The In-Mold Decorating Association represents molders, printers, material suppliers, equipment suppliers and others committed to the development and growth of in-mold labeling and decorating products, technologies and markets. Its mission is to raise the level of awareness and acceptance of in-mold decorated durable products and in-mold labeled packaging by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), brand owners and marketers. Each year, the IMDA awards recognize those creating products that best represent the technology. Awardees in 2018 are as follows.
Best of Show
Heated Headlamp Lens
Submitted By: Advanced Decorative Systems (ADS)
Brand Owner: ADS
Molder: ADS
Label Supplier: ADS
The judges were very intrigued by this entry and voted unanimously to name it “Best of Show.” A lot of R&D went into commercializing this leading-edge product. Innovative and sophisticated, the headlamp reflects a merging of IMD and printed electronics. The judges believe it will open the door to the ever-expanding adoption of IME.
Best Injection Molded (IML) Package
Gold Award: Naturcrem
Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Brand Owner: Dulcesol Group
Molder: ITC Packaging
Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Spanish food producer Dulcesol approached injection molder ITC Packaging and label producer Verstraete IML with the request to provide an innovative solution to its single-serving soups. The result was an attractive package with an IML oxygen-barrier label, which extends shelf life without requiring refrigeration. Verstraete IML utilized a combination of specific inks, a special lacquer and a special pasteurization-resistant oxygen barrier film. The package labels maintain their quality and look, even after pasteurization.
Silver Award: Similac® Infant Formula Package
Submitted By: Abbott
Brand Owner: Abbott
Molder: Grupo Phoenix
Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold
Labels
Abbott introduces a newly designed Similac infant formula container with compelling shelf presence. This new packaging features a large metallic label, color coded for each SKU; a practical size for portability; and an easy-grip feature for ease of use. The packaging is aesthetically pleasing with generous organic curves and contours, and a harmoniously flowing label through the grip feature. It is perfectly paired with vibrant colored domed-shaped hinged lid, and an overall package designed for easy cleaning and proper storage.
Best Label Design
Gold Award: Beger Shield 5 Star IML Pail
Submitted By: Srithai Superware Plc
Brand Owner: Beger Co., Ltd.
Molder: Srithai Superware Plc
Label Supplier: Korsini-SAF
This award-winning Best Label Design is Beger Shield 5 Star, a premium selection of paint from Beger. Molder Srithai Superware Plc made this innovative packaging happen together with metallized film in-mold labels from Korsini-Saf, for the first time in the Asia Pacific market. Creativity in design and a label printed in a special “full UV” represents an exclusive, premium quality product.
Silver Award: Magnum Pints
Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Brand Owner: Unilever
Molder: MikoPac
Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Magnum Pints, the brand new smash hit of a dessert with IML packaging, has been available since spring 2017 on ice cream shelves in a large part of Europe. IML label producer Verstraete IML and plastic packaging producer Miko Pac were asked by brandowner Unilever to translate the design ideas for Magnum Pints into a packaging solution. The packaging is innovative and unique, as Magnum Pints are “Carefully made to be broken”TM. The IML label, produced by Verstraete IML, plays a crucial role in the unique cracking experience of the consumer. The combination of Metallic IML, UltraGloss IML and Matt IML makes this packaging a real eye-catcher in the freezer!
Best Part Design
Gold Award: Froneri Ice Cream
Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Brand Owner: Froneri
Molder: Plasticos Regina
Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Nestlé Brasil Ice Cream launched a series of 140 ml mono packs with a peelable IML lid including a spoon-in-the-lid. This packaging solution was specially designed for the on-the-go consumer. Plastic packaging producer Plasticos Regina, ice cream producer Froneri and IML label producer Verstraete IML were responsible for the development and production of the unique IML lid. The IML spoon-in-lid packaging eliminates two steps in the regular production process: the label does not need to be adhered afterward since it is integrated into the lid, and the spoon is an integral part of the lid. The ice cream cup shows increased production efficiency, a commitment to responsibility and a clever use of materials thanks to the IML spoon-in-lid.
Silver Award: Lively Wearable Jewel Top
Submitted By: Distinctive Plastics, Inc.
Brand Owner: Greatcall
Molder: Distinctive Plastics, Inc.
Label Supplier: Canyon Graphics
Design Studio: Mindflow Design
This part functions as the front face of a unique wearable medical alert by GreatCall, Inc., designed for the active aging community to feel safer on their own. One push of the button initiates a call on the user’s smartphone to an IAED Certified Agent who will confirm their location, evaluate the situation, and get the help they need 24/7. This 2-Shot / IMD part is a unique design incorporating an in-mold embossed button, TPE over-molded on the back side for a soft feeling yet very positive actuation and dead-front printed LED signal lights. This design delivers a finished part within one cycle of the mold with no need for assembly of a die-cut rubberized disc to actuate the switch like in most embossed IMD button applications or add light pipes for the LEDs saving assembly time and sourcing efforts.
Best Product Family
Gold Award: 410 Plus Family
Submitted By: Berry Global
Brand Owner: KraftHeinz
Molders: Berry Global
Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
Berry Global developed the 410 Plus family to address consumers’ desire for fresh foods. It is the first family of its kind in North America to have a barrier in-mold label on a clear container. The barrier in-mold label helps to keep foods fresher longer. Available in four sizes – including 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz and 20 oz – the 410 Plus family is ideal for fresh foods such as soups, sauces and dips. The shape is differentiated on the shelf and is excellent for microwave use.
Silver Award: Beger Shield 5 Star IML Pail
Submitted By: Srithai Superware Plc
Brand Owner: Beger Co., Ltd.
Molder: Srithai Superware Plc
Label Supplier: Korsini-SAF
The many package designs within the Beger Shield 5 Star paint family represent product features suitable for a variety of applications. This is the first commercial use of metallized labels in the Asia- Pacific region by the Beger brand in Thailand. As this is a premium selection of paint, brand owner Beger implies added value by choosing rigid packaging from molder Srithai Superware Plc together with metallized film labels from Korsini-Saf to develop these IML plastic pails with their shiny titanium look for this premium products line. The striking visual appearance helps the products easily communicate each paint feature to customers and give an outstanding look to the whole product family when put on store shelves.
Best Blow Molded Package
Gold Award: Kunlun Tianrun Lubricating Oil K86
Submitted By: Beijing Yazhengyuan Colorful Printing Co.
Brand Owner: Kunlun
Molder: BoYu Precise Mould Making Co.
Label Supplier: Beijing Yazhengyuan Colorful Printing Co.
Outstanding label design and interaction with consumers provides the brand owner a new way of marketing. Anti-counterfeiting features, including Microtext and UV imaging, built into the label help the brand owner protect the brand image and reduce loss caused by counterfeit products. A QR code printed on the label provides the brand owner a means of communicating with consumers.
Best Injection Molded Durable (IMD) Part
Gold Award: Heated Headlamp Lens
Submitted By: Advanced Decorative Systems (ADS)
Brand Owner/Molder/Label Supplier: ADS
Global IMD supplier ADS and its customer, JW Speaker, have created a unique and innovative product that marks one of the first production applications of IME – In-Mold Electronics, or “plastronics” as it is sometimes called. Working together, the companies have developed a solution to the problem of LED-based vehicle headlights not generating enough heat to defrost themselves in winter driving conditions. This robust and demanding application features a layer of polycarbonate film onto which a conductive heating element has been printed prior to in-molding into the headlamp lens. The technology is pushed even further with the inclusion of the electronic components, which control the heating cycle of the lamp and feature a specially-designed connector system to access these embedded electronics. IME is widely regarded as the logical next step in the development of in-mold technology.
Silver Award: Garnish, Instrument Finish Panel
Submitted By: Eimo Technologies
Brand Owner: Toyota
Molder: Eimo Technologies
Label Supplier: Nissha and DNP
These automotive IMD parts are produced by a unique hybrid process called Simulforming, where the decorative film is vacuum-formed into the injection mold cavity before injection. This unique process allows for deep draw shapes and contours common in automotive interiors in a most cost- effective way by eliminating the preforming process.
