UNITED CAPS' KINDCAP Wins Gold Prize for Sustainability Design at Shanghai World of Packaging
25 January 2025 – UNITED CAPS, a global manufacturer of caps and closures and a market leader in infant food packaging, has recently announced that its KINDCAP has been awarded the prestigious Gold Prize in the Sustainability Design Competition at Shanghai World of Packaging (swop).
This global event is hosted by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
The Sustainability Design Competition highlights groundbreaking designs that contribute to environmental preservation while meeting the highest standards of functionality and user satisfaction. KINDCAP’s Gold Prize recognition underscores its breakthrough innovation in sustainable packaging without compromising performance. The thinnest and lightest closure of its kind for infant milk powder cans, KINDCAP delivers exceptional performance while prioritising user-friendliness with flexible, easy-opening functionality. Its advanced design ensures no shape distortion, even with its ultra-lightweight structure.
“This award confirms our approach of uniting sustainability and innovation. Our KINDCAP proves that ecological responsibility and technological expertise can work hand in hand.” said Astrid Hoffmann-Leist, Chief Innovation/Communications Officer and Business Director for Asia Pacific at UNITED CAPS. “Our goal was to create a cap that’s kinder to budgets and to the planet as well. It was an ambitious development and proof that KINDCAP is a bold step forward for the packaging industry. This award is a testament to our unwavering focus on innovation and sustainability, proving that high-performance solutions can also be environmentally responsible.”
KINDCAP is the result of extensive research and development, built on UNITED CAPS’ innovative 3-stage process that exemplifies their commitment to sustainability:
- Redefining materials: The development of a unique Polypropylene (PP) blend has significantly reduced use of plastic.
- Transition to zero CO2 electricity: Since 2023, all European production sites have been powered by wind energy.
- Integration of bio-resins: The use of wood-based bio-resin, Crude Tall Oil (TO), reduces dependence on fossil raw materials and stores CO2.
The above have enabled UNITED CAPS to achieve a CO2 reduction of 72% (Cradle to factory gate) compared to traditional snap caps. The Gold Prize is a milestone that reinforces UNITED CAPS’ leadership in sustainable packaging solutions. By combining cutting-edge engineering with eco-conscious design, the company continues to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of brand owners and consumers, while respecting the planet.
Headquartered in Luxemborg, UNITED CAPS has its manufacturing operations mainly in Europe except for one Asian site in Malaysia. It produced 11 billion closures with a sales turnover of €170 million (US$179 million) at the end of 2023.
Source: unitedcaps.com
