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The annual Pro Carton/ECMA Awards have been awarded for 15 years now and have meanwhile become one of the most valued international prizes of its kind. The awards go to packaging which has already proven itself on the market. All award winners and numerous brand owners and agencies had come to the congress to receive their awards in person. With 114 entries from 15 countries the award had attracted the second largest number of participants ever.

The award ceremony of the Award Party in Düsseldorf's "Night Residence" was the ideal backdrop to networking in a relaxed atmosphere. A dynamic interlude by the cocktailshow "TakeTwo“ and a "Flying Dinner“ set the pace for a fulminant evening.

This year for the first time, the topic of sustainability was given an own category. Satkar Gidda of the design agency SiebertHead, chairman of the jury: "Brand owners are focusing more on sustainability and will be looking increasingly at cartonboard solutions. This is more than confirmed by the winning entry in this category, the Illy brand, with its "Astuccio monodose" by SA. GE Print, which changed from metal to cartonboard and where the company had little doubt about being able to maintain their brand value and premium positioning at the same time."

The most innovative cartonboard solution was entered by the STI Group: a waterproof tray designed to prevent glasses, plates and cutlery from slipping from the tray even at considerable angles.
Frank Ohle, Chairman of the Board at STI Group: "The award is a great motivation for our employees: recognition from reknown experts has confirmed that their work is exceptional and this has added to their enthusiasm and commitment. Enthusiasm is at the core of every successful business. And, of course, we will be here again next year and will be able to present exceptional ideas, that I can promise you already. We are presently entering areas not necessarily expected for cartonboard applications - and see considerable future potential there!"

Carton of the Year was awarded to a packaging which impressively improves on the previous form of metal packaging: the “ABT Hohlraumschachtel” is a valuable gift and packaging to customers by car tuners ABT. Thomas Schuh, Managing Director at MMP Schausberger: "The idea originated over two years ago, actual development time only took a few months. The competing product was a metal tin - an exciting project, as metal tins are difficult to beat for secondary use. Our advantage: the time-to-market is considerably faster. We are proud to take on the ambassador function for the cartonboard industry this year and will communicate the award as much as possible." Jury president Gidda: "The Carton of the Year is not only a structural masterpiece, it demonstrates masculinity in shape, colour and brand design. It has associations with a radiator grille on the front: the punched holes, which are absolutely new in this form, clearly make reference to the automotive product inside. This packaging detail alone was sufficient in attracting and keeping the eye."

The President's Special Award, which was awarded the first time this year, went to a car made of cartonboard - a major attraction, not only at the Pro Carton Congress. The Carton Smart is also the eye-catcher at many of the Smart presentations, be it in Barcelona, Paris or Brussels. Steffen Schnizer of Cartondruck had the idea: "The starting point was to replace all plastic parts of the Smart with cartonboard. Smart were with us right from the beginning. Holger Wingenfeld and Frank Etzel from our development department had to decide on how best to design a chassis which is both simple and yet provides the stiffness of a car chassis. After numerous trials they decided on a design consisting of small cartons. Colour design and implementation were the work of Berlin artist Sarah Illenberger. We wanted to open new doors together for cartonboard as a material. Winning this prize is a sign to all of us that it pays to venture into new territories."

Winners

CARTON OF THE YEAR
ABT Hohlrahmenschachtel: A gift with charisma

MOST INNOVATIVE DESIGN
Anti-Rutsch-Tablett: Anti-slib brand communications

PRESIDENT´S SPECIAL AWARD
Carton-Smart: Smart cartonboard speedster

SUSTAINABILITY
Astuccio monodose: Like metal, but easier to process

BEAUTY & COSMETICS
Yin Yang Verpackungsserie: Success comes natural

BEVERAGES
Bag in Box Mauro Chardonnay: New perspectives for a classic product

CONFECTIONERY
Manufaktur Schokolade 80 g: Feel the emotion of exceptional quality

PHARMACEUTICALS
UniqueSlim Slide Box: Cartons: unique on the Internet

SHELF READY & DISPLAY PACKAGING
Grappe tascabili 20 pezzi: Brightness on the shelf

ALL OTHER FOOD
Cafe Colombiano: Perfect team play in the supply chain

ALL OTHER NON FOOD
Aqua Care: Charming curves for the shelf

VOLUME MARKET CARTONS
Tres Jolie box Celebrations: A gift for family and friends

Detailed information with case studies on the winners and print-ready photos are available at http://www.procartonecmaaward.com – printed brochures in English are available from Pro Carton through Suzanne E. McEwen, mcewen@procarton.com
The call for entries for the new Award 2012 is already in progress, entry deadline is 8. June 2012.