The Gold Award went to SingleLip Paper from Gascogne. Developed for the food ingredient and non-food ingredient markets, the innovative packaging solution responds to a growing demand for reduced plastic use without compromising product protection or performance. With a fibre content of 85%, the sack combines a high-performance barrier, a hermetic closure system and compatibility with existing production lines. Recyclable in conventional paper streams and free from PFAS, it offers brands a practical way towards more circular packaging solutions while anticipating future regulatory requirements. The jury was particularly impressed by its reduced plastic dependency and its potential to reclaim applications that had shifted towards alternative packaging in the past. 

The Silver Award was presented to Billerud for QuickFill® Plus Xcel, a new generation of sack kraft paper combining ultra-high porosity with exceptional strength. Designed for increasingly fine filling goods such as low-carbon cements, it enables faster filling, cleaner operations and reduced material consumption without compromising performance. Higher productivity, lower packaging weight and reduced product losses contribute to lower costs and carbon emissions across the value chain, while also improving workplace cleanliness. The jury particularly valued how the innovation takes the relationship between porosity and strength to a new level, delivering both economic and environmental benefits

With handy², dy-pack earned the Bronze Award for rethinking how heavy building materials are handled. The innovative sack concept puts ergonomics at the centre of packaging design. Its novel two-sided carrying handle with integrated folded flap allows heavy loads to be carried more comfortably and with greater control, reducing physical strain and improving workplace safety. At the same time, the design supports lighter sack constructions with lower plastic usage. The jury recognised the solution’s potential to address a long-standing challenge in the construction sector by making the handling of heavy products safer and more user-friendly.

Mondi received the Industry Special Award for Ad/Vantage StretchWrap, a paper-based alternative to conventional plastic stretch film for pallet wrapping. Combining high load stability with compatibility for existing wrapping processes, the solution enables companies to significantly reduce their dependence on fossil-based plastics. Recyclable in established paper streams, made from renewable materials and offering a substantially lower carbon footprint than conventional stretch film, it supports companies in advancing their sustainability goals. The jury recognised its considerable potential to replace plastic wrapping not only in the paper sack industry, but across a wide range of industrial applications.

A clear favourite among congress participants, DosePack from Gascogne was voted the winner of the Public Choice Award. While the industry has made major advances in barrier performance, strength and recyclability, DosePack puts the end user at the centre of packaging design. Created for applications such as pet food, animal feed and food ingredients, the innovative paper sack rethinks how products are handled. Its integrated dispensing and dosing system enables cleaner, more intuitive handling while maintaining the high protection standards required for sensitive products. 

With its Climate-Neutral Sack On-Demand, Advanced Industries Packaging showcased a system for delivering product-specific sustainability documentation, including carbon footprint, life-cycle assessment and environmental product declaration data. Based on recognised standards and independent verification, the concept helps customers navigate increasing regulatory and reporting requirements while ensuring consistency and transparency.

Billerud also highlighted the value of transparency in sustainability reporting by introducing the Sustainability Leading Sack Kraft Paper Portfolio. Combining low fossil carbon emissions with independently verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), the initiative provides customers with reliable data well below the industry average to support procurement decisions, emissions reporting and climate commitments. 

1 Euro-Sack from dy-pack is a paper-based collection sack designed for environmental clean-up campaigns and recycling initiatives. Developed as a reusable and recyclable alternative to conventional plastic collection bags, the 1Euro-Sack brings together environmental protection, circular economy principles and community engagement, while supporting local social and environmental projects through an innovative fundraising model.

Addressing the growing e-commerce bicycle market, Mondi developed the re/cycle ProtectorBAG – WheelBAG. The paper-based solution protects disassembled bicycle wheels during transport while replacing multiple plastic and foam packaging elements with a single fibre-based component. The result is a simpler, more efficient and recyclable packaging system that reduces complexity throughout the supply chain.