The trade magazine for the packaging industry
The European Carton Excellence Award (ECEA) has honoured the most creative and sustainable packaging solutions in Europe in Istanbul. In addition to renowned industry giants such as Van Genechten Packaging and Graphic Packaging International, talented young students from Germany, Hungary, Poland and Turkey were also honoured for their pioneering ideas.
Carton of the Year: Cosmetic Advent wreath made from cardboard
The highest honour at the ECEA Gala, the "Carton of the Year Award", went to Van Genechten Packaging in co-operation with Metsä Board. The prize was awarded to the "Lumene 24 Nordic Beauty Secrets" Advent calendar - a hexagonal tray with 24 puzzle boxes of different heights arranged in a spiral. The packaging is made entirely from FSC-certified cardboard, can be shipped flat and has a high-quality finish with hologram foil and embossing - and is fully recyclable. The design reinterprets classic Advent shapes and proves how stylish sustainability can be.
Other main prizes: Innovation, Sustainability and Audience Voice
The Innovation Award secured Graphic Packaging International with a multipack solution for Leffe beer. The 20-pack made of cardboard replaces plastic-reinforced carrying handles with fibre-based materials - with high stability and efficient processing on existing machines.
With the Sustainability Award were Lucaprint S.p.A. and Stora Enso for mono-material packaging for the Claber's Lancia Pro 8535 garden hose nozzle. The solution uses no plastic, reduces the volume by 50 % and remains fully recyclable - with optimum product visibility.
The Public Awardwhich was voted on by more than 7,600 people, received the Easter packaging "Easter Filled Figures"from DUCAJU and Holmen Board and Paper. The playful house shape combines food compatibility with emotional design and enables repeatable opening and closing thanks to a clever locking mechanism.
New categories for brand owners - winners from all over Europe
In the new categories for brand owners introduced in 2025, the winners reflect the wide range and innovative power of modern cartonboard packaging. MM Packaging Polska and Stora Enso, for example, secured the Confectionery Award for their atmospheric and functional Milka Advent calendar design. The Beverages Awardwent to Smurfit Westrock and Holmen Board and Paper for their eye-catching cognac presentation with the Hine Ball Giftpack. Van Genechten Packaging proved its versatility twice over: together with the RDM Group, the company won the Ambient Food Award for the recycled Cassegrain Multi-Pack for tin cans, while in cooperation with Stora Enso the Chilled & Frozen Food Award for the PAVÉ D'AFFINOIS Mini cheese packaging followed - a consistent switch from multi-material to fibre-based solutions.
The Pharma & Health Care Award PAWI Packaging Deutschland GmbH and Holmen Board and Paper received the award for a hearing aid packaging that ideally combines functionality and protection. The Beauty & Cosmetics Award went to Van Genechten Packaging and Stora Enso for the Rituals Car Gift Set Sakura with its elegant feel and secure closure system. The award ceremony was rounded off by the General Packaging Award for Cosack GmbH & Co. KG Druck + Verpackung and Smurfit WestRock, who impressed with their effective and protective knife packaging.
Focus on young talent: Pro Carton Young Designers Award
The next generation of the packaging industry was also honoured in Istanbul - with the Pro Carton Young Designers Award (PCYDA)the most important European competition for students in the field of sustainable packaging design. Over 950 entries from 102 universities set a new record this year and emphasise the growing interest in environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
The highest honour in the category Food & Drink was awarded to the Hungarian student Barnabás Varga from the University of Pécs for "Frosty Blaze", a modern gift box for a traditional Tyrolean liqueur. The box combines appealing design with practical details such as integrated glasses and gives the product a high-quality brand experience.
In the category All Other convinced the team of the Münster School of Design - Jule Schelletter, Meret Fischmann, Birte Müller and Bahareh Hosseinzadeh Alamdari - with "Padon Period Pads". The menstrual product packaging scores points with its clever folding mechanism, which allows used and new pads to be discreetly stored and removed separately. Sustainability and user-friendliness go hand in hand here.
The Public Awardwhich received over 7700 votes, went to the Turkish team Ece Naz Taş, Zeynep Cantürk and Serra Kağıtcı from the Middle East Technical University. Their contribution "Fold'n'Hold" is an innovative carrier packaging for drinks - light, stable and made entirely from cardboard.
With the Judges' Award was also the Romanian student Elena Ghetu was honoured. Her idea "Tensum" - a playfully designed, book-like condom packaging - is intended to combine the topic of education with sustainability and interactivity.
Video Award: Packaging told emotionally
At the Pro Carton Student Video Award (PCSVA) the film was convincing "Recycled Romance" by three Berlin students (SRH University of Applied Sciences) with a touching love story in cardboard language.
The public vote won again "Fold'n'Hold" from Turkey - this time as a video. The following films were also particularly recommended "Boyfriend material" (high school romance with an environmental message) and "Cartonboard Never Dies"(stop-motion with a focus on recycling).
Creativity meets responsibility
Winfried Mühling from Pro Carton put it in a nutshell: "This year's awards prove that packaging can not only protect, but also inspire - and that cartonboard is the material of the future."
The complete list of all winners is on the Pro Carton website to find.