Gualapack Ukraine, in partnership with Kormotech, Ukraine’s largest manufacturer of cat and dog food, has won the WorldStar 2026 Award — one of the packaging industry’s most prestigious distinctions presented by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). Of the ten Ukrainian entries submitted to this year’s competition, five received awards, including the joint project developed by the two companies.
The award-winning solution — a mono-material pre-made pouch for CLUB 4 PAWS dry cat food — became the first packaging innovation of its kind in the pet food category, developed and manufactured in Ukraine, to earn international recognition.
An innovation redefining industry standards
Flexible packaging has long been recognized as one of the most efficient solutions for the food industry, combining low weight, a reduced carbon footprint, and reliable product protection. Gualapack Ukraine continues to advance this category by expanding its portfolio with innovative packaging solutions designed to meet the growing demand for sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The mono-material pre-made packaging developed for the premium pet food brand CLUB 4 PAWS is a prime example of this approach. All packaging components are made from a single type of polymer, enabling efficient recycling within a single waste stream without the need for prior material separation. The solution aligns with current EU environmental requirements and supports the principles of the circular economy.
This development stemmed from the search for a more sustainable friendly packaging solution for the brand. As part of the project, a pilot batch of mono-material packaging was produced for CLUB 4 PAWS, allowing its functionality, visual appeal, and compliance with circular economy principles to be thoroughly evaluated.
At the same time, the packaging preserves all the functional characteristics expected in the premium segment: reliable product protection and the required shelf life — without compromising quality.
Comments from the parties
“This award reflects the exceptional expertise of our team and confirms the successful implementation of innovative packaging technologies in Ukraine. Our mono-material solution addresses the challenge of waste management while preserving the performance and functionality of flexible packaging. Gualapack Ukraine is a trusted partner for food industry companies aiming to meet the EU’s stringent sustainability requirements and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.” Oleg Zakorko, Head of Production Development at Gualapack Ukraine LLC.
“For Kormotech, this project has been an important step in advancing more sustainable packaging solutions. We are steadily progressing on our sustainability journey and recognize that responsible manufacturing extends beyond the final product to include the materials, technologies and process behind it.
While preliminary testing had already been conducted, it was essential for us to evaluate the new packaging on large scale production runs. This enabled us to gain deeper insights into the performance of our packaging equipment and ensure the solution delivers consistent results under real production conditions.
It was particularly important to preserve the packaging characteristics that directly influence product perception and quality, including print quality, tactile properties, barrier performance, and material reliability. Through this project, we have gained the valuable expertise, practical validation and confidence needed to implement similar solutions on a broader scale in the future.
I would particularly like to highlight our successful collaboration with Gualapack Ukraine. Implementing new packaging solutions requires extensive expertise and close cooperation from both sides, spanning everything from technical testing to production optimization. It is through this strong partnership that we have been able to manage the process effectively and achieve a solution that meets our high standards for product quality and sustainability” said Iryna Kobryn, Head of Procurement at Kormotech.
Partnership as a competitive advantage
About Gualapack Ukraine
Gualapack Ukraine is a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging in Ukraine and part of the international Gualapack Group. The company combines global quality standards, advanced manufacturing technologies, compliance with circular economy principles, and extensive expertise in innovative packaging solutions. https://ua.gualapack.com/en/
About Kormotech
Kormotech is a global family-owned company with Ukrainian roots that has been producing high-quality pet food for cats and dogs since 2003 under the brands CLUB 4 PAWS, Optimeal, Delickcious, ‘Gav!’, ‘Miau!’ and My Love. The company is committed to international standards of quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility across its operations. https://kormotech.com/