With interest in the 2025 London Packaging Week Innovation Awards reaching strong levels, the event’s organisers have announced an extension to the submission deadline. Packaging professionals and brands now have until Friday, May 2nd, to finalise and submit their entries.
The decision follows incredibly strong engagement across all six categories and a significant number of draft entries currently active within the awards platform. The extended deadline provides a final opportunity for entrants to refine their submissions and ensure their innovations are considered for one of the most prestigious accolades in the packaging industry.
Now in its second year following a successful launch in 2024, the Innovation Awards recognise the most forward-thinking, creative and disruptive packaging solutions. The 2025 awards introduce two new categories – Sustainable Packaging and Consumer Pack – broadening the scope of the programme and underlining its commitment to environmentally conscious and consumer-led design. These new additions join existing categories covering Luxury and Premium Packaging, Perfume, Cosmetics and Personal Care, Drinks Packaging, and Food Packaging.
Winners will be revealed at London Packaging Week, taking place on 15 & 16 October 2025 at Excel London. The event offers finalists unrivalled exposure to the global packaging community, including decision-makers from leading brands such as Diageo, Charlotte Tilbury, Jo Malone, M&S, Boots, Pernod Ricard, Hotel Chocolat and Cartier, and positions their work at the forefront of industry conversation.
In the Premium and Luxury Drinks categories, Bowmore’s ARC-52 Mokume and Highland Park’s 54-Year-Old decanter redefined high-end packaging. Bowmore, in collaboration with Aston Martin, delivered a futuristic, carbon-fibre decanter inspired by the Japanese Mokume-Gane technique—complete with a layered lid echoing the dark rocks of Loch Indaal. Highland Park’s entry impressed with a flint glass bottle etched to mirror Orkney’s Yesnaby cliffs, paired with a sculpted Scottish oak box by John Galvin, blending nature, craft and storytelling in one striking presentation.
Sprite Naked claimed the Food, Beverages and FMCG award with a bold, label-free bottle design that laser-etches branding directly onto 100% recycled PET, simplifying recycling and slashing carbon emissions. In Beauty, Cosmetics and Perfume, Altra’s single-sheet paper box impressed judges with its sleek, pentagonal design that houses both a refillable glass flacon and refill unit—an elegant, sustainable step forward for luxury packaging.
This year’s judging panel brings together 18 senior experts from across the global packaging landscape, including representatives from Nestlé, Diageo, Marks & Spencer, Bacardi and Pernod Ricard, alongside influential figures from regulatory and advocacy organisations. With deep knowledge of design, functionality and sustainability, the panel will ensure only the most impactful and innovative entries are recognised.
"I believe that the awards drive innovation and creativity,” said Saul Johnsone, Senior Director Procurement Manager at Bacardi. “These awards truly push the boundaries by recognising brands, designers, and manufacturers that introduce innovative packaging solutions. By showcasing new materials, technologies and designs, the awards can inspire the industry to think beyond conventional methods."
Alfredo Ruiz Pose, Head of Purchase at The Glenmorangie Company, said: “There is a growing emphasis on sustainability, with the industry focusing on sustainable materials, reducing waste and improving communication around these efforts. At the same time, we see packaging being designed to enhance the consumer experience, whether by offering a second use, simplifying life or even providing health benefits.”
Christelle Anya, Content and Community Director at London Packaging Week, encouraged businesses to take advantage of the final deadline extension. “We’ve seen incredible creativity already, but we know there are many exciting entries still in progress. This extension gives teams the extra time they need to refine and submit work that deserves recognition. The Innovation Awards are a celebration of the most exciting developments in packaging today - and a chance to gain major visibility at one of the sector’s most important events.”
Judging will take place on June 26, with the winners announced at London Packaging Week in October. Entry is free and open to organisations of all sizes. Further details, including submission guidelines, can be found on the London Packaging Week website.