The Sephora After Christmas Calendar 2025 was named Carton of the Year at the European Carton Excellence Award gala held on 17 September in Rome, Italy. Created by Autajon Packaging Belgium for Sephora, the calendar is made with MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright 290 and 350 g/m². Autajon was responsible for both its structural and graphic design.
Two other packaging solutions made with Metsä Board paperboards were also recognised. The Tequila Buen Amigo Duo Pack, converted by Alzamora Group using MetsäBoard Prime FBB Bright 380 g/m², won the Beverage category. The Toty Ilumina CC Cream packaging received a Gold Award in the Pharma & Healthcare category. It was converted by MM Packaging GmbH’s Madrid plant using MetsäBoard Prime FBB Bright 290 g/m².
This is the second consecutive year that packaging made with Metsä Board paperboard has received the competition’s top award. In 2025, LUMENE’s 2024 Beauty Advent Calendar won Carton of the Year.
“We are delighted that packaging made with Metsä Board paperboard has won the Carton of the Year award for the second consecutive year. The winning design demonstrates the creativity of our partners and the possibilities offered by premium fresh fibre paperboards,” says Erja Hyrsky, SVP, Commercial Operations at Metsä Board.
“The high calibre of this year’s winners shows how cartonboard helps brand owners combine excellent design, performance and sustainability while differentiating their products and reducing their environmental footprint.”
Premium paperboards help turn ideas into award-winning packaging
Maarten Florizoone, SVP, Sales at Metsä Board, says the awards demonstrate how packaging can create value for brands.
"Brand owners increasingly view packaging as a strategic asset that can strengthen brand value, enhance consumer experience and support sustainability goals. Together with our customers and partners, we develop packaging solutions that create value throughout the value chain."
Erja Hyrsky emphasises that award-winning packaging is rarely the work of a single company.
"Behind every successful packaging innovation is strong collaboration between brand owners, designers, converters and material suppliers. We are proud to work with partners who continue to raise the bar for cartonboard packaging."
The European Carton Excellence Award is hosted annually by Pro Carton and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA). The competition is regarded as one of the packaging industry’s most prestigious awards and a benchmark for excellence and creativity in cartonboard packaging.