The third edition of the annual Packaging and Innovation Research Challenge organized by Royal Crown Packaging Limited (RCPL), took place from June 22 to July 9.

Participants in this year’s competition were students from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ashesi University and Academic City College.

The competition is facilitated annually, by the Institute of Packaging, Ghana (IOPG), whose aim is to introduce students to the world of packaging, through a study of the corrugated box value chain, to enable them identify inherent challenges and propose innovative solutions to address specific issues with the view of improving efficiencies in the packaging industry.

Students from the participating institutions presented concept notes on the following research topics: Development of Alternative Glue Recipe for Paperboard Corrugation, How to Minimize the Consumption of Energy in a Packaging Factory or Reducing Heat on the Production Floor in Packaging Setups, Automation of Canteen Ticketing System to Minimize Human Interventions and Chemical Combination of Inks to Provide Glossy Finish on Cartons with Zero Environmental Impact.

After weeks of brainstorming and research, the various participants presented their findings to a panel of judges. Ashesi University was adjudged winners with the University of Ghana, Legon, Kwame Nkrumah Univesity of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Academic City College following in that order.

RCPL has granted all participants internship opportunities, certificates of participation, corporate souvenirs and cash prizes.

The Annual Royal Crown Packaging Innovation Challenge is gaining recognition, as the World Packaging Organization and prominent Corporate Sponsors (Graphic Online, Kasapreko Company Limited, Access Bank Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, Brand Innovation, Kosi Fortune Photography) have signed on to support this great initiative.

Mr Kofi Essuman, Board Chairman of Royal Crown Packaging Limited, congratulated students from all four (4) universities for the great ideas churned out. This he hopes will be shared with industry players to enhance the packaging sector in general.

The Group HR & Corporate Communications Head at RCPL, Sally Osei-Boateng, disclosed that the intent is to champion this innovation to become a national challenge. RCPL is looking at adding more tertiary institutions to next year’s Challenge.

She thanked the Institute of Packaging, Ghana for facilitating the programme and ensuring its successful.