The european tube manufacturers association – etma – runs a competition every year to award the best tubes. A top-class jury from the ranks of the member companies votes for the best tubes in each of the five categories: Aluminium Tube, Plastic Tube, Laminate Tube, Prototype and (since 2019) Sustainability.
The winners demonstrate the numerous possibilities of the tube to offer convincing packaging solutions in all kinds of end-use markets. They convincingly show the high quality standards of the tube industry and the innovativeness and creativity of etma’s member companies.
The winners of the European Tube Manufacturers Association's (etma) prestigious Tube of the Year 2026 competition were announced during the association's annual meeting on 20 May in Lisbon. A seven-member jury representing etma member companies selected the best entries in the categories Aluminium, Plastic, Laminate, Sustainability and Prototype.
Widely recognised throughout the global tube industry, the competition has become a benchmark for innovation, technical excellence and design performance. The winning entries for 2026 once again demonstrate the tube's outstanding position in the international packaging market.
The winning aluminium tube, produced by Alltub Italia for Rituals, combines exceptional decoration with sustainability. Developed for a limited-edition body scrub, the tube is made from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium.
The design stands out through its bronze-copper metallic finish and transparent effect, which enhances the natural appearance of aluminium. Inspired by traditional apothecaries, the decoration creates a distinctive "alchemy" theme through rich amber tones and smoky visual effects. Particularly impressive are the three colour gradients achieved without the use of halftone printing. A classic black conical cap completes the premium appearance, while matching aluminium cans within the product range ensure a consistent brand identity.
EPL Europe received the award for its BARBERO men's care tube range, which combines premium aesthetics, innovative material technology and improved sustainability.
The range uses EPL's proprietary PLATINA ME structure, an HDPE-based laminate with a silver metallised PE layer that delivers excellent barrier performance while meeting EU regulatory requirements. High-definition flexographic printing, combined with matte and selective gloss varnishes, creates sophisticated visual contrasts, while a large-area screen-printing application adds tactile appeal and depth. Lightweight HDPE shoulders and colour-matched Slim Flip-Top caps further enhance recyclability and resource efficiency across the range.
Albéa Tubes won the Plastic Tube category with a redesigned packaging solution for Weleda's shower gel range. The mono-material HDPE tube combines a lightweight PE cap with a PCR Max sleeve and a reduced wall thickness of 350 μm. The solution contains more than 57% post-consumer recycled content (excluding the cap) and is fully designed for recycling within existing HDPE rigid packaging streams.
Equally impressive is the tube's visual appearance. Albéa's PrimePrint technology delivers photorealistic graphics, vibrant colours and exceptional visual depth, creating a contemporary premium pack with strong shelf impact and clear brand recognition.
Albéa Tubes also claimed the Sustainability Award with Fill-Up, an innovative refill solution developed for L'Occitane. Made entirely from mono-material PE and featuring a specially designed EcoTop closure, Fill-Up combines recyclability with reuse. Consumers simply open the tube along designated tear lines and refill their preferred container cleanly and conveniently.
Designed as a premium alternative to conventional refill pouches, Fill-Up offers excellent shelf presence while replicating the branding of the original bottle. Its ergonomic design ensures easy handling and precise dispensing without leakage, while manufacturers can use existing tube-filling equipment without additional investment.
The Prototype Award went to Tubex Aluminium Tubes for MonoSense, described by the company as the world's first all-aluminium applicator tube. Manufactured from a single piece of aluminium containing 95% post-consumer recycled content, MonoSense eliminates mixed materials and significantly simplifies recycling. The seamless applicator delivers precise, hygienic product application while providing the naturally cooling touch of aluminium.
Excellent barrier properties, combined with the absence of a suck-back effect, help maintain product integrity and hygiene, making the solution suitable for both beauty and pharmaceutical applications. By combining circular design, functionality and user experience in a single solution, MonoSense represents a genuine breakthrough in aluminium tube packaging.
For more information, photo and full texts in German, English and French click here: etma-press-release-tube-of-the-year-2026