About the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA)
Take on the challenge
Design what’s next
The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) connects students, educators and schools with the real-world world of paper-based packaging. We are a place where creativity, sustainability and innovation come together.
At the heart of PPA is the Student Design Challenge (SDC). The SDC is a North American competition that gives students the chance to solve real packaging problems, showcase their ideas and connect directly with industry leaders.
Who We Are
PPA is a collaboration between 2 leading industry organizations:
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), which represents the U.S. pulp, paper, tissue and paper packaging industry. 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 Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), which represents paperboard packaging converters and their suppliers across North America. 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.
Together, we bring the full picture of the industry—from sustainability and paper recycling leadership to hands-on packaging design—and connect it directly to the classroom.
What We Do
PPA exists to help the next generation discover and succeed in paperboard packaging.
We do this by:
Running the Student Design Challenge, where students apply their skills to real-world packaging scenarios and build portfolio-ready work.
Connecting students with industry, including opportunities to present at the PPC Fall Meeting in front of packaging professionals and potential employers.
Supporting educators and schools with resources, ideas and tools to bring packaging design into the classroom.
Promoting paperboard packaging as a sustainable, innovative material choice.
Why It Matters
Paperboard packaging sits at the intersection of design, engineering and sustainability.
Through PPA, students don’t just learn about packaging, they:
- Work on real briefs
- Create physical prototypes
- Present to industry professionals
- Build connections that can lead to internships and careers
For educators and schools, PPA provides a way to connect coursework to industry expectations and career pathways.
Get Involved
The best way to experience PPA is by participating in the Student Design Challenge.
Whether you’re:
- A student looking to build your portfolio
- A professor looking to bring hands-on learning into your classroom
PPA gives you a direct connection to an industry that is innovative and focused on a sustainable future.