More than 150 packages were submitted for IoPP AmeriStar awards consideration in North America's most prestigious packaging awards competition. Judges evaluated and analyzed packages from 18 categories at IoPP Headquarters in Naperville, IL, on February 16, 2012. Student AmeriStar entries were also judged on February 16.

Top AmeriStar winners included the Best of Show Award, the 3M Sustainability Award, sponsored by 3M and, new for 2012, the Design Award for excellence in structural & graphic design.

Judging was based on package innovation, sustainability, protection, economics, performance, and marketing.

Winning packages will be honored at the AmeriStar and IoPP Honors & Awards Dinner, taking place Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.For more information, visitwww.iopp.org/ameristar

Best of Show Award
Ecologic Brands Inc. - Molded Fiber Bottle
Company: Ecologic Brands Inc.

3M Sustainability Award – Sponsored by 3M
Ecologic Brands Inc. - Molded Fiber Bottle
Company: Ecologic Brands Inc.

Design Award
CATEGORY: Beverage
Package: ROXOR Gin
Company: TricorBraun

Other select AmeriStar winners by Category:

CATEGORY:
Beverage
Package: The Brew Shield™
Company: Royal-Flutes LLC

Package: Bottoms Up Vertical Case Pack
Company: Grafcor Packaging

Package: Starbucks VIA Ready Brew
Company: Starbucks Coffee Co

CATEGORY:
Food
Package: FreshBox™ Line of packages
Company: Display Pack, Inc.

Package: PET Can for Snack Nuts
Company: Selig Sealing Products

Package: Quaker Oatmeal with Easy Pour Spout
Company: PepsiCo/Quaker

Package: Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats thin rolls & Goldfish Sandwich Bread (Flats) Package
Company: Pepperidge Farm Inc.

Package: Two Piece Display-Ready Asparagus Shipper
Company: Gourmet Trading Company

Package: Gatorade Prime Performance Chews
Company: PepsiCo

CATEGORY: Food, Institutional

Package: Chicken McBites Carton
Company: HAVI Global Solutions

Package: Cryovac® Next Gen Boneless Beef Bag (B6620)
Company: Sealed Air, Cryovac Division

Package: The Bagel Bucket
Company: HAVI Global Solutions

CATEGORY: PromotionalPackage:
The Coca-Cola Party Tub
Company: CCNA Packaging Development

Student AmeriStar Winners

Student AmeriStar Winner- 1st Place
CATEGORY: FoodPackage:
Squeezable Salsa Container
School: University of Wisconsin-Stout

Student AmeriStar Winner - 2nd Place
CATEGORY: Other Retail
Package: Stringy Solution
School: University of Wisconsin –Stout