Recloseable packaging and microwaveable plastic trays were named top packaging breakthroughs that most impacted peoples’ lives over the last 25 years in an on-line survey hosted by DuPont (www.dupont.com). Together the two categories of invention captured 48%of the votes. The online survey was available to industry professionals from April 9 through May 10, 2013.

Recloseable packaging, which includes food-storage zipper locks and stand-up pouches, earned 28%of the votes. Microwaveable meals, enabled by “oven-able” packaging materials, captured 21%of the votes. Recycled content in consumer, industrial and community programs that support social goals earned 18%of the votes.

“Over the 25 years, the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation has attracted a wide variety of truly innovative packaging developments, making this anniversary event the perfect time tohonorthose past achievements,” says Shanna Moore, leader/of the DuPont Packaging Awards program. “In reflecting back on these breakthroughs, it’s hard to imagine what everyday life would be like today without them.”

DuPont created the voting project after reviewing hundreds of past winners and identifying six breakthrough groups that impacted our lives. Descriptions of those breakthroughs – which range from packaging that has enabled our current “on-the-go” lifestyle to centralized processing and packaging of meat that reduced waste and kept meat fresh longer.

DuPont announced the breakthroughs that most transformed our lives during the company’s celebration of the winners of the 25th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation in Wilmington, DE. Nearly 300 people voted on the breakthrough choices.

 The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation are the industry's longest-running, global, independently judged celebration of innovation and collaboration throughout the value chain. Their sponsor, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, manufactures an extensive mix of adhesive, barrier, peelable lidding and sealant resins and provides a globally networked development team to work with customers on packaging programs that help protect the product, environment, improve shelf appeal, convenience and reduce cost in the food, cosmetics, medical products and other consumer goods and industrial packaging industries. 

25 years packaging survey