Ecoembes and its open innovation center, TheCircularLab, have launched the third edition of the Circular Packaging Challenge. This international initiative connects innovative startups from around the world with leading companies in the packaging sector to address real challenges related to packaging circularity.
The program is seeking established startups with mature, innovative, scalable solutions, including technologies and business models that can be tested and applied in real-world environments. Solutions that are already at the commercialization stage are viewed positively during the evaluation process.
Program Challenges
• Challenge 1: Food – Seeks new circular packaging solutions for the food sector, including ecodesign, flexible packaging, recycled materials, alternative materials, and alternatives to traditional coatings.
• Challenge 2: Beverages and Dairy Products – Focuses on new packaging management models, including packaging reduction and reuse, more efficient circular logistics, and incentive systems that encourage circularity.
• Challenge 3: Non-food – Seeks technologies that improve the separation, identification, sorting, and recovery of complex or small-format packaging, as well as technologies that enable recycled materials to be reintroduced into new applications.
• Challenge 4: Traceability – Focuses on software and digital technologies for packaging traceability, lifecycle monitoring, information capture, packaging management, and integrated systems for refillable packaging.
Benefits for Participants
• Business Opportunities: Startups can connect directly with companies in the packaging sector for potential co-development and business opportunities.
• Pilot Projects: Selected startups may participate in pilot projects to test their solutions in real-world environments. Ecoembes will promote and finance at least two pilot projects with selected startups.
• Prize Pool: One winning startup from each of the four challenges will receive EUR 4,000, for a total prize pool of EUR 16,000.
• Visibility: Participating startups can gain international recognition, visibility, and exposure within the packaging and circular economy ecosystem.
• goCircular Radar: Eligible startups registering for the challenge may also become part of the goCircular Radar community and access its associated benefits.
Application Details
• Cost: Participation is free of charge.
• Eligibility: Applicants must be duly incorporated startups or eligible social economy enterprises established after September 18, 2016, and must meet the other requirements specified in the official terms.
• Application Process: Startups must complete the official online participation form and provide information about their organization and proposed solution.
• Deadline: Applications close on September 18, 2026, at 23:59 CET (GMT+1).
The Circular Packaging Challenge 2026 offers startups an opportunity to validate their solutions, build relationships with established companies, participate in potential pilot projects, and compete for cash prizes while contributing to more circular packaging systems.