Smurfit Westrock, a leading global provider of paper-based packaging solutions, received seven awards including the Sustainability Award of the Year and the Innovation Award of the Year at the 81st Annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. The award-winning packaging designs represent some of the best folding cartons and rigid boxes manufactured over the past year and underscore the company’s commitment to solve complex packaging challenges while advancing the circular economy.

PepsiCo tasked Smurfit Westrock with transitioning its eight-pack Gatorade packaging from flexible plastic to recyclable paperboard, leveraging its PETCollar™ Eco design to win PPC’s Sustainability Award of the Year. The finished product included multiple layers for durability and structural integrity and a unique handle design for carrying. It used less paperboard than an enclosed carton while retaining a fully printable surface to maximize brand visibility.

The company’s PETCollar™ Shield Plus design for Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages received PPC’s Innovation Award of the Year. The new paperboard carrier replaced plastic rings for Liberty Coca-Cola’s top brands in multi-pack beverages, supporting Liberty Coca-Cola’s objective to replace 200,000 pounds of plastic a year. The innovative design featured an integrated handle for stability and easy consumer handling, manually locking tabs for strength and five printable panels to showcase brand and messaging.

The complete list of Smurfit Westrock’s 2024 PPC winning awards includes:

• Sustainability Award of the Year – PETCollar™ Eco
• Innovation Award of the Year – PETCollar™ Shield Plus
• Gold Award – Code Gaess Collector’s Edition Box Set
• Excellence Award (Sustainability) – Hershey Seasonal Character Boxes
• Excellence Award – Unibroue DUODOZEN Advent Calendar
• Excellence Award (Sustainability) – Yogi Tea Gift Box
• Excellence Award (Sustainability, Innovation) – Rhum J.M. Canopee

“We are honored to be recognized by the North American Paperboard Packaging Council,” said Laurent Sellier, president and CEO, North America, Smurfit Westrock. “This achievement is attributed to the depth of expertise of our designers, their creativity and their ability to understand customers’ needs and propose groundbreaking solutions.” 

“On behalf of the Paperboard Packaging Council, I congratulate all of this year’s deserving winners,” said Ben Markens, president of PPC. “To be recognized in our competition is a feat, demonstrating mastery in design, manufacturing, distribution, shelf presence and much more. It is a true stamp of excellence."