September 24th, 2024
3 awards and 5 honorable mentions at IMDA Awards 2024
During the 2024 IMDA Awards at the Plastic Product Decorating Summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, MCC's IML business unit won 3 awards in the categories 'Sustainable Use of In-Mold Processes', 'Best Label Design for IML Application' and 'Best use of IML for In-House Promotion or Prototype'. On top, 5 projects received honorable mentions.
Winners
Best Label Design for IML Application: Galaxy Chocolate Milk Cup
Brand Owner: Mars
Product Molder: Paccor
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
The judges recognized this project for its instant consumer appeal. Entering the refrigerator shelves in the Middle East, a new market for Galaxy chocolate milk, the brand wanted to go all-in in terms of shelf appeal. That’s why MARS aimed at a high-quality, premium packaging, with an IML label combining three label upgrades: Metallic IML (foil), Matte & UltraGloss IML. The result is a luxury effect that stands out from competition.
Sustainable Use of In-Mold Processes: Mirage reusable container
Brand Owner: Richardson Food & Ingredients
Product Molder: Fourmark
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
The judges appreciated the different thinking that occurred in relation to the package and the use of IML to create a dual-purpose container, addressing both current market trends and the reusability conversation with a Peelable IML. In a market segment where disposable containers set the tone, Mirage offers its 907g margarine in a reusable container. The brand chose to create an environmentally friendly, mono-material packaging that is durable, reusable, dishwasher and microwave safe. To achieve this, they opted for Peelable IML, a label that consumers can easily peel from the packaging, leaving them with a container which can be reused as a freezer container or storage box.
Best Use of IML for In-House Promotion or Prototype: 450ml PET IML Food Tubs
Product Molder & Automation Partner: StackTeck Systems Ltd.
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
This mold delivers a combination of sustainable innovations such as StackTeck’s Thin Recess Injection Molding (TRIM) with a set of 7 sequentially controlled valve gates to yield the lightest part of this type ever molded from PET. The IML label is manufactured from a PET substrate, achieving a 100% PET product. This gives Brand Owners, Customers, and Consumers an alternative solution from typical PP resin based food-grade and/or medical packaging.
Honorable mentions
Best Use of IML - Technical Achievement: Grillo's Pickles
Brand Owner: Grillo's
Product Molder: Berry Global
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
The nonconventional form of Grillo’s pickle container caught the eye of our judges and is enhancing the consumer experience of its packaging by introducing a leak-proof screw top. The unique sidewall design necessitated the use of IML to register the graphics with the hand grips
Best Use of IML - Traditional Aesthetic: Hiland Dairy
Brand Owner: Hiland Dairy
Product Molder: Winpak
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
The judges were excited to see this new product line launch from Hiland Dairy – Winpak’s first IML customer. This is an entire line of new IML products for the cultured dairy and dips product provider, with a total of 30 new SKUs. Hiland Dairy wanted to switch from an offset printed cup and lid to a decorated container with improved graphics. The new product line launched in January, and Winpak is now running two shifts per day, five days a week.
Best Use of IML for In-House Promotion or Prototype: Medical IML
Partners: ARBURG, Beck Automation, Kebo AG, Intravis
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
When describing what caught their eye about this entry, the judges agreed it was the precision with which the IML was applied. While IML is standard in market segments like food, it’s still rarely used in the medical sector. The Medical IML prototype centrifuge tubes were developed by 5 partners, and the smooth running of the process required an incredibly high level of precision for all line components and production steps.
Sustainable Use of In-Mold Processes: IML-decorated spice container
Brand Owner: Carmencita
Product Molder: ITC Packaging
Label Printer: MCC Verstraete
The packaging switched from a metal container to a monomaterial IML packaging in a cubed shape for stackability. Thanks to the new packaging, the weight of the packaging and the raw material needed to manufacture it were reduced by 66%. In addition, logistics were optimized as the amount of packaging that can be transported in a lorry was increased by 80%.
Sustainable Use of In-Mold Processes: Milram Thermoformed IML container
Brand Owner: DMK Group
Product Molder: Pöppelmann
Label Printer: MCC Korsini
Honorable mention was awarded for this container due to its lightweighting through the use of IML-T. The original packaging consisted of a plastic container decorated with glued-on paper label. Now, Milram’s packaging is the first in its segment offered in Thermoforming IML packaging, unique in the German market. The new packaging saves up to 30% packaging material – this corresponds to around 200 tonnes of packaging material per year.
About the IMDA Awards
The In-Mold Decoration Association Awards recognize outstanding in-mold labeling (IML), in-mold decorating (IMD) and in-mold electronics (IME) applications in a range of categories, going from Sustainable Use of In-Mold Processes to Best use of IML.
Entries were received from around the world. Each project was judged on overall design and complexity, integration of the in-mold element into the part or package, functionality, and innovation in the use of materials and processes. Manufacturing difficulty and complexity of the part, label, design or mold are also considered.
For more details on the IMDA 2024 Awards Competition, visit this link.
