Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has been announced as the latest sponsor of the 2021 Student Starpack Awards. Organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), the competition challenges university students to identify creative packaging solutions to problems set by leading brands.

As part of the agreement, Alupro has provided a comprehensive brief, tasking applicants with the design of a personal grooming product to highlight the sustainability, recyclability and shelf appeal of aluminium. Alongside a cash prize of £500, the winner will be welcomed to the Crown Packaging Global Technology and R&D centre in Wantage to see, first-hand, the packaging design and development process.

The Student Starpack competition, established in 1964, aims to inspire the next generation of packaging experts by identifying, rewarding and supporting talented young people and their tutors, encouraging them to bring innovative new ideas to the UK’s every-growing packaging industry.

Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro, commented: “Inspiring the next generation and encouraging students to consider roles in the packaging industry is key to the sector’s continued progress. Initiatives likes the Starpack Student Awards provide an excellent platform for applicants to really challenge convention and embrace creativity.

“By supporting this year’s competition, we hope to inspire fresh new thinking and help the designers of tomorrow consider the importance of sustainability. We’re looking forward to seeing the responses to our brief and how the applicants use the unique qualities of aluminium to create their designs. I’d like to offer the best of luck to everyone who takes part!”

As part of the brief, The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) will provide free bespoke training sessions on the benefits of using aluminium in packaging design. For more information about the Starpack awards, visit: www.iom3.org/starpack. For more information about Alupro, visit: www.alupro.org.uk.