Packaging Innovation Contest De Gouden Noot

The world’s most competitive packaging innovation contest

The first edition of packaging innovation contest De Gouden Noot (The Golden Walnut) was held in the year 1958. By organising De Gouden Noot, NVC Packaging Centre stimulates truly holistic innovation in packaging worldwide. The contest name is reflected in the unique winner’s trophy. This contains a walnut made of solid gold (pictured above): the symbol of being the Number One in packaging innovation.

Holistic innovation implies that there are no specific categories for entries. Each entry is judged on its overall level of innovation. From all entries of one specific contest edition, exactly ten finalists are chosen after the first jury round. These are published on a global scale for comments by anyone. In the subsequent second jury round, each entry is presented face-to-face by the participant to the full jury. After that, the jury decides in consensus which innovation deserves to win the Gold and who win Silver and Bronze. The jury is independent and its members cover all aspects of packaging. Chairman of the jury is Professor Renee Wever.

On April 8^th, the phenomenal apotheosis is the Award Ceremony, live-streamed globally from the iconic A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam. After an overview of all ten finalists, the Bronze and Silver winners are announced, followed by the winner of the Gold.

Finalists De Gouden Noot 33^rd edition
Finalists of the 33^rd edition will be promoted by NVC Packaging Centre at key international events, conferences and exhibitions, including LogisticaNEXT (3-5 November 2026), the NVC General Meeting of Members (26 November 2026), Empack Netherlands (14-15 April 2027), Fachpack Europe (21-23 September 2027) and interpack (10-15 June 2029).

View the 10 finalists.