Nine stunning metal packs have been shortlisted across the two Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association-sponsored categories of the UK Packaging Awards 2025.

“The UK Packaging Awards recognise innovation and originality and this year’s entries are no exception in showing how aluminium and steel packaging can serve as the ideal material for brands to reflect their creative flair while maintaining form and functionality,” says MPMA’s director, chief executive and UK Packaging Awards judge, Jason Galley.

Galley continues: “Exciting, bold graphics and the clever use of finishes to create strong shelf impact and encourage sales were noticeable trends demonstrated by the finalists. The result is a collection of stand-out designs demonstrating the versatility of metal packaging to support brands’ commercial goals.”

Beverage cans dominated the High Volume Food & Beverage category with judges praising striking, tactile designs and finishes.

Across the Decorative & General Line category, the finalists wowed judges with vibrant, detailed stand-out packs and novel uses.

Metal Pack of the Year: High Volume Food & Beverage entries include food and drinks cans with the five shortlisted finalists for 2025 as follows:

• Candy Can x PAC-MAN – Ardagh Metal Packaging Trading UK
• Furocity – Crown Packaging Services EMEA Limited
• Thatchers Juicy Apple – Ardagh Metal Packaging Trading UK
• Wrexham Lager – Ardagh Metal Packaging Trading UK
• 8.6 Original – Tattoo Limited Edition – CANPACK S.A.

Metal Pack of the Year: Decorative & General Line rewards excellence in innovation and production for speciality packaging. Packs mainly comprise promotional and giftware, DIY and homecare, plus health and beauty. The five shortlisted finalists for 2025 are:

• Duke of London T-Shirt in a can – P. Wilkinson Containers & William Say
• Fleetwood Colour Perfect – Emballator UK Ltd
• Knoops Hot Chocolate Tin – P. Wilkinson Containers & William Say
• Puralpina 100% Natural Deo Crème range – Roberts Metal Packaging

The Metals categories were judged by a knowledgeable industry panel in July. The outright winners and runners-up in each category will be announced at the UK Packaging Awards ceremony on 8 October at the Hilton Park Lane. 

The UK Packaging Awards ‘Metal Pack of the Year’ categories are open to MPMA member companies only.