Explore the transformative journey of Abigail Sawyer-Parker, Future Trailblazer Award winner, from biochemist to pioneering packaging innovator.
In the intricate tapestry of life, our passions often emerge from the most unexpected places. The journey to discovering what truly excites and fulfils us is rarely a straight path; instead, it’s a winding road with surprises at every turn. Many people find their passions buried in the mundane tasks of daily life, hidden within jobs or hobbies they never initially considered. This serendipitous discovery can lead to a profound sense of purpose and thriving in ways we never imagined.
The notion of “falling into” a field like packaging—and thriving—is a testament to the idea that passion can be found in the unlikeliest of places. It reminds us of that openness to new experiences and a willingness to explore the unfamiliar can lead to discovering hidden interests and talents. When we embrace tasks, no matter how ordinary they seem, we unlock the potential to find passion and purpose where we least expect it.
Since winning the Future Trailblazer Award at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2024, barely an awards ceremony goes by without a mention of Abigail Sawyer-Parker. Achieving this recognition after less than three years in the industry, her remarkable achievements have made her a standout figure and a name to watch in the packaging world.
“I think what helped me win was the fact that I was so new to the industry,” she tells Packaging Innovations, which hosts the Future Trailblazer Awards. “At the time, I’d only worked in packaging for two-and-a-half years. Before that, I was a biochemist and did some freelance scientific editing and publishing on the side. I got a bit lucky because we have hundreds of different sites. About one month into my employment, ProAmpac acquired us and I was given responsibility for paper-based projects for the site.
“Because I was so new and the project was new to the site, I felt I had to prove myself. I put everything into it, learning in my own time and gathering information wherever I could. I had no project management or material science experience. The only thing that transitioned from my previous job was knowledge of good lab practices and complaints investigations. I took it on as a challenge. I think I was quite lucky with the Fiberisation of Packaging™ movement, and it keeps me busy with plastic reduction and recyclability sustainability projects.
“We had a sudden influx of customers wanting paper solutions, so I quickly got busy. One of our main focuses is high-barrier paper applications, which was tricky. I had to acquire material knowledge and project management skills while adapting to a new industry. It was a lot to cope with mentally, but I did it with a lot of help from other team members, and we launched the high-barrier paper sachet for Purition.”
But for the stars aligning, Abigail wouldn’t have worked on this breakthrough in partnership with the wholefood nutrition producer. Instead, ProAmpac introduced the ProActive Recyclable® paper sachets for powdered meal shakes, a fully recyclable high-barrier paper sachet that replaces Purition’s original multilayer non-recyclable packaging. The innovative solution marked a significant step forward in sustainable packaging, highlighting the impact of collaborative efforts in the industry. This high-barrier paper sachet has gone on to garner multiple accolades.
But for this serendipitous opportunity, Sawyer-Parker might not have become a walking advertisement for the packaging industry.
As a Packaging Technologist at ProAmpac, Abigail focuses on elevating sustainability benchmarks through cutting-edge solutions in flexible paper packaging. Working with a cross-functional team, she develops products that merge form and function while minimising environmental impact.
With a strong academic background in biochemistry and journalism, Abigail is furthering her data science and packaging technology education to enhance her skills and knowledge in this dynamic field.
“I got my knowledge from the rest of the product development (PD) team at ProAmpac,” she notes. “We have two channels: the PD team, which I’m part of, and the innovation team. The PD team handles inquiries, recommends materials, and does testing, while the innovation team focuses on the deep scientific development of coatings and papers.
“When customers come to us with specific needs, if we don’t have suitable solutions, we link back to the innovation team. Starting this job was a baptism by fire. I worked here for about a month or two before I got my first project. Before that, I was doing material testing and compliance documents. Once I got the project, I had to learn quickly.
“It’s about building up a catalogue of knowledge through trials. I have to ask people about many things in the factory, but every trial teaches us something new or presents a new problem to fix. It’s all about documenting these experiences and keeping them for when the same issues happen again.”
Paper packaging – rooted in millennia-old traditions such as those dating back to the Tang Dynasty in China – is experiencing a resurgence driven by modern innovation. Today, paper packaging is not merely nostalgic but increasingly pivotal in everyday life, buoyed by a global shift towards sustainable alternatives to plastic. You only have to walk the floor of Packaging Innovations & Empack to witness firsthand the evolution of this trend, showcasing improved functionality, recyclability, and new aesthetic developments year after year.
“It’s exciting to be part of it from the early stages,” says Abigail. “There are endless possibilities and significant room for improvement in new categories. It’s an exciting time. I did a lot of research, trying to apply information from other scenarios to paper. I worked closely with the innovation teams in America because we got a lot of projects through. If I wasn’t sure about something, I’d ask the team, and they might say, ‘Oh, we worked on this in 2022, and we got these results’, then it’s about applying that knowledge to what you’re doing.
“I am probably too excited about my projects because I am very invested. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s a career. For example, with the M&S Organics range, we won at the Environmental Packaging Awards. The development work for that has been ongoing since I started in 2021. Now, it’s finally on the shelves and winning awards, and I can see the result of four years of work. The average consumer might think, ‘Oh, that’s on paper now, nice’, but the amount of trial, material development, and testing that has gone into that project is immense.”
With a keen eye for sustainable solutions and a proactive approach to challenges, Abigail continually pushes the boundaries of what is possible in packaging technology. Her ability to navigate complex projects and deliver exceptional results has made her a formidable force in her field, earning recognition and respect from peers and industry leaders. Abigail’s competitive spirit drives her to continually seek new opportunities for growth and impact, solidifying her reputation as a leader and trailblazer in the packaging industry.
“With high barrier developments, it’s not just about putting a coating on paper; it’s about sourcing the right type of paper for the coating and optimising the processes,” she explains. “If we can’t run it through the factory efficiently there’s no point. So, it’s not just material development; we need to understand how the factories work and the processes that make something commercial.
“It’s nice to be at the forefront of this, especially being so new to the industry, but it’s also quite challenging. It’s a competitive space. Seeing other companies launch products injects excitement into our roles. We try to identify consumer needs and wants before they become widespread. For instance, we just launched ProActive Recyclable RP-1050EU to replace shrink wrap and secondary packaging, anticipating the PPWR. We aim to stay ahead of the trends to offer established solutions to our customers.”
She goes on: “Navigating the complexities of packaging materials prompts us to balance functionality with sustainability. And that often involves candid conversations with customers. ProAmpac explains that while their materials may meet their product’s needs, operational constraints on packaging machinery can complicate adoption. This journey of education intersects where recyclability and performance meet.
“It’s tricky because from the material science side, if I walk into a store and see a pack of whole onions in paper, I think, ‘Oh, that’s cool. That’s nice. That works for the product’. But then you start to wonder how they are overcoming the barrier to that. What’s inside? We receive a lot of inquiries for items like protein bars and natural fruit and nut bars. They require a high barrier, but there’s a strong push to switch to paper due to the fiberisation trend. It’s often a matter of explaining to the customer that we have a material that works for their product, but it might not run on their machine. Or we have a paper that will run on their machine, but we’re unsure if it suits the product.
“So, it’s also about educating the customer because they’re keen on paper for its curbside recyclability. But sometimes, we think their product would fare much better if they used a recyclable OPP laminate instead. We believe in solutions where possible, but we won’t force them. You see a lot of that happening without considering all the factors.”
Abigail’s journey from biochemistry to packaging technology epitomises the unexpected paths that lead to passion and purpose. Rising swiftly in ProAmpac, her groundbreaking work in sustainable packaging, including developing ProActive Recyclable® paper sachets, underscores her commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Her accolades, like the Future Trailblazer Award, highlight her rapid ascent and the transformative impact of her contributions to the industry.
In a field where function meets sustainability, Abigail navigates complex challenges with a blend of scientific rigour and strategic vision. Her story inspires a broader narrative of resilience and exploration, reminding us that true fulfilment often emerges when we embrace new opportunities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Abigail demonstrates that by following our passions and leveraging our skills, we can succeed and lead meaningful change in our industries and communities.
Make sure you don’t miss out on 2025’s show by registering your interest at www.packagingbirmingham.com.
