The European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) has named the winners of its Tube of the Year 2026 competition, with awards presented across five categories at the association's annual meeting in Lisbon on 20 May. A seven-member jury drawn from etma member companies assessed entries on innovation, technical excellence, design performance, and sustainability.
Aluminium: Alltub Italia for Rituals
The aluminium award went to Alltub Italia for a limited-edition body scrub tube produced for Rituals. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium, the tube features a bronze-copper metallic finish and transparent effect that enhances the natural appearance of the material. The decoration draws on a traditional apothecary aesthetic, with amber tones and smoky visual effects creating an "alchemy" theme. Three colour gradients are achieved without halftone printing, and a black conical cap completes the premium look.
Laminate: EPL Europe – BARBERO Range
EPL Europe was recognised for its BARBERO men's care range, built on the company's proprietary PLATINA ME structure — an HDPE-based laminate with a silver metallised PE layer offering strong barrier performance and EU regulatory compliance. High-definition flexographic printing combined with matte and selective gloss varnishes creates visual contrast, while a large-area screen-printing application adds tactile depth. Lightweight HDPE shoulders and colour-matched Slim Flip-Top caps support recyclability across the range.
Plastic: Albéa Tubes for Weleda
Albéa Tubes took the plastic category for a redesigned shower gel tube for Weleda. The mono-material HDPE solution incorporates a PCR Max sleeve, a lightweight PE cap, and a reduced wall thickness of 350 μm, with more than 57% post-consumer recycled content (excluding the cap). Fully compatible with existing HDPE rigid packaging recycling streams, the tube also delivers strong visual performance through Albéa's PrimePrint technology, which produces photorealistic graphics and vibrant colour.
Sustainability: Albéa Tubes – Fill-Up for L'Occitane
Albéa Tubes also claimed the sustainability award for Fill-Up, a refillable mono-material PE tube developed for L'Occitane. Featuring a purpose-designed EcoTop closure, the tube can be opened along tear lines to refill an existing container without mess. It is positioned as a premium alternative to conventional refill pouches and is compatible with standard tube-filling equipment, requiring no additional investment from manufacturers.
Prototype: Tubex Aluminium Tubes – MonoSense
The prototype award went to Tubex Aluminium Tubes for MonoSense, described as the world's first all-aluminium applicator tube. Produced from a single piece of aluminium with 95% post-consumer recycled content, it eliminates mixed materials and simplifies end-of-life recycling. The seamless applicator delivers precise, hygienic dispensing with a natural cooling effect, and its barrier properties and absence of suck-back make it suitable for both cosmetic and pharmaceutical use.
etma announces Tube of the Year 2026 winners
