Home - Packaging Challenge

Welcome to the

Circular Packaging Challenge

We connect the most innovative international startups with leading companies in the packaging sector.

The 2026 call for applications is now open

The Circular Packaging Challenge is seeking startups with technological solutions and new business models that align with the challenges of the companies that are part of Ecoembes.

We promote networking, business generation and the development of pilot projects between startups and companies in the packaging sector.

Who Can Participate

Startups already established, less than 10 years old, with a high degree of innovation and proposing new solutions for the circularity of packaging.

Companies that are part of Ecoembes, which will be able to innovate through collaboration with startups.

DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY

Which
Challenges We
Pose in 2026

CHALLENGE 1

Food & Beverage

New circular packaging solutions
to drive 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.

• Innovations aimed at reducing and reusing packaging in the beverage sector.
• Logistics innovations to improve the efficiency of circular models.
• Packaging incentive systems to promote circularity.

CHALLENGE 2

Beverages and Dairy Products

New packaging management models
for the beverage and dairy sectors.

CHALLENGE 3

Non-food

Technologies to optimise the sorting and recovery of
materials within the non-food sector.

• Separation, identification, and sorting technologies for complex packaging.
• Sorting systems for small-format packaging to enable material recovery.
• Innovative technologies for the reintroduction of recycled materials.

• Software solutions for packaging traceability and tracking throughout the entire value chain.
• Technologies for data capture, monitoring, and packaging management throughout their lifecycle.
• End-to-end management systems for refillable packaging.

CHALLENGE 4

Traceability

Traceability solutions to drive circularity
across the packaging value chain.

WINNERS 2024

RETO 1

Nuevos materiales de envasado

RETO 2

Nuevos modelos de gestión de envases más sostenibles

MENCIÓN DE HONOR RETO 1

MENCIÓN DE HONOR RETO 2

Benefits for Startups

Startup Evaluation Criteria

Maturity and achievements

The maturity of the proposed solutions, positively assessing that these solutions are already in a commercialisation phase, as well as the achievements accomplished by the startups that allow evidence of the positive evolution of their trajectory.

Innovation

The level of innovation used by startups in the development of their products, services or in the deployment of their business models.

Link with challenges

The effectiveness in solving real problems related to the circular economy and framed in one of the 2 challenges set in the competition.

PHASES OF THE
COMPETITION

INITIAL APPLICATION

The startups will complete a questionnaire providing valuable information about their organisations and the solutions they propose in relation to the challenges of the competition.

FINALIST SELECTION

All applications will be evaluated, and the finalist startups will be selected through the constitution of an independent jury made up of professionals from Ecoembes and collaborating companies.

PITCH & DEMO DAY

The finalist startups will participate in a final event where they will make a pitch in front of the jury. In addition, networking actions will be organised between startups and collaborating companies.

PILOT PROJECTS

Ecoembes and the collaborating companies may propose the development of pilot projects with startups to test their solutions in a real environment and verify their full potential.