HERNDON, VA. – PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announced the finalists for the 2023 Technology Excellence Awards.

The awards, broken up into four categories, honor innovations in packaging and processing. The winners will be announced at Pack Expo Las Vegas (Sept. 11-13).

The finalists in the food/beverage category are:

• Aneko – The equipment designed for the beverage industry empties liquids from drums, barrels or jerricans and uses an artificial vision system to detect holes on lids.

• JBT Corporation – The Avure Servo Drive for high pressure processing machinery features a pump system known for its efficiency, using “direct servo” technology that is compact and controllable.

• Graco, Inc. – The electric diaphragm pump called QUANTIM was designed to eliminate the requirement for compressed air – found in traditional pneumatic pumps. QUANTM utilizes an electric drive for efficiency, which the company said results in significant energy savings.

The finalists in the general packaging and processing category are:

• Harpak-ULMA Packaging, LLC – The company’s technology delivers an augmented reality for transforming packaging operations by using artificial intelligence. It takes granular data to recommend solutions and optimize decision-making.

• Amcor Rigid Packaging – The DairySeal, with ClearCor Technology, is a packaging line for brands in the nutritional, dairy alternatives and ready-to-drink segment. The line focuses on shelf life, ideal sizing options for convenience store shelves and packaging that addresses sustainability goals.

• Somic Packaging, Inc. – The company’s next generation case packer features Rockwell's new AmorKinetics. Per Somic, functional units can be adapted individually for desired format ranges. And the frame was designed so the case packing process runs in a direct straight line, offering layout advantages.

The personal care/pharma finalists are:

• Amcor Healthcare Packaging – The Child Resistant Reclosable, High Barrier Pouch was designed to replace pill bottles. The pouch is recycle ready with a high moisture barrier, and the company said consumer testing indicated the pouch was preferred over traditional pill bottles.

• Xyntek, Inc., a CXV Global company – The CXV Global SmartFactory LineClearance Assistant incorporates fixed position cameras on an entire line, including risky and hard to reach areas. The company said its product inspects a line in seconds and highlights areas where rogue components are detected.

• Pester USA Inc. – The PEWO-pack 600 High-Speed Stretchwrapper features high-end stretching technology, up to 60 cycles and flexible handling for consumer products. The machine was developed to execute fast format changeovers and better efficiency than conventional shrink wrapping.

The sustainability finalists are:

• Amcor Healthcare Packaging – The recycle ready sachet is made with a metallized polyolefin material for use in a lamination, providing competitive barrier properties. It is compatible with the polyethylene film recycling stream and can be used in a variety of package formats.

• IMA North America Inc. – The Delta OF-360 X is a variable geometry flow wrapper capable of running any packaging films, with changeovers that happen with the push of a button on the machine’s HMI.

• Plastipak Packaging, Inc. – The SprayPET Revolution is a 100% recyclable polymer aerosol. The product is metal-free, unlike past PET aerosol containers with metal valves. The innovation is available in dip tube and bag-on-valve options.

PMMI said more than 80 suppliers submitted nominations for this year’s awards. A complete description of the finalists’ products can be found on the Pack Expo Las Vegas website.

Pack Expo organizers encouraged attendees to visit the booths for the finalists and experience the various technologies in person, and then vote for their favorite. Voting is open through noon on Sept. 12, via the show’s app or website.

More information on Pack Expo Las Vegas is available at the show’s website.