Packaging Magazine

Some outstanding UK packaging and equipment supply companies have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Rockware Glass, Burall PIastec, Easypack, Paragon Labels, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, Penn Pharmaceutical Services and Ineos Silicas were all honoured.

In the International Trade category Easypack, the Welwyn Garden City manufacturer of machines for recycling surplus cardboard boxes into packaging material, was recognised for building up exports to 40% of sales, in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Successful export drives also earned awards for Burall PlasTec and Penn Pharmaceutical Services. Rockware Glass was rewarded for sustainable development. An innovation award winner was Paragon Labels, of SpaldIing, a specialist in wraparound, self-adhesive labels for supermarket food products. Its new labels are tamperproof and can be read from all angles on the shelf. Suitable for machine-application they can replace up to four separate labels and permit greater shelf packing densities as a result of edge presentation.

Kodak Polychrome Graphics' innovation award recognised the company's development of thermal computer-to-plate technology and the Electra Excel no pre-heat thermal printing plate. Ineos Silicas Desiccants, of Warrington, developed a silica gel to replace cobalt dichloride, the blue indicating desiccant gel found to be carcinogenic. Chameleon silica has opened up markets in food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Alan Johnson, Minister of State for Employment, said: "Successful companies can be justifiably proud of their success - they have proved they are leaders in their field and among the most innovative and enterprising businesses in the country."

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