THE first sponsors of the 2026 Pro Carton Young Designers Award (PCYDA) have been announced.
RDM Group and Lucaprint S.p.A have been named as sponsors of the PCYDA 2026 Training Days, with the award ceremony set to take place in Rome in September. The companies will jointly host the award winners on a three-day educational visit to their production facilities in Italy.
The programme offers emerging designers exposure to cartonboard manufacturing and converting processes.
Pro Carton said the sponsorship reflects growing recognition within the packaging sector of the value in connecting design students with manufacturing expertise early in their careers.
Following the success of the 2025 initiative – which saw PCYDA winners take an exclusive trip hosted by Van Genechten Packaging and FOLBB Group – the award continues to gain momentum and over 1,000 students from across Europe are expected to participate.
Located in the Belluno province, the RDM Group’s Santa Giustina mill specialises in the production of recycled cartonboard (WLC – White Lined Chipboard). Sstudents will learn about using recovered fibre to support a circular economy model for packaging.
Michele Bianchi, CEO of RDM Group, said, “Supporting young designers is a vital step towards shaping a sustainable future. By bridging education and industry, we encourage fresh ideas and innovation that will define tomorrow’s packaging solutions. We are excited to open our doors and share the RDM Group’s commitment to the circular economy with the PCYDA 2026 winners.”
Lucaprint S.p.A. has been operating in the carton-converting sector for over 70 years, based in Pianezze, Vicenza province. The firm specialises in fully recyclable consumer packaging made from sustainable materials. Students will gain insight into packaging solutions across sectors including food, industrial, wine & spirits, pharmaceutical, and healthcare & beauty.
Alberto Luca, president of Lucaprint S.p.A, commented, “Investing in emerging designers and nurturing fresh creative perspectives is essential to bringing true innovation to the market. Empowering the next generation and encouraging imaginative thinking is how we help our industry grow and evolve.”
Entries for the Pro Carton Young Designers Award 2026 will officially open in January and will run through to May 2026.
The Pro Carton and European Carton Makers Association (ECMA) Awards Gala will be held in Rome on 17 September 2026, part of the annual ECMA Congress programme.
Winfried Muehling, director of marketing and communications at Pro Carton, added, “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from leading companies like RDM Group and Lucaprint S.p.A. Their commitment to hosting the winners’ trip transforms the PCYDA from a competition into a genuine career launchpad for Europe’s most promising talent. We’re looking forward to another year of exceptional creativity from students, supported by industry partners who recognise the importance of investing in the future generation.”
