Rafeira's Cartonboard Beer Carrier Wins a PLD Innovation Award 2026

Developed by Alzamora Group for Rafeira, this cartonboard beer carrier combines bottle protection, product visibility and three detachable coasters in a single pack.

Alzamora Group has received the Mass Market Innovation Award at the PLD Innovation Awards 2026, held as part of Paris Packaging Week. The winning project, developed for Portuguese craft beer brand Rafeira, was recognised for its structural design and additional functionality.

The award highlights a packaging solution that responds to several challenges in the beverage sector: protecting glass bottles, keeping labels visible and reducing the use of additional packaging materials.

Unlike conventional closed beer boxes, the Rafeira pack features an open U-shaped structure that leaves the bottles and their labels clearly visible. Made from high-strength corrugated cartonboard, combining CKB Carrier and micro-fluting, the design holds the bottles securely in place without adhesives or plastic components.

A locking piece at the top provides stability, while integrated finger holes make the pack easy to carry. The structure also allows the bottles to be removed and replaced without damaging the packaging.

However, one of its most distinctive features is found at the base: three detachable coasters integrated directly into the cartonboard. Once removed, they can be used when serving the beer, giving the packaging a practical second function.

This approach makes better use of the material while offering craft beer brands additional opportunities for product presentation and consumer interaction.