Mondi and Vetropack lead the 36 innovations securing the 2026 German Packaging Award

The German Packaging Institute rewards 36 companies for concrete advancements in sustainability and machine efficiency

The German Packaging Institute (dvi) has unveiled the 36 winners of the 2026 German Packaging Award, selecting from over 200 submissions originating across 17 countries. The results, announced yesterday in Berlin, point to a clear acceleration in practical circularity and digital tracking just days before the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) becomes broadly applicable.

An independent 22-member expert jury spent two days evaluating entries across ten distinct categories, assessing how materials and engineering can meet unprecedented regulatory demands. According to dvi Managing Director Dr. Natalie Brandenburg, the winning companies are actively defying current macroeconomic pressures, channeling their R&D budgets into solutions that serve both environmental targets and strict line economics. The successful entries from Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK reflect an industry doubling down on pragmatism over theoretical concepts.

Digitalisation and material reduction take the stage

One of the most notable technical achievements comes from the collaboration between Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP DE), Vetropack, and Myneral Labs. Winning in the Digitalisation category, the trio developed the beverage industry's first AI-powered serialisation system for reusable glass bottles. By engraving a Data Matrix code directly onto the bottle during glass production, the consortium achieved full digital traceability for the ViO and Apollinaris brands, a crucial step for optimizing returnable logistics inventories.

On the fiber-based front, Mondi secured a win by shifting its design strategy to the very end of the value chain. Their awarded concept replaces traditional ink printing with laser marking applied directly during the converting process. This eliminates the need for printing plates, inks, and energy-intensive curing, while drastically reducing setup costs for short-run corrugated packaging batches.

Similarly, Smurfit Westrock and Panther Packaging were recognized for their collaborative Evolution Tray concept. By introducing an automatic mechanical lock in the transport packaging structure, the companies managed to cut manual filling and setup times by 86%, demonstrating how structural board design directly impacts factory floor efficiency.

Barrier inks, PCR plastics, and format flexibility

Material science also played a pivotal role in the 2026 selection. Siegwerk Druckfarben introduced Cirkit Oxybar White, the world's first barrier ink integrating oxygen protection directly into the printing layer. This allows converters to eliminate secondary barrier films, a critical development for mono-material flexible packaging striving for complete recyclability.

The logistics sector saw Duo Plast and Der Grüne Punkt recognized for a tertiary stretch film incorporating up to 10% post-consumer recyclate (PCR) sourced directly from the German yellow bin system. This tackles one of the most pressing mandates under PPWR Article 7 regarding mandatory PCR content in transport packaging.

Beyond materials, the Packaging Machines category awarded engineering firms pushing the limits of line integration. Manufacturers demonstrated significant reductions in time-to-market through advanced modularity and fully automated inline format adjustments, slashing downtime during rapid product changeovers.

The 36 winners will receive their trophies, alongside the yet-to-be-announced Gold Awards, at an exclusive industry ceremony scheduled for November 19, 2026, in Berlin.

The level of technical maturity seen in the 2026 submissions proves that the packaging sector is no longer just talking about circularity, but actively integrating it into the physical supply chain and manufacturing lines. As digital tracking and laser-based structural designs become the new standard, how long will it take for traditional high-volume ink printing to become a niche application reserved only for premium retail? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai