On October 21st, students from the Food Packaging Design and Logistics specialization at Lund University of the FIPDes programme presented their food packaging prototypes as part of the Packaging Technology and Development course. This project allowed students to face a real challenge from a company regarding packaging development and propose an innovative solution.

The Packaging Technology and Development course at LU provided students with tools to understand food packaging in an integrated manner, considering both the technological aspects of the products and the consumer needs and expectations. It also gave them the opportunity and experience to work together with Swedish and other international students, since all projects were done in mixed groups of students having different academic backgrounds.
Read more below about the students’ suggested solutions!

Sustainable Packaging Assessment in Grocery Stores - Investigation of Plastic Versus Cardboard Packaging in the Produce Section

Collaborating company: FrontPac AB
Participating FIPDes student: Aqsa Hayat
Challenge: FrontPac aimed to identify fresh produce items currently packaged in plastic where a switch to cardboard or corrugated board would be technically and functionally viable. The project focused on investigating the reasons behind existing packaging choices, including factors such as shelf life, product protection, branding, and cost. It also aimed to evaluate the recyclability of plastic packaging compared to cardboard alternatives and to assess potential reductions in recycling fees and the overall environmental benefits of adopting paper-based solutions.
Solution: The proposed solution is plastic-free, paper-based packaging designed for 500 g of fresh carrots. It is made from virgin carton board with a transparent seaweed-based film window, providing visibility while remaining fully recyclable. The triangular prism structure, set at a 90° angle, ensures efficient stacking within corrugated cardboard secondary packaging, improving transport and storage efficiency. The micro-perforated window maintains high humidity while allowing gentle airflow to prevent condensation and microbial growth, helping extend shelf life and preserve freshness. This innovative design combines sustainability, product protection, and consumer appeal, offering a functional and eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic carrot packaging.

Plastic-Free Consumer Packaging for the FASCINERA Chopping Board

Collaborating company: IKEA
Participating FIPDes student: Renuka Sanjay Kulkarni
Challenge: IKEA aimed to eliminate single-use plastic packaging by 2028. The existing packaging for the Fascinera chopping board used low-density polyethylene (LDPE) shrink film, which was effective for protection and presentation but not aligned with IKEA’s sustainability and recyclability goals. The company sought a recyclable, non-plastic alternative that could still protect the oiled acacia board and the care guide from stains, moisture, and odour while maintaining product visibility.
Solution: The team proposed several alternatives, with glassine paper emerging as the "preferred solution". Glassine is a cellulose-based, greaseproof, and semi-transparent paper that meets food contact standards and can enter the paper recycling stream.
Major benefits:
• Sustainability: 100% plastic-free, recyclable, and compliant with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
• Visibility: Semi-transparent, allowing consumers to view the product efficiently.
• Protection: Resistant to grease, maintaining product quality

A more environmentally friendly alternative for Risifrutti’s cup

Collaborating company: Orkla
Participating FIPDes student: Busra Okcu and Polina Valkova
Challenge: Find a packaging solution that meets consumer needs, product protection, and environmental requirements while keeping Risifrutti’s brand image
Solution: Oval-design that is space-efficient —> more units per shipments, lower transportation emissions and costs. Mono-material packaging (PP) —> easier and possible recycling, supports circular economy. QR code guidance —> educates consumers on storage & recycling, reduces food waste and improves disposal of the packaging.

Sustainable Micvac Sleeve Redesign

Collaborating company: Micvac
Participating FIPDes student: Emily Legault
Challenge: Micvac wanted a more sustainable alternative to the existing paper-based sleeve, [either exploring a monomaterial solution (PP) or improving the existing paper-based solution]
Solution: A paper-based sleeve made of recycled material, with inkless laser engraved printing and adhesive-free locking mechanism. This solution removes many of the drawbacks in the existing solution, removing recycling inhibitors like ink, adhesives and laminations, and increasing the recycled content in accordance with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) intentions.

Next generation secondary packaging

Collaborating company: Tetra Pak
Participating FIPDes student: Johan Quintero
Challenge: Develop a secondary package that can be assembled without glue yet still protects the primary package (Tetra Pak packages) and product during handling and transportation. The current glued boxes present challenges in disposal and recycling due to adhesive residues, increasing both environmental impact and processing difficulty.
Solution: Corrugated cardboard box with interlocking flaps and die-cut elements that allow for a robust configuration without the need for adhesives. The design is easy to open, flatten, and dispose of. The solution is expected to be adaptable to different sizes and configurations, cost-effective, and automatable, offering clear benefits for both beverage companies and retailers.