University Students Left Their Mark on Global Packaging Design Competitions

05 February 2026 15:05

University students from Türkiye achieved a historic success for the Turkish packaging industry with their awards at the two most prestigious global platforms in packaging design: WorldStar STUDENT 2026 and AsiaStar 2025. Projects awarded in the 21st National Student Packaging Design Competition, organized by the Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD), succeeded in carrying Türkiye into the top league of international competition in the student category.

Türkiye won a total of 15 awards at WorldStar STUDENT 2026—including 4 main awards and 11 certificates—while 9 different projects were recognized in the student category at AsiaStar 2025.

WorldStar STUDENT 2026: 15 Awards

The results of WorldStar STUDENT 2026, organized by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), have been announced. In the competition, where 246 projects from 23 countries were evaluated, the jury—coordinated by the Institute of Packaging South Africa and composed of 43 experts from 31 countries—ranked Turkish students' innovative works among the top entries.

Main Award Winners

Gold Award (Marketing Category):
Gülsüm Aktaş – Marmara University
Guache Paint Packaging Design
Silver Award (Food Category):
Yağmur Kodaş & Zeynep Şanal – TOBB ETÜ
Ekince Pulse Packaging Design
Bronze Award (Special Packaging Category):
Gülsüm Aktaş – Marmara University
Guache Paint Packaging Design
Bronze Award (Save Food / Food Waste Prevention Category):
Yağmur Kodaş & Zeynep Şanal – TOBB ETÜ
Ekince Pulse Packaging Design

WorldStar STUDENT Certificate Recipients

Gülsüm Aktaş – Marmara University (Pawster Edible Bowl)
Melanie Sirielles – İzmir University of Economics (ZeyDuo)
Dilara Ertuğrul – Eskişehir Technical University (PuzzleVita Omega 3)
Ece Cizmecioğlu – İzmir University of Economics (SweetBox Boutique Candy)
Ayça Altay – Eskişehir Technical University (My Puzzle Workshop)
Ata Önder – İzmir University of Economics (TinTonic Energy Drink)
Umay Yakar – İzmir University of Economics (Bira'Z Lak Lak – Efes Edition)
Defne Albayrak – İzmir University of Economics (Lookum)
Açelya Zincirli – Aydın Adnan Menderes University (YosVita Seaweed Vitamin)
Ilgın Tuzgen – İzmir University of Economics (NUVU Easy Flow Bottles)
Azra Tarhan – Marmara University (Yayla A Cup of Corn)

AsiaStar 2025: 9 Awards

At AsiaStar, one of the most respected packaging competitions in the Asia-Pacific region, Türkiye achieved a significant success in the student category with 9 projects receiving awards. Since only projects that have won at the national level are accepted, the competition plays a critical role in carrying national achievements to the international stage.

AsiaStar 2025 – Student Category Winners

Yağmur Kodaş, Zeynep Şanal (TOBB ETÜ) – Ekince Bakliyat Ambalaj Tasarımı
Açelya Zincirli (Aydın Adnan Menderes University) – Yosvita (Seaweed Vitamin for Cows)
Azra Tarhan (Marmara University) – Yayla Bi' Kap Mısır
Melanie Sirielles (İzmir University of Economics) – ZeyDuo
Gülsüm Aktaş (Marmara University) – Pawster (Edible Pet Food Bowl)
Gülsüm Aktaş (Marmara University) – Adel Guaj Boya Ambalajı Tasarımı
Ilgın Tüzgen (İzmir University of Economics) – NUVU (Easy-Flow Sauce Bottles)
Ayça Altay (Eskişehir Technical University) – Yapboz Atölyem
Gizem Dereli (İzmir University of Economics) – Serpme (Boyoz Package)

Fresh Talent for the Industry: The Strength of Young Designers

This journey, which began with ASD's national competition, enabled young designers to gain international visibility and marked an important milestone in their professional careers. The results once again demonstrated that Türkiye has world-class production capability in packaging design and education, and strong potential to export design.

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University Students Left Their Mark on Global Packaging Design Competitions

Türkiye won a total of 15 awards at WorldStar STUDENT 2026—including 4 main awards and 11 certificates—while 9 different projects were recognized in the student category at AsiaStar 2025.

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Türkiye Becomes the Most Awarded Country

Turkish students have made a remarkable impact in international packaging design competitions. At the AsiaStar Awards, organized annually by the Asian Packaging Federation (APF) and regarded as Asia's Packaging Oscars, Türkiye emerged as the most awarded country, securing a total of 9 prizes. Meanwhile, at the WorldStar Student Awards, organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPO), Türkiye received 13 awards, including 3 gold medals.

Türkiye's Trade Surplus in the Packaging Sector Continues to Grow

The packaging sector, one of Türkiye's leading industries generating a trade surplus, closed 2024 on a positive note. The sector's exports increased by 1% to reach $6.95 billion, while imports declined by 7%, falling to $4.26 billion. As a result, the packaging sector's trade surplus grew by 19% compared to the previous year, reaching $2.68 billion in 2024.

The Packaging Industry Takes Action for a Green Future

The Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Enerjisa Üretim's QuickCarbon on January 1, 2025, to support corporate carbon footprint calculation and reporting. Through this collaboration, ASD members will benefit from exclusive discounts on software packages and consultancy services offered by QuickCarbon.

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Foreign trade surplus of 1.1 billion dollars from the packaging sector in the first 6 months of 2024

Packaging sector in Türkiye exported 3 billion 322 million dollars in the first 6 months of 2024. While the volume of exports increased by 7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, the sector had a foreign trade surplus of 1 billion 152 million dollars.