Prof. Pierre Pienaar
2026 WinnerAustralia
Australia
Prof. Pierre Pienaar’s legacy is also his life’s work; which is to train and educate as many packaging professionals in the science of packaging and the fundamentals of packaging technology around the world as possible. When you look at his 40 years+ career, Pierre has personally trained, educated and developed thousands of packaging technologists, engineers and designers across the world. More than anyone else in the world.
His legacy is a future of technically skilled packaging professionals that truly understand the science of packaging and the fundamentals of packaging technology. Students knowing Ficks Law is one of his legacies.
Pierre’s legacy is being an educator, trainer, lecturer and mentor to the world of packaging professionals and the value of continuous learning adds to everyone’s life, career and personal development.
The late Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM had a considerable influence on Pierre, and he leads his life with the same singular determination that Harry displayed.
Pierre is responsible for mentoring other members of the education team and building the resources and opportunities of future generations of packaging technologists across the Australian and Asian regions. It is that future focus built on the foundations of great knowledge, collaboration and respect of individuals and their organisations that will be reflected in Pierre’s legacy.
Pierre’s considerable contribution to packaging in South Africa, Australia and through the World Packaging Organisation is unique and the industry is lucky to have someone with such passion for helping others grow, learn and become amazing packaging professionals.
The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) education team, the AIP Board and all AIP Members collectively see his work in action every week with AIP students and those fortunate to attend his training courses across the region.
In the 20 years that Pierre has worked with the AIP, he has never declined an opportunity to train and educate others.
His passion for training other packaging professionals is what drives him, and he would have trained 10’s of thousands of people in his time – on-line, in Australia and New Zealand and globally. The AIP does not believe that anyone else has trained as many packaging professionals in the world. Looking after students is what drives him, and the AIP sees it every day when he lectures, is a tutor or in front of a classroom. Being in a classroom with students makes him light up.
Prof. Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL is a prominent figure in the global packaging industry, recognised for his extensive contributions and leadership, he has become one of the most prolific and recognisable packaging educators in the world.
Having started his career in South Africa before moving to Australia, Pierre has been instrumental in the growth of degree level education in Australasia for over 23 years and is the Education Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP). His contribution extends well past Australasia and are global.
Pierre was also the first Australian to become President of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), and he was re-elected for a second term and led the organisation for 6 years. In this role, Pierre was instrumental in advancing packaging education and sustainability initiatives worldwide.
He has a particular passion for cold chain, and reducing food waste through improved packaging solutions, especially in developing regions. Under his leadership, the WPO has emphasised the importance of packaging in eradicating hunger and poverty globally. Pierre’s commitment to education is evident through his lecturing roles at various universities and his efforts to assist developing countries with packaging training.
He holds honorary professorships from international universities, acknowledging his impact in the field. His leadership continues to influence the packaging industry's direction towards sustainability and innovation.
Pierre’s many years of training and industry experience have provided him with a broad knowledge of the technical issues required of packaging to contain, and protect the product yet ensure optimum design requirements in line with the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines. He has worked with companies to provide solutions related to packaging design, cost reduction, product standardisation, specification systems, operation simplification, supplier auditing, supply chain assessment, and education. He has a passion for developing and delivering the best packaging solutions at the most efficient and cost-effective levels.
Pierre has used his broad packaging expertise and passion for product/packaging design efficiency and sustainability to assist and educate companies and individuals. Through Pierre’s AIP education role and his WPO education and leadership role, he has used his experience and knowledge to educate, develop, and encourage businesses and students in Australia and internationally.
Pierre has an in-depth knowledge of packaging technologies, and he has a great approach in sharing, educating & training packaging professionals at all levels. He keeps abreast of all the latest packaging technologies and is himself constantly learning and expanding his knowledge for the betterment of all. His enthusiasm for all things packaging is infectious.
Prof Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL commenced his career in the industry in 1984 after studying pharmacy and joining a large pharmaceutical manufacturer. After a year of doing drug analysis, an offer came up to become involved in packaging. He jumped at the opportunity of getting out of the laboratory and venturing into the world of packaging. Pierre was asked by the CEO to find a university somewhere in the world to do a post-graduate degree in Packaging. He found Brunel University in London where he completed a Master's Degree in Packaging Engineering.
It is because of his undergraduate studies undergraduate studies he developed an affinity for pharmaceutical packaging. Pierre enjoys packaging problem-solving in a production environment because of his early years in pharma, where he spent six years in the manufacturing of liquid, parenteral and solids – the packaging was diverse, with lots to learn in packaging when it came to the diverse filling machines. It was during these years in production that he completed a Master's Degree in Production from University of Hertfordshire, UK.
Prof Pierre Pienaar’s broad knowledge of packaging materials and solutions, especially for the food and pharmaceutical industries, are world class and his qualification as a Certified Packaging Professional (Lifetime) reflects that depth and breadth of his knowledge. Pierre applies that knowledge consistently through his ongoing engagement with various customers around Australia as part of his consultancy work as well as with the future packaging technologists of the world via his educational and packaging award judging roles within the AIP and other agencies.
Prof. Pierre Pienaar is the only person in the world who has been President of three organisations. 1. IPSA in South Africa 2. The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and 3. The World Packaging Organisation. He is also the only person that has been Education Director in the three countries. His contribution to the packaging industry far exceeds his paid roles over the years, his contribution as a volunteer through education and training is unparalleled globally.
Prof Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL has professionally been involved in so many key packaging industry initiatives but four deserve merit include: his extensive expertise in food packaging; especially rice; his expertise in pharmaceutical packaging and development of specifications; worldwide training program development as part of collaboration between various national packaging bodies and finally as Education Director for the AIP; a role he inherited from the late great Prof Harry Lovell OAM and has continued to grow and enhance the knowledge base within Australia, New Zealand, Asia and beyond.
Some major achievements in his volunteer life are:
The positive influence over 10s of thousands of young packaging technologists across the world during his career. Pierre has brought leadership, professionalism and structure to the training & education programme both locally and globally
Bringing the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) into the World Packaging Organisation and the WorldStar Packaging Awards. This led to WPO involvement in Australian Packaging events and the two organisations having a greater involvement in our regional packaging conferences over the past decade. This step has changed the way many Australasian packaging technologists think and learn. Elevated the positioning of Australasian packaging on the global stage. Pierre was instrumental in growing the Worldstar Award programme during his tenure as WPO President.
Working with the AIP to bring the Certified Packaging Professional certification program to Australasia to allow packaging technologists in the region to demonstrate their skill level against a world benchmark. This has enhanced the profession of being an Australasian packaging technologist. The AIP were the first organisation to offer the CPP outside of the Unites States, in partnership with the IoPP.
Two terms as President of the World Packaging Organisation and the considerable changes that he implemented in that organisation to enhance its relevancy across the world. In the 6 years Pierre elevated the WPO to a new standard of credibility globally. During Pierre’s tenure as WPO President there was a pandemic and a number of wars and a massive transition and regulatory shift in packaging. He drove the WPO steadily through an intense period of change in the packaging world.
Fellowship Institute of Packaging South Africa
Issued by Institute of Packaging South Africa · Nov 2023
Certified Packaging Professional Lifetime Certified Packaging Professional Lifetime
Issued by Institute of Packaging Professionals, USA · Mar 2023
First lifetime CPP in Australasia
Packaging Hall of Fame Inductee
Issued by PMMI (2022)
Certified Packaging Professional (LIFE)
Issued by AIP & IOPP 2015
First CPP in Australasia (2015)
First CPP Lifetime in Australasia (2024)
Founders Award Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) 2014
Issued by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
Fellowship Australasian Institute of Packaging
Issued by Australasian Institute of Packaging · Jun 2005
Honorary Life Member Institute of Packaging South Africa
Issued by Institute of Packaging South Africa · Apr 1997
Sichuan University
Visiting Professor · Oct 2019 - Present
Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication
Professor (Honorary) Dept Engineering: Packaging · Apr 2016 – Present
Professor in Packaging Engineering 2016 (Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication one of the top 5 Universities in China offering packaging science and technology)
Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
Education Director 2012 to current
President · Jun 2010 - Jun 2012
Awarded Fellowship of the Australasian Institute of Packaging in 2005.
Awarded Founders Award 2014. This is the highest achievement in the AIP. Only 8 people have ever received this award in 63 years.
AIP Coordinator of the University of Melbourne Master of Food & Packaging Innovation Degree 2015 to Present
Diploma in Packaging Technology Tutor
Visiting Lecturer, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation · Jul 2015 – Present
Visiting Lecturer RMIT University, Victoria
Visiting Lecturer UNSW, New South Wales
Visiting Lecturer Monash University, Victoria
AIP Member 2002 to Present
Institute of Packaging South Africa
Awarded Fellowship 2023
President · May 1994 - May 1996
Awarded Honorary Life Membership in May 1996.
Chairman of Education Board of Institute of Packaging South Africa 1996 - 1999.
World Packaging Organisation
WPO Trainer (current)
Immediate Past President WPO (Jan 2018 - Dec 2023)
ANZ Board Member to 2010- 2018
Educational degrees/qualifications
Brunel University of London - Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Technology and Engineering 1999 - 2003
Activities and societies: Global Packaging discussion groups
Master’s degree in Packaging Engineering and Technology
Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University
Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Science Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Science 1999 - 2003
Activities and societies: In collaboration with Brunel University
Master’s degree in Packaging Technology
To describe the contribution Professor Pierre Pienaar has made to the field of packaging, one must take a multi-dimensional approach.
Is it the dimension of packaging education where Pierre has been the Director of Education of the AIP as well as being a tutor to several 100 of Australia’s and regional students undertaking the premier packaging course in Australia – AIP Diploma in Packaging Technology.
Is it in the dimension of Leadership to develop the Master in Food Innovation and Packaging with the University of Melbourne. Now in its 10th year over 500 hundred students from across Australasia have completed this course.
Is it the 30+ training courses that are now offered through the AIP online and in person that he was a part of developing, or the thousands of packaging professionals that has undertaken his training courses, forums, workshops and lectures over 30 years.
Is it the dimension of leading Australian organisations away from being domestic based to providing packaging leadership across the Asian region. Pierre strongly believes in giving back and ensuring that the AIP takes their technical skills and training to other regions to help develop the skills of future packaging professionals. The AIP now trains in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Is it the global dimension of his direct involvement in the World Packaging Organisation which led to his two terms as President. The outcome for Australians and New Zealanders was to show how we could both learn and teach those in our industry across the world sharing knowledge. He opened the Australasian region up to become more global.
Is it the dimension of establishing industry recognition for Packaging Technologists based on the internationally recognised Certified Packaging Professional certification initiated by IoPP USA and exclusively run in Asia by the AIP. Pierre worked with the IoPP and the AIP to also offer the CPP to WPO Members across the world. The CPP program has now grown to be globally recognised as the benchmark of industry knowledge.
Is it the dimension of demonstrating that you can never, never stop learning about packaging and its numerous related roles. His numerous academic qualifications clearly demonstrate this.
Is it the dimension of spending his valuable time with any person, in any country, who has expressed an intention to learn more about good packaging choices. We have all viewed this dimension on many occasions and seen the result on the lucky person receiving his guidance. While the many other dimensions, demonstrate Pierre’s many skills and contributions, it is this simple one that demonstrated who he is as a person and not just what he has achieved.
His legacy is a future of technically skilled packaging professionals that truly understand the science of packaging and the fundamentals of packaging technology. Students knowing Ficks Law is one of his legacies.
Pierre’s legacy is being an educator, trainer, lecturer and mentor to the world of packaging professionals and the value of continuous learning adds to everyone’s life, career and personal development.
The late Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM had a considerable influence on Pierre, and he leads his life with the same singular determination that Harry displayed.
Pierre is responsible for mentoring other members of the education team and building the resources and opportunities of future generations of packaging technologists across the Australian and Asian regions. It is that future focus built on the foundations of great knowledge, collaboration and respect of individuals and their organisations that will be reflected in Pierre’s legacy.
Pierre’s considerable contribution to packaging in South Africa, Australia and through the World Packaging Organisation is unique and the industry is lucky to have someone with such passion for helping others grow, learn and become amazing packaging professionals.
The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) education team, the AIP Board and all AIP Members collectively see his work in action every week with AIP students and those fortunate to attend his training courses across the region.
In the 20 years that Pierre has worked with the AIP, he has never declined an opportunity to train and educate others.
His passion for training other packaging professionals is what drives him, and he would have trained 10’s of thousands of people in his time – on-line, in Australia and New Zealand and globally. The AIP does not believe that anyone else has trained as many packaging professionals in the world. Looking after students is what drives him, and the AIP sees it every day when he lectures, is a tutor or in front of a classroom. Being in a classroom with students makes him light up.
Prof. Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL is a prominent figure in the global packaging industry, recognised for his extensive contributions and leadership, he has become one of the most prolific and recognisable packaging educators in the world.
Having started his career in South Africa before moving to Australia, Pierre has been instrumental in the growth of degree level education in Australasia for over 23 years and is the Education Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP). His contribution extends well past Australasia and are global.
Pierre was also the first Australian to become President of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), and he was re-elected for a second term and led the organisation for 6 years. In this role, Pierre was instrumental in advancing packaging education and sustainability initiatives worldwide.
He has a particular passion for cold chain, and reducing food waste through improved packaging solutions, especially in developing regions. Under his leadership, the WPO has emphasised the importance of packaging in eradicating hunger and poverty globally. Pierre’s commitment to education is evident through his lecturing roles at various universities and his efforts to assist developing countries with packaging training.
He holds honorary professorships from international universities, acknowledging his impact in the field. His leadership continues to influence the packaging industry's direction towards sustainability and innovation.
Pierre’s many years of training and industry experience have provided him with a broad knowledge of the technical issues required of packaging to contain, and protect the product yet ensure optimum design requirements in line with the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines. He has worked with companies to provide solutions related to packaging design, cost reduction, product standardisation, specification systems, operation simplification, supplier auditing, supply chain assessment, and education. He has a passion for developing and delivering the best packaging solutions at the most efficient and cost-effective levels.
Pierre has used his broad packaging expertise and passion for product/packaging design efficiency and sustainability to assist and educate companies and individuals. Through Pierre’s AIP education role and his WPO education and leadership role, he has used his experience and knowledge to educate, develop, and encourage businesses and students in Australia and internationally.
Pierre has an in-depth knowledge of packaging technologies, and he has a great approach in sharing, educating & training packaging professionals at all levels. He keeps abreast of all the latest packaging technologies and is himself constantly learning and expanding his knowledge for the betterment of all. His enthusiasm for all things packaging is infectious.
Prof Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL commenced his career in the industry in 1984 after studying pharmacy and joining a large pharmaceutical manufacturer. After a year of doing drug analysis, an offer came up to become involved in packaging. He jumped at the opportunity of getting out of the laboratory and venturing into the world of packaging. Pierre was asked by the CEO to find a university somewhere in the world to do a post-graduate degree in Packaging. He found Brunel University in London where he completed a Master's Degree in Packaging Engineering.
It is because of his undergraduate studies undergraduate studies he developed an affinity for pharmaceutical packaging. Pierre enjoys packaging problem-solving in a production environment because of his early years in pharma, where he spent six years in the manufacturing of liquid, parenteral and solids – the packaging was diverse, with lots to learn in packaging when it came to the diverse filling machines. It was during these years in production that he completed a Master's Degree in Production from University of Hertfordshire, UK.
Prof Pierre Pienaar’s broad knowledge of packaging materials and solutions, especially for the food and pharmaceutical industries, are world class and his qualification as a Certified Packaging Professional (Lifetime) reflects that depth and breadth of his knowledge. Pierre applies that knowledge consistently through his ongoing engagement with various customers around Australia as part of his consultancy work as well as with the future packaging technologists of the world via his educational and packaging award judging roles within the AIP and other agencies.
Prof. Pierre Pienaar is the only person in the world who has been President of three organisations. 1. IPSA in South Africa 2. The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and 3. The World Packaging Organisation. He is also the only person that has been Education Director in the three countries. His contribution to the packaging industry far exceeds his paid roles over the years, his contribution as a volunteer through education and training is unparalleled globally.
Prof Pierre Pienaar MSC, FIPSA, FAIP, CPPL has professionally been involved in so many key packaging industry initiatives but four deserve merit include: his extensive expertise in food packaging; especially rice; his expertise in pharmaceutical packaging and development of specifications; worldwide training program development as part of collaboration between various national packaging bodies and finally as Education Director for the AIP; a role he inherited from the late great Prof Harry Lovell OAM and has continued to grow and enhance the knowledge base within Australia, New Zealand, Asia and beyond.
Some major achievements in his volunteer life are:
The positive influence over 10s of thousands of young packaging technologists across the world during his career. Pierre has brought leadership, professionalism and structure to the training & education programme both locally and globally
Bringing the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) into the World Packaging Organisation and the WorldStar Packaging Awards. This led to WPO involvement in Australian Packaging events and the two organisations having a greater involvement in our regional packaging conferences over the past decade. This step has changed the way many Australasian packaging technologists think and learn. Elevated the positioning of Australasian packaging on the global stage. Pierre was instrumental in growing the Worldstar Award programme during his tenure as WPO President.
Working with the AIP to bring the Certified Packaging Professional certification program to Australasia to allow packaging technologists in the region to demonstrate their skill level against a world benchmark. This has enhanced the profession of being an Australasian packaging technologist. The AIP were the first organisation to offer the CPP outside of the Unites States, in partnership with the IoPP.
Two terms as President of the World Packaging Organisation and the considerable changes that he implemented in that organisation to enhance its relevancy across the world. In the 6 years Pierre elevated the WPO to a new standard of credibility globally. During Pierre’s tenure as WPO President there was a pandemic and a number of wars and a massive transition and regulatory shift in packaging. He drove the WPO steadily through an intense period of change in the packaging world.
Fellowship Institute of Packaging South Africa
Issued by Institute of Packaging South Africa · Nov 2023
Certified Packaging Professional Lifetime Certified Packaging Professional Lifetime
Issued by Institute of Packaging Professionals, USA · Mar 2023
First lifetime CPP in Australasia
Packaging Hall of Fame Inductee
Issued by PMMI (2022)
Certified Packaging Professional (LIFE)
Issued by AIP & IOPP 2015
First CPP in Australasia (2015)
First CPP Lifetime in Australasia (2024)
Founders Award Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) 2014
Issued by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
Fellowship Australasian Institute of Packaging
Issued by Australasian Institute of Packaging · Jun 2005
Honorary Life Member Institute of Packaging South Africa
Issued by Institute of Packaging South Africa · Apr 1997
Sichuan University
Visiting Professor · Oct 2019 - Present
Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication
Professor (Honorary) Dept Engineering: Packaging · Apr 2016 – Present
Professor in Packaging Engineering 2016 (Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication one of the top 5 Universities in China offering packaging science and technology)
Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)
Education Director 2012 to current
President · Jun 2010 - Jun 2012
Awarded Fellowship of the Australasian Institute of Packaging in 2005.
Awarded Founders Award 2014. This is the highest achievement in the AIP. Only 8 people have ever received this award in 63 years.
AIP Coordinator of the University of Melbourne Master of Food & Packaging Innovation Degree 2015 to Present
Diploma in Packaging Technology Tutor
Visiting Lecturer, Master of Food and Packaging Innovation · Jul 2015 – Present
Visiting Lecturer RMIT University, Victoria
Visiting Lecturer UNSW, New South Wales
Visiting Lecturer Monash University, Victoria
AIP Member 2002 to Present
Institute of Packaging South Africa
Awarded Fellowship 2023
President · May 1994 - May 1996
Awarded Honorary Life Membership in May 1996.
Chairman of Education Board of Institute of Packaging South Africa 1996 - 1999.
World Packaging Organisation
WPO Trainer (current)
Immediate Past President WPO (Jan 2018 - Dec 2023)
ANZ Board Member to 2010- 2018
Educational degrees/qualifications
Brunel University of London - Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Technology and Engineering 1999 - 2003
Activities and societies: Global Packaging discussion groups
Master’s degree in Packaging Engineering and Technology
Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University
Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Science Master of Science (MSc), Packaging Science 1999 - 2003
Activities and societies: In collaboration with Brunel University
Master’s degree in Packaging Technology
To describe the contribution Professor Pierre Pienaar has made to the field of packaging, one must take a multi-dimensional approach.
Is it the dimension of packaging education where Pierre has been the Director of Education of the AIP as well as being a tutor to several 100 of Australia’s and regional students undertaking the premier packaging course in Australia – AIP Diploma in Packaging Technology.
Is it in the dimension of Leadership to develop the Master in Food Innovation and Packaging with the University of Melbourne. Now in its 10th year over 500 hundred students from across Australasia have completed this course.
Is it the 30+ training courses that are now offered through the AIP online and in person that he was a part of developing, or the thousands of packaging professionals that has undertaken his training courses, forums, workshops and lectures over 30 years.
Is it the dimension of leading Australian organisations away from being domestic based to providing packaging leadership across the Asian region. Pierre strongly believes in giving back and ensuring that the AIP takes their technical skills and training to other regions to help develop the skills of future packaging professionals. The AIP now trains in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Is it the global dimension of his direct involvement in the World Packaging Organisation which led to his two terms as President. The outcome for Australians and New Zealanders was to show how we could both learn and teach those in our industry across the world sharing knowledge. He opened the Australasian region up to become more global.
Is it the dimension of establishing industry recognition for Packaging Technologists based on the internationally recognised Certified Packaging Professional certification initiated by IoPP USA and exclusively run in Asia by the AIP. Pierre worked with the IoPP and the AIP to also offer the CPP to WPO Members across the world. The CPP program has now grown to be globally recognised as the benchmark of industry knowledge.
Is it the dimension of demonstrating that you can never, never stop learning about packaging and its numerous related roles. His numerous academic qualifications clearly demonstrate this.
Is it the dimension of spending his valuable time with any person, in any country, who has expressed an intention to learn more about good packaging choices. We have all viewed this dimension on many occasions and seen the result on the lucky person receiving his guidance. While the many other dimensions, demonstrate Pierre’s many skills and contributions, it is this simple one that demonstrated who he is as a person and not just what he has achieved.