Sustainable packaging company BioPak has been recognised with three awards at the 2025 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards.
The company’s new PHA Cups received gold in two categories – Sustainable Packaging Design – Certified Compostable and Beverage Packaging Design – while its Beer BioCups took home silver in the Labelling & Decoration Design category.
Organised by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the PIDA Awards honour outstanding achievements in packaging innovation and design, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental performance.
BioPak CEO Gary Smith described the awards as a validation of the company’s approach to sustainable product development.
“For decades, food packaging manufacturers have asked: how do we make a leak-proof cup without relying on fossil-based plastics? In 2024, BioPak answered that question with the launch of our first-to-market home compostable PHA cups,” Smith said.
“We’re incredibly proud to have this innovation recognised with two gold awards, a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainable design.”
The PHA in BioPak’s cups – short for polyhydroxyalkanoate – is a new generation biopolymer produced through fermentation using renewable resources like plant sugars and vegetable oils.
According to BioPak, this technology represents a significant step forward in replacing conventional plastics with compostable alternatives.
Smith added that PHA had been years in the making. “Our dedicated team worked tirelessly to bring this product to market. As a certified B Corp, we’re committed to being at the forefront of innovation and reducing our environmental impact.”
The company’s Beer BioCups, which earned a silver award, are designed for high-traffic venues such as stadiums, festivals, and pubs – settings where reusable options are not yet widely implemented.
These cups are made from FSC certified paper and lined with plant-based bioplastic, complying with single-use plastic bans across Australia.
Trevor Rumble, BioPak’s Product & Innovations Director, said the visual appeal of the cup was a key design consideration.
“We consulted with our partners and heard feedback from event-goers who missed the visual appeal of drinking beer from traditional cups,” he said.
“This is a small change to our existing Cold BioCup that makes a big difference when savouring ice-cold beer at an event.”
Rumble said the company sees sustainability as core to its identity. “At BioPak, sustainability is more than a product feature – it’s our mission. We’re committed to educating consumers and businesses about reducing single-use plastics and transitioning to compostable alternatives. With Beer BioCups, we aim to help venues deliver a better environmental outcome without sacrificing quality or experience.”
BioPak’s win at the PIDA Awards has secured the company a spot at the 2026 WorldStar Packaging Awards, an international competition recognising the world’s best in packaging innovation.
