Entries to the European Carton Excellence Award 2026 to be opened soon!

Hosted by Pro Carton and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), the ECEA challenges partners from across the supply chain to showcase their most innovative cartonboard packaging designs. This year’s Awards Gala will take place in Rome, Italy on 17^th September 2026. Entries close on the 15th of May!

The award winners benefit not only from the kudos of scooping such a high-profile industry prize, but also from a host of benefits!

Categories of the ECEA 2026 are:

• Confectionery / Chocolate
• Beverage (Including Alcohol)
• Pharma / Health Care 
• Food (Including Food Service/ Convenience/ Pet Food)
• Frozen & Chilled Food
• Beauty & Cosmetics
• General Packaging & FMCG Packaging

Every entry is automatically put forward for the Carton of the Year Award, and entrants can additionally enter for the Sustainability and / or Innovation Award at no extra cost.  The Public Award gives consumers, industry professionals and academics the opportunity to admire and decide on their chosen winner from the finalists of the ECEA Award.

A prestigious panel of packaging experts representing various areas of the industry, choose each category winner plus platinum and gold winners by assessing each entry against rigorous criteria, including graphic and structural design, production techniques, cost-efficiency, ecology, innovation and convenience.

Check out last years winners from the European Carton Excellence Award 2025. You can view them here!

If you have any queries, please contact the ECEA Awards Team.