ECO LITE drums win German Packaging Award for sustainability
Marc Martens
CurTec’s ECO LITE drums have won the German Packaging Award 2026 in the category Sustainability – Overall Concept. Organized by the German Packaging Institute, the competition is one of Europe’s leading showcases for packaging innovation. An independent expert jury selected 36 winners across ten categories from more than 200 entries submitted by companies from 17 countries.
The award recognizes ECO LITE drums as an innovative packaging solution that combines environmental improvements with the safety, quality and regulatory compliance required by the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries.
Sustainable performance without compromise
The jury highlighted how the ECO LITE drum significantly reduces packaging’s environmental footprint without compromising safety, quality or regulatory compliance. It particularly praised the mono-material HDPE design and integrated lip seal, which support improved recyclability and circularity.
The jury also recognized the technical development behind the drums. Geometric optimization and finite element analysis enabled material use to be reduced by 25% while maintaining full UN-compliant performance. Combined with 30% biobased plastic, this results in an approximately 30% lower carbon footprint. According to the jury, stable costs also make the solution both sustainable and economically scalable.
These achievements led the jury to conclude that the demanding performance requirements and technical sophistication of the detailed design made ECO LITE drums worthy of the award.
Lower carbon footprint by design
Available in capacities from 30 to 60 liters, ECO LITE drums were developed for the secondary packaging of critical materials. They combine 30% biobased plastic with a lightweight, tapered design that reduces the use of fossil resources and improves storage and transportation efficiency.
The drums can be nested when empty, allowing more units to fit on a pallet and helping reduce storage requirements, logistics costs and transport-related emissions. Molded handgrips, thinner walls and an integrated injection-molded seal further reduce material use while preserving strength and protective performance.
ECO LITE drums are manufactured from mono-material HDPE, offer a barrier against moisture ingress and are UN certified for the transportation of hazardous solids. Their quarter-turn screw lid and full opening also support efficient filling, liner handling and closure in demanding operational environments.
Winning the German Packaging Award provides independent recognition of CurTec’s commitment to developing packaging that protects critical materials while reducing environmental impact throughout the supply chain.
