The European Carton Excellence Award (ECEA) celebrated its 30th edition last night, recognising some of the folding carton industry’s finest examples of creative, technically accomplished and sustainable packaging at Villa Miani in Rome.
Hosted by Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard Manufacturers, and ECMA, the European Carton Makers Association, and sponsored by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Fibenol and Bobst, the ECEA is the longest-running award programme dedicated to celebrating cartonboard and folding carton packaging.
This year’s winners were selected from an exceptional range of over 120 entries, with awards presented across four special recognition categories and seven product-specific categories, including the new Art of Cartonboard category, as well as Platinum and Gold distinctions. The judging panel brought together experts and representatives from across the value chain, Satkar Gidda (Marketing and Branding Consultant), Sanjeev Das (Global R&D Head, Unilever), Lotte Krekels (Packaging Manager, Carrefour), and Susanne Lippitsch (Design Consultant).
Top honour The ECEA’s 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. Designed to extend the magic of Christmas gifting in a playful and interactive way. The calendar uses a folding-screen structure featuring suspended boxes that invite the recipient to discover each product. Vibrant colours and contemporary patterns 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 cartonboard manufacturer Billerud for OceanSaver KidGuard Laundry Capsules.Featuring a patented design to reduce the risk of accidental opening by children while remaining accessible to adults. Made from a single piece of 460g/ m² Kraft crownboard cardboard, its integrated sliding-door and locking mechanism requires no additional components, reducing material use and improving recyclability. The design is fully automatable and has successfully passed AIJU child-resistant packaging tests for children ages 12-35 months.
The Sustainability Award recognised a packaging solution that brings together product protection, brand experience and efficient delivery. Carton converter Offset Print & Packaging (part of the Alzamora Group) and cartonboard manufacturer Stora Enso secured the award for their intelligent cartonboard packaging solution for Skin + Me’s Pillow Skincare Subscription. It combines protection, brand experience and postal efficiency in one compact format; this pillow-inspired pack delivers 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, reducing material use and complexity. Designed to fit within the 25mm large letter format, it combines efficient delivery with premium presentation using 400g/m² Stora Enso Ensocoat 2S cartonboard.
The ECEA Public Vote reached a new high in 2026, with a record 8,716 votes, marking a 15% increase compared with 2025 and demonstrating the impressive reach of the cartonboard industry.
The Rituals Deluxe Advent Calendar 2025, created by Van Genechten Packaging using Stora Enso cartonboard, secured its place as the 2026 Public Award winner. Capturing the most attention from voters, the design stood out for its ability to turn a familiar festive format into an immersive experience. 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, sponsored by Fibenol, recognised the technical capabilities and creative potential of cartonboard. The award was presented to carton converter MM Packaging (Plant: MM Premium Vienna) and cartonboard manufacturer Holmen Board and Paper for their innovative creation Diamond Edge®. Designed as a premium gift carton for bottles, the pack features an eye-catching design that incorporates sharp, faceted edges directly within its structure.
Additional category champions
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 cartonboard manufacturer Stora Enso for their revolutionary Lindt & Sprüngli Felt Advent Calendar, which combines festive luxury with structural ingenuity through its innovative folding carton inlay.
Meanwhile, the Beverages Award was presented to Alzamora Group and cartonboard manufacturer Metsä Board for their vibrant dual Tequila Buen Amigo packaging for Zamora, celebrating rich Mexican culture while delivering a premium and engaging opening experience with fan-like display.
The Pharma & Health Care Award highlighted the versatility of cartonboard in specialist applications, with PAWI Packaging Deutschland GmbH and Holmen Board and Paper recognised for their EasyGuard Hearing Aid Starter Kit, developed for Phonak. The design demonstrates 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 (Plant: MMP Premium Polska Sp. z o.o.) and cartonboard manufacturer Stora Enso were recognised for Pheym. Eau de Parfum, their distinctive drawer-style perfume carton. Combining structural creativity with strong visual appeal, the design offers 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 Awards Gala is a fitting way to celebrate three decades of excellence, while looking ahead to the next generation of cartonboard packaging.”
The full list of 2026 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.