DuPont Packaging has announced the formation of an advisory panel to help ensure the industry’s longest running, independently judged competition continues to foster and celebrate packaging innovation around the globe. At the same time, DuPont has also issued a call for entries for the 27th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation.

The deadline for entries is February 2, 2015, and the entries can be found here.

“The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation enjoys growing success due to the quality of the entries and the astute knowledge of the judges, who are packaging industry leaders from around the world,” says Yasmin Siddiqi, DuPont Packaging Awards leader. “Creating an advisory panel comprised of leaders from industry, academia and media will help ensure the program remains relevant, fosters a better connection to the packaging industry and builds on the program’s ability to serve as a catalyst to inspire discussion on packaging innovation.”

Members of the advisory panel will meet a few times a year to discuss the various program elements. The new advisory panel includes:

Aparecido Borghi, packaging manager & PMP, Multi Varejo, Brazil

Peter Clarke, founder & CEO, Product Ventures, USA

Joseph Hotchkiss, director of the School of Packaging, Michigan State University, USA

David Luttenberger, global packaging director, Mintel Group, Ltd., USA

Lisa McTigue Pierce, executive editor, Packaging Digest, USA

Philippe Roulet, head of Global Packaging, Nestle, Switzerland

Anthony Wong, vice president and general manager, China, Amcor Flexible, Asia Pacific   

“Adding the Advisory Panel is part of our strategy to grow the program’s equity,” says Siddiqi, adding that last year the awards criteria were refreshed to reflect current trends in the packaging industry. “We want to continue to focus on the value that packaging delivers while honoring the collaborative and the collective efforts it takes to make that happen.”

Brand owners, retailers, packaging designers, converters and technology providers from around the world are encouraged to enter new packaging that has been commercialized since January 1, 2013. 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 honored at a ceremony on May 14, 2015.