As the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is also marking another important milestone: the 21st anniversary of its Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge. Over the past two decades, this unique competition has grown into a highly respected event within the flexible packaging industry, offering students a real-world platform to showcase innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking design in flexible packaging.
Launched in 2004, the Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge serves as an incubator for fresh ideas and emerging talent. It complements FPA’s established annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition, which spotlights groundbreaking contributions from FPA member companies across the flexible packaging spectrum. Together, these programs demonstrate the industry’s commitment to excellence and the development of the next generation of packaging formats, materials, and professionals.
Real-World Challenge
Flexible packaging is a dynamic and fast-growing segment of the packaging industry, known for its versatility, sustainability potential, and adaptability across markets such as food, healthcare, personal care, and household products. The FPA Student Design Challenge invites participants to design a flexible package that addresses a real-world issue—ranging from product protection and user safety to sustainability, convenience, or improved usability.
Students are challenged to:
- Advance or improve an existing flexible packaging solution
- Convert a rigid or nonflexible package into a flexible format
- Incorporate sustainability-enhancing or technical features
- Use innovative printing or branding methods
- Create flexible packaging for a product not currently served by the format
By doing so, students gain valuable experience in addressing real packaging needs, applying academic knowledge to practical design scenarios, and preparing themselves for careers in a competitive and evolving industry.
Supporting Talent
FPA’s Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) coordinates the competition and plays a vital role in guiding and judging the submissions. The ELC members serve as evaluators and mentors, offering expertise and industry insights to student teams that advance to the prototype stage.
This year’s judging panel included the following industry leaders:
- Alana Carr, inside sales and marketing manager, Hosokawa Alpine American, Inc., and ELC co-chair
- Patrick Clark, vice president of research and development and procurement, Bryce Corporation, and vice-chair of the ELC’s Education and Recruit-ment Committee
- Kara Stoney, marketing manager of value chain and sustainable packaging, plastics and specialty packaging North America at Dow, and chair of the ELC’s Education and Recruitment Committee
Students entered the competition as individuals or in teams. The initial phase required a written concept outline, which was reviewed and evaluated by the ELC judges. Once approved, students produced a physical prototype, accompanied by a marketing video and a written rationale detailing their design decisions. Throughout this process, the ELC and FPA members were available to mentor student teams, helping to refine their ideas and strengthen their entries.
Winners in 2025
This year’s competition saw a strong showing from some of the most prestigious packaging programs at higher education institutions in the United States, with 56 concept outlines submitted from universities nationwide.
Taking home first place was the EZ PB&J Pouch, a single-use flexible package featuring separate compartments for peanut butter and jelly. Designed for school lunches, the pouch simplifies the sandwich-making process for busy parents. Instead of preparing sandwiches in the morning, parents could now send two slices of bread and a pouch in their child’s lunchbox.
The pouch’s bread-shaped silhouette is both playful and kid-friendly, yet also functionally designed. The ergonomic tear notch allows children—or adults with dexterity challenges—to open the package easily, without the need for spreading utensils. The eye-catching, colorful graphics further enhance its shelf appeal. This innovative concept also won the award for Best Video, which will be featured across FPA’s digital platforms to celebrate the team’s creativity and communication skills.
The student team from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York consisted of Travis Daly, Jacob Marrer, Olivia Morris, Austin Pralow, and Amanda Szymanoski. The team’s faculty adviser was Kyle Dunno, chair and associate professor of RIT’s Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science.
Second place went to the Pancake Pack, an innovative, flexible packaging solution for preportioned pancake mix. Designed for simplicity and convenience, the package eliminates the need for measuring cups and mixing bowls—making it ideal for quick breakfasts at home or on the go. The team selected ionomer film, a material known for its strength, clarity, and barrier properties, to ensure freshness while minimizing environmental impact.
With its intuitive design and waste-reducing features, the Pancake Pack shows how packaging innovation can enhance everyday experiences and support sustainable practices.
The student team from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) consisted of Matteo Mazziliano, Emma Powers, Henry Wright, and Kyle Zheng. The team’s faculty adviser was Joongmin Shin, Ph.D., associate professor in Industrial Technology and Packaging at Orfalea College of Business in Cal Poly.
Honorable Mentions
Two additional entries received Honorable Mentions for their outstanding concepts.
The Bounce® Dryer Sheets Resealable Pouch concept proposed a flexible, resealable pouch to replace the traditional bulky box used for dryer sheets. Made with airtight polyethylene (PE) film, the pouch maintains the sheets’ fragrance and freshness while reducing space, weight, and packaging waste. A user-friendly adhesive closure system was inspired by existing everyday household brands, ensuring a clean and hassle-free experience. This modern alternative packaging concept blends convenience, functionality, and sustainability.
The student team from RIT consisted of Maddy Cook, Sam Rosa, and Cole Teeple. The team’s faculty adviser was Dunno.
Targeting the booming skincare and travel markets, the GoGlow: Single Serving Skincare concept offers a complete skincare routine in a single, portable flexible package. Each step of the regimen is neatly segmented, offering clarity and ease of use. Unlike typical single-use sachets that only provide samples, this solution delivers a complete experience—perfect for consumers seeking compact, mess-free self-care on the go.
The Cal Poly student team consisted of Devin Blish, Edison Chow, Paulina Goncharov, and Maya Harris. The team’s faculty adviser was Shin.
Looking Ahead
Now in its third decade, the FPA Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge continues to fulfill its mission of inspiring the next generation of packaging professionals. Each year, the competition reveals the creativity, technical skill, and market awareness that students bring to the field of flexible packaging. By providing mentorship, recognition, and real-world relevance, FPA is cultivating the leaders and changemakers who will drive the future of our industry.
As FPA celebrates 75 years of progress and innovation, it remains deeply committed to education, sustainability, and continuous improvement. With record participation and standout student projects in 2025, the future of flexible packaging looks more promising than ever.
Dani Diehlmann is FPA vice president, communications.