Kuraray Packaging Awards 2025
Showcase Your Innovation!!!
Submission Guidelines & Rules
Kuraray Barrier Solutions Seminar September 2025
Since 2007, Kuraray has been hosting the Kuraray Barrier Solutions Seminar annually, except during the pandemic years. This event brings together seasoned experts in the EVOH applications or partners in the value chain to share their knowledge and experience. The attendees include customers or brand owners involved with using EVOH from different ar eas of the companies (sales, technical, R&D, procurement, and management). This diverse group of participants ensures an interesting exchange of ideas and experiences, fostering creativity and collaboration.
Submission Theme………………………………………….
This year, we want to honor innovation, inviting our attendees (you) to showcase how your company is driving packaging novelty using Kuraray materials. Selected innovations will be displayed during our Kuraray Packaging Awards, providing visibility and inspiration for seminar participants and the packaging industry. All entries will be judged by a prestigious panel of international experts from the packaging value chain (packaging designers, materials scientists, recycling regulators, etc.).
In evaluating entries, judges consider excellence based on four main categories.
#1 Innovation
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- Description: How original or creative is the package design or application? Does it introduce a novel approach to packaging challenges?
- Evaluation: Assess the uniqueness of the concept, such as functionality and unconventional structures.
#2 Barrier Performance
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- Description: How effectively does the package protect its contents from oxygen (OTR)?
- Evaluation: Review the description and any supporting data (e.g., test results, if provided) for evidence of superior barrier performance. Preference for addressing specific seminar topics (e.g., meat packaging, retort, etc.).
#3 Sustainability
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- Description: To what extent does the package support circular-economy goals, such as recyclability, use of recycled content, or reduced environmental impact?
- Evaluation: Consider compatibility with recycling streams (e.g., APR guidelines, store drop-off), monomaterial design, or lightweighting. Ties to Wednesday’s recyclability focus (e.g., EPR compliance) add value.
#4 Presentation and Clarity
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- Description: How well does the physical package and its description communicate its value and features?
- Evaluation: Judge the visual appeal of the displayed package and the clarity of the description in explaining its innovation, performance, and purpose. Submissions should stand out in the showcase. Mock samples have bonus points.
Submission Guidelines……………………………………………
Please follow these instructions to ensure your entry is eligible:
- Eligibility
- Open to all Kuraray customers, partners, or converters attending the 2025 Kuraray Barrier Solution Seminar,
- Multiple submissions per company are allowed.
- Barrier Package: an item containing food or nonfood products that uses one of the Kuraray products, including a closure or lid.
- If you are entering multiple innovations, please submit separate entry forms for each innovation.
- What to Submit
Each innovation, with or without a product, must be accompanied by a copy of the form filled out online. Identify each sample. “Mock” samples may be used and are encouraged. Please provide at least two samples of each innovation. If requested, samples can be returned.
Submission Form: https://forms.office.com/r/cV56NPPcV2
- Submission Deadline
- All materials must be delivered to Kuraray America by August 1st 2025. Please include the tracking number of the sample in your submission.
- Display & Recognition
- All eligible entries will be featured during the Kuraray Packaging Awards Showcase at the event.
- Selected innovations may be highlighted during keynote presentations, in Kuraray communications (with your permission), or future case studies.
- Confidentiality & Permissions
- Please only submit non-confidential materials or packaging designs that your company is authorized to share publicly.
- By submitting, you grant Kuraray permission to display and discuss your submission at the event.
How to Submit……………………………………………………
Please send your completed submission package (Form and sample) to:
📧 Diana.Maya@kuraray.com
📦 For physical samples: ATTN: Diana Maya 11500 Bay Area Blvd. Pasadena, Tx. 77507. Please share the tracking details via email.
If you have any questions about the guidelines or want to discuss your concept before submitting, please get in touch with Diana Maya. Regional Market Development Manager for the Americas. Diana.Maya@kuraray.com Mobile: +1-832-729-3176
We look forward to showcasing your packaging innovations and celebrating your contributions to a more sustainable future!
Judging Process……………………………………………………
- Judging Timeline:
- Judges will review Packages displayed at the Hyatt Baytown Convention Center. Starting Tuesday, September 9th.
- The top 3 innovations will be identified by Wednesday morning,
- The winner will be announced during the event
- Scoring: Each judge assigns points per criterion, scores are averaged across the panel, and the highest total (out of 50) wins. Ties resolved by panel discussion or a tiebreaker vote on “Innovation.”
- Award: The winner receives a plaque or certificate, with their package highlighted in the showcase, and a post-event recap announcement on Kuraray website(s) and social media channels.
Scoring Rubric………………………………………………………
| Criterion (Total points) | 0-19 Points (Poor) | 20-29 Points (Fair) | 30-39 Points (Good) | 40-50 Points (Excellent) |
| Innovation | No originality | Minor improvement | Creative twist | Groundbreaking concept |
| Barrier Performance | Minimal/no data | Adequate protection | Strong barrier, some data | Exceptional, well-documented |
| Sustainability | Non-recyclable, high-impact | Partial recyclability | Recyclable, moderate impact | Fully Recyclable, low impact, monomaterial |
| Presentation | Unclear, unappealing | Basic display/description | Clear, attractive | Polished, compelling, Good Mock sample |