How innovative packaging is helping Ukrainian brands reach the global stage: the case of Gualapack Ukraine and Kormotech

Ukraine achieved an impressive result at the international WorldStar 2026 competition, organised annually by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). Five out of ten Ukrainian entries received awards, including a project by Gualapack Ukraine.

This recognition by the WPO was preceded by success at the national level. After winning the all-Ukrainian packaging competition ‘Star of Packaging’ with our joint project Kormotech, Ukraine’s largest manufacturer of cat and dog food, we earned the right to represent the country at WorldStar 2026.

Notably, this project was the only Ukrainian case study recognized in the pet food category. It also became the first mono-material pre-made packaging solution for this segment, produced in Ukraine, to receive international recognition. In fact, winning the WorldStar competition is an excellent opportunity to highlight what stands behind this achievement.

A technological shift: from multi-layer packaging to the circular economy

For many years, flexible packaging has remained the industry standard for food products due to its high resource efficiency. Its low weight and reduced carbon footprint during transportation make it one of the most practical packaging solutions for businesses. At the same time, technological innovation is creating new opportunities to combine these advantages with the principles of the circular economy.

This was exactly the direction taken by Gualapack Ukraine team when developing packaging for CLUB 4 PAWS dry cat food. The key challenge was to create packaging that would preserve all the functional properties of traditional multi-layer solutions while being fully recyclable and aligned with the principles of the circular economy. The result was a mono-material package in which every element is made from the same type of polymer. Such packaging does not require components to be separated before recycling and can be processed withing single recycling stream. The successful implementation of this project proves that the transition to sustainable packaging solutions is possible without compromising quality or product protection.

‘"This award reflects the high level of our team and confirms that innovative packaging technologies are being successfully developed and implemented in Ukraine. Our mono-material solution addresses the challenge of waste management while preserving all the advantages and performance of flexible packaging. Gualapack Ukraine is a reliable partner for food industry companies striving to meet the EU’s strict environmental standards and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets,” comments Oleg Zakorko, Head of Production Development at Gualapack Ukraine LLC.

“For Kormotech, this project marked an important step in the development of more sustainable packaging solutions. We are consistently advancing our sustainability agenda and understand the responsible production is defined not only by the final product, but also by the materials, technologies and solutions behind it.

Preliminary testing had already been completed, but it was essential for us to evaluate the new packaging during large-scale production runs. This enabled us to gain a deeper understanding of the operational nuances of our packaging equipment and to ensure the solution delivers stable performance under real manufacturing conditions.

It was especially important to preserve the packaging characteristics that directly shape product perception and quality, including print quality, tactile effects, barrier properties and material durability. Through this project, we gained valuable expertise, practical validation and the confidence to implement similar solutions in the future developments.

I would particularly like to emphasize our successful collaboration with Gualapack Ukraine. Transforming packaging solutions requires highly specialized expertise and close cooperation on both sides – from technical testing to production specifics. It is thanks to this strong partnership that we were able to navigate this process effeciently and achieve a result that fully meets our requirements for product quality and sustainable development,” said Iryna Kobryn, Head of Procurement at Kormotech 

A trend-setting partnership: more about the Kormotech case study 

Kormotech is Ukraine’s largest manufacturer of cat and dog food, with represented in more than 50 countries worldwide. For a company of this scale, compliance with international standards is not merely a marketing statement but an integral part of daily operations. That is why every decision is evaluated not only against current requirements, but also in the context of evolving regulatory trends across Europe and global markets.

As part of a joint project, a pilot batch of mono-material packaging was developed and produced, meeting two key objectives simultaneously: preserving the nutritional properties of the pet food throughout its declared shelf life and ensuring recyclability in line with current environmental standards.

A victory shared by both partners

WorldStar is a competition that evaluates not only materials or design, but the overall effectiveness of a solution: how successfully it addresses the real needs of the business, the consumers and the planet simultaneously. That is exactly why this victory holds particular significance.

For Kormotech, it confirms that the premium cat and dog food brand CLUB 4 PAWS cares not only about pets, but also about the future of the planet. For Gualapack Ukraine, it is proof that advanced packaging technologies are being developed here in Ukraine and are earning recognition on the international stage.

This success is the result of a true partnership built on trust and a shared vision of the final outcome. Kormotech brings a deep understanding of the pet food market’s needs and the confidence to embrace innovative solutions. Gualapack Ukraine contributes technological expertise and the capability to turn these solutions into reality. It is precisely this kind of collaboration that creates products capable of going beyond the Ukrainian market and earning recognition on the global stage.