etma Tube of the Year 2026
etma honours the winners of the Tube of the Year 2026 competition
Prestigious awards presented during the World Tube Congress in Lisbon
The winners of the European Tube Manufacturers Association's (etma) prestigious Tube of the Year 2026 competition were announced during the association's annual meeting in Lisbon in May. A seven-member jury representing etma member companies selected the best entries in the categories Aluminium, Plastic, Laminate, Sustainability and Prototype.
Widely recognised throughout the global tube industry, the competition is regarded as a benchmark for innovation, technical excellence and design performance. Year after year, it highlights the tube's outstanding position in the international packaging market while showcasing the capabilities of both tube manufacturers and their supplier partners.
The awards were presented during the closing dinner of the World Tube Congress, which was also organised by etma in Lisbon and attracted strong international participation.
Announcement and award presentation for the winners of the Tube of the Year Award by etma President Zoran Joksic (right): Congratulations on the win in the aluminium tubes category go to Pietro Guerra, Sales Director of Alltub Italia.
Nevaneeth Selvanan, President of EPL Europe, is delighted with the win in the laminate tubes category and presents his award.
Double celebration at Albéa Group for winning the plastic tubes and sustainability categories: Anna Holovina Global Sales, Marketing & Communication Director (left), and Stefanie Müller, Global Sales Director Tubes – Beauty Care.
For the win in the prototypes category, Tubex Aluminium Tubes CEO Cornelius Grupp and Susanne Holzinger, Group Sales Director Consumer Goods, accept congratulations from the etma President.
Winners of the etma Tube of the Year Award 2026
Outstanding designs, new innovations and inspiring sustainability concepts
This year's competition once again demonstrated the exceptionally high standard of innovation within the tube industry. The jury faced a challenging task in selecting winners across five categories: Aluminium, Plastic, Laminate, Sustainability and Prototype.
The following pages present the winning entries in detail and illustrate how creativity, technical expertise and sustainability continue to drive the evolution of tube packaging.
Aluminium Tube Winner: Alltub Italia for Rituals Body Scrub
The winning aluminium tube, manufactured by Alltub Italia for Rituals, combines sophisticated decoration with sustainability. Designed for a limited-edition body scrub, the tube is made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium.
Its striking appearance is defined by a bronze-copper metallic finish with a transparent effect that highlights the natural beauty of aluminium. Inspired by the world of traditional apothecaries, the design evokes an atmosphere of alchemy, rituals and craftsmanship through rich amber tones and smoky visual effects. Particularly impressive is the execution of three colour gradients without the use of halftone printing.
A classic black conical cap completes the premium look. The tube forms part of a coordinated packaging range that also includes aluminium aerosol cans featuring the same distinctive visual effect, ensuring a consistent brand identity across the product line.
Laminate Tube Winner: EPL Europe – BARBERO Men's Care Range
EPL Europe's BARBERO tube range combines premium aesthetics, innovative materials and enhanced recyclability for men's grooming products.
The range uses three major tube diameters – 35 mm, 40 mm and 50 mm – creating a strong and consistent visual identity across the portfolio. The tubes are produced using EPL's proprietary PLATINA ME laminate structure, an HDPE-based laminate incorporating a silver metallised PE layer. The material delivers excellent barrier performance while complying with the relevant EU regulations.
Decorative effects are achieved through high-definition flexographic printing combined with matte and selective gloss varnishes, creating elegant visual contrasts. A large-area screen-printing application adds tactile appeal and visual depth. The lightweight laminate structure is paired with HDPE shoulders and Slim Flip-Top caps colour-matched to the artwork, supporting improved recyclability and resource efficiency.
Plastic Tube Winner: Albéa Tubes for Weleda Shower Gel
For the relaunch of its shower gel range, Weleda partnered with Albéa Tubes to create packaging that combines sustainability with strong visual impact.
The award-winning solution features Albéa's SLIGHT cap in PE, a PCR Max sleeve and a reduced wall thickness of just 350 μm. The mono-material HDPE construction contains more than 57% PCR content (excluding the cap) and is fully designed for recycling within established HDPE rigid packaging streams.
Beyond its sustainability credentials, the tube stands out through its exceptional decoration. Albéa's PrimePrint technology delivers photorealistic graphics, vibrant colours and remarkable visual depth, resulting in a contemporary premium pack that reflects Weleda's brand values while creating strong shelf appeal.
Sustainability Winner: Albéa Tubes – Fill-Up Refill Solution for L'Occitane
The Sustainability Award went to Albéa Tubes for "Fill-Up", an innovative refill solution developed in partnership with L'Occitane.
Made from mono-material PE using Greenleaf 330 μm technology and a specially designed EcoTop closure, Fill-Up represents Albéa's first major step into reusable packaging solutions while maintaining full recyclability.
The tube is opened along designated tear lines, allowing consumers to refill existing containers easily and without spillage. Combining the convenience of a tube with the environmental benefits of refill systems, Fill-Up offers an attractive alternative to conventional refill pouches. Its stable shelf presence faithfully reproduces the visual identity of the original bottle, while its ergonomic design ensures easy handling and precise dispensing.
The solution also benefits manufacturers by allowing the use of existing tube-filling equipment, avoiding the need for additional production investments.
Prototype Winner: Tubex Aluminium Tubes – MonoSense
The Prototype Award was presented to Tubex Aluminium Tubes for MonoSense, described by the company as the world's first all-aluminium applicator tube.
MonoSense introduces a completely new approach to aluminium tube packaging. For the first time, both the tube body and applicator are formed from a single piece of aluminium containing 95% post-consumer recycled content. By eliminating mixed materials, the design significantly simplifies recycling while maintaining excellent product performance.
The seamless aluminium applicator enables smooth, precise and hygienic application. The naturally cooling surface enhances the user experience, while aluminium's superior barrier properties ensure reliable product protection. The absence of a suck-back effect further supports product stability and hygiene, making MonoSense particularly suitable for beauty and pharmaceutical applications.
Combining circular design principles, technical innovation and user comfort, MonoSense represents a genuine industry first and demonstrates the future potential of aluminium tube packaging.
