THE winners of the European Carton Excellence Awards (ECEA) have been announced at a ceremony in Rome.
Hosted by Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard Manufacturers, and ECMA, the European Carton Makers Association, the long-running awards programme celebrates standout achievements in cartonboard and folding carton packaging.
Winners were selected from over 120 entries, with awards presented across four special recognition categories and seven product-specific categories.
The top prize, Carton of the Year, was awarded to carton converter Autajon Packaging Belgium and cartonboard manufacturer Metsä Board for Sephora After Christmas Calendar 2025. The calendar uses a folding-screen structure featuring suspended boxes that invite the recipient to discover each product. Vibrant colours and contemporary patterns are said to reflect Sephora’s visual identity, while the rigid cartonboard construction turns the calendar into a decorative display.
The Innovation Award was presented to carton converter Alzamora Group and manufacturer Billerud for OceanSaver KidGuard Laundry Capsules. Featuring a patented design to reduce the risk of accidental opening by children, the product is made from a single piece of 460g/m²Kraft crownboard cardboard. An integrated sliding-door and locking mechanism requires no additional components, reducing material use and improving recyclability.
The Sustainability Award went to carton converter Offset Print & Packaging (part of the Alzamora Group) and manufacturer Stora Enso for their solution for Skin + Me’s Pillow Skincare Subscription. This pillow-inspired pack is said to deliver a memorable unboxing experience while securely holding the product in transit. Its integrated product-holding system eliminates the need for additional inserts, protective packaging or labels.
The ECEA Public Vote reached a new high in 2026, with a record 8,716 votes, marking a 15% increase compared with 2025. The category was won by the Rituals Deluxe Advent Calendar 2025, created by Van Genechten Packaging using Stora Enso cartonboard. The calendar transforms from a compact box into an expanding three-dimensional diorama over the course of the festive countdown, combining layered artwork and illumination to create a decorative centrepiece.
Created to mark the ECEA’s 30th edition, the new Art of Cartonboard Award was presented to carton converter MM Packaging and manufacturer Holmen Board and Paper for their Diamond Edge creation. Designed as a premium gift carton for bottles, the pack features a design that incorporates sharp, faceted edges directly within its structure.
Beyond the special awards, the 2026 ECEA dedicated commercial category award winners demonstrate the wide applications of cartonboard.
In food and beverage packaging, the Confectionery Award recognised carton converter Van Genechten Packaging and manufacturer Stora Enso for their Lindt & Sprüngli Felt Advent Calendar, which is described as combining festive luxury with structural ingenuity through its folding carton inlay.
The Beverages Award went to Alzamora Group and Metsä Board for their dual Tequila Buen Amigo packaging for Zamora, celebrating Mexican culture while delivering a ‘premium and engaging’ opening experience with fan-like display.
The Pharma & Health Care Award category was won by PAWI Packaging Deutschland GmbH and Holmen Board and Paper for their EasyGuard Hearing Aid Starter Kit, developed for Phonak. The design is said to demonstrate how even small-format packaging can combine premium impact and functionality while enabling a complete transition from plastic to fibre-based materials.
In the Beauty & Cosmetics category, MM Packaging GmbH and Stora Enso were recognised for Pheym. Eau de Parfum, their drawer-style perfume carton. The design is described as offering a modern approach to fragrance packaging and creates a ‘striking’ point-of-sale presence.
Winfried Muehling, head of marketing & communications at Pro Carton, said, “Reaching the 30th edition of the European Carton Excellence Award is a significant milestone and a testament to the creativity and technical innovation that continue to drive our industry forward. This year’s entries demonstrated just how much can be achieved with cartonboard, combining advanced design and engineering with strong sustainability credentials and compelling brand experiences.”
The full list of winners alongside platinum and gold recognitions is available on the Pro Carton website, here.
During the Awards Gala evening, the Pro Carton Student Award winners were also recognised; see the Pro Carton Young Designers Award winners here and Pro Carton Student Video Award winners here.
