The World Packaging Organisation (WPO – www.worldpackaging.org) proudly celebrated global packaging excellence during the prestigious 2026 WorldStar Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, held on 8 May 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany, during interpack 2026. The event brought together around 400 guests from nearly 50 countries in a sold-out celebration recognizing innovation, sustainability, and excellence in packaging.
In the opening session of the Ceremony, WPO President, Luciana Pellegrino, highlighted the importance of the WorldStar as a unique packaging competition. “What a vibrant ceremony! As I like to state, moments like this strengthen our industry and inspire all of us to go beyond and to push packaging boundaries. Congratulations to all winners and to all the ones that believe in the positive impact of packaging in our modern lives in society. Through initiatives such as WorldStar, WPO continues to connect the global packaging community, promote innovation, encourage knowledge-sharing, and recognize solutions that are shaping the future of packaging worldwide. The diversity and quality of this year’s winners clearly demonstrate how packaging can contribute to solving global challenges while creating value for both industry and society. WorldStar continues to be a unique platform that celebrates excellence, creativity, and the power of collaboration across borders.”
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.
In his remarks, Pierre expressed his deep gratitude to the WPO and to the international packaging community, emphasizing that the award reflects not only his personal journey, but also the collective efforts, collaboration, mentorship, and friendships built throughout his career.
And the winners are….
During the ceremony, around 100 WorldStar winners, from more than 40 countries, across the main categories, were awarded. The awards presentation was led by WPO General Secretary, Johannes Bergmair, and winners received their trophies from WPO President, Luciana Pellegrino.
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)
Soha Atallah, WorldStar Coordinator and WPO Vice President Marketing, stated: “WorldStar is much more than an awards ceremony. It is a global celebration of innovation and of the strategic role packaging plays in our daily lives. This year’s edition once again demonstrated that WorldStar is powered by passion: the passion of our winners, our partners, our judges, and our global packaging community. We are also excited to announce that entries for WorldStar 2027 will officially open on 20 July 2026, and we encourage packaging innovators around the world to get ready for another outstanding edition.”
WPO also expressed its sincere appreciation to interpack for hosting the ceremony during one of the world’s leading packaging exhibitions, as well as to its valued partners and supporters, including the German Packaging Institute (DVI) and FSSC Foundation, Silver sponsors of the event.
WorldStar Awards is organized by WPO member, LibanPack (Lebanese Packaging Center), on behalf of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), continuing its commitment to promote excellence and innovation within the global packaging industry.