U.S. — The Flexible Packaging Association announced the winners of the 2026 Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge. Student teams from California Polytechnic State University received first- and second-place honors, with three additional packaging concepts receiving Honorable Mention recognition.

Kanya Misra, Olivia Peterson, and Jennifer Takao received the first-place award for the Paw Pantry Pre-Portioned Nature's Blend Dry Kibble concept. The concept uses high-barrier metallized flexible packaging with individually sealed pouches and perforated tear openings. "With Paw Pantry, our team wanted to create a flexible package that makes life easier for active dog owners by offering a convenient, pre-portioned solution that helps preserve freshness and reduce hassle on the go," the team said. "Being recognized in this competition means a great deal to us because it reflects the time, creativity, and care we invested in designing a package that balances usability, innovation, and sustainability."

Ajay Kathuria, Ph.D., served as the faculty advisor for the first-place team. "The FPA Student Design Challenge allows students to apply the fundamentals of packaging science and technology to real-world applications," Kathuria said. "The competition encourages students to evaluate design choices comprehensively, and the skills gained throughout the process enhance their career readiness."

Two teams shared second-place honors. Raina Patel, Vania Robles, and Kimberly Santana received a second-place award for the BoilBag Pasta – Boil & Strain Bag concept. The package is a heat-resistant pouch designed to allow consumers to boil, strain, and serve pasta directly from the package. "Through designing BoilBag Pasta, I learned how flexible packaging can go beyond simply containing a product and actually improve the consumer experience," Patel said. "The project challenged me to think about how packaging could simplify cooking, reduce cleanup, and create a more convenient and functional product overall."

Apollo Son and Brooklyn Still also received a second-place award for the ChEASY All-in-One Mac n Cheese Pouch concept. The package is a dual-compartment, BPA-free flexible package combining pasta and cheese ingredients. Joongmin Shin, Ph.D., served as the faculty advisor for both second-place teams.

California Polytechnic State University students received two honorable mentions: Tracy Liu and JT Wilcox for the Flexible Cotton Swab Package with Roll Over and Resealable Mechanism concept, and Tucker Barth, Kara Ng, Devan Reynard, and Caden Sieger for the Four Square Beef Package concept. Shin also advised these teams. Ava Franco, Sophia Marlow, and Sophie Simmer from the University of Wisconsin–Stout received an Honorable Mention for the Flavored Gravy Sample Pouches concept.

Ethan Girtle, Katerina Harris, Alondra Lobos, and Leo Miller from California Polytechnic State University received the Best Video Award for the DUOLOOP Dual-Chamber concept. The Flexible Packaging Association has sponsored the Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge since 2004. Forty-nine concept outlines were submitted for the 2026 competition, with 23 advancing to the development phase. The Association's Emerging Leadership Council oversees and judges the challenge.