As the packaging industry evolves to meet challenges around sustainability and differentiation, MM Group continues to invest in creative talent.
A long-time partner of the Pro Carton Young Designers Award, MM provides not only support but also the cartonboard materials used by participants to create their prototypes.
Organized by Pro Carton, the European association of carton and cartonboard manufacturers, the competition has become a key platform for future packaging professionals. In April, MM welcomed the 2024 national award winners to its headquarters for a two-day workshop. During the visit, the young designers collaborated with innovation teams from MM Board & Paper and MM Packaging, and toured MM Premium’s production center to gain insight into how tailored packaging solutions are developed for major brands.
According to Jens Uhlmann, Director of Innovation for the Beauty & Personal Care division at MM Packaging and a member of the 2025 jury, the interaction between emerging creatives and industry experts is vital: “Diversity of backgrounds fuels innovation and encourages fresh, realistic approaches to major market trends.”
Uhlmann emphasized that shelf appeal—the ability of a product to stand out in retail environments—is a key evaluation criterion. As brands increasingly seek to “premiumize” their products, packaging must be both eye-catching and aligned with expectations for functionality, recyclability, and environmental performance. This 360-degree perspective is central to MM’s approach to fiber-based packaging innovation.
The competition is part of a broader program that also includes the European Carton Excellence Awards and the Pro Carton Student Video Awards. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on September 18 in Istanbul. For MM, the initiative is not only about celebrating creativity, but also about building a sustainable future for the packaging industry.
MM Group is a European leader in the production of fiber-based, sustainable packaging solutions. It operates through two divisions—MM Board & Paper and MM Packaging—that develop innovative materials and packaging for sectors including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Committed to circular economy principles, MM focuses on innovation, recyclability, and environmental performance to help brands reduce their carbon footprint.
