000 grant for the settingup of a global Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability atthe Michigan State University (MSU). The centre will be housed at MSU’sSchool of Packaging at East Lansing
The Coca-Cola Company has announced a US$400,000 grant for the settingup of a global Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability atthe Michigan State University (MSU). The centre will be housed at MSU’sSchool of Packaging at East Lansing, the world’s premier institutionfor Packaging education. Established in 1952, the MSU School ofPackaging is the first and largest packaging education programme in theUS.
The centre will be established as a collaborative venture between MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (School of Packaging), College of Engineering and the Eli Broad College of Business (Department of Supply Chain Management) and is expected to provide a platform for both collaborative, non-proprietary research and proprietary work conducted by industry partners, both in partnership with and independent of MSU researchers to develop innovative packaging solutions that reduce production costs and improve sustainability.
The centre will incorporate state-of-the-art technology for bench research and testing of packaging materials and will offer academic, outreach and continuing education programmes. It will eventually expand its international reach through R&D, education and training facilities in Dubai and Shanghai.
According to Ingrid Saunders Jones, senior vice president of global community connections at Coca-Cola, “The Coca-Cola Company is honoured to collaborate with Michigan State University in its quest to bring corporate, academic and packaging professionals together to foster new ideas in sustainable packaging. Our company has set ambitious environmental goals to not only deliver quality products but also have minimal impact on the environment. Research and work generated through this collaboration with MSU will assist us in reaching our goals.” Satish Udpa, dean of the MSU School of Engineering, adds, “The centre will offer an entry point for industry to have easy access to MSU expertise. It will serve as a bridge between corporate and packaging industry professionals and university scientists in engineering, packaging, business, the environment and other areas. The centre will be a clearing house that disseminates information and encourages action that speeds the adoption and implementation of sustainable practices.”
