Earlier this month (4 September) as part of a money can’t buy prize for winning the Alupro-sponsored ‘replacing multi-material packaging’ category at this year’s 2023 Student Starpack Awards, student James Albosh was taken on a VIP tour of Crown’s state-of-the-art R&D facility in Wantage.

Providing a priceless opportunity to go behind the scenes at one of the UK’s leading packaging design centres, James was joined by representatives from Alupro and last year’s winner, Jake Inglis. As part of the prize, James also took home £500 to help further his studies at Nottingham Trent University

Organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), Alupro’s brief for the Student Starpack Awards challenged university students to create a design to replace multi-material packaging, such as cardboard and film, and instead embracing an infinitely recyclable aluminium solution.

James’ innovative entry – Kahaan – saw him present a suite of reusable and recyclable packaging materials for prepared meals. Inspired by camping cookware, the design allows products to be stacked on top of each other, while a discrete handle makes it possible to use the packaging as a stovetop cooking vessel.

Tom Giddings, Alupro’s executive director, commented: “All of the entries submitted this year impressed the judging panel, but James’ design certainly stood out. Our brief encouraged applicants to think about the use of aluminium in innovative packaging design and Kahaan demonstrated that perfectly.

“The concept was incredibly well designed, with the unique bonus of the stove-top cooking feature demonstrating the true versatility of aluminium. We hope that the tour of Crown’s R&D facility and the £500 to progress his studies will help to inspire his career further!”

James added: “Being involved in the Student Starpack Awards was really enjoyable – the ‘replacing multi-material packaging’ project allowed me to explore the versatility of aluminium and create a design to replace multi-material packaging.

“I thoroughly enjoyed touring the Crown site and getting to grips with what a role in packaging design would really entail. I’d like to thank everyone that helped to make the day so special, as well as my tutors for their support throughout the competition.”

For more information about the awards, visit: www.iom3.org/starpack.

ENDS