With just two weeks left, voting is closing soon for the 2026 Public Vote of the European Carton Excellence Award, Pro Carton Young Designers Award and Pro Carton Student Video Award. Consumers, industry experts, and academics are invited to cast their votes and recognise the year’s most outstanding cartonboard designs before voting closes at midnight on 24th August 2026.
Celebrating its 30th edition, the European Carton Excellence Award remains the industry’s leading recognition of excellence in cartonboard packaging. Hosted by Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers, and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), it honours designs that combine ecological responsibility with innovative packaging.
This year’s shortlist of 30 finalists brings together leading cartonboard mills, converters, brand owners and designers, demonstrating the advances in sustainable packaging across Europe.
The design that secures the highest number of votes will win the 2026 Public Award. Members of the public can cast up to three votes per award. Voting is also open for the Pro Carton Young Designers Award and Pro Carton Student Video Award, Europe’s leading competitions celebrating emerging talent in sustainable packaging design and storytelling.
Voting closes at midnight on 24 August 2026, with winners for all three competitions announced at the Awards Gala in Rome on Thursday 17 September 2026.
Winfried Muehling, Pro Carton’s Director of Marketing and Communications, said: “These three awards showcase the very best of our industry, highlighting remarkable creativity and a strong commitment to sustainability. It is inspiring to see so many outstanding entries from across Europe.
“The Public Award allows consumers, industry professionals and academics to recognise and help select the winners across all three competitions. We invite everyone to help celebrate the outstanding entries shaping the future of cartonboard by casting their votes.”
The European Carton Excellence Award 2026 is sponsored by Heidelberg, Bobst and Fibenol. The Pro Carton Young Designers Award is sponsored by RDM Group, Lucaprint, Van Genechten Packaging and Metsä Board. The Pro Carton Student Video Award is sponsored by Stora Enso. In addition, supporting as sponsors for both Student Awards are MM Group, Burgo Group and Umka.
For more information and to place your vote, visit: https://www.procarton.com/