A dearth of US breakthroughs and recognition for a mostly metal package were among the surprises at this year's DuPont packaging awards.

Reprinted with Permission from www.labthink.cn

As the new millennium unfolds, it’s becoming more apparent that one of a consumer goods manufacturer’s most important assets is its brand. Consumers are willing to pay a premium price for brands, and that translates to both profit and marketplace power.

But brand...