Flexible Packaging Innovations Make List of German Packaging Award Winners

Over 200 submissions from 15 countries and three continents entered the race for the German Packaging Award 2025 across all materials. After thoroughly scrutinizing every one of them, the independent jury of experts honored 37 outstanding innovations with the coveted award. The German Packaging Institute (dvi), as the organizer of Europe’s largest packaging exhibition, congratulates all the winners and presents all the winning innovations on its website. The dvi cordially invites all to attend FACHPACK in Nuremberg on September 23, 2025, for the award ceremony and the announcement of the three Gold Awards.

The 37 German Packaging Award 2025 winners come from Germany, Iran, Austria, Switzerland and the USA. The dvi also received innovations from China, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Serbia, Spain, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

Deserving winners in all materials and categories

The innovations cover the entire range of materials. They use glass, wood, rigid or flexible plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and corrugated cardboard. Looking at the exhibition categories, the jury awarded four innovations for functionality, four for design, a total of 14 in the sustainability segments, one each for the New Material, Packaging Machines (Engineering, Technology, Software) categories and three each for Cost-Effectiveness and Product Presentation. Two solutions were also awarded in the Young Talent category.

Wide range of first-class solutions

The winning solutions cover the entire range of packaging services in the B2C and B2B sectors – from product, shipping, transport and outer packaging to strapping, displays and bubble wrap, labels, in-mold labels and machines. They mark significant progress in the diverse aspects of sustainability and circular economy, product protection, convenience, handling, branding and product presentation, aid food and FMCG, construction and spare parts, chemical liquids, solar panels and heat pumps.

“We see forward-looking solutions and new standards in so many areas: closed-loop systems; reusability and refillability; development of innovative sources and applications for recyclate; new bio-based materials; optimal unboxing and intuitive user experiences; mono-material composites and barrier functions; product protection, residual emptying, first-opening protection, single-variety recycling and reusable systems,” reports Dr. Natalie Brandenburg, Managing Director of the dvi.

Flexible Packaging Innovations Highlight the List

Among the 37 winners were several flexible packaging innovations, including:

AeroFlexx Innovative Liquid Packaging Technology

Jury Comments: “AeroFlexx impressed the jury with its innovative combination of function and sustainability. It is made of flexible LDPE and therefore consumes significantly less material than comparable bottles for shower gels, sauces etc., actively contributing to reducing packaging waste. Its unique design allows contents to be emptied completely, avoiding product residues and further waste. The Airframe (integrated air cushion) ensures a stable and resistant structure. The unique design, with integrated self-closing valve technology, enables the contents to be emptied completely. This saves material, reduces transport costs and, with its self-sealing valve technology, offers maximum ease of use – a pioneering contribution to resource conservation, product protection and customer satisfaction. The packaging is robust and reliably protects the product from external influences. It also demonstrates its qualities in the recycling process, as it can be easily reused. AeroFlexx sets new standards for sustainable packaging solutions and is therefore thoroughly deserving of the German Packaging Award.”

Kallfass-Wrap

Jury Comments: “Kallfass-Wrap is a sustainable packaging solution for fresh food that intelligently combines both ecological and functional requirements. A tray made from renewable raw materials is wrapped in a wafer-thin barrier film and sealed airtight. There is also an option to use inert gas to extend the shelf life. The innovation impresses with its consistent focus on saving materials and conserving resources. The forced separation of tray and film when opening is particularly noteworthy. This enables simple and unmixed disposal – an important contribution to improving recyclability. At the same time, the system guarantees a high degree of flexibility in terms of tray size and therefore broad applicability for different products and market requirements. The jury recognized this solution as a pioneering step towards more sustainable packaging in the food sector – resource-saving, recycling-friendly and versatile.”

Mondi’s re/cycle CompressWrap – paper-based mattress packaging

Jury Comments: “CompressWrap is a paper-based roll packaging for compressed mattresses. Mondi’s re/cycle CompressWrap is a paper-based packaging solution that replaces plastic packaging for compressed mattresses with paper as a recyclable, fiber-based material. The solution consists of two functional paper layers: a high-strength inner layer with a thin barrier coating (ratio 95/5) ensures that the mattress can be packed vacuum-tightly and retain its shape, which saves a lot of transport volume, while a second outer layer provides protection against mechanical influences. The packaging solution is designed so that it can be integrated into existing production systems.”

Werner & Mertz GmbH and Mondi: Recyclable stand-up pouch with recycled content

Jury Comments: “This award not only focused on the use of recyclate as an innovation for a stand-up pouch for liquid products, but also on the fact that a specially developed recyclate was not used. An existing material from the plastics recycling bin, which is obtained via the already known sorting and processing infrastructure, shows that secondary materials are already available for flexible packaging from household collection. The film structure is matched to the recyclate.”

Mono-material PP stand-up pouches from Hengstenberg GmbH & Co. KG with composite film from Wipf AG

Jury Comments: “The stand-up pouch for sauerkraut is a pioneering packaging solution that combines recyclability, product protection and consumer friendliness at a high technical level. The bag consists of a mono-material composite and is therefore extremely recyclable – despite the special requirements that the acidic environment of sauerkraut cabbage and the necessary filling and preservation processes entail. The packaging can withstand even the high temperatures of pasteurization and ensures a remarkable product shelf life of up to two years. In addition, the bag is designed so that it is also suitable for heating in the microwave – a clear plus in terms of convenience and versatility. The jury was particularly impressed by the combination of the sustainable use of materials with the demanding functional requirements of this sensitive food product. This solution is an example of how modern packaging can combine ecological responsibility and technical performance.”

AquaWave water-soluble paper air padding

Jury Comments: “In addition to the primary use of protecting products during dispatch, this calculation also had the after-use phase in mind during development. The material fits into the paper recycling stream thanks to a combination of 100% recycled fibers and a water-soluble PVA coating that dissolves within a very short time. The paper fibers obtained are not contaminated. The jury was impressed by this end-of-life development, which is already on the market.”

Solutions for people, companies and the environment

“Our thanks and respect go to all the entrants, whose admirable work has made the award a real and exciting showcase of achievement. A huge thank you and profound appreciation also goes to the experts on our independent jury, who personally examined and discussed all the submissions in a two-day meeting,” continued Brandenburg.