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Photos © Klaus Titzer
The submissions for the 8th Carton Austria Award 2025 were diverse, and the winners were groundbreaking: both the enjoyment of life and practical environmental protection were recognized. The jury’s Carton Austria Award for the best carton packaging from Austria went to the “Kotányi Advent Calendar.” Other finalists were “Läderach Mini Mousse” and “Alfkens Hof Beerenschale.” The Audience Award went to “DosenKARTON.” The awards ceremony took place on October 7th as part of the Packaging Dialogue 2025.
The Austrian Award for Sustainable Creativity, presented by PROPAK Austria, Pro Carton, and CASH trade magazine, showcases the latest carton creations. As always, two juries selected the winners: an expert jury from CASH and a public vote.
The jury was particularly impressed by the many outstanding submissions this year. “Year after year, the CASH editorial team is amazed at the versatility of folding cardboard,” she said. “When evaluating the most innovative designs of the year, there’s often a bias toward the most beautifully presented products, such as Advent calendars or gift boxes. However, submissions that impress with their well-thought-out functionality are equally relevant. Our shortlist for this year’s award winners was therefore a strong mix, with each package impressive in its own way. So, congratulations to everyone involved; your work has amazed us on the CASH team.”
At the awards ceremony, Horst Bittermann, Director General of Pro Carton, emphasized: “The collaboration with CASH Handelsmagazin brings significant attention to this competition and all participants, which lasts for months – in Austria, but also internationally. Therefore, even those who haven’t won this year are still worth submitting. The most important thing for moving forward is always cooperation!”
Jury Award Winner
Kotányi Advent Calendar Manufacturer: Bösmüller Printmanagement Carton: MM Board & Paper
Martin Widermann (PROPAK Austria), Paul Leitner (PROPAK Austria Folding Box Industry), Doris Bösmüller (Bösmüller Printmanagement), Markus Purker (Bösmüller Printmanagement), Horst Bittermann (Pro Carton), Alexander Loimayr (MM Board & Paper), Alexander Eidelpes (Kotányi), Anais Forgues (Kotányi)
More images: With the Advent calendar, you can enjoy Kotányi’s finest spices in their original size for 24 days – including digital recipes for even more inspiration during the holiday season! The perfect little Christmas gift and a daily highlight during the Advent season for gourmets and connoisseurs.
The jury commented:
” Giving 24 times the joy isn’t difficult with an impressive Advent calendar. If it’s as well-thought-out as the Kotanyi Advent Calendar from Bösmüller Printmanagement, it has the potential to be the jury winner of this year’s Carton Austria Award. In addition to the attractive design, the jury liked the fact that the calendar has a sleeve as packaging, allowing the actual product to stand on its own. The built-in spice bag dispenser is just as clever as the digital recipes that await behind the little doors. “
Jury Award Finalists
Läderach Mini Mousse
Manufacturer: Schwarzach Packaging
Carton: Stora Enso
Robert Keller (Schwarzach Packaging), Paul Leitner (PROPAK Austria Faltschachtelindustrie)
The packaging is designed for eight mini mousses and ensures stable product protection while using materials efficiently. A cardboard with an “inside-out” finish was used – the matte exterior gives the packaging a natural feel and a subtle appearance. The design is simple: the elements complement each other to create an unobtrusive yet high-quality overall appearance.
Alfkens Hof Berry Bowl
Manufacturer: Schwarzach Packaging
Carton: Stora Enso
This berry tray was developed as sustainable sales packaging for delicate berries. It is made entirely of cardboard and replaces conventional plastic trays with a stable, recyclable solution that meets retail requirements for stackability, handling, and product protection. It uses a high-quality, printable cardboard with a natural brown surface, conveying a sustainable brand image in both its feel and appearance.
Public Award Winner
DosenKARTON, Carrier Tray for Aluminium Cans
Manufacturer: Cardbox Packaging Wolfsberg
Carton: Weig
Martin Widermann (PROPAK Austria), René Burchart (Cardbox Packaging), Horst Bittermann (Pro Carton), Christian Gratzer (Dosenkarton), Martina Gratzer (Dosenkarton), Alexander Schwab (Weig Karton), Paul Leitner (PROPAK Austria Faltschachtelindustrie)
This stackable can carton was developed due to the mandatory return of beverage cans in Austria, which came into force in January 2025. This new development simplifies the collection and return of deposit cans. This product is one of the truly unique concepts on the market. Can Carton is already attracting interest from clubs, schools, and campsites and has the potential to revolutionize the way we collect cans – cleanly, cleverly, and completely waste-free.
Save the date: The next Packaging Dialogue, with the award ceremony for the 9th Carton Austria Award and the PROPAK Austria Young Designers Award, will take place on October 6, 2026, again at 5:00 PM in the Marx Restaurant.
