Toppan wins seventh WorldStar award for shadow puppet-themed chocolate packaging that transforms into theatre stage

THAILAND – Siam Toppan Packaging has won a WorldStar Award for chocolate packaging inspired by traditional Thai shadow puppet theatre, featuring a box that transforms into a mini stage set with tear-out character puppets for reuse as a theatrical play kit.

The award ceremony was held on May 8 during interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

This achievement marks the seventh WorldStar win by Siam Toppan, solidifying the TOPPAN Group’s presence in the global packaging arena. 

The packaging was created for One More Thai Craft Chocolates, a craft chocolate brand from Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand, with the design expressing good health and happiness for local farmers.

From Box to Theatre

The front of the box features a three-layer theatre stage design inspired by Nang Talung, the traditional shadow puppet theatre of southern Thailand. 

Six traditional characters can be torn out along perforations after the chocolate is consumed, and the outer box transforms into a mini stage set, allowing the packaging to be reused as a theatrical play kit. 

This secondary use extends the life of the packaging well beyond its original purpose, turning what would be waste into a toy that can be used repeatedly. 

For a family, the box becomes an activity; for the brand, it becomes a reminder that stays in the home long after the chocolate is gone.

Sustainable Design and Logistical Efficiency

The packaging is designed to be recyclable, made solely from paper materials with no plastic windows. 

By facilitating reuse as a toy or decoration, the packaging adds value beyond its primary function, contributing to waste reduction. 

The finished box is square-shaped to ensure optimal use of space during transportation, a design consideration that reduces the number of shipping containers needed and lowers transport emissions. 

The packaging is made solely from paper materials with no plastic windows, eliminating a common source of non-recyclable waste in chocolate boxes.

Integrating Cultural Heritage and Playfulness

The packaging vividly illustrates the traditional process of making craft chocolate, encapsulating the regional culture and the brand’s unique charm. 

By combining sustainability efforts with local storytelling, it serves as an ideal souvenir or high-quality gift for visitors and global consumers. 

A chocolate box that tells the story of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s farmers is more memorable than a generic luxury carton. 

The WorldStar Awards recognize outstanding technology and design based on criteria including functionality, environmental performance, and graphic appeal. 

Siam Toppan is a joint venture between TOPPAN Holdings Inc. and the Siam Cement Group, established in 1990, and is one of Thailand’s largest manufacturers of folding cartons.

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