Ardagh Group’s Food & Speciality business has won the title of “packaging team of the year” in the 2019 Starpack Awards. The outstanding result was part of a five Gold Medal haul in one of Europe’s most prestigious and strongly contested packaging awards.

Gold Stars were won in the Consumer Food and Drink category for the 212ml, 65 diameter DRD two-piece can at the new height of 71mm, and the 425ml DWI two-piece can with new diameter of 83mm. These two products also gained Gold Stars in the Engineering Innovation category.

It was the calibre of teamwork and dedicated commitment to innovation and commercial viability for the DWI project that earned Ardagh the “Packaging Team of the Year” award. DWI (Drawn, Walled and Ironed) and DRD (Draw Re Draw) are model examples of Ardagh’s systematic approach towards product development and underscored the qualities judges seek in Gold Star winners: innovation in design, construction, manufacturing and materials technology; good environmental credentials, and championing the needs of the consumer.

The DRD project involved two years of intensive R&D to increase the height of Ardagh’s 225ml two-piece low height (up to 40mm) cans used primarily for seafood to 71mm and meet the demand from seasonal vegetable growers for this unique Ardagh can.

DWI is an advanced metal can making process formed in two rather than three stages. Ardagh’s close collaboration with its customers contributed significantly to the development and success of this project.

“We have been an active Starpack supporter for many years, and the success this year for two of our more high-profile innovations has given our whole team particular satisfaction,” says Laurent Cordier, Ardagh’s Sales Director Food. “To receive unanimous acclaim from the distinguished judging panel for our approach to innovation, which delivers benefits to the supply chain, sends a very positive message to our colleagues and customers.”