Don’s is being recognised in the Food category for their cutting-edge recloseable flow wrap packaging – a first of its kind in Australia. This accolade is a well-deserved nod to Don’s bold commitment to consumer convenience, product integrity, and sustainable packaging practices that minimise plastic waste and enhance usability for every consumer.
A Packaging Revolution: Rethinking Smallgoods from the Ground Up
Traditionally, smallgoods like sliced ham and bacon have been packaged in rigid thermoform plastic packs – a format long criticised by consumers for its bulkiness, difficult to open, and lacking resealability. According to BrandTonic research (Nov 2022), resealability was the #1 tension point for smallgoods shoppers, followed by sustainability concerns, poor product visibility, and the challenge of excess liquid in packs.
Don Smallgoods responded by launching a recloseable flow wrap “envelope pack”, setting a new standard in the category. It combines intuitive usability, moisture control, and sustainability – without compromising shelf life, product freshness or visibility.
A Leap Forward in Smart, Sustainable Design
This award-winning packaging features:
- 50–69% less plastic than previous and competitor formats.
- Mono-material construction, recyclable through emerging council programs.
- A pulp-based, moisture-absorbing board that traps free liquid and extends shelf life from 42 to 60 days.
- An adhesive label reseal system, outperforming zippers and tapes for ease of use.
- Compact, shelf-stable structure with a 150% improvement in pallet efficiency and 50% less energy used in production.
It’s not just innovative – it’s transformational. By improving how consumers store, open, and interact with the product, Don’s has redefined what sustainable packaging for deli meats.
Powered by Omori: The Machinery Behind the Breakthrough
At the heart of this innovation is the Omori Bellpack Wrapper, installed by Perfect Automation – the first of its kind in Australia. Known for its high-speed capabilities and precision flow pack style of wrapping, the Bellpack enables:
- Consistent recloseable packaging capabilities at high volume (80–100 ppm)
- Accurate positioning for adhesive application and product loading
- Energy-efficient operation, using up to 50% less energy than conventional thermoforming lines
This technology, combined with Don’s bold vision and packaging expertise, has delivered a packaging solution that meets both consumer needs and environmental targets—with zero compromise on food safety, quality, or branding.
Recognition That Matters
Winning the WorldStar Award places Don Smallgoods among the most forward-thinking packaging innovators globally. It follows their recent wins at the Australian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards (PIDA) and the Food & Drink Hive Awards, cementing their role as leaders in packaging excellence.
Celebrating a Milestone
We congratulate the entire team at Don Smallgoods and George Weston Foods for their courageous step forward – and for proving that smart packaging doesn’t have to remove plastic entirely to be better for the planet and the people using it.
This is a win for consumers, a win for manufacturers, and a win for the future of packaging.
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