Mondi wins nine WorldStar Awards for sustainable packaging innovation

UK – Mondi has strengthened its position as a global sustainability leader after securing nine WorldStar Packaging Awards for 2026.

Presented annually by the World Packaging Organization (WPO), the awards recognise excellence in packaging design, performance and circularity, celebrating solutions that address material efficiency, recyclability and product protection across multiple sectors.

The 2026 accolades reflect Mondi’s continued focus on replacing less sustainable materials with recyclable paper- and plastic-based alternatives.

The company’s winning developments span food, eCommerce, transit, electronics and household applications, showcasing a portfolio designed for real-world performance while supporting closed-loop systems.

“We are very proud that nine of our solutions have been recognized with WorldStar Packaging Awards in 2026,” said Andrew King, CEO of Mondi Group.

“These awards highlight our teams’ ability to combine innovation, performance and sustainability, and to translate ambitious goals into practical packaging solutions.

They reflect our strong customer partnerships and our continued commitment to developing recyclable alternatives at scale.”

Collaboration rrecognized: Werner & Mertz partnership honoured

In addition to Mondi’s nine awards, long-term customer Werner & Mertz was recognised in the Household category for its Frosch fabric softener stand-up pouch.

Developed in close collaboration with Mondi, the 100% StripPouch integrates post-consumer recycled plastic sourced from household collection streams, demonstrating a successful model for circular material use in flexible packaging.

The partnership underscores rising demand for mono-material, recyclable pouches in Europe, particularly within home and personal care segments where brands face increasing regulatory pressures to cut virgin plastic and improve recyclability in line with EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements.

Award-winning solutions demonstrate breadth of innovation

Mondi’s nine award-winning entries highlight the company’s ability to innovate across a wide spectrum of packaging formats and end-use categories.

In eCommerce, the Protective Mailer stood out for combining lightweight design with strong product protection, an increasingly important requirement as brands reduce reliance on plastic-based mailers while maintaining durability during transit.

In the food category, Mondi’s FreshFood BOX was recognized for its ability to balance product visibility, freshness, and recyclability.

This solution responds to growing market demand for fibre-based packaging that can replace multi-material plastic trays without compromising shelf life.

Within the packaging materials and components category, the Ad/Vantage Smooth Brown Semi Extensible paper impressed judges with its strength-to-weight ratio and reduced material usage.

Its semi-extensible structure allows converters to achieve high performance with lower grammages, supporting efficiency in both production and logistics.

Mondi’s re/cycle HiProtex Paper, recognized in the health and personal care segment, showcased advanced barrier functionality using paper-based structures.

Designed to support recyclability in existing paper streams, the material offers protection against moisture and grease, critical for applications in hygiene products and cosmetics.

For transit applications, the re/cycle ProtectorBAG PocketForm demonstrated enhanced puncture resistance and handling efficiency.

Its construction enables safer transport of industrial and automotive components, an area where sustainability demands are driving the replacement of traditional plastic sacks.

The re/cycle CompressWrap, winning in the household category, provides a recyclable alternative to laminated flexible packaging.

It is engineered for compactness and strength, making it suitable for items like household cleaning refills and compact consumer goods.

In the non-alcoholic beverages category, the re/cycle VacuumPack offers a mono-material, recyclable solution that reduces plastic usage while maintaining the integrity of beverage concentrates and liquid ingredients. Its vacuum-sealed structure ensures effective protection during storage and distribution.

Mondi’s 3in1 Separator earned recognition in the electronics category for improving product safety and assembly efficiency.

The solution simplifies component protection, separation and organization within electronic packaging, reducing the need for multiple packaging parts.

Finally, the Koala Display, honored in the point-of-sale category, reflects Mondi’s expertise in combining structural design with visual impact.

Engineered for ease of assembly and recyclability, the display supports high-impact retail marketing while aligning with brand sustainability goals.

These solutions highlight advances in fibre-based structures, lightweight materials and high-performance recyclability, key areas of focus as global supply chains transition toward sustainable packaging formats.

The WorldStar Packaging Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on 8 May in Düsseldorf, Germany, bringing together packaging leaders to celebrate innovation and progress in circular design.

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