shelf. After being used, the package can be simply tossed into the recycling bin; no label separation is required.
- Best Label Design - Silver for SNO-BALLS TO GO The world famous refreshing shaved ice, produced by Sno-Balls To-Go, received a new shiny and colorful package that catches the attention in the stores. The brand owner decided to convert the previously used paper rolled pint into a new polypropylene container with premium in-mold labeling (IML) in order to prevent the product from licking and drying out. Thanks to the great cooperation between plastic packaging producer Berry, Verstraete IML and Sno-Balls To-Go a new package turned out to be very captivating and enhanced the product’s shelf appeal. Matte & Ultra-gloss IML were selected to feature the desired details in the new design. The contrasting combination of the two look & feel options highlighted the logo and product images of the Sno-Balls To-Go IML label.
- Best Part Design - Silver for Valio Ltd The Finnish leading dairy producer Valio Ltd presented a lactose-free panna cotta in a specially developed packaging that allows to serve this dessert quickly and attractively. A new customized pot with a convenient click-and- push feature at the bottom was developed by the reputable packaging company RPC Superfos. Valio was looking for premium quality and a great look, which is exactly what IML offers: the printing quality is excellent and the entire packaging can be covered with a single label. In addition, the labels are strong, hygienic and resistant to moisture and extreme temperature fluctuations. The new Valio Eila® cream pudding has already won customers’ hearts as well as several prestigious packaging awards.
Your partner for IML labels and professional advice Verstraete IML has over 25 years of experience in offset-printing labels on polypropylene for injection molding, blow molding and thermoforming. The company produces more than 50 million in mold labels every day for various segments of the packaging industry. Choice of materials, efficient production, state-of-the-art printing and finishing processes all contribute to making Verstraete IML a very innovative company. As a result our client receives a high-quality product accompanied by top-notch customer service.
