Iggesund announces packaging design winners

Iggesund Paperboard has received almost 200 design proposals in response to the challenge it issued earlier this year to the world’s designers to create better and more sustainable consumer packaging. Three of the designs have been chosen and their creators will receive rewards. In addition, the company has opened dialogues with various of the designers about being able to use their creations in various contexts.

“We’re overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that greeted our project, both from the participating designers but also the attention it has received in the press,” said Staffan Sjöberg, public relations manager at Iggesund Paperboard. “And of course we’re pleased, because one of our aims was to show more designers what they can do with paperboard in general and our products, Invercote and Incada, in particular.”

One of the winning entries is a packaging system for rolls of toilet or kitchen paper submitted by Maikel Roberts, of Barcelona, Spain. “It’s exciting from our perspective as a paperboard manufacturer because it involves an upgrade from plastic wrap to paperboard,” Sjöberg said. “What Maikel has created is a system that allows more to be loaded on every pallet and also gives better exposure at the point of sale. It also probably makes in-store handling easier.”

Jessica Bergdahl, Moa Ahlström, and Linnea Löfgren, first-year students at Nackademin in Stockholm, Sweden, were selected for their tri-function crisps packaging. As packaging, it protects its contents better than a traditional bag does; it can be unfolded so as to function as a serving bowl; and the lid, which is used to close the packaging, can be used to serve dip. “Packaging that can offer several functions during its lifetime is always interesting and I’m convinced that we will see more of this type of thing in the future,” said Bo Wallteg, long-time editor-in-chief of the packaging industry magazine Nord-Emballage, and member of the competition jury.

Alpha Design, of Bulgaria was the third winner for its proposal for a holder and protective cover for e-book readers. “A paperboard cover or holder is inexpensive and also means e-book readers can be supplied with customised contents and a cover that reflects the contents,” said Johan Granås, business developer at Iggesund, who was also a member of the three-person jury. “But even if that option is not used, this should still be a cheaper alternative than many other holders and covers now on the market.”

Iggesund worked with the US crowdsourcing agency Crowdspring, whose global network of designers formed the basis of the competition.

“We hoped to see some local variations where we could distinguish differences between countries and parts of the world,” said Sjöberg. “But we lucked out there – the vast majority of the entries were makeovers of products from global brands.”