Dragons Den goes green at Packaging Innovations

The UK’s Packaging Innovations Birmingham is taking place from 26-27 February in the NEC, with a focus on sustainable packaging innovations.

The show is searching for sustainable packaging to compete in its Ecopack Challenge, which is running in collaboration with Marks & Spencer.

The competition will be in a Dragons Dens style, with six shortlisted companies pitching to a panel of industry experts and a voting audience.

Entry to the challenge is open to anyone in the market, and not confined to those exhibiting at the show. Sustainable products from any category can enter, from materials, software and structural design, through to logistics and more.

At Packaging Innovations Birmingham last year, there was strong competition between the six finalists. Flexi-Hex, founded by two Cornish entrepreneurs, was crowned the overall the winner.

The company showcased its recyclable and biodegradable packaging sleeves as an alternative to plastic bubble wrap, featuring a patented design and distinctive honeycomb structure. The product was created by brothers Will and Sam Boex who recognised the impact that single-use plastic was having on the marine environment.