People & Lifestyle
KNUST wins Research and Innovation Challenge organised by Royal Crown Packaging Limited
Students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have won the 2022 edition of the annual Research and Innovation Challenge by Royal Crown Packaging Limited (RCPL).
The program is aimed at exposing tertiary students to RCPL manufacturing processes and guiding them to identify and address operational challenges and bottlenecks in the manufacture of corrugated boxes. It has therefore helped to create interest in the field of packaging among university students.
KNUST represented by Samuella Obuama Aggrey, Humility Daniella Nyame and Christian Addo Sarfo is expected to come up with designs that can be presented to the World Packaging Organization (WPO) WorldStar Student Competition 2022.
Read Also: 4 Universities to face-off in finding innovative solutions to product packaging in Ghana
This year, Royal Crown Packaging Limited brought on board Kasapreko and Qualiplast as partners, to diversify the experience. The students did not only benefit from the practical exposure within the manufacturing space but also receive internship opportunities, souvenirs, certificates, and direct access to Management of IOPG, RCPL, Kasapreko, and Qualiplast.
The 4 research areas for the competition this year were as listed below:
- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers an opportunity for Ghanaian products to be sold across the continent, but poor packaging can be a barrier. Present a proposal on how to improve local packaging and design a primary package (plastic) and secondary packaging (corrugated box) for selected Kasapreko products to achieve export competitiveness in the African market.
- post-consumer plastic packaging waste is a major issue in Ghana. Present a proposal on how to create value from plastic waste and design a consumer or distribution package using post-consumer waste or recycled plastic material.
- Ghana loses huge quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables due to lack of or inadequate packaging. Present a proposal to minimize post-harvest loss of fresh fruit and vegetables using effective packaging systems and design one such packaging to reduce this loss.
- Paper waste can be harnessed for recycling to create value. Present a proposal for effective collection of all types of waste paper for recycling and provide a design of paper-based packaging from waste.
