Universal Lubricants has announced that its Eco Ultra Synthetic Blend Motor Oil FlexPak, developed in cooperation with Star Packaging Corp., received gold and silver awards at the Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Ceremony on February 26. The company’s one-quart FlexPak received a Gold Award in Environmental and Sustainability Achievement and a Silver Award in Packaging Excellence.

"As the nation’s first motor oil sold at retail in a sustainable, flexible stand-up pouch, the Eco Ultra FlexPak sets a new standard in US motor oil packaging," the company says. "Compared to conventional hard plastic bottles, the durable, lightweight FlexPak is made with 25 percent less material, and offers consumers a faster, easier and cleaner way to change their oil. It also gives retailers and installers a unique opportunity to offer their customers a high-performance product in an environmentally responsible package."

“Our Eco Ultra FlexPak has literally broken the mold in the retail motor oil marketplace,” says Jan Horsfall, Universal Lubricants’ chief marketing officer. “Consumers want to choose products that are good for the environment without sacrificing product quality and performance. Thanks to our partnership with Star Packaging, we have created a breakthrough product that embodies high performance, innovative design and sustainability.“

In all, 127 entries were submitted to the 2013 competition, of which, 25 packages were honored with 29 Achievement Awards for innovative enhancements that integrate consumer trends and needs with technical advancements in materials, graphics, structure and sustainability.

Star Packaging Corp. produces the package for Universal Lubricants at facilities in Tampa, FL. and Atlanta, GA, USA. The tough, three-layer Eco Ultra FlexPak features a pour-spout engineered by Innovative Packaging Network, that prevents the traditional glugs and bubbles from bottles that cause splatters and spills. It has a polyethylene barrier that provides superior burst and seal strengths required for the rigors of oil. A larger, 5.1-quart FlexPak will be available this year.

Universal Lubricants launched the Eco Ultra FlexPak in October 2012 at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) where it won its first award for Packaging Innovation. The FlexPak also placed among the top three leading innovations in the home and garden product industry in a 4th Quarter 2012 Innovation Survey on product packaging, and was named one of the Top 10 packages in all product categories for the year.