The European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) has announced this year's winners of the prestigious „Tube of the Year“ competition. A seven-member jury, composed of representatives from etma member companies, selected the best entries in the Aluminium, Plastic, Laminate, Sustainability, and Prototype categories.
The competition is considered the benchmark for innovation, technical excellence, and outstanding design within the international tube industry. The award-winning tubes of 2026 once again underscore the strong position of the tube in the global packaging market.
Sieger Aluminium Tube: Alltub Italia for Rituals
The winning tube from Alltub Italia for the cosmetics brand Rituals combines exceptional design with sustainability. Developed for a limited-edition body scrub, the tube is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminium. Particularly striking is the bronze-to-copper metallic look with a transparent effect, which highlights the natural feel of the aluminium. Inspired by traditional pharmacies, the design revisits the theme of „alchemy“ with warm amber tones and smoky colour effects. Impressive are the three colour gradients, which were achieved without the use of halftone printing. A classic black cap completes the high-quality appearance. Matching aluminium tins within the product line also ensure a consistent brand image.
Sieger Laminate Tube: EPL Europe – BARBERO-Series
EPL Europe received the award for its Barbero range of men's grooming products, which combines high-quality aesthetics, innovative material technology, and enhanced sustainability. The range is based on the Platina-ME structure developed by EPL, an HDPE-based laminate with a silver metallised PE layer.
The material offers excellent barrier properties while also meeting relevant European regulatory requirements. High-resolution flexo printing combined with matt and selective gloss varnishes creates sophisticated visual contrasts, while large-format screen printing elements add further tactile and visual accents. Lightweight HDPE shoulders and colour-coordinated slim flip-top caps further enhance the recyclability and resource efficiency of the entire product range.
Sieger Kunststofftube: Albéa Tubes for Weleda
Albéa Tubes won the Plastic Tube category with a newly developed packaging solution for Weleda's shower gel series. The mono-material HDPE tube combines a lightweight PE cap with a PCR Max sleeve and a reduced wall thickness of just 350 μm. The solution contains more than 57 percent post-consumer recycled material (excluding the cap) and is fully designed for recycling in existing HDPE streams.
Equally convincing is the visual design: Albéa's PrimePrint technology enables photorealistic graphics, brilliant colours, and exceptional optical depth. The result is modern, premium packaging with a high shelf impact and strong brand presence.
Sieger Sustainability: Albéa Tubes – Fill-Up for L'Occitane
The award in the Sustainability category also went to Albéa Tubes – for Fill-Up, an innovative refill solution developed together with L’Occitane. Fill-Up is made entirely from mono-material PE and features a specially developed EcoTop cap. The solution combines recyclability with reusability. Consumers open the tube along designated tear lines and can cleanly and conveniently transfer the contents into their preferred container.
As a high-quality alternative to conventional refill pouches, Fill-Up offers a strong presence at the point of sale while at the same time adopting the brand aesthetic of the original container. The ergonomic design allows for easy handling and precise refilling without leaks. Furthermore, manufacturers can continue to use existing tube filling systems without requiring additional investment.
Winner Prototype: Tubex Aluminium Tubes – MonoSense
The prototype prize went to Tubex Aluminium Tubes for MonoSense, which the company states is the world's first tube with a fully aluminium applicator.
MonoSense is made from a single piece of aluminium with 95 percent post-consumer recycled content. By avoiding material combinations, recycling is significantly simplified. The seamless applicator allows for precise and hygienic application of the product, while also offering the pleasantly cooling feel of aluminium.
Excellent barrier properties, as well as the absence of a suck-back effect, contribute to product safety and hygiene, making the solution particularly attractive for applications in the beauty and pharmaceutical sectors. By combining recyclability, functionality, and user comfort in a single solution, MonoSense represents a genuine leap in innovation for aluminium tubes.
Source: etma
