Disruptive Packaging has won the 2020 PMA A-NZ Tech Innovation Award with its Uniqcor product.
Developed over the last four years, Uniqcor is an innovative compound changing the way the fresh produce industry packages, handles and distributes its products.
Made mainly from natural earth materials (70 per cent), the compound can be used multiple times in the value chain and recycled with high yield. It can be utilised for a range of purposes, including replacing crates, cartons, pallets, corner angles and even produce bins.
Uniqcor is currently being used as a direct replacement for waxed cartons, polystyrene and cardboard in many applications. Whilst currently deployed in the produce industry for grapes, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, corn and beans, the product is currently undergoing commercial trials for a wide range of other commodities.
PMA A-NZ Tech Innovation Award judges felt the solution addressed a number of challenges to packaging throughout the fresh produce supply chain, offering a sustainable solution that has the potential to revolutionise the industry.
Uniqcor’s ability to maintain structural and temperature integrity in a cold chain environment was also well regarded, as was its ability to be used across a range of commodities and ultimately address the growing concern of food and packaging waste.
Disruptive Packaging’s entry was chosen from a strong field of five finalists for the inaugural Tech Innovation Award, sponsored by UPL. The four other finalists were:
- -Manbulloo’s Scott Ledger, for his innovative use of temperature monitoring and data platforms in mango supply chains
- -Mitch Pursehouse and the J-Tech Systems packaging team for their Flowfresh product
- -HarvestMark-Trimble (now iFood Decision Sciences) and Woolworths for their collaboration in reducing food waste
- -Batlow Fruit Company for their Happles product
“The quantity and quality of innovations coming out of the fresh produce industry is setting the pace for innovations right across the agriculture sector in Australia and New Zealand,” said Ian Cass, marketing and business development manager at UPL.
“UPL is proud to sponsor the 2020 PMA A-NZ Tech Innovation Award and celebrate the success of Disruptive Packaging and their Uniqcor product in the award’s inaugural year.”
