The EcoPack Challenge sponsored by retailer giant M&S is an annual competition held to find the world’s most sustainable new packaging innovations. This year 28 companies from around the globe were nominated and just 6 were shortlisted to enter the final stage of the competition held last week at The Packaging Innovations show at The Birmingham NEC in the UK.

The small Cornish eco packaging company impressed a panel of industry judges in a ‘Dragons Den’ style pitch showcasing their recyclable and biodegradable packaging sleeves including a new system to protect bottles in transit.  The flexible paper packaging sleeves were voted 2019’s most innovative, sustainable packaging solution.  Flexi-Hex has won the opportunity to take their innovations further and develop their idea with Marks and Spencer’s.

Director Will Boex says “To be announced as the most innovative new packaging product of 2019 was just brilliant.  There was strong competition for the EcoPack prize this year particularly with single use plastic in packaging becoming an increasingly important industry issue”

Flexi-Hex with its patented design and distinctive honeycomb structure was originally created by brothers Will and Sam Boex who recognized the impact that single use plastic was having on their local and the world’s marine environment. Their passion for surfing, background in design and their personal experience of transporting boards around the globe inspired them to create a sustainable paper packaging sleeve originally for the board sports industry.

Since the early days supported by individuals and organisations championing the plastic-free movement, Flexi-Hex has developed and grown, the team now includes Chloe Northover and Hannabeth Johnson but the founding commitments remain the same.  Flexi-Hex now develops sustainable packaging solutions across a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors including the drinks industry and is now looking forward to the potential opportunity to work with M&S to further develop their bottle innovation.