Paperboard Packaging Alliance Reveals 2024 Student Design Challenge Finalists

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) today announced the finalists of its 2024 Student Design Challenge, an annual competition in which university students apply their talent and design skills to innovate, 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 creating sustainable paperboard packaging for a fresh produce product that is typically not packaged in paper-based packaging.

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

• Grovey Garlic – Rochester Institute of Technology
• Lively Roots – California State Polytechnic University
• SPUDS Potatoes – Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

“Through the Student Design Challenge, students all across the country get to exercise their creativity and apply their knowledge of sustainable design at the same time,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA CEO. “Each year, we are impressed by every submission from the next generation of sustainability leaders. The challenge also gives participants real-world experience. Many Student Design Challenge participants have pursued careers in packaging design.”

The winner will be announced at the PPC’s Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference from September 30 - October 2 in Atlanta, Georgia. Each team will present their designs and showcase their prototype to current industry professionals, ultimately supporting the goal of engaging the next generation.

One of this year’s judges, Kelly Fellner, is a former Student Design Challenge winner who now works full-time in packaging design.

"The Student Design Challenge serves as a launching pad for students who see that the paperboard packaging industry has a bright future," said Ben Markens, President of PPC."It not only showcases the creativity of aspiring designers, but the inherent sustainability of paper-based packaging. We’re looking forward to learning about all of the finalists’ exciting designs in Atlanta this fall." 

For more information visit: paperboardpackaging.org.  

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 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.