Packaging excellence at the 2026 WorldStar Awards

21/05/2026

May 21, 2026

The competition celebrated innovation, creativity, and the power of global collaboration

More than 400 guests from around 50 countries attended the prestigious 2026 WorldStar Awards Ceremony followed by the Gala Dinner, held on May 8 during interpack 2026. Organized by WPO member LibanPack (Lebanese Packaging Center) on behalf of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the renowned Awards once again continued their commitment to promoting excellence and innovation within the global packaging industry.

In the opening session of the Ceremony, WPO President, Luciana Pellegrino, highlighted the importance of the WorldStar as a unique packaging competition.

Moments like this strengthen our industry and inspire all of us to go beyond and to push packaging boundaries. The initiative continues to promote innovation, encourage knowledge-sharing, and highlight the solutions that are shaping the future of packaging on a global level.

The opening session also featured remarks from Soha Atallah, WorldStar Coordinator and WPO Vice President Marketing, interpack Director, Thomas Dohse; WPO member, the German Packaging Institute (DVI) Chairman, Thomas Reiner; and UNIDO Managing Director, Gunther Beger.

At the beginning of the event, the winners of the WorldStar Student Awards, coordinated by WPO member the Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA), were also recognized, celebrating young talent and the next generation of packaging professionals. Another special moment was the presentation of the 2026 WPO Lifetime Achievement Award to Pierre Pienaar (Australia), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to packaging education, innovation, and global industry development over more than four decades.

And the winners are….

During the ceremony, around 100 WorldStar winners, from more than 40 countries, across the main categories, were awarded. The evening concluded with the much-anticipated announcement of the WorldStar Special Awards and the President’s Award.

Marketing Category

Gold: Dexco Deca for Deca Food Waste Disposer (Brazil)
Silver: Mondi Corrugated Turkey for Koala Display (Türkiye)
Bronze: Thimm for Sleep Well (Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Accessible Packaging Category

Gold: Medipack for MED-Pack eco (Switzerland)

Sustainability Category

Gold: Constantia Flexibles International GmbH for Comforlid with Low Carbon Aluminum (Austria)
Silver: Mondi for re/cycle ProtectorBag PocketForm (Austria)
Bronze: Smurfit Westrock for Panelbuffer (Spain)

Packaging that Saves Food Category

Gold: Aran Group for Mono PE Bag for Bib (Israel)
Silver: PAPACKS for Fiber Box – Beyond the Catch (Germany)
Bronze: Grupo Lantero for Rekeepeat (Spain)

President’s Award

Gold: Greiner Packaging International GmbH for Click In Sealing Lid (Austria)
Silver: Nacom Goya Ind. E Com. De Alimentos Ltda for Campo Belo Double-layer Label Preserves (Brazil)
Bronze: Siam Toppan Packaging Co., Ltd. for From Box To Theatre: A Sustainable Thai Craft Chocolate Gift Set Full Of Play (Thailand)