THE Sheet Plant Association (SPA) has launched a new competition for students that encourages them to rethink the future of corrugated packaging.
The ‘Think Inside The Box’ Challenge invites students to showcase their creativity and imagination. Entries can explore a new engineering or structural design for packaging; a marketing campaign promoting packaging as sustainable; and a creative concept showing packaging in a new or surprising role.
Submissions can take the form of a poster, sketch, or short video/slide deck.
Winners will receive the opportunity to attend the SPA 113th Conference at Silverstone Circuit in February, where they can network with potential future employers from across the packaging industry. A member of staff from each winning college will also be invited to attend.
Innovation specialist Ben Edmonds — known in the industry as the ‘Cardboard Ninja’ and remembered for his standout keynote at SPA’s 106th Conference in Leeds — will judge the entries and present the prizes at Silverstone.
SPA members and the wider packaging community are encouraged to get involved by reaching out to their local colleges and universities to promote the competition and inspire the next generation of packaging professionals.
Entries must be submitted by Friday 28th November 2025.
The ‘Think Inside The Box’ Challenge is part of the SPA’s Future Talent & Industry Outreach Programme, which promotes careers and skills development across the corrugated and fibre-based packaging sector.
