A theatre of activity awaits the UK aerosol industry as it gears up for the 2024 BAMA Forum and Awards next month. Expert talks and interactive sessions are weaved into the two-day itinerary with guests also eager to see this year’s award nominations. In anticipation of another glittering awards ceremony, BAMA put last year’s winners back in focus.
Underlining the importance of aerosols in the beauty market
Global aerosol experts, kdc/one Swallowfield peaked the Aerosol of the Year category with its Sanctuary Spa Mousse-to-oil Moisturiser, which combines a luxurious consumer experience with high performance aerosol technology and long-lasting consumer benefits. The entry received glowing remarks from the judges who were impressed with the application, fragrance, and the overall pampering experience it delivers.
Mandy Meakins, European marketing manager at kdc/one Swallowfield said: “The BAMA Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the leading innovations in aerosol technology and formulation across our industry. By winning the New Aerosol of the Year in 2023, the Sanctuary Spa Mousse-to-oil Moisturiser really showcased the very best of aerosols in the beauty and personal care market. It underlined the importance of aerosols in the beauty marketplace as well as the partnership developments at kdc/one Swallowfield with our customers such as PZ Cussons to create the aerosols of the future.”
Shining a light on innovations
Last year, Coster Aerosols collected the Aerosol Packaging of the Year award for its digitally printed actuator, with judges noting its ‘game-changing’ visual impact. The digital printing on spray caps makes way for impactful and eco-friendly graphics on aerosols, and offers a unique on-shelf look.
Not only this, but the actuators are available on small quantity runs with no print waste and reduced time to market as there is no need for print plates or screen preparation. The digital customisation possibilities combined with extra flexibility and eco-friendly credentials helped make it a strong contender for an award.
Graham Jamson, UK sales manager at Coster said: “As every year, we really enjoyed the Forum and Awards evening as it’s always great to see our customers and contacts within the industry and to learn more about innovations and trends within the aerosol market. We have won awards at the last four Forums and we always value the light this shines on Coster’s innovations.”
Networking and industry education
Picking up the Process and Safety Training award at the forum last year was tin plate can manufacturer, Massilly, for its Coal Face Project.
The process came to life following a visit to a customer’s premises where an opportunity was identified to inform and educate people working on process control at the ‘coal face’. The simple yet effective process involves direct interaction with line crews working at machine level, and demonstrates how quickly and effectively engagement can be achieved without big investments and with the ability to be adopted by any manufacturing company.
Colin Price, general manager at Massilly Group said: “We are a proactive and responsible packaging provider and we want to broadcast this to our peers and customers alike. The Awards platform is the best possible place for this to happen, and we intend to make full use of this, as should everyone else.
"The Awards Dinner allows smaller fillers, manufacturers, and other services to mix with the larger players in the industry, and more often than not, can demonstrate ideas or products brought to market without extreme investments or the hold up of endless red tape. There’s also educational value through the seminars, learning more about what's happening in the industry and innovations which are very useful in spawning the next set of ideas to move forward, and act instead of react."
Demonstrating the best in the UK aerosol industry
Last year, Grundon Waste Management topped the Sustainability category for its Asthma Cartridge Recycling solution, attracting comments on its positive and significant environmental impact from the judges.
Having recycled aerosols for a number of years, Grundon modified the plant a few years ago to process all brands of MDI inhalers.
Only the cartridge itself is processed through the plant with any primary plastic or secondary cardboard packaging manually removed prior to processing, and the packaging recycled through Grundon’s in-house DMR routes facility.
The cartridges are crushed under a nitrogen blanket resulting in two outputs. A metal disc (the compacted inhaler cartridges) which goes into a metal recovery route, and the gas, which is captured in gas tanks before being forwarded to a third-party partner who specialises in capturing refrigerant gas for future re-use or safe destruction, preventing its harmful release into the atmosphere. Thus, each inhaler is 100% recycled.
Paul McConaghy, commercial manager for Hazardous Waste at Grundon says: “We are at the forefront of inhaler recycling within the UK and I believe our industry-leading facility and the ability to offer a genuinely full recycling option for this very environmentally damaging waste stream gave us the edge at the awards.
“The event is a great opportunity to show what is good about UK industry and the aerosol industry in particular. It’s always a good event for networking, but the guest speakers are always diverse and you always leave learning something new.”
To book your place at this year’s awards, visit the BAMA website.
Former BAMA Award Winners in the spotlight
