INNOVATION CHALLENGE #3 – START-UPS EDITION

About the Innovation Challenge

The Aluflexpack Innovation Challenge is an initiative launched by Aluflexpack in 2022. This year we introduce our third challenge, concentrating on leveraging advanced technologies and sustainable methods to transform the flexible packaging industry.

Eike Schopper, our Head of Business Development, Innovation, and Sustainability, highlights the importance of this initiative:

“We are expanding our growth engine by strategically collaborating with start-ups and ambitious researchers. Aluflexpack is the ideal partner for these visionaries due to our extensive network and robust venture-building capabilities. Our goal is not just to innovate, but to set the pace in the industry and drive meaningful change.”

The first Innovation Challenge was an internal challenge that involved all our 1500 employees and generated almost 100 ideas. The second Innovation Challenge focused on collaboration and innovation, where we opened up to suppliers to co-create innovative and sustainable solutions.

Our last year’s Open Innovation Challenge provided an excellent opportunity for flexible packaging stakeholders to align efforts towards a common purpose: advancing mutual collaboration and innovation in flexible packaging.

The culmination was a Bootcamp where representatives from Aluflexpack and the suppliers worked together to further mature the solutions.

Key challenges

The main themes of this year’s Innovation Challenge are:

#1 DECARBONIZATION

reduce product carbon footprint &
corporate carbon footprint

# CIRCULAR PACKAGING

recyclability
recycled content
smart packaging

# INDUSTRY 5.0

AI
Automation
Digitalization
Packaging-as-a-Service

Who we are looking for?

We are looking for projects within start-ups, scientists, and research institutes with projects covering one of our key challenges.

If you are willing to engage in open innovation and are willing to travel to Vienna, Austria feel free to contact us. Expenses for 2 people are covered by us.

Who can participate?

We invite both start-ups as well as scientists and research institutes with ongoing research projects to participate in this exciting challenge. We welcome innovative ideas and fresh perspectives from dynamic entrepreneurs and dedicated researchers alike, encouraging them to bring their creativity and expertise to the table. Join us in an international challenge covering our global footprint as we embark on this journey of innovation and collaboration, shaping the future of flexible packaging together.

The Project Path

Project Submission (24th June): The Challenge opens for submissions. Interested participants submit their projects on the online platform aluflexpackopen.nos.co accessible with email.
Screening (1st – 3rd July)
Virtual Pitch – TOP 10 (11th July): You will have the opportunity to pitch your ideas
Bootcamp (10th – 12th Sep): The Top 3 teams go to Vienna for a Bootcamp together with Aluflexpack representatives.
Final pitch (3rd Oct): Top 5 pitch their solutions to Aluflexpack management.

After the final pitch, Aluflexpack will decide, together with the partner, how the collaboration should continue. Here, there are multiple options: it can be a continued working relationship with some level of support from Aluflexpack, or it can be in the form of a more formalised partnership or investment.

Why you should join?

Aluflexpack, with its extensive network of customers, business partners, years of experience, and excellent financial performance, offers:

Access to a network of 1600+ experts and professionals
Access to 700+ customers in the FMCG, Food & Pharma industry
Full access to our testing facilities
Aluflexpack as a pilot customer
Funding opportunity

Intellectual property rights and equity are guaranteed!

The Aluflexpack Innovation Challenge aims to identify future collaboration partners. It is thus the intention that the collaboration will go beyond the scope of the Innovation Challenge. The specific setup for that collaboration will be determined together with the partner in question.

About Aluflexpack AG

Aluflexpack AG is one of the most integrated manufacturers of premium circular flexible packaging and barrier solutions to the largest FMCG and pharma customers. Operating across 16 locations in 9 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the US. Specializing in converting aluminium, paper, and plastic films into high-quality packaging solutions, we aim to shape the sustainable future of packaging and support our customers’ success with premium packaging solutions, while honouring our SBTi commitment.

Aluflexpack has:

A network of 1600+ experts and professionals
Access to 700+ customers in the FMCG, Food & Pharma industry
9 countries and 16 locations
Over 40 years of experience
Over 1600 highly skilled employees
More information can be seen on our corporate video

FAQ

1. Which type of projects/start-ups can apply?

Start-ups, scientists, and research institutes with themes of:

Decarbonization
Packaging formats
Industry 5.0
Innovation
Research

2. What do I need to do to apply?

Everyone can sign up on the platform aluflexpackopen.nos.co. To submit a project, users will need to click “Submit” and fill out the submission form.

Please beware not to disclose any confidential information about the project.

3. What happens after I submit my project?

Once you have submitted your project, the Aluflexpack project team will review all incoming projects and inform you about the results.

4. What is the Bootcamp about?

The Bootcamp is the highlight of the innovation challenge. It is three days of intense working on the projects and proactively collaborating with our partners associated with the winning ideas. During that time we are establishing integrated and ambitious teams for a balanced approach. Also, we have workshops with experts and provide help in the testing stage. The lessons learned and takeaways from last year’s challenge include organizational improvements, enhanced teamwork tools, diverse team structures, and fruitful collaborations with other companies.

We are committed to our path to becoming one of the most integrated flexible packaging manufacturers building on this success with future initiatives.

5. Who from AFP can I expect to meet/collaborate with?

In the Bootcamp, you can expect three days of intensive, interesting and creative work with numerous experts in the fields of flexible packaging, sustainability, technology… You can expect to work, talk, brainstorm, and network with many people from the industry.

The project team consists of experts who have experience in working on projects like this.

Those who will decide at the Final are our expert team.

6. What about confidentiality?

All information submitted to the platform cannot be confidential. At the Bootcamp, the participants and AFP representatives will sign an NDA. Ownership stays with the participating parties unless another agreement is made.