dvi: Kick off for the German Packaging Award 2026
The award, organised by the German Packaging Institute (dvi), is decided by an independent jury of experts across all materials and sectors in ten categories. At a festive awards ceremony, the winning teams are presented with trophies, certificates, receive widespread attention, as well as the applause of the industry. “The launch of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) in August 2026 will create specific pressure points for our industry that will act as drivers and accelerators for innovations and new solutions. However, the importance and scope of innovation work goes far beyond merely fulfilling political requirements. Innovations make all the difference. This of course applies to individual companies which use new solutions to gain competitive advantage, create talking points and even unique selling points over the competition. But it equally applies to the economy, society and the environment as a whole. Real progress only comes about through innovation,” says Dr Natalie Brandenburg, Managing Director of the German Packaging Institute (dvi).
“The German Packaging Award has been promoting this principle since 1963. It brings the achievements and the people behind them onto the big stage. It attracts attention and reputation, motivates, rewards and provides convincing arguments as well as a visible seal of approval for sales and marketing. Reap the full benefits of your work and present your innovations and best solutions now at the German Packaging Award 2026,” invites Brandenburg.
There are ten categories to choose from when submitting your products or prototypes, ranging from Design, Functionality and Convenience, Product Presentation, Cost-Effectiveness, and Sustainability to Logistics and Material Flow, New Materials, Digitalisation and Packaging Machines (engineering, technology, software). Products can be submitted in several categories at the same time. Pupils, students and trainees have their own special Young Talent category.
The dvi draws on the expertise and unparalleled knowledge of around two dozen experts from business, research, teaching and the media who make up its independent specialist jury. The jury members scrutinise all entries in person during a two-day meeting. Their assessment is based on fixed, category-specific criteria, which the dvi lays out transparently on its German Packaging Award website.
The winning innovations will be announced on 30 July 2026 and publicly honoured at an awards ceremony. The jury also has the option to celebrate particularly pioneering solutions from among the winners with a Gold Award. “Along with our partner IGEPA group and our premium partner FACHPACK, we are looking forward to a thrilling competition with lots of great innovations and a special industry event in autumn," says Natalie Brandenburg.
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Launched in 2011, specialist journal sweets processing(sp) keeps confectionery business professionals informed about all the latest confectionery industry supply sector developments and features detailed articles about international companies and suppliers.
sp is the sister publication of SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK’s SG-Magazine, the highly regarded and well established international confectionery business journal. sp covers all stages and aspects of the value added chain from material sourcing to production and packaging.
sp readership includes leaders and decision makers in charge of production, R&D, QM, purchasing and supply chain management, as well as chief executives and senior managing partners.
sp appears every two months in English and German. Circulation currently stands at 5,500. 3,000 of our subscribers are based abroad, mostly in other European countries. sp is now also available as an E-paper.
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International confectionery association SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK e. V. (SG) is an established network of over 300 member companies based in ten countries. SG is the leading communication platform for confectionery professionals in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and beyond. Meanwhile, most companies involved in manufacturing and retailing confectionery (wholesalers, specialist retailers, importers, brokers, producers) are members. All enjoy huge benefits, such as a range of high quality services and invitations to exclusive, member only events. There are an additional 40 supporting members active in the confectionery industry supply sector.
The International Sweets Business Forum in Berlin has taken SG well beyond the traditional territory of conventional training seminars and workshops. Social events, such as the New Year Reception in Munich or the ISM WARM UP held on the eve of the ISM in Cologne now rank as must-attend fixtures in the confectionery business year.
While acknowledging the growing significance of the global information and knowledge community, SG never loses sight of what’s going on at a local level. Articles in SG-Magazin and sweets processing, the SG-Newsletter (several times a week), annual publication of the SG-Directory and worldwide contacts bear witness to the pronounced internationality of the association.