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PPA Reveals 2025 Student Design Challenge Finalists

Students from California Polytechnic State University and Rochester Institute of Technology named as finalists

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) today announced the finalists of its 2025 Student Design Challenge. The Student Design Challenge is an annual competition where university students apply their talent and design skills to develop innovative, creative approaches to paper-based packaging in response to real-world customer needs and marketing scenarios. PPA is a joint initiative between the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).

This year's Design Challenge tasked students with designing a new paperboard packaging line for an original pet care company, PPA Pets. Students were required to include a pet DNA testing system or a similar lab-dependent item. 

Student projects from the following schools were named as finalists:

  • PAWSH - California Polytechnic State University
  • Protection Prevention & Awareness for Pets - Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Teef Story - California Polytechnic State University

“The Student Design Challenge bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world application,” said Heidi Brock, President and CEO of AF&PA. “The Challenge empowers students nationwide to turn bold ideas into recyclable, paper-based packaging solutions. This challenge not only showcases their talent, it also helps shape the future of packaging design.”

The winner will be announced at the PPC’s Spring Outlook & Strategies Conference from March 25 – 27, 2026 in Louisville, KY. Each team will present their designs and showcase their prototype to current industry professionals, gaining valuable exposure and insight into the packaging design field. 

"The Student Design Challenge shines a spotlight on the possibilities of sustainable paperboard packaging," said Ben Markens, President of PPC. "It’s inspiring to see students bring fresh, creative ideas to an industry that’s evolving rapidly. We’re eager to showcase their designs in Louisville.”

View the Finalist Designs
View All of the 2025 Entries

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.