Constantia Flexibles receives two WorldStar Awards

Constantia Flexibles has received two WorldStar Awards for its aluminum lidding technology, ComforLid, in the 'Packaging Materials and Components' and 'Non-Alcoholic Beverages' categories.

The awards, presented by the World Packaging Organisation, recognize packaging concepts that demonstrate technical innovation and practical applicability. The recognition follows the recent Green Packaging Star Award and highlights the practical progress the company is making in improving Design for Recyclability and resource efficiency while reducing the carbon footprint of packaging.

ComforLid is a patented lid concept developed as an alternative to conventional snap-on plastic lids and straws. The structure combines a polypropylene (PP) layer with an aluminum layer that can be manually separated by consumers, allowing each material to be directed into its respective recycling stream, where collection and sorting systems exist.

'The award is an important acknowledgment of our relentless drive for product innovation,' said Marc Rademacher, executive vice president, consumer commercial, group R&D, and group sustainability at Constantia Flexibles. 'Our focus with ComforLid was to improve material efficiency, lower its carbon impact and support recyclability through design, while ensuring compatibility with existing filling and sealing equipment.'

Material use was reduced during development through downgauging of both layers: aluminum thickness was reduced from 50 µm to 45 µm, and the PP layer from 40 g to 35 g. Combined with aluminum sourced from ASI-certified European suppliers and produced with a higher share of recycled content and renewable energy – the company’s Low Carbon Aluminum – these measures contribute to a reduction of up to 43 percent in the lid’s CO2 impact compared with previous material specifications.

ComforLid is part of Constantia Flexibles’ Ecolutions product line, which groups the company’s packaging technology designed for recycling. The lid structure aligns with RecyClass guidelines for material separability and high-quality recycling, though actual recycling performance depends on local infrastructure.

The technology can be adapted for applications such as ready-to-drink beverages and dairy products, including features like drinking openings for cold coffee or functional openings for products such as mini mozzarella.