In modern packaging, functionality is no longer a secondary concern. It defines customer experience, protects product quality, and influences brand perception. When packaging falls short in these areas, even well-established products can lose ground.

Henkel, through its Blue Star brand, has developed a packaging solution based on TOPCOLOR® BARRIER AROMA that addresses all these aspects. The solution won the German Packaging Award 2025 in the "Functionality and Convenience" category, a respected benchmark for excellence in the field. The award recognises the well-balanced combination of product protection, sustainability, and appealing design.

Barrier protection meets consumer-friendly design

The award-winning solution for Blue Star Kraft Aktiv, a household product from Henkel sensitive to aroma loss, combines two improvements in one: by switching from blister packaging to a 100 % cartonboard solution, the packaging is now easier to dispose and can be recycled. Thanks to its integrated aroma barrier, the recycled cartonboard TOPCOLOR® BARRIER AROMA keeps the fragrance in place and only releases it when it should be: during actual use. And all without the use of plastic. Unlike conventional cartonboard, which has tiny pores that let aromas escape and unwanted substances enter, TOPCOLOR® BARRIER AROMA effectively preserves the product's original scent and blocks external odours. This ensures the product maintains its quality and fragrance throughout its shelf life, without requiring additional inner liners or protective components.

At the same time, the packaging design focuses on ease of use. It allows consumers to open and reseal the pack intuitively. Combined with excellent print surface properties, the packaging also enables high-impact branding. This is a crucial factor when competing for shelf appeal against other products in the category.

A collaborative process with market-ready results

The German Packaging Award, organised by the German Packaging Institute (dvi), is widely recognised for honouring outstanding innovation and quality in packaging. An independent jury of experts from research, design and business evaluates submissions based on criteria such as innovation, usability, sustainability, and technical excellence.

With this award, the packaging solution for Blue Star Kraft Aktiv stands out as an example of how modern materials and thoughtful design can come together to boost product performance and user experience. In addition to tailored developments like TOPCOLOR® BARRIER AROMA, MM Board & Paper provides a variety of recycled cartonboard grades for packaging applications that demand both technical reliability and visual appeal.

For brands, it demonstrates what is possible when packaging is developed as a functional part of the product experience.