Paris – Paris Packaging Week, the premier live event for the beauty, luxury, premium drinks, and aerosol packaging markets, is thrilled to announce the launch of three distinct contests aimed at promoting young talents and celebrating the innovation of youth. As these bright minds already impact the future of the packaging sector with their creativity, energy, and passion, these contests will provide them with a platform to showcase their skills and ideas.

The contests are designed in collaboration with leading industry players and renowned educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of fresh perspectives in the packaging landscape.

ESEPAC School x Merci Handy

This contest is a collaboration between PCD, the world’s largest exhibition of packaging innovation in the perfume and cosmetics industry, and ESEPAC, a leading packaging school. These second-year master's students in packaging engineering, enrolled in the "Digiprint'" program, are challenged to propose innovative solutions that enable users to wash their hands without using water, while maintaining the sense of pleasure and simplicity that embodies the Merci Handy brand.

Louis Marty, CEO and founder of Merci Handy, expressed his admiration: “After a few weeks of work, their dedication and originality show how much promise the new generation has in terms of talent. Beyond the ideas, it is their ability to take risks, to think outside the box, and to imagine bold solutions that impresses me the most. Youth brings a refreshing perspective, free from constraints, and a willingness to take risks that is less often seen in more experienced paths. Thank you to them for their exceptional work that inspires our brand to reinvent itself every day.”

Emballé 5.0 x Conseil National de l’Emballage (CNE)

Organized by the CNE, a moral authority uniting various players in the packaging value chain, this 15th edition contest is sponsored by Paris Packaging Week and is open to multiple universities and schools, including ENSAIA Nancy, INSTITUT AGRO Dijon, and PEC IUT Reims. Students will tackle three key themes:

Theme of the fight against waste: Proposing solutions to minimize waste and product losses while emphasizing the essential protective function of packaging.

Theme of packaging reuse: Innovating ways to reuse packaging in the e-commerce sector, addressing the growing volume of e-commerce packages globally.

Luxury product packaging theme: Designing eco-friendly packaging solutions for luxury products such as cosmetics, perfumes, and spirits, while adhering to the regulatory requirements of ecodesign.

Bruno Siri, General Delegate at CNE, highlighted the necessity of involving younger generations in these discussions: It became clear to the CNE that younger generations needed to take up the subject to imagine virtuous reuse loops. Today’s students will become tomorrow’s technicians and engineers. These themes encourage them to explore the reuse of objects in e-commerce, a practice that is still in its early stages. The CNE invites students to think creatively and innovatively on this topic, aiming to reduce environmental impact through their proposals.”

ESI Reims School x Brockmans Gin

In collaboration with PLD, Brockmans Gin—one of Britain’s largest independent super-premium gin brands—is partnering with ESI Reims to challenge students to design eco-responsible packaging solutions for luxury spirits. Known for its innovation in sustainable packaging, Brockmans aims to balance environmental consciousness with the demands of a refined clientele. ESI Reims students are invited to tackle one of two briefs: designing an elegant presentation box for WŸLD, an exclusive annual gin release limited to 3,000 bottles, or creating a sophisticated presentation system for Brockmans' Super Premium range, suited to retail or B2B settings. Both options emphasize eco-friendly materials, recyclability, and premium aesthetics.

Eric Sampers, Global Marketing Director at Brockmans Gin, expressed his excitement for “new ideas that push industry boundaries, create open dialogue about the future, and introduce techniques and perspectives beyond our usual approach.”

Nurturing youth talent for a sustainable future

Winners of all three contests will be announced during Paris Packaging Week, on 28 & 29 January 2025, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. This exciting event will not only showcase the talent of young innovators but will also inspire brands to rethink their packaging strategies in a sustainable and creative manner.

These contests add to the excitement of the Paris Packaging Week 2025 program, which features a vibrant show floor with over 800 exhibitors, along with a comprehensive two-day agenda filled with talks, networking opportunities, and debates across four dedicated conference stages. The event encompasses four showcases: PCD for cosmetics and perfume, ADF for the aerosol and dispensing sectors, PLD for premium drinks, and Packaging Première for the luxury market.

Visitors can now register for free at parispackagingweek.com.

Join us on January 28 and 29, 2025, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.