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Paperboard Packaging Alliance Releases 2022 Student Design Challenge Finalists

Teams from Fashion Institute of Technology and California Polytechnic State University Advance as Finalists 

WASHINGTON – The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) today announced the finalists of its 2022 Student Design Challenge, a competition where student teams compete to design innovative paperboard packaging prototypes. The goal of this year’s challenge is to identify a real product currently on the market that isn’t packaged in paperboard and design a new paper-based solution.

This challenge calls for teamwork and “outside-the-box” thinking to create solutions using sustainable, fiber-based packaging that can also be recycled.

Student design projects from the following schools were named as finalists:

  • California Polytechnic State University – Froot
  • Fashion Institute of Technology – Duracell
  • Fashion Institute of Technology – Tide

“The Student Design Challenge generates so much excitement in our industry,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA President & CEO. “As students collaborate, they are also creating innovative packaging solutions to further our industry’s sustainability leadership,” she said. “This year’s challenge brought to light the power of fiber-based packaging, and how we can use it to find sustainable alternatives.”

“We are so fortunate to have this program which shows the creativity of future designers in the paperboard packaging industry,” said Paperboard Packaging Council President Ben Markens. "This is a fantastic opportunity to meet students and learn more about what inspires them and why they want to join our industry. On top of that, we're able to celebrate innovations and fresh ideas that will advance our sustainability story."

The Student Design Challenge is an annual competition for university students in leading packaging design programs to show off their talent, design skills and innovative approaches to meet real-world customer needs and marketing scenarios.

The 3 finalists are invited to attend the Paperboard Packaging Council’s (PPC) Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference from October 26-28, 2022 in Austin, Texas.

There, during a special reception, the final placements will be announced. Each team will have the opportunity to present their submissions and showcase their prototype to industry professionals.

About the Paperboard Packaging Alliance

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) is a joint initiative of the American Forest & Paper Association and the Paperboard Packaging Council. The mission is to promote the benefits of paperboard packaging to influence preference for these materials in packaging design and selection. PPA is a proud supporter of collegiate packaging and design programs across the U.S. and Canada, donating thousands of dollars in scholarships, materials, and classroom resources each year. Alliance membership includes companies representing the full range of mills and converters engaged in the production of paperboard packaging. Additional information about PPA can be found at www.paperboardpackaging.org.

About the American Forest & Paper Association

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. For more information, visit www.afandpa.org. 

About the Paperboard Packaging Council

For 95 years, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has served as the premier North American association for converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers. PPC works to grow, promote, and protect the paperboard packaging industry while providing its members with resources and tools to compete successfully in the marketplace. For more information, visit www.paperbox.org.