The packaging industry España has won 10 awards at the prestigious WorldStar Awards 2026, organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPOThanks to proposals focused on sustainability and logistical efficiency, the country has risen two positions compared to the previous edition, placing itself as the seventh world power in a competition that has evaluated 481 works from 36 countries.
Spain in the world's Top 10 for packaging
The competition, considered the most important in the sector globally, requires as a prerequisite having won a national or continental competition recognized by the WPOIn the Spanish case, projects are accessed through the Premios Liderpack, Organized by Graphispack Asociación and the living room Hispack de Fira de Barcelona.
In this edition, a total of 234 awards have been given. Japón It leads the international rankings, closely followed by European and Asian powers. The rise of España In seventh place, with 10 distinctions, it reinforces its country brand image in industrial and consumer solutions.
| Country | Number of Awards |
|---|---|
| Japón | 24 |
| Austria | 21 |
| Alemania | 18 |
| China | 18 |
| Brasil | 17 |
| República Checa Eslovaquia | 12 |
| España | 10 |
| Hungría | 9 |
Innovation and sustainability: the keys to success
Institutional representatives from the sector have given these results a very positive assessment. Ignasi Cusí, general secretary of Graphispack Asociación, he emphasized that the awards confirm that "The Spanish packaging industry not only innovates, but also leads the transition towards more sustainable models"integrating functionality and environmental responsibility.
For its part, Xavier Pascual, director of Hispack, has highlighted the capacity of national companies to "Turning innovation into real solutions that bring value to the market", consolidating España as a benchmark in design and logistical efficiency.
Breakdown of award-winning companies and projects
The award-winning solutions cover critical sectors such as food, e-commerce, electronics and industrial logisticsThe common denominator of the winning projects is the replacement of plastics with recyclable materials and the optimization of transport.
DS Smith's Leadership
The company DS Smith It has positioned itself as the big winner with four awards. Its innovations include:
- Box Pallet: Award-winning in transport and e-commerce. Supports up to 200 kg, is foldable and 100% recyclable.
- Single-material packaging for automotive applications: Corrugated cardboard that replaces plastics without loss of protection.
- Reinforced industrial packaging: Foldable solution capable of supporting 900 kg, reducing emissions due to its compact format.
Other high value-added solutions
The other award winners include Grupo Lantero with your solution ReKeepEat (PET monomaterial); Ovelar S.A. y Small Creative Band S.L. in the alcoholic beverages category for their work in sustainability and premium design respectively; and Capsa Packaging in electronics with E-protect Citri.
Likewise, Smurfit Westrock has gained recognition for his Flexible Corner for fruit (optimizes ventilation and transport) and the Panelbuffer, a modular honeycomb-type protector that replaces the EPS.
| Company | Featured Category / Project | Main Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| DS Smith | Logistics / E-commerce / Automotive | Box Pallet and plastic replacement. |
| Grupo Lantero | Food | PET single-material container ReKeepEat. |
| Smurfit Westrock | Fruits / Transport | Flexible Corner y Panelbuffer. |
| Capsa Packaging | Electronics | 100% cardboard protection without adhesives. |
| Ovelar S.A. | Beverages | Sleeve made of rPET with 40% recycled content. |
| Small Creative Band S.L. | Beverages | Premium bottle redesign Minoric Gin. |
The awards ceremony will take place next May 8th en Düsseldorf (Alemania), during the celebration of the fair interpack.
Key points and frequently asked questions about the 2026 WorldStar Awards
What position does Spain hold in the world packaging ranking?
España It occupies seventh position globally with 10 awards, improving two places compared to the previous edition and consolidating its place in the "top ten" alongside countries such as Japón, Austria y Alemania.
How do Spanish companies access this international competition?
To participate in the WorldStar AwardsThe works must have previously won a recognized national competition. EspañaThe only access route is the Premios Liderpack, Organized by Graphispack Asociación y Hispack.
When and where will the 2026 awards be presented?
The official trophy presentation ceremony will be held on May 8, 2026 in the city of Düsseldorf, within the framework of the fair interpackwhere the winners of the special sustainability and marketing categories will also be announced.
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