DuPont Packaging (packaging.dupont.com) announces the call for entries in the 26^th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, the industry’s longest running, independently judged competition. The awards program returns for a new year with refreshing changes that reflect current trends in the packaging industry. The deadline for entries is March 1, 2014.

“The DuPont Packaging Awards honor packaging innovations that use science, inspiration, and creativity to shift the paradigms and change the way we live. As we enter the next quarter century of celebrating packaging, we believe we need to evolve with the industry,” says Yasmin Siddiqi, marketing director, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, DuPont Packaging Awards program leader. “Our past awards categories have been upgraded to reflect future global challenges and the increasingly important role of the consumer in driving packaging innovation.”

The new judging categories for the 26th DuPont Awards include technological advancement, responsible packaging, and enhanced user experience. Detailed explanations of these categories are available at www.packaging.dupont.com.

“The global packaging industry is experiencing a transition from disruptive packaging innovation to solutions-based innovation,” says David Luttenberger, CPP, president, David Luttenberger Consulting LLC, who is this year’s lead juror. “The 2014 edition of the DuPont Packaging Awards will honor unique and beneficial packaging technologies, while at the same time embrace the future-forward ideas and innovations that are solving real needs for retailers, brand owners and especially consumers.”

 Brand owners, retailers, packaging designers, converters, and technology providers from around the world are encouraged to enter new packaging that has been commercialized since Jan. 1, 2012. There is no fee for entry and DuPont materials do not need to be in the packaging structure. In evaluating entries, judges will consider excellence in these areas: technological advancement, responsible packaging, and enhanced user experience. Winners will be announced in May 2014. Information on the program and past winners is posted on the DuPont Packaging website.