Record-breaking night for Van Genechten Packaging

Turnhout, Belgium, Tuesday, September 23 2025 | Van Genechten Packaging (VGP) is proud to announce an impressive series of wins at the European Carton Excellence Awards 2025 in Istanbul, taking home five awards in total. The highlight of the 5 awards was the prestigious Carton of the Year award, which the judges praised as a “simple concept executed to an outstanding level”. 

On the far right on stage: Frederic de Somer, Chairman Van Genechten Packaging Group

Held on Thursday, September 18 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey, the European Carton Excellence Awards celebrate the very best of the European packaging industry. This is the 5th Carton of the Year award for Van Genechten Packaging since the competition began. Winning a total of 5 of these awards in a single year sets a new record for our Group, a recognition of its position as a creative innovator in the industry.

We are very proud of this achievement, which reflects both our ‘Magic in the Making’ philosophy and the creativity and dedication of our teams across Europe,” said CEO Frank Ohle. "These awards are a celebration of the customer-centric collaboration that is key to our success and a powerful signal that our independent spirit continues to drive value for our customers.”

Award-winning packaging solutions

The projects honoured at this year's awards are a testament to VGP's expertise in combining creative design with functional and sustainable solutions.

• Carton of the Year Award 2025, Lumene Calendar 24 Nordic Beauty Secrets

• 1st prize Award Winner 2025, category: Ambient Food, Cassegrain Pack 3×1/2 

• 1st prize Award Winner 2025, category: Frozen & Chilled Food, PAVÉ D'AFFINOIS

• 1st prize Award Winner 2025, category: Beauty & Cosmetics, Rituals Car Gift Set Sakura 

• Gold Award 2025, category: Beverages, MARTELL Noblige LE25

Carton of the Year 2025  - Lumene Calendar 24 Nordic Beauty Secrets 

A stunning fusion of Nordic serenity and sustainable design. 24 radiant moments of discovery, beautifully packed in recyclable, FSC-certified board for a truly elevated unboxing experience.

What the judges had to say:

A simple concept executed to an outstanding level. The opening experience is spectacular, and structurally, it's incredibly well thought through. The interplay between the 3D topography, colour choices, finishes and structural design is superb. It brings the entire pack to life in a way that is both playful and refined. The move away from rigid flag motifs and straight lines, towards a more organic, flower-inspired pattern feels fresh and perfectly aligned with the overall concept. Even logistics has been considered, there's no wasted space, just a compact, cohesive design that works beautifully inside and out.”

This award-winning packaging was developed in a collaboration between Lumene Group, Metsä Board and Van Genechten Packaging.

1st Prize, Ambient Food - Cassegrain Pack 3×1/2

A bundle pack that stacks 3 cans vertically instead of the traditional horizontal design. This small but revolutionary shift gives the product & brand more space and visibility in store. A 100% recycled fibre board replaces plastic, supports B Corp goals, and runs efficiently on existing lines — sustainable, scalable, and ready to stand out on the shelf.

What the judges had to say:

A cleverly engineered locking sleeve that securely attaches to the base pack, combining ease of use with practical functionality. Its clean, impactful design makes a strong impression on the shelf, effectively capturing consumer attention.”

1st Prize, Frozen & Chilled Food - Pavé d’Affinois Mini l’Original 4x30gr

A compact, protective folding box that replaces complex plastic nets with a mono-material solution. Clean, convenient, and fully recyclable.

What the judges had to say:

Highly appealing packaging that stands out for its practicality. It's simple to open, close, and store in the fridge, offering a great consumer experience. The stackable design enhances the previous net packaging, making it both convenient and environmentally friendly. With more product fitting on each pallet, the packaging supports production and distribution efficiency without compromising shelf presence, making it an even stronger overall solution.”

1st Prize, Beauty & Cosmetics - Rituals Car Gift Set Sakura

A secure, plastic-free gift box with smart locking, striking design, and reusable storage, elevating protection and the Rituals brand experience.

What the judges had to say:

Excellent storytelling combined with functional design. The packaging's structure works seamlessly with the graphics to clearly communicate the product's purpose and usage. The reusable box and innovative locking system elevate the overall experience, adding both practicality and a quality experience for the consumer.”

Gold Award, Beverages – Martell Cognac Noblige LE25

Premium by design, this mono-material, limited-edition gift box blends artistic precision and production efficiency in a standout pack for Martell Noblige. Nominated for the Prix Formes de Luxe 2025 in the category Folding Carton packaging, with the winner to be announced on September 29 during Luxe Pack in Monaco. 

For all press enquiries

Heidi Vanspauwen 
Group Marketing & Communications Director
sales@vangenechten.com
Raadsherenstraat 2
B-2300 Turnhout
Tel: 0032 493 099 362

About Van Genechten Packaging Group

Where people, brands and folding carton meet is where the magic happens at VGP, every single time. Van Genechten Packaging (VGP), a leading independent European packaging specialist with more than 190 years of history and about €500 million in annual revenue. VGP operates across 14 converting sites, an extrusion site, a rigid box centre, and two fulfillment locations in 9 European countries. Renowned for its "people first" approach and customer-centric collaboration, VGP delivers a wide range of packaging solutions, including printed high-end folding cartons and offset laminated corrugated board, to the FMCG sector. Specialists in the development, production, and logistics of high-quality short-term cardboard and corrugated cardboard displays for the Point-of-Sale (POS), VGP combines proven packaging expertise with specialized display solution capabilities to loyal customers and partners all over Europe.