Mizkan and Kobayashi Win Worldstar Award for Innovative Natto Tray

At the awards ceremony in Düsseldorf, Germany (May 8, 2026)

Mizkan Co., Ltd. and Kobayashi Co., Ltd. have received the 'Worldstar Award' at the 'Worldstar' packaging design competition, organized by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), for the Natto tray introduced by Mizkan in September 2025.

This Natto tray, which pursues ease of holding, stirring, and environmental load reduction, previously won the 'Kyoyohin Suishin Kiko Chairman's Award' at the '2025 Japan Packaging Contest' organized by the Japan Packaging Institute, marking its second award following the domestic success.

■ About the Award

Natto trays have historically presented challenges such as being difficult to hold and stir, having chopsticks get stuck while stirring, and being hard to clean due to sticky residue. Furthermore, there has been a recent demand for packaging that reduces environmental impact by using less plastic.

In response, Mizkan and Kobayashi reduced the ribs (concave/convex parts) of the Natto tray, creating a flat structure that enhances both ease of holding and stirring. Additionally, the design reduces the risk of chopsticks breaking through the tray, is easier to clean, and is recyclable. Furthermore, they achieved weight reduction, contributing to lower environmental impact (reduced plastic and CO2). The tray's comprehensive evaluation for innovation, functionality, and sustainability led to this award.

■ Comments from Representatives

Mizkan Co., Ltd., Household Business Division, Development Technology Department, Development Technology Section 4, Chief: Masanori Shinohara

I am very pleased to win the Worldstar Award. Our corporate philosophy is 'To provide good products with sincerity, from the customer's perspective' and 'Execution of status quo denial based on reflection.' Not satisfied with the status quo, we spent about three and a half years with about 130 stakeholders to develop and introduce this tray. While it was once thought necessary to have ribs on Natto trays to increase strength, improve stirring, and facilitate airflow for fermentation, we discovered that this common knowledge could be overturned. As a result, we were able to improve the Natto tray.

Kobayashi Co., Ltd., Manufacturing Division, Technology Department 2, Group Leader: Masato Oikawa

I am honored that the Natto tray we co-applied for with Mizkan has won the Worldstar Award.

This Natto tray achieves the coexistence of seemingly contradictory requirements: weight reduction for environmental considerations and increased strength for improved usability.

This award is the result of the cooperation of many people, including Mizkan, our own members, mold manufacturers, and material manufacturers.

I hope this award serves as an opportunity to demonstrate the value of Japanese food packaging technology to the world.