Berwick resident Peter Bares has won a prestigious global award for an innovative packaging system for ready-to-drink infant beverages. 31302 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Bridget Cook
AN INNOVATIVE packaging system has won a Berwick resident recognition on the global stage.
Peter Bares won Licensing Executives Society International’s prestigious Global Award for a plan to bring safe, ready-to-drink infant beverages to the world using an inventive packaging system.
Mr Bares, a graduate student of Swinburne’s Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, competed against 60 other universities from across the globe and won the International Graduate Student Business Plan Competition in Montreal, Canada.
Through his business Poppet International Mr Bares developed a manufacturing process to package safe, ready-to-drink infant beverages in sterile, recyclable baby bottles.
Each bottle is equipped with a revolutionary molded plastic closure, which when snapped off exposes a safe, recyclable nipple that is specially designed to allow accurate flow control.
Mr Bares said there is a huge international market for ready-to-drink long-life infant formulas, sterile water, rehydration drinks, infant suitable juices and vaccines.
“Estimates show there is demand for in excess of two billion infant beverage closures per year in the developed world, capable of a growth pattern mimicking the spectacular rise in the sales of pull-up sports bottle closures,’ Mr Bares said.
As winner of the Global Award Mr Bares received a $5000 cash prize as well as a competitive advantage through educational offerings, networking opportunities and mentoring from LESI members.
Mr Bares said winning the award was a great achievement.
“For myself it is validation of the years of hard work I have put in and for my family it is an example that at any age you can undertake your dream and succeed,” he said.
