Unveiling Global Packaging Innovation Trends
As a flagship, Oscar-level event under WEPACK, the PACKCON STAR AWARDS has consistently drawn significant industry attention. To enhance value across the entire packaging supply chain and foster a closed-loop industrial ecosystem driven by market innovation, sustained growth, and resource regeneration, organizers have strategically merged it with the WCA Global Corrugated Industry Awards. This upgrade has transformed the event into a more globally influential platform: the World Packaging Awards.
The revamped World Packaging Awards has achieved major breakthroughs in both scale and evaluation methodology. This year's judging focused on three key criteria—commercial value, sustainability, and social impact—culminating in seven prestigious global awards: the Annual User Experience Innovation Award, Annual Innovative Packaging Concept Award, Annual Market Potential Development Award, Lightweight Packaging Design Award, Green Material Application Innovation Award, Recycling and Reuse Packaging Award, and the Most Influential Packaging Award. Highlighted below are the exceptional winners and their award-winning projects.
Exhibition of Award-winning Works Recycling and Reuse Packaging Award
Gold Prize
Fenner Blue Star Label - RW85C Washable Self-Adhesive Film Label
The German development agency GIZ, in collaboration with UPM Raflatac and Nongfu Spring, launched a packaging reform project applying the RW85C water-washable label to beverage bottles—pioneering an industry-first test of wash-off label performance and PET recycling enhancement on a real production line. This self-adhesive label uses PP film and a water-soluble adhesive. After thermal washing, the label cleanly separates from PET flakes during flotation, enabling high-purity recycling and significantly boosting recycled PET recovery rates.
Silver Award
Amway (China) - Lotus Paper-Plastic Box - Biodegradable Paper-Plastic Box
Inspired by the concept "from nature, back to nature," this biodegradable paper-plastic box incorporates lotus motifs in its 3D relief design and uses natural materials like sugarcane bagasse, bamboo pulp, and lotus residue. Produced through a renewable wet pulp molding process, the packaging fully degrades in the natural environment.
Bronze Award
Topz Packaging - Paper-based Packaging
Lightweight Design: 30% lighter than traditional plastic, significantly reducing transport energy consumption.
Single-Material Structure: Made primarily of cellulose in both base and coating, simplifying recycling.
100% Pulp Recyclability: Discarded packaging can be directly pulped and regenerated, with a fiber recovery rate over 95%.
Water-Based Coating: Uses eco-friendly water-based coatings that cut VOC emissions by more than 50%.
Green Materials Application Innovation Award
Gold Award
Unilever - Magnum Dreamy Delights Plastic-Free Flower Box
Crafted from FSC-certified paper and coated with a lotus-effect hydrophobic varnish instead of traditional lamination, this packaging is both recyclable and environmentally friendly.
Silver Award
Shanghai Jahwa - Baijiaji Valentine's Day Gift Box
Made from mycelium-based material—a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic alternative to plastic—this design is sustainable, additive-free, and pollution-free.
Bronze Award
MicroCon - New Generation of Low-Carbon, Marine Biodegradable Packaging Materials
The PHA developed by Weikou Workshop is a bio-based, low-carbon material offering biodegradability, food safety, and high performance in heat resistance and barrier properties, while cutting carbon emissions by 90% compared to petroleum-based alternativeAnnual Creative Packaging Concept Award.
Annual Creative Packaging Concept Award
Gold Award
Binplus Packaging - Ginseng and Reishi Tea
Blending the cultural heritage of traditional Chinese medicine with Huizhou architectural aesthetics, this tea packaging uses natural wood to reflect the purity and nobility of ginseng and Ganoderma lucidum.
Silver Award
General Mills - Seven Stars and the Moon Ice Cream Gift Box Design
This packaging merges function and aesthetics with signature branding elements and a portable hand-carry design, creating a memorable and practical gift box.
Bronze Award
Creative Sanitation & Yamaoka Kikuo - Paperless Handle Bag
Featuring a unique structural design, it securely holds drinks without the need for a cup holder—saving paper, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Its quick and easy sealing design boosts staff productivity, while the use of eco-friendly paper meets sustainability standards.
Annual Market Potential Development Award
Gold Prize
Nanwang Technology - Waterproof Self-Sealing Paper Bag
Featuring dual-layer waterproofing, this paper bag withstands 30 minutes of rain without compromising strength and protection for items within. It's designed for health, hygiene, and environmental protection.
Silver Award
Hongjin Printing - Nanjing (New Edition 95)
Drawing from core elements like the original flying dragon, dragon pearl, auspicious clouds, and sea-and-mountain wave motifs, this packaging reimagines both design and structure that honor the traditional "Nine Five" style with innovative touches.
Bronze Award
AORING Technology - Linglong Aluminum Can
Luxurious design, refined craftsmanship, and premium quality elevate this aluminum can's visual appeal and market competitiveness.
Annual User Experience Innovation Award
Gold Award
Haleon (China) - Voltaren Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel Easy-Open Flip Cap
The innovative groove design replaces the traditional fingertip opening method, adapting to various hand shapes and pressure points. With a large contact surface and flexible TPE edge, it evenly distributes pressure on sore or sensitive joints, significantly improving user comfort and experience.
Silver Award
Bosheng New Materials - Plug-in Aluminum Foil Easy-tear Lid
This product features an easy-to-open tear-off lid that ensures safe access to its contents. Made from heat-resistant, tearable materials, it meets high-temperature sterilization standards and helps preserve product quality over time. The sealing film, composed of aluminum foil laminate, provides strong barrier protection and resists pressure and impact, ensuring reliable performance.
Bronze Award
Daman Packaging - Milk Powder Packaging
This packaging softens the straight lines of the metal can with a rounded baby bottle shape, making it easier to hold with both hands and enhancing durability. The rubber cap uses transparent material, allowing users to see the contents inside.
Lightweight Packaging Design Award
Gold Award
Huxi (Shanghai) Environmental Protection Technology - 16OZ Paper Pulp Molded Cup
Made from bamboo and sugarcane pulp using He Xu's self-developed mesh-free mold, this cup decomposes and recycles quickly. It offers excellent insulation and leak resistance, and is 20% lighter than comparable products.
Silver Award
Bingxin Packaging - Parachute Red Wine Buffer Protection Packaging
Made entirely of paper, this packaging features a 6-sided, 360-degree cushioning structure that offers full protection while remaining lightweight and portable.
Bronze Award
Zhejiang Dahua - Easy-Install Box Suspended Film Packaging
Made from fully degradable, eco-friendly materials, this packaging ensures performance while aligning with sustainable development. It is lighter than traditional foam, reducing logistics costs, and features a modular design for easy assembly.
Food and Beverage Category
Annual Best Innovative User Experience Award
Gold Award
Golden Arches (China) - "Cage-Free Good Chicken" Cage-Free Chicken Bucket Packaging
This chicken bucket design sets a new industry benchmark for animal welfare. Inspired by the form of a cage with burst graphics, it conveys the theme of "breaking free," emphasizing freedom, health, and McDonald's commitment to quality ingredients and sustainable farming.
Silver Award
Left Courtyard Right Courtyard - An Out-of-House Takeaway Cup
Based on research into user behavior and dining habits, this design draws from the classic "cup noodle" shape to extend the dine-in experience to takeout. It balances functionality and aesthetics, offering a fresh take on food packaging.
Bronze Award
Yuyue - 1000ml Beverage Cup Set
The 1000ml DUN DUN bucket uses premium PP plastic that meets national food-grade standards. Designed with a handle, it's suitable for daily use, fitness, camping, school, and shopping. It supports both straw drinking and pouring, with a flexible lid for added convenience.
Annual Green Economy Pioneer Award
Gold Prize
Subway - JOGUMAN Pattern Reusable Takeout Bag
Crafted from high-strength, natural wood-colored kraft paper and printed with eco-friendly water-based ink, this reusable bag reflects Subway's commitment to sustainability.
Silver Award
Miyamura Catering - Non-wrapped Clay Pot Bowl
This design eliminates the need for sealing film by using a vise-like clamping structure that improves lid tightness by 50%. The edge-protecting, lid-stabilizing design ensures full coverage, while the duckbill handle adds convenience when lifting the lid.
Bronze Award
Xianghe Renjia Catering - Pot Sticker Takeout Box
Made from food-grade laminated paper that is oil-proof, moisture-proof, and waterproof, this box uses a foldable design with multiple ventilation holes to keep food fresh.
The World Packaging Awards is more than an accolade—it amplifies value across the global packaging ecosystem and serves as a strategic platform for China to lead industry transformation. It reflects the evolving wisdom of China's packaging sector, moving beyond capacity output toward innovation in rules and ecosystem co-construction. This signals the rise of "Packaging Civilization Globalization 2.0." Looking ahead, the Awards will continue to expand in influence, working alongside global industry peers to shape a new chapter in packaging. We welcome your continued participation