Graphic Packaging is celebrating success at this year’s prestigious WorldStar Global Packaging Awards.  

Hosted by the World Packaging Organisation, these awards honor top achievers in the packaging industry, as entrants must first win a recognized national award to qualify for entry. Graphic Packaging, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging has been acknowledged for its collaborations with UK retail giant Morrisons and Swiss medical technology specialist Mathys AG (now part of Enovis Surgical International).  

Morrisons Pressed Board Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) Trays 

Adopted by UK retailer Morrisons across their full portfolio of private label steak, these innovative pressed board vacuum skin packaging (VSP) trays not only look great, but also offer significant environmental benefits.  

With three product offerings across the portfolio, the premium “The Best” range utilizes photographic print on the front face of the tray—a world first in the pressed board tray category. The core range is produced with unbleached paperboard, creating a kraft look, while the entry-level ‘Savers’ range is produced with bleached paperboard, providing clear aesthetic differentiation between the ranges.    

The new solution uses 90 percent less plastic than Morrisons’ previous trays and has eliminated 250 metric tons of plastic waste from the supply chain every year. 

Mathys AG Medical Hip and Knee Implants 

The new packaging concept developed for Mathys AG’s medical hip and knee implants eliminates the foam used in their previous packaging format and replaces it with a solution made only from paperboard. 

The custom-designed three-piece structure includes an integrated ‘honeycomb’ inlay that adapts to the shape of the implant, ensuring it’s securely protected without the need for excess materials. The new format not only removes the need for the foam inlay but reduces the number of SKUs required from five to two. 

 “Receiving two WorldStar awards is welcome recognition of our commitment to innovation in sustainable consumer packaging,” said Ricardo de Genova, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Graphic Packaging. “This inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in packaging, working closely with our customers to create solutions that can make a world of difference to our customers, their consumers, and the planet. 

“I want to congratulate our customers, Morrisons and Mathys AG, and thank them for their partnership and commitment to collaborative innovation.”