FINLAND (News release) -- The winners of the Public Award and the General Packaging Platinum Award at the 2021 European Carton Excellence Awards were produced with paperboard from Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group. The results were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 8th September.

The new 'Smarties Giant Hexatube' won the public voting. It is a plastic-free pack, comprised of a one-piece construction made entirely from recyclable paperboard with an integrated cartonboard lid. The carton was produced by WestRock on MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright lightweight paperboard.

Yves Rocher's luxurious New Year makeup calendar, produced by Durero Packaging, was presented with a Platinum Award, General Packaging, Virgin Fibre. The attractive heptagonal pack is made up of seven identical, linked cartonboard triangular cases, each containing an individual make-up gift. The calendar is made using MetsäBoard Prime FBB Bright lightweight paperboard.

'Paperboard is made of renewable material and is easy to recycle, offering an excellent alternative to plastic as well as positive consumer experiences of which the winning cartons are good examples,' says Maarten Florizoone, Sales Director, Converters Team at Metsä Board. 'I would like to congratulate all the teams behind the winning designs.'

This year, the European Carton Excellence Award, Europe's most prestigious award for cartonboard packaging, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The competition is organised by the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers Pro Carton and the European Carton Makers Association ECMA.