The supreme recognises that entry considered by the judges to represent the greatest contribution towards environmental excellence.

WINNER: FONTERRA

FOR: NEW AMF PACKAGING

DESCRIPTION: Anhydrous Milk Fat (AMF) used to be packed in a format known as 'bag in the box' - packaging which was developed over 15 years ago for 1 tonne of AMF into the main export markets of USA, Canada, Mexico, China & Australia.

The packaging was made up of some 40 layers of paper being formed in a box which was then glued onto a pallet which made it impossible to recycle.

Product integrity was increasingly compromised due to leakage and shelf life issues.

A cross functional team which included not just Fonterra but their customers as well, Mars & Kraft was established to find a solution to this increasingly unsatisfactory packaging format.

The resultant package has saved over $8m per year, removed over 40,000 pallets and 2,500 tonnes of paper.

It has delivered to the customer a world class package which is highly functional, eliminates leakage and spoilage issues, is hygienic, and offers superior product integrity and shelf life.

JUDGES COMMENTS:This project delivered on a number of fronts:

• Health & safety
  
• Product quality
  
• Environmental outcomes

Fonterra have invested heavily in a solution that meets the customers requirements from both a product quality aspect and an environmental aspect.

It is an innovative solution which will deliver a positive environmental benefit on an international scale.