Innovation Awards spotlight | FlipStraw
In December 2025, our prestigious jury — featuring leading names including L’Oréal, Coty, European Aerosol Federation (FEA), Unilever International, and many more – came together to evaluate the entries for the ADF Innovation Awards. The winners were then unveiled, celebrated, and honoured at the inaugural Innovation Awards Gala, held on the eve of Paris Packaging Week 2026.
How did the pack fulfil the brief?
FlipStraw represents a significant evolutionary step in dual spray actuator solutions, offering increased flexibility in product formulation and application. Uniquely, no pre-heating is required ahead of assembly, expediting the production process.
Its lightweight design reduces plastic use while maintaining durability and performance. FlipStraw offers streamlined assembly, requiring no pre-heating or specialist tools, making the fitting process considerably more time-efficient.
Compatible with different valves, including LINDAL’s male valves (LI) and one-inch (LIB) ball valves, FlipStraw delivers multiple spray options, from a fine mist spray for wide, even coverage to a precise, powerful stream jet when the straw is engaged.
Additional benefits include excellent top load resistance for modern distribution channels and e-commerce, a moulded one-time use tearaway tab that supports pack integrity and consumer trust, colour options including red, translucent and black, two standard straw lengths to accommodate different can sizes, and manufacturing in the EU for faster lead times, increased responsiveness and enhanced customer support.
Ahead of launch, in-depth research and development was undertaken involving a broad collaboration between marketing, engineering and customer insight experts. Having received feedback during prototyping, we were able to determine and refine a design that would meet multiple performance expectations of consumers.
Please give as much detail as possible on how the pack represents an improvement in sustainability impact.
The FlipStraw project was initiated to develop a sustainable, lightweight, and easy to assemble 2 way actuator. The concept aimed to combine functionality and robustness, while reducing the consumption of plastic to the minimum. FlipStraw weighs in average 3g less than similar actuators present on the market. Despite its lightweight the actuator had to provide reliable sealing performance, no leakage under transport stress, and withstand repeated opening/closing cycles.
Why do you believe this pack deserves to win an Innovation Award?
Customers frequently comment on the simplicity of assembly onto the can during production and that the container can be mounted quickly, eliminating the need for a pneumatic press while also reducing operational costs and minimising complexities on the filling line.
Since its launch at the beginning of 2025, FlipStraw has received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. Orders were received only 2 months following its official launch at ADF in January 2025, with homecare and technical product suppliers across Europe demonstrating an especial interest.
Who did you work with on this project?
- Our Customer Ambro-Sol, who supported us with the first industrial trials, which lead to significant design improvements to facilitate the handling of the actuator in real production environment
