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Some of the world’s best packaging companies have been recognised at this year’s WorldStar Awards Presentations and Gala Dinner.

The awards were organised by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and hosted by WPO member SYBA Obalovy Institut, the Czech Packaging Institute.

The award categories presented included: beverages, electronics, food, health and personal care, household, labelling and decoration, luxury, medical and pharmaceutical, packaging materials and components, point of sale, and transit.

Of the 219 awards given, 97 winners from the 25 representing countries were present. Smileysys, Italy won the packaging that saves food Gold Award for itsresealable, anti-food waste Drop and Taste pack. The Gold Sustainability Award went to the Jospak Tray, Finland for ‘packaging that combines the best functionalities of board and plastics.’ The Marketing Gold Award went to Constantia Flexibles International, Austria for its cat milk in aluminium portion-packs. The portion-packs are available in four single variations, are easy to open, dispense, clean and have an extended shelf life.

WPO president Pierre Pienaar said: “These prestigious awards will celebrate and preserve in perpetuity the collective achievements of these great innovators.”

International Dispensing Corp., China won the Gold President’s Award for its IDC aseptic bag-in-dispenser beverage packaging for foodservice. The Lifetime Achievement in Packaging Award was presented to Gill Loubser from South Africa, Shahid Sheikh OBE, UK and Keith Chessell, Australia.

The ceremony was a part of the WPO programme in Prague that also included its first board meeting of 2019, executive meeting and working groups meetings.

Chessell said: “I was greatly humbled and honoured to be acknowledged by the WPO in receiving this Award. The recognition by this key global packaging team has been a great encouragement in the role I’ve played, in recent years, in developing the sustainable packaging design in the Australian scene.

“In my 50 plus years working with the packaging industry, from within the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) food & beverage industry, [I have been] provided the opportunity to work with nearly all forms of packaging materials. The innovation, development and change that has occurred within the packaging and food industry has meant there has never been a dull moment, and always so much to learn.

“What has been a highlight has been the opportunity to work with and for many different people, both in food manufacture and packaging companies. I’m very thankful and appreciative for the many knowledgeable and skilled individuals in the industry who have so willingly shared their ideas, technical expertise, knowledge in designing packaging, and resolving packaging, and production issues.”