In a resounding testament to its creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable retail solutions, DS Smith has emerged as a triple winner at the prestigious SHOP! D-A-CH Awards 2025. Now in its 15th year, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Point-of-Sale (POS) design across a broad range of categories, from digital activations and visual merchandising to fully integrated retail campaigns.

This year, DS Smith’s standout work earned three Silver Awards across different categories, reinforcing its leading position in packaging and display design innovation.

Premium sausage producer Heck Food has partnered with Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) to launch its latest product, Sausage Rashers, using the innovative LIDTEC SOFT 200 ultra-thin lidding film. The packaging upgrade promises not only eye-catching aesthetics but also top-tier performance in food protection and sustainability.

In a significant move toward a more sustainable and resilient supply chain for foodservice packaging in the United States, Brazil-based ERT Bioplastics has partnered with global bioplastics leader TotalEnergies Corbion to deliver regionally produced, compostable food serviceware. The collaboration harnesses Luminy® PLA, a biobased and industrially compostable resin developed by TotalEnergies Corbion, to create high-quality products designed for the U.S. market.

AE Global, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions, is empowering consumers with new verified plastic-negative and plastic-neutral certifications for product packaging.

• M&S first to market with a renewable paper fibre tray which can go in both the microwave and oven making it just as convenient for customers on its popular Fiery Chicken Tikka Masala
• Trial on popular Fiery Chicken Tikka Masala, tray is easily recycled at home as paper
• Removing 150k units of plastic but has potential to be rolled out across retailer’s entire Meal for Tonight range

Made of renewable paper fibre, the FSC-certified tray is available in stores and on Ocado from today.

Now in its sixth year, the Colored by INX Can Design Contest recognizes can design creativity. 

All entries for consideration must include the submission form, electronic design and actual printed can and be postmarked no later than April 28. Any commercial can design using at least one color from the INX Color Catalog from before January 1, 2025, is eligible to win.  

Anew smart food packaging system that powers itself without batteries could help reduce food waste and improve sustainability, researchers say.

The innovation allows packaging to sense food conditions in real time and automatically respond, offering a potential breakthrough in the fight against spoilage.

Wireless system detects food freshness
Developed by a team of engineers and scientists, the smart packaging can monitor the condition of food through built-in sensors. These sensors detect changes such as temperature, humidity, and gases released by decaying products.