DESIGN students are being invited to demonstrate their creative packaging skills by competing in a challenge focused on metal packaging as part of the Starpack Students Competition 2026.
The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA) sponsors ‘Brief D’ of the annual student competition, which is organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3). This year students are tasked with designing and developing a metal pack to hold confectionery of a type of their choosing.
The deadline for submissions is midnight, 16 March 2026.
Since 1964, Starpack Students has given up-and-coming designers the chance to solve packaging challenges set by FMCG brands and manufacturers. The challenge offers hands-on experience with a real design brief while creating stand-out portfolio pieces to impress potential employers.
The competition is open to students studying a variety of higher education courses, including those with a focus on graphics, structural or product design, and materials technology.
Jason Galley, director and chief executive of MPMA, said, “Metal packaging provides students with a dynamic canvas for creative expression. Both steel and aluminium packaging have exceptional recyclability, with recent government data highlighting that metal packaging has a recycling rate of 80.4%. Because of metals’ permanent material status, which means that it can be recycled over and over, it’s an ideal material to spark conversations with Next Gen talent about how packaging can truly support circular economy goals.
“For over 20 years now, we have sponsored a dedicated brief for this competition to celebrate the creativity and versatility of metal packaging. We look forward to seeing what the students design for this year’s real-world brief.”
For the 2026 competition, the brief calls for students to design and develop a metal pack for confectionery aimed at high-end stores specialising in quality foods, giftware, and souvenir packs, such as those found at airport duty-free.
With metal as the primary material, entrants are encouraged to explore its qualities including shaping, texture, perforations, embossing, debossing, micro embossing, print finishes, high-quality graphics, and innovative opening and closing mechanisms.
The winner of the MPMA-sponsored brief will receive a cash prize of £600, with additional Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Highly Commended awards also being presented.
For full details and to submit an entry in 2026, visit: https://www.mpma.org.uk/student-starpack/Â
