Packaging Innovation Contest De Gouden Noot
Since its inception in 1958, Packaging Innovation Contest De Gouden Noot (“The Golden Walnut”) has developed into the world's most competitive packaging contest. With De Gouden Noot, NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre stimulates 'holistic' innovation in packaged products and packaging. The contest has no subcategories; all entries are judged on their over-all innovativeness.
The contest owes its name to the unique winner’s trophy containing a solid gold walnut, symbol of sustainable, effective and innovative packaging. Winning brings significant worldwide fame, both ‘online’ and ‘physical’ through leading packaging exhibitions and events, including interpack 2026, Empack Den Bosch 2025, FACHPACK 2025 and the ALL4PACK Emballage Paris. Participation also gives the company and its employees recognition for all their innovation efforts.
The judging takes place in two rounds. The jury is independent and its members cover all aspects of packaging. Chairman of the jury is Professor Renee Wever. In the first round of the judgment, in May 2024, ten finalists will be selected from a maximum of forty entries. Non-finalists will receive a report containing the jury's findings on their entry.
In the second round of judging, in September 2024, the finalists will each be given the opportunity to present their entries to the entire jury. The jury will then decide which entry wins the Gold and which one wins the Silver and Bronze.
The award ceremony of the 32nd edition of the De Gouden Noot will take place on 10 October 2024 in the A'DAM Tower. During this phenomenal evening, under the guidance of Francesca Vanthielen, the De Gouden Noot and its runners-up of the 32nd edition will be awarded as the most competitive packaging innovation award.
Registration for the De Gouden Noot 2024
Registration for the De Gouden Noot 2024 is open and you have the opportunity to register until Friday 3 May 2024 or until the maximum of 40 participants has been reached. You can register here for the packaging innovation competition.
Winners and finalists De Gouden Noot 2022
The awards ceremony of the 31st edition of packaging innovation competition De Gouden Noot took place on Thursday, October 6, 2022, and was streamed live from the A'DAM Tower. During this amazing livestream, presented by Francesca Vanthielen, De Gouden Noot was given away with its runners up. The honor for De Gouden Noot 2022 went to Masterpack Group with its 'Modified Atmosphere Technology' (GOLD), followed by PACKSYS GmbH with the Capsule Dispenser (SILVER) and Mibelle Group with the PET bottles from CO2 recycling (BRONZE). You can see the winners and the other finalists here.
For more information, please contact Corné Huijben, manager NVC Knowledge Development and Projects via c.huijben@nvc.nl or contact the NVC association office (telephone +31-182-512411 or e-mail info@nvc.nl).
