PPC recognizes WestRock with 10 awards for packaging excellence and innovation, including Package of the Year and Innovation of the Year

WestRock Company, a leading provider of sustainable paper and packaging solutions, earned 10 awards for packaging design excellence during the 80th annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. The competition, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), is widely known as one of the premier competitions for manufacturers in the packaging industry.

WestRock earned the prestigious Package of the Year award for its WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBank rigid box with folding carton sleeve. The sleek and sturdy packaging displayed a pig-shaped bottle, leading to a unique “reveal” of the product. Due to its upscale look and limited-edition status, the carton quickly became a collector’s item celebrating WhistlePig’s premium standard. WestRock was recognized for its “commitment to detail and structural innovation in delivering premium packaging that offered a memorable unboxing experience.” Grounded World collaborated on the design.

In addition, WestRock received the Innovation of the Year award for its EnduraGrip™ packaging solution as an alternative to plastic clips and shrink wrap used in multi-packs and bottles for many of Costco Wholesale’s Kirkland Signature™ products. Engineered with WestRock’s CustomKote® paperboard to provide strength and handling comfort, EnduraGrip™ is constructed from renewable materials and printable to enable brand customization. Costco expects to reduce plastic waste by 145 tons annually by implementing this packaging with its Kirkland Signature™ Cooking Oil. In its announcement of award winners, the PPC noted that “EnduraGrip™ showcases the potential of fiber-based packaging to replace single-use plastics, offering a win-win for sustainability and cost-efficiency.”

“We are honored to be recognized by the Paperboard Packaging Council for our packaging design and innovation,” said Sam Shoemaker, president, Consumer Packaging at WestRock. “Our teams take great pride in creating fiber-based packaging that is innovative, sustainable and helps our customers protect their products and showcase their brands.”

Entries are judged by a jury of packaging professionals and recognize best-in-class innovative and sustainable packaging designs in the North American folding carton industry.

The complete list of WestRock awards includes:

• WhistlePig Whiskey PiggyBank, Package of the Year
• EnduraGrip™ for Costco Wholesale, Innovation of the Year
• Warner Brothers 100th Anniversary Amazon Gift Sets, Gold Award
• KapCollar™, Gold Award in Sustainability and Innovation
• Cluster-Clip™ Kirkland Signature Marinara Sauce, Gold Award in Sustainability
• Sprig by KOHLER, Excellence Award
• Sharpie Ultimate Collection Pack, Excellence Award in Innovation
• Sally Hansen X Keith Haring Miracle Gel Duo & Trio, Excellence Award
• Eos 100% Natural and Organic Lip Balm Stick Club Pack, Excellence Award in Sustainability
• Bonterra Plastic Replacement Tissue Box, Excellence Award in Sustainability and Innovation