THE finalists for the 2025 Packaging Startup Awards have been announced by ThePackHub.
The awards celebrate innovations from star-up businesses that are transforming the future of packaging. Sponsored by Ocado Retail, the competition will culminate in a ceremony at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025, held at the Birmingham NEC on February 13.
The winners of five categories will be announced: Alternative Materials, Connected Packaging, Refill & Reuse, Waste Reduction, and Online. This year’s competition has seen an increase in submissions. A panel of 20 experts from global brands has selected the finalists.
Paul Jenkins, MD of ThePackHub, said, “The Packaging Startup Awards continue to be a platform that celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit driving the packaging industry forward. This year’s finalists showcase remarkable creativity and a bold commitment to sustainability, with each solution offering the potential to shape the future of packaging in meaningful ways.”
Blue Ocean Closures, Kelpi, and EVLR International AB (FibreStrap) are finalists in the Alternative Materials category. Blue Ocean Closures is a provider of cellulose fibre-based closures that are fully recyclable as paper, while Kelpi is innovating with biodegradable seaweed-based packaging materials designed to replace plastics. EVLR International AB (FibreStrap) aims to transform packaging with fibre-based strapping solutions.
The Connected Packaging finalists, PulpaTronics, Fresh Inset S.A., and Konvoy, showcase smart packaging tech that integrate digital solutions to improve consumer engagement and reduce waste. PulpaTronics is advancing packaging with integrated electronic functionalities in pulp-based materials. Fresh Inset S.A. uses embedded freshness indicators to help consumers track shelf-life of perishable goods. While Konvoy’s keg tracking system is designed to ensure efficient beverage distribution and reduce waste associated with single-use packaging.
In the Online category, Green Evo Ltd, Tak Tuk Ltd, and T=Ø Ltd have been shortlisted. Green Evo is addressing the challenges of wooden pallet production with its new solution, Tak-Tuk is making lightweight packaging a more accessible option for the e-commerce sector, and T=Ø is said to be redefining pre-media by using ‘revolutionary’ technology to disrupt a ‘stagnant and mature’ industry.
The Refill & Reuse category finalists are Cauli, ecoSPIRITS, and Meadow. Cauli offers a reusable packaging system for takeaway food. ecoSPIRITS has launched a closed-loop distribution system that uses reusable glass containers. And Meadow offers refillable personal care and household products.
Finally, the Waste Reduction category highlights AeroFlexx, Fresh Inset S.A., and Magnomer, Inc. as finalists. AeroFlexx is creating liquid packaging that reduces plastic use while maintaining product integrity. Fresh Inset S.A. (also in the Connected Packaging category) is helping to reduce food waste with its freshness indicators. Magnomer, Inc. is advancing plastic recycling with its magnetisable inks.
Laura Fernandez, senior packaging sustainability manager at Ocado Retail, said, “We are delighted to support ThePackHub’s Packaging Startup Awards and celebrate these visionary startups. Their innovations are redefining packaging and driving the sustainable future we all want to see.”
