Shoe packaging that eliminates the need for extra bags, a tray that allows cooking directly in an air fryer, a cardboard bag with a second life as a seed starter, a display inspired by a smiling cyclops, or a powder dispenser designed to prevent waste. These are some of the solutions that have been recognized at the XVII National Packaging Awards, organized by the Cluster of Innovation in Container and Packaging, and which demonstrate how young talent is providing new answers to the major challenges of packaging.
In this edition, the winning projects have responded to real challenges posed by Pikolinos Group, DS Smith, DAMEL GROUP, Qiub, Martínez Family y alpineThrough their proposals, the students have revolutionized everyday packaging by addressing packaging from various perspectives: sustainability, functionality, user experience, reuse, logistical efficiency, and adaptation to new consumption habits.
These projects were selected from over 200 submissions by more than 1000 students from 34 universities and design schools across Spain. The Valencian Community has become the region with the most award-winning centers in this edition; specifically, the CEU Cardinal Herrera and Universitat Jaume IThe other centers that have won first prize are the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and Higher School of Art of the Principality of Asturias (ESAPA).
During the gala, Amaya FernandezThe president of the Cluster emphasized that these awards consolidate a space for connection between universities and businesses, capable of generating real opportunities for young talent and bringing them closer to the professional world. The awards ceremony was held at the Kinépolis Cinemas in Valencia and was attended by Julio Delgado Espinós, Director General of Industry of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Innovation and Trade of the Valencian Government.
It is worth noting that these awards are supported by ITENE technology center, SACMI Ibérica, Grabalfa Group, ITC Packaging, Sintac Recycling, Bobst, Siegwerk, Caixa Popular, ESIC, Grupo La Plana, Alpesa, Tintas Arzubialde and EFIThese entities strengthen the link between training, innovation, and the business reality of the sector. Furthermore, they are funded by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Generalitat.
More minimalist and functional shoe packaging
Specifically, the challenge of Pikolinos Group It has focused on rethinking the current model of shoe packaging, with the aim of minimizing the use of cardboard and internal elements without compromising the quality of the product during transport.
The first prize has been for Gisela Mészáros Ferrer, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), with "Eco-Packaging Wrap“,” a proposal that represents an evolution towards functional minimalism and eco-design. The packaging uses flexible kraft cardboard, conforms to the shoe's shape with reinforced grooves and tabs, and eliminates the need for additional bags, tissue paper, and other fillers. Furthermore, once at home, it can be transformed into an adaptable vertical organizer, optimizing the packaging's second life.
In this category, the following projects received an Honorable Mention: Isaac Rojas Nogueira, Escola d'Art i Superior de Disseny de València (EASD); and of Ana Moreno Gil, Blanca Domínguez Iturralde, Carmen Peribáñez López and María Vela Moliné, University of Zaragoza.
Cardboard bags with a second life
For its part, D. S. SmithInternational Paper, a company within the International Paper group, has proposed replacing plastic bags in supermarkets with micro-channel corrugated cardboard solutions, seeking alternatives that reduce the environmental footprint without sacrificing economic or operational viability.
The winning proposal was Luciana Oliver, from the CEU Cardinal Herrera[Company Name], who has developed a corrugated cardboard bag that incorporates an ergonomic handle and a structure that envelops the contents to improve stability during transport. The design is optimized for flat transport and easy assembly by folding. Furthermore, it offers a second life as a biodegradable seed starter, promoting reuse and reducing environmental impact.
The following projects have also been recognized with an honorable mention: Alba Martínez Pomar, Blanca Nevares Casado, Blanca Rodríguez-Tabernero Molina and Inés Sánchez Hernández, University of Valladolid; and of Álvaro Marco Val, Marcos Romero Agustín, Lucas Used Conde and Guillermo Toledo Quiñones, University of Zaragoza.
A display stand for Palotes with greater capacity and personality
Likewise, Damel Group It has challenged participants to improve the design of the display and storage of their "Palotes" products for impulse sales, optimizing both the presentation and functionality and exploring more sustainable and reusable solutions.
In this category, they have won the first prize Celia Sáez de la Peña, María Burgaleta Gutiérrez, Fernando Leal Lago and Paula Ramos Pindado, Polytechnic University of Madrid, with "The Paloclope“,” a new display container with a capacity to store up to 200 lollipop sticks. The design is inspired by a smiling cyclops, enhancing the product's visibility at the point of sale, and improves dispensing through a structure where the sticks are inserted from the top, separated by funnels, and then pushed down a small ramp towards the opening where the user picks them up. The container is made primarily of bio-based PP using injection molding.
In this challenge, they also received an honorable mention. Miguel Herrera Zaforas, Jorge Lasa Cobo, Octavio Sánchez Nájera and Yolanda Jiménez Martínez, Polytechnic University of Madrid, and Alejandra Hong Rodríguez, Marina Urbaneja Fernández, Ana Reoyo Montero and Martín Romero Franco, University of Valladolid.
Precise dosing for powdered product
Qiub It leads another of this edition's challenges, focused on the development of packaging with precise dosing systems for powdered products, with the aim of facilitating their daily use and reducing waste in sectors such as food, nutraceuticals or the home.
The winners of this challenge have been Carlos Fuente García and David Fernández Lastra, Higher School of Art of the Principality of Asturias (ESAPA), with a creatine dispenser for the Qiub brand. The product integrates a dosage selection system into the packaging, allowing the amount of product to be adjusted by rotating the dispenser.
The projects of Michael Faulring Rosello, from the CEU Cardinal Herrera; and of Laura Delgado Herrera, León Ortega School of Art.
Containers that cook directly in an air fryer
On the other hand, adapting to new consumption habits is also key to the challenge of Martinez family, which has invited the design of packaging solutions intended for use in air fryers, exploring new consumption experiences and formats that bring real value to the product.
The first prize has been for Ane Pelayo, Garazi Portillo and Yaiza Zuazo, Mondragon University, with "AERIS"A modular and divisible packaging system that makes the container an active part of the cooking process. Its internal tray filters fat during preparation, promoting more even browning and a juicier final texture. The system includes formats adapted to different portions, simplifies preparation, and allows cooking directly in the container, reducing waste and improving the air fryer experience."
In this challenge, they received an Honorable Mention Elsa de Miguel Tejón, Paula Gómez Conde and Adriana González Delgado, University of Valladolid; is Iñaki Aldazabal Lete, Saioa Pérez Astigarraga, Amaia Resano Busteros y Lorea Zaballos De Miguel, Mondragon University.
Cardboard tubes for jewelry and new user experiences
Furthermore, alpine It has proposed the development of packaging solutions from cardboard tubes, exploring new applications that combine sustainability, design and functionality, from product containers to innovative closure systems.
The first prize has been for Lara Valls Algaba and Cristina Alexandra Ienasescu, Universitat Jaume I, with "LJC – Luxury Jewel CaseStarting with a cardboard tube, the winners have developed a jewelry container with a triple function: display stand, personal jewelry box, and protection from light and dust. Their design incorporates a telescopic tube closure, internal centering guides, and a three-piece structure—casing, panel, and base—using recyclable, biodegradable, natural, and plastic-free materials.
They received an honorable mention in this challenge Caya Achón Basin, Higher School of Design of Aragon (ESDA), and Valeria Leopardi y Valeria Rendón García, Polytechnic University of Valencia – Campus d'Alcoi.
Cluster Quarry Plan Award
Finally, at this gala, the Cluster Talent Development Plan Award was presented, through which one of the participating students received a scholarship from the Packaging Cluster to carry out the Postgraduate Master's Degree taught by ESIC Business & Marketing School. A scholarship valued at 20.000 € whose winner has been Adrián Díaz Yubero, student of the degree in Product Design in the Higher School of Art of the Principality of Asturias.
The winners and finalists of the National Packaging Awards gain direct entry to the final of the young talent category of the Liderpack Awards, organized by the Graphispack Association and the Hispack trade fair at Fira de Barcelona. Furthermore, the winning projects will also have the opportunity to represent Spain at the WorldStar Student Awards, the most prestigious international competition for university-level packaging design, organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPO).
