HERNDON, VA. — Some of the foremost innovations in packaging and processing will be on display at Pack Expo International in Chicago, where the most highly regarded solutions will vie for Technology Excellence Awards.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, said more than 100 suppliers submitted nominations for the 2024 awards, with submissions reviewed by industry professionals, who trimmed the field to three finalists in four categories.

In the food and beverage category, the finalists are Food Radar Systems, Antares Vision Group and Oxipital AI.

Food Radar’s technology detects common food contaminants, such as low density soft and hard plastics, that couldn’t be detected by existing technologies.

Antares Vision developed a food safety cloud platform that allows companies to track the origin of raw materials, as well as manage and track orders, and create labels to meet regulatory requirements.

Oxipital AI created visual AI for inspection that it said presents companies with actionable insights through detecting defects, tracking attributes, live monitoring and other capabilities.

The general packaging and processing category finalists are Fogg Filler Company, Amcor Flexibles North America and Syntegon Packaging Technology.

Fogg described its PF pressure filler series as a complete rethink of filling technology engineered as a hybrid system that integrates the precision and product supply pressure of contactless electronic metering valves with closed loop bypass process controls.

Amcor devised an opening feature for pharmaceutical packaging formats that is notchless, while providing both child resistance and senior-friendly performance for controlled dosing of powders, granules, creams, gels and liquids.

Syntegon manufactured an integrated cookie tray packaging system.

In the sustainability category, Smurfit Westrock, Harpak-ULMA Packaging and Plastipak Packaging were chosen as finalists.

Smurfit Westrock addressed plastic reduction solutions for CPG companies with its EnduraGrip Omada technology. It applies renewable, paper-based clip solutions for bundling various bottle sizes at scale. The company noted brands can replace plastic clips and use the paper-based clips’ printable surface to increase shelf impact.

Harpak-ULMA worked to innovate in the realm of circular sustainability with its BETTER-SEAL and ECO-FORM solutions for handling new film types that are more environmentally friendly.

Plastipak produced a PET resin made from captured carbon emissions. The company said its PPKNatura may be used in a range of packaging applications.

In the personal care and pharma category, the finalists are Amcor Flexibles Healthcare, Pace Packaging and ThinPrinting by St Michel Print.

PMMI vice president of trade shows Laura Thompson said the Technology Excellence Awards are a testament to the “incredible innovations shaping the future” of the industry.

"These finalists represent the forefront of technology, driving advancements in sustainability, efficiency and safety across multiple sectors,” Thompson said. “We are excited to give attendees the opportunity to engage with these trailblazing solutions and vote for their favorites both online and in person.”

Voting for the awards opens Oct. 28 and closes at noon on Nov. 5. PMMI said Pack Expo attendees are encouraged to visit the booths where the finalists’ solutions can be found, and then vote via the tradeshow’s app or online.