TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STARTUPS
IN THE 3RD EDITION OF THE CIRCULAR PACKAGING CHALLENGE
1. PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INITIATIVE
These Legal Terms and Conditions (hereinafter, the “Terms”) are intended to regulate participation in the Circular Packaging Challenge competition (hereinafter, the “Initiative” or the “Competition”, interchangeably), an international initiative for startups operating in the circular economy sector (hereinafter, the “Startups”), whose purpose is to identify the most innovative and effective solutions to address specific challenges in the field of packaging circularity (hereinafter, the “Solutions”).
The main objective of the Initiative is to foster connections between, on the one hand, the most promising Startups worldwide developing Solutions focused on packaging sustainability and, on the other hand, the companies that are members of ECOEMBALAJES ESPAÑA, S.A. and the ECOEMBES COMERCIALES Association (hereinafter, “Ecoembes”) and that participate in the Initiative as collaborating companies (hereinafter, the “Collaborating Companies”).
Likewise, the Circular Packaging Challenge initiative will also promote the development of pilot projects aimed at testing and scaling these new technologies and business models in real environments, in order to verify their effective application potential.
The third edition of this Initiative will take place in 2026, following the successful editions previously organised by Ecoembes in 2022 and 2024.
2. PHASES OF THE INITIATIVE
The Circular Packaging Challenge initiative shall begin with the launch by Ecoembes of an international open call aimed at attracting Startups that, according to the criteria of maturity, innovation, real-world application and scalability potential described in greater detail in Section 6, are capable of providing Solutions to the proposed challenges.
The participation of the Startups shall be structured in accordance with the following four (4) phases:
- Phase 1 – Initial Application. Interested Startups shall complete the questionnaire provided for this purpose, submitting information about their organisations and about the Solutions they propose in relation to the Competition challenges.
- Phase 2 – Selection of Finalists. Based on the information submitted by the Startups in their application forms, an evaluation committee shall assess all applications and select the finalist Startups.
- Phase 3 – Final Event (Pitch & Networking). The finalist Startups shall be invited to participate in a final event where they will present their Solutions through an oral presentation (elevator pitch). A jury composed of Ecoembes professionals and representatives from companies in the packaging sector shall determine the winning Startups. Networking activities shall also be organised during the event in order to facilitate direct collaboration between Startups and Collaborating Companies.
- Phase 4 – Pilot Projects. Following the final event, the development of pilot projects aimed at validating the proposals submitted by the Startups shall be promoted. Such projects may fall into one of the following categories:
- Open pilot projects (Ecoembes-Startups). Ecoembes shall promote and finance at least two (2) pilot projects with the Startups selected by Ecoembes. The Solutions developed through these projects may be disclosed where Ecoembes so decides, and Ecoembes shall determine in each case the scope, content and level of detail of the information to be made public, taking into account the nature of the project and the circumstances involved. In any event, the dissemination of the Solutions shall always be subject to confidentiality obligations and the intellectual and industrial property rights of the participating Startups, without prejudice to the communication and dissemination scenarios provided for in these Terms.
- Company-Startup pilot projects. The Collaborating Companies may propose to the Startups the development of pilot projects aimed at assessing the potential of their Solutions. The financing of such projects shall be the responsibility of the Collaborating Company, which shall determine whether the results obtained are to be made public.
- Open pilot projects (Ecoembes-Startups). Ecoembes shall promote and finance at least two (2) pilot projects with the Startups selected by Ecoembes. The Solutions developed through these projects may be disclosed where Ecoembes so decides, and Ecoembes shall determine in each case the scope, content and level of detail of the information to be made public, taking into account the nature of the project and the circumstances involved. In any event, the dissemination of the Solutions shall always be subject to confidentiality obligations and the intellectual and industrial property rights of the participating Startups, without prejudice to the communication and dissemination scenarios provided for in these Terms.
The implementation of the pilot projects shall be governed by the specific agreements entered into for such purpose by Ecoembes, the Collaborating Companies and the participating Startups, which shall detail, among other matters, the financing conditions, execution timelines, deliverables and the applicable intellectual and industrial property regime.
3. COMPETITION CHALLENGES
The Circular Packaging Challenge challenges in which the Startups will participate are as follows:
Challenge 1. Food
New circular packaging solutions to enhance circularity in the food sector.
- Ecodesign and new processes for the development of flexible packaging and the use of recycled materials.
- New alternative materials that enhance packaging circularity.
- Alternatives to traditional coatings in terms of format, material and technology.
Challenge 2. Beverages and Dairy Products
New packaging management models for the beverages and dairy sector.
- Innovations for the reduction and reuse of packaging in the beverage sector.
- Logistics innovations to improve the efficiency of circular logistics models.
- Packaging incentive systems aimed at promoting circularity.
Challenge 3. Non-food
Technologies to optimise material sorting and recovery within the non-food sector.
- Separation, identification and sorting technologies for complex packaging.
- Small-format packaging sorting systems for recovery.
- Innovative technologies for the reintroduction of recycled materials.
Challenge 4. Traceability
Traceability solutions to promote circularity across the packaging value chain.
- Software for packaging traceability and monitoring throughout the entire value chain.
- Technologies for information capture, monitoring and packaging management throughout the packaging lifecycle.
- Integrated management systems for refillable packaging.
4. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
All Startups that, as of the application deadline, meet all of the following requirements may participate in the Competition:
- Be duly incorporated as a commercial entity or as a social economy enterprise (cooperatives, labour companies or special employment centres), with no more than ten (10) years having elapsed since the date of incorporation, i.e. incorporated after 18 September 2016.
- Not be owned by more than fifty per cent (50%) by a company that does not qualify as an SME, in accordance with the definition established in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 of 17 June 2014.
- Not be subject to insolvency proceedings or dissolution grounds, and be up to date in the fulfilment of all applicable legal, fiscal, employment, tax and social security obligations.
5. AWARDS AND BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING STARTUPS
Participation in the Circular Packaging Challenge initiative is free of charge. Participating Startups may access, among others, the following benefits:
- Opportunities for co-development and business generation through direct contact with companies in the packaging sector.
- Participation in pilot projects in which the Startups’ Solutions are tested, with the results showcased to companies in the sector.
- An additional cash prize of four thousand euros (€4,000) for the winning Startup in each of the four (4) challenges, amounting to a total of sixteen thousand euros (€16,000) for the four (4) awarded Startups.
- International recognition, visibility and media impact as key participants in Circular Packaging Challenge.
Additionally, at the time of registration in Circular Packaging Challenge, any Startup meeting the conditions of the goCircular Radar community shall become part of the goCircular Radar community, additionally benefiting from the advantages described on that platform’s website.
6. STARTUP EVALUATION CRITERIA
For the assessment of applications and for the selection of finalist and winning Startups, the following evaluation criteria shall be weighted:
- Maturity and achievements. The maturity of the proposed Solutions shall be assessed, positively considering whether such Solutions are already at a commercialisation stage, as well as the milestones achieved by the Startups demonstrating the positive evolution of their track record.
- The level of innovation applied by the Startups in the development of their products, services or business models shall be assessed.
- Relevance to the challenges. The effectiveness of the proposed Solutions in addressing real problems related to the circular economy and falling within one of the challenges established in the Competition shall be assessed.
7. REGISTRATION AND DEADLINES
The application process shall be carried out entirely through the official Circular Packaging Challenge website, accessible at the following address: https://packagingchallenge.thecircularlab.com
Interested Startups may access the website and register by completing the participation form available through the relevant link.
The application period shall remain open until 11:59 p.m. (CET) on 18 September 2026. Applications submitted after this deadline shall not be accepted.
By completing the registration process, the Startups declare that they fully understand and accept these Terms, the participation conditions of goCircular Radar, and the Circular Packaging Challenge privacy policy.
8. PROMOTING ENTITY
The Promoting Entity of Circular Packaging Challenge is Ecoembes Entidad Administradora, S.L.U., with registered office at Calle Marcelo Martín Espínola No. 14, 2ª planta, Madrid, and Tax ID No. B56540040. The operational management of the Initiative is structured on a cross-functional basis, involving the Innovation Department, the Companies Department and, as the managing entity, the TheCircularLab innovation centre based in Logroño.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION
For the purposes of these Terms, “Confidential Information” shall mean all information, whether oral, written, electronic, digital or in any other format, communicated by Ecoembes, the Collaborating Companies or the Startups, regardless of whether it has been expressly designated as confidential or restricted, within the context of the Initiative.
Participating Startups acknowledge that the information shared within the framework of the Initiative is generally confidential in nature and undertake not to disclose or make such information public without the prior consent of Ecoembes or, where applicable, of the party owning such information.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ecoembes may determine, within the framework of the Initiative, which information may be disclosed publicly and under which conditions, in accordance with these Terms. In particular, the Startups accept that Ecoembes may disclose any information necessary for the proper execution, development and promotion of the Initiative, including, by way of example and without limitation, the identification of participating, finalist and winning Startups, as well as general information regarding their proposals. Likewise, Ecoembes may communicate the information provided by the Startups in their application forms to the persons designated by the Collaborating Companies participating in the application assessment and evaluation process, including the members of the evaluation committee, all of whom shall be subject to the same confidentiality obligations.
The confidentiality obligation established in this section shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years following the conclusion of the Competition.
10. TRADEMARK USE
By accepting these Terms, the participating Startups authorise Ecoembes to use their trademarks, logos, trade names and other distinctive signs (whether registered or unregistered) (jointly, the “Distinctive Signs”) so that they may be displayed on the official Circular Packaging Challenge website, on Ecoembes’ social media channels and on any other media and communication materials related to Circular Packaging Challenge.
Such use shall be free of charge, worldwide and royalty-free during the course of the Initiative and for as long as the Startup retains its status as a participant therein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ecoembes shall not be obliged to remove publications in which the Distinctive Signs have been included during such period, and may retain and subsequently use them for archival, historical and/or communication purposes on its channels, always in connection with the Initiative.
In all cases, the use of the Distinctive Signs shall respect their integrity and shall not imply any transfer of intellectual or industrial property rights owned by the Startups beyond what is expressly provided for in this clause.
11. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION
In accordance with the applicable data protection regulations, participants in the Initiative are informed that their personal data shall be processed by Ecoembes in its capacity as data controller.
Ecoembes shall process the personal data provided as part of participation in the Initiative (hereinafter, the “Participants’ Personal Data”) in order to allow the participant’s registration in the Competition, manage the delivery or enjoyment of the Prizes if selected as a winner, and comply with the corresponding legal obligations.
If, as a consequence of participation in the programme, the participant provides personal data relating to third parties, Ecoembes informs the participant of the obligation to have previously informed such third parties, before providing the data, of the provisions contained herein regarding data protection, and to have obtained the written consent of such third parties or their legal representatives (in the case of parents, it must be signed by both) for the processing of the data by Ecoembes.
Ecoembes shall process such data for the following purposes:
- Management of participation in the Initiative, awarding of the Prize and publicity of results. The processing of data for this purpose shall be based on the performance of the contractual relationship. Ecoembes shall contact the winner in order to manage redemption of the Prize awarded as a result of having won the Competition in which the participant voluntarily registered and participated, and their data shall be published on Ecoembes’ corporate social media accounts.
- Compliance with accounting, legal, tax and administrative obligations. Processing necessary for Ecoembes to comply with the legal obligations that may arise from the relationship maintained with participants, including the handling of data protection rights.
Ecoembes shall not disclose personal data except to competent authorities and bodies, courts, tribunals or any other third parties authorised under applicable regulations, as well as to the Instagram social network as part of the publication of the Competition results. Publication of the data on Instagram may involve an international data transfer safeguarded by the Data Privacy Framework as an Adequacy Decision of the European Commission, given that Instagram adheres to this instrument. Likewise, third-party providers of Ecoembes, in the context of providing their services, may have access to personal data in relation to the purposes described herein and, in particular, those related to the awarding of the corresponding Prize. Such providers shall only access personal data in order to provide their services on behalf of and for the account of Ecoembes, under confidentiality obligations and always following its instructions, and may not at any time use such data for their own purposes and/or unauthorised purposes. Personal data shall not otherwise be subject to international transfer.
Ecoembes shall retain the Participants’ Personal Data during their participation in the Initiative and until the purpose for which the data were collected ceases to apply. Once the Initiative has concluded, Ecoembes shall retain the personal data duly blocked during the statutory limitation period for any actions that may arise from the relationship maintained with the participant or from legal obligations. Ecoembes shall permanently delete the data once such periods have elapsed.
Ecoembes informs participants of their right to exercise the rights of access, rectification, erasure, objection, portability and restriction of processing by sending a written request to oficinadeprivacidad@ecoembes.com or by post to the following address: Ecoembes Entidad Administradora, S.L.U., Calle Cardenal Marcelo Espínola, 14, 2ª planta, 28016 Madrid. A complaint may also be lodged with the Spanish Data Protection Agency at www.aepd.es if it is considered that ECOEMBES has infringed their rights.
12. INTELLECTUAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
Each participating Startup guarantees that it owns or has sufficient rights of use and exploitation, free from encumbrances, charges or limitations of any kind, over the Solutions submitted within the framework of the Competition, as well as over any elements, assets or content forming part thereof, whether or not susceptible to protection under intellectual or industrial property rights, including third-party elements that may be incorporated into its proposal.
Likewise, each Startup guarantees that the submission, use and potential exploitation of such Solutions within the context of the Initiative does not infringe third-party rights and is not subject to limitations that would prevent their use under the terms provided in these Terms.
Participation in the Competition shall under no circumstances imply the assignment or transfer to Ecoembes or to the Collaborating Companies of intellectual or industrial property rights over the Solutions submitted by the Startups, without prejudice to any specific agreements reached within the framework of the pilot projects provided for in Section 2 of these Terms.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the participating Startups authorise Ecoembes and the Collaborating Companies to use the information, documentation and materials provided within the framework of the Initiative to the extent necessary for the evaluation of applications, the organisation and development of the Competition and the possible implementation of pilot projects, including the communication and dissemination scenarios provided for in these Terms.
The participating Startups shall indemnify and hold harmless Ecoembes and the Collaborating Companies against any claim, lawsuit, proceeding, sanction, damage, loss, cost or expense of any kind – including, by way of example and without limitation, court costs and reasonable lawyers’ and court representatives’ fees – arising from the infringement of intellectual or industrial property rights in connection with the submitted Solutions, as well as from any breach of the guarantees provided for in this clause. This hold-harmless obligation shall remain in force irrespective of the termination or conclusion of the Competition.
13. TAX TREATMENT OF THE PRIZES
The cash prizes provided for in these Terms shall be subject to the tax regulations in force at the time of delivery. The Promoting Entity shall apply any withholdings or advance payments required by law, where applicable. Each winning Startup shall be solely responsible for complying with any tax obligations arising in connection with the prizes received.
14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Ecoembes shall not be liable for any damages, losses, claims or expenses of any kind that may arise from participation in the Competition, including, by way of example and without limitation, those resulting from technical failures, human error or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Promoting Entity that prevents the normal development of the Initiative. Likewise, Ecoembes does not guarantee the availability and continuity of the Competition website and shall not be liable for any damages caused by its temporary unavailability.
Ecoembes shall not be liable either to the Collaborating Companies or to third-party entities or persons engaging the services or purchasing products from the Startups participating in the Initiative.
15. MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION AND CANCELLATION
Ecoembes reserves the right to modify, suspend or cancel the Competition, in whole or in part, where force majeure events or circumstances beyond its control substantially prevent or hinder its normal development, without such actions giving rise to any right to compensation for the participating Startups. Any amendment to these Terms shall be communicated through the official Initiative website with reasonable prior notice.
16. DISQUALIFICATION
Ecoembes reserves the right to disqualify any participating Startup that breaches these Terms, provides false or incomplete information, or acts fraudulently or contrary to good faith. Disqualification shall, where applicable, entail the loss of the right to the prize and the obligation to return any amounts that may have been received.
17. APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Spanish law. For the resolution of any disputes arising from the interpretation or execution of these Terms, the parties, expressly waiving any other jurisdiction to which they may be entitled, submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts and Tribunals of the city of Madrid.
18. ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS
Participation in the Competition implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms, as well as of any decisions adopted by Ecoembes regarding their interpretation and application, without any right to claim or appeal in this respect.