Product Design students to undertake packaging challenge

Nampak Plastics, the UK’s leading producer of plastic milk bottles, is offering Product Design students from the University of Leeds School of Mechanical Engineering an exclusive opportunity.

It is to come up with an innovative, new packaging product in exchange for a cash prize.

Nampak, famous for packaging development, market leading initiatives and more recently with the "worlds lightest weight Infini bottle" is working with a group of students from Leeds University, as well as Queen’s University in Belfast and Strathclyde University in Glasgow, to develop a new sustainable packaging product that displays innovation excellence and forward thinking.

The Leeds final will be followed by a ‘Dragons Den’ style judging event for all the finalists on the 3 June at Nampak’s Head Office in Newport Pagnell. For this there will be a panel consisting of the Nampak management team and a top industry journalist to identify the winning products. The successful candidates will win a cash prize. The best placed team from each participating university will also be asked to present in front of the Nampak Plastics board of directors to establish an overall champion. 

For outstanding ideas there is even the potential for the product to be developed and brought to the market. Furthermore, for students who show a real passion for the project as well as a strong work ethic throughout, there is the potential to be offered a summer internship at Nampak.

Dr Raymond Holt, a Lecturer in Product Design from the School of Mechanical Engineering, commented: “This challenge gives our students the opportunity to showcase creative ideas, learn about emerging markets and gain some great hands on experience.”

Speaking on behalf of the Nampak team, Paul Lancaster, from Nampak Plastics Trafford Park said: “This challenge provides students a unique chance to learn about the complexity and scope of the packaging industry. We look forward to seeing the designs that the Leeds students come up with”.