Packaging design specialists, Pillbox Design, have been crowned packaging king, after winning the Lions' Lair, a dragons' den inspired contest, which took place at PACKAGING INNOVATIONS London 2011. The company were one of five companies who took part on Friday 7 October at the Business Design Centre.

Making up the panel of expert judges (lions), were Phil Huggett, Senior Packaging Buyer at Sainsbury’s, Packaging News editor Josh Brooks, Jamie Stone, Head of Design, Nutritional Healthcare at GSK, and Amy Falconer, Packaging Buyer at Thorntons.

Pillbox were the last competitor to enter the lair, pitching their revolutionary new ‘INOSIGHT Technology.’ The new technology is an exciting innovation developed by Pillbox Design, RNIB and Qadex, which gives access to information printed on packaging instantly via audio format giving choice and independence back to visually impaired people. From the off the lions could see it’s huge potential resulting in them crowning PillBox Design king of the lair.

On winning the ‘Lions Lair’ accolade, Duncan Robinson, Managing Director of Pillbox Design, commented: “Every day 100 people lose their sight in the UK. By the age of 65, 1 in 12 have become blind and by the age of 85, 1 in 6 have become blind. INOSIGHT Technology gives freedom back to these visually impaired people, it basically delivers information printed on packaging in audio format or alternative formats, using a special ‘touch pen’, which when positioned over the packaging, replicates the barcode number via a non-visible code. With trillions of code combinations, it has hundreds of uses within healthcare, security, re-ordering, allergen info, legal documents, promotions and much more. The technology has the potential to change lives forever, and we’re looking forward to the future.”

The four other companies who take part in the competition and take on the packaging lions included Enkev, MMR Research, Gr8 Engineering, and Coralfoam.

Enkev were the first to step into the lair with CocoForm, a revolutionary sustainable packaging made from 100% natural coconut fibre and 100% natural rubber making it fully biodegradable. With eco-packaging on everyone’s lips, Enkev quickly became an instant hit with the judges, ticking all the green boxes.

The second company to take on the lions were MMR Research, who pitched three types of research to help products achieve ‘stand out’ from the crowd. GR8 Engineering, an innovations company who develops process technologies for the plastics industry, closely followed. GR8 Engineering decided to put Active Flow Moulding (AFM) under the scrutinising eyes of the lions which was developed to improve the manufacture of PET preforms.

Snapping at their heels was the fourth challenger, Coralfoam, who pitched their Open mould & core-back expansion moulding. Coralfoam combines standard injection moulding technology, patented mould design and blowing agents to create products with thick sections whilst cleverly reducing weight and cycle time.

The ‘Lions’ Lair’ was a show floor feature at PACKAGING INNOVATIONS London 2011. The show, organised by trade show specialists, easyFairs, took place on the 6 & 7 October 2011, and played host to 150 packaging exhibitors. easyFairs’ next packaging event will take place on Wednesday 29 February & Thursday 1 March 2012 in Halls 9 & 10 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK.