London Packaging Week 2025 has unveiled the finalists for the second annual Innovation Awards, spotlighting the most inventive, sustainable, and design-led packaging innovations that are shaping the future of global brands.
This year’s shortlist celebrates bold thinking across every sector, from luxury spirits to everyday food, beauty, wellness, and home fragrance. The awards honor entries that elevate packaging beyond function into a medium for storytelling, sensory experience and positive environmental impact.
A total of 81 finalists have been whittled down from hundreds of entries across 12 categories, reflecting the global momentum behind sustainable, consumer-centric packaging innovation. Among the finalists are industry icons and rising disruptors alike, including Charlotte Tilbury, Harrods, Macallan, Glenmorangie, Hendrick’s Gin, Hennessy, Clive Christian, Hotel Chocolat, Innocent, LUSH, Starbucks, Belvedere, The Glenlivet, and Mondelez International.
From prestige advent calendars and illuminated bottle caps to refillable skincare and paper-based chilled food packs, each of these breakthrough projects will be showcased at London Packaging Week, held at Excel London on 15 and 16 October 2025. A dedicated Innovation Awards display will give visitors an exclusive opportunity to explore these solutions in person. The winners will be revealed during the Innovation Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 16 October.
“The breadth and depth of innovation in this year’s entries reflect an exciting future for packaging,” said co-chair of the awards, Christelle Anya. “It’s clear that brands are responding to consumer demand for sustainability by pushing boundaries in design and functionality like never before. What stands out most is the collaboration and bold thinking across sectors, from luxury spirits to everyday essentials. These awards celebrate that spirit of innovation, which is crucial for driving positive change in how we package products.”
The 2025 judging panel brought together a diverse group of senior experts from global brands, industry bodies, and sustainability leaders. With expertise spanning luxury, FMCG, retail, sustainability, and regulatory affairs, the 18-member panel ran the rule over hundreds of entries in a lively day of discussion and debate that reflected the evolving priorities of the packaging industry.
Simon Elmer, global head of Innovation Practice at William Grant & Sons, said, “The standard of entries was very good, but what really stood out was the tone of the judging – it felt less analytical and more engaging, more conversational. That’s the strength of bringing people together from different sectors and backgrounds: it gives you a fresh perspective on your own work, and reminds you why packaging matters.”
Nikki Grainge, Packaging Technician at Marks & Spencer, added, “There were some fantastic entries across the board, especially at the high end, showcasing impressive craftsmanship and creativity. What stood out was the strong focus on sustainability, with many brands reevaluating their materials and packaging formats to reduce plastic use and minimise environmental impact. It’s encouraging to see innovation and responsibility advancing hand in hand.”
Michelle Atkinson, global head – Sustainable Solutions, Marketing & Innovation at Diageo, said, “The Innovation Awards play a vital role in fostering progress across the packaging industry. By bringing together experts from drinks, beauty, grocery, and retail, the awards create a rich, diverse conversation that challenges and inspires. Celebrating these achievements not only highlights outstanding creativity and sustainability but also drives the entire sector forward.”
2025 Innovation Awards Finalists
Luxury & Premium Packaging – Powered By Packaging Première
- A Study in Oak – Macallan 33-Year-Old 1991 Origins Sherry and Sherry-Mizunara – Bill Amberg Edition – Macallan
- Harrods Food Hall Luxury Advent calendar – Harrods
- Manchester Collector’s Box – Theatre of Dreams Edition – Manchester United
Luxury Drinks – Powered By PLD
- Glenmorangie Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old – Glenmorangie
- The Abyss – Glenmorangie
- MACALLAN Time space – Macallan
- One Cask at a Time – Single Malt Scotch Whisky – One Cask at a Time
- The Glenlivet 40 year old – The Glenlivet
- Glenmorangie Pursuit of Passion : Wine Cask Collection – Glenmorangie
Premium Drinks – Powered By PLD
- Hennessy X.O ‘Spirit of Travel’ Collection – Hennessy
- Champagne Challiol & Charmetant – Champagne Challilo & Charmetant
- Dark Sky Reserve – Solid Oak Packaging – SKELLIG SIX18
- THIRON 2024 Lindores Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Thiron
- Illuminated bottle cap to elevate the Belvedere 10, 175cl bottle – Belvedere
- Maestro Reserva – EDRINGTON
- Aureus Vita Comprehensive Luxury Packaging – Aureus Vita
- The Glenlivet Travel Retail Exclusive ‘The Journey Inward’ – The Glenlivet
- Fielden Whisky Gift Box – Fielden Whiskey
Everyday Drinks – Powered By PLD
- The Whimsical Watering Can – Hendrick’s Gin
- Innocent Juice – Innocent drinks
- OHMG Sparkling Magnesium Water – OHMG Brands Limited
- Water Junkie & WaterJunkie Mushroom – Water Junkie
- MINDFUEL FLOW® I RTD Mushroom Iced Latte I focus & clarity I stress & mood – Mindfuelbev Ltd
- Inside Story – TBC
- Organic Sicilian White Wine Bottle – Vinca Wines
- RAPPL’ – Mull it Over
- Nips & Sips Watermelon – Young Spirits
- Panther Shake – Dirty Banana – Panther Milk
- ZAZZ – ZAZZ Cocktails Limited
Perfume – Powered By PCD
- Pierre De Velay by Roja Dove – Roja Dove Perfumery
- Clive Christian – Crown Collection, Matsukita – Clive Christian
- Clive Christian, Original Collection, 1872 Masculine – Clive Christian
- Miller Harris – Miller Harris
Skincare – Powered By PCD
- Gglow – Gyamfua London
- The face cream, the eye cream, the cleanser, the toner, the exfoliator – DaisyFace
- BUFARMA Soft Creamy Scrub – BUFARMA
Haircare – Powered By PCD
- Vivomer Dropper – Hair by Sam McKnight
- Rhyme & Reason – Rhyme & Reason
- Captain Fawcett Pomades – Captain Fawcett
- Black Oud Beard Balm – ZOUSZ
- Happy Hair People – Happy Hair People
Beauty Accessory – Powered By PCD
- Pillow Talk Dreams Come True – Charlotte Tilbury
- Trinny London Christmas 2024 Gift Bag – Trinny London
Food Packaging – Powered By Food & Consumer Pack
- Spudos Crisps – Spudos Ltd
- Hotel Chocolat’s Extra-Thick Easter Egg – Hotel Chocolat
- Gousto – Automated Egg Box – Gousto
- Masala Cashews & Almonds – NALO
- Seal2Go Tab Lok paper bags – CCS McLays
- 5ft Lindt Advent Calendar – Lindt
- Curry Smugglers Snacks – Curry Smugglers
- Packaging for Café Plantel – HONDO
- Cadbury Sharing Tablets – Mondelez International
- Chinese Salt & Pepper Cashews & Almonds – NALO
- Smoked Rosemary Almonds – NALO
- Yoruba Mate – Yoruba Mate
- Jacobs Bites – Pladis
- Maple Truffle Cashews & Almonds – NALO
- PaperSeal™ Shape for Moy Park and Sainsbury’s breaded chicken products – Moy Park & Sainsburys
- The Jolly Hog – Black Treacle Back Bacon 300g – The Jolly Hog
Consumer Goods – Powered By Food & Consumer Pack
- Vitals+ – Heights
- 29 High Street Advent calendar – LUSH
- Permea Plus Seriously Safe Sanitiser – Arden Health
- Omvits Kind Collagen – OMVITS
Homeware – Powered By Food & Consumer Pack
- AUGUST&PIERS 340g Candle Range – AUGUST&PIERS
- Hermes Candle – Hygges London
- Cashmere Candle – Essential Oil Blend – Aroma Theory
- RÊVERIE D’AMBRE – Perfume Candle – I-VIO
- Peri Candle – Hygges London
- Royal Palaces – Smoked Oud and Bergamot scented ceramic – Windles Group
Sustainable Packaging – Powered By London Packaging Week
- Paper packaging for chilled spreads – Flora Food Group
- Eco-Sharps – G&N and NeedleDock
- Diageo Johnnie Walker Black Label – Diageo
- Rubicon PE Free Paper Coffee Cup – Starbucks
- Ocado Retail online reuse scheme – Ocado Retail
- +maskology HYALURONIC ACID Facial Serum – +maskology
- Bowmore – Bowmore
- McVities Digestives Twin pack – Banding – Pladis – McVities
- Easy carry box – LOLA’s CUPCAKES
- Zuddha Alkaline Water – Zuddha Alkaline Water
- Organic Sicilian Red Wine Bottle – Vinca Wines
