Future Innovators Shine at Nefab’s 2025 Student Sustainable Packaging Design Competition in Guadalajara, Mexico

• Nefab, in partnership with the University of Guadalajara (UDG), launched the third edition of the Sustainable Packaging Design Competition, challenging students to create sustainable packaging solutions for a robotic arm used in industry automation applications.
• The winning team designed a lightweight fiber-based and wood packaging solution that replaces unsustainable plastic, increases load capacity by 17%, and enables easier end-of-life recycling.
• The initiative highlights the growing need for sustainable packaging in the industry, focusing on creating a 100% recyclable solution for uncontrollable flows.

Guadalajara, Mexico, May 13, 2025 – The next generation of packaging designers took center stage at the third edition of Nefab’ s Student Sustainable Packaging Design Competition, held this year in partnership with the University of Guadalajara (UDG) in Mexico. Tasked with designing a fiber-based packaging solution for a robotic arm, students from UDG’s Industrial Design Degree Program tackled the challenge of balancing sustainability, cost-efficiency, and product protection. Their participation underscored Nefab's commitment to fostering local talent and strengthening industry-academic collaboration in Mexico.

Following an intensive evaluation process, a jury of senior Nefab experts from the Americas selected the winning project. The winning team - Bruno Ayala Bizarro, Erik Monteon Covarrubias, and Eliza Alejandra Tapia Rodríguez - designed the “Smart Space” packaging solution for a robotic arm. It features a compact design that increases load capacity by 17%, allowing the transport of 264 boxes, 39 more than before. The solution eliminates single-use plastic, replacing it with sustainable, recyclable materials: a corrugated board outer box, FiberFlute edge protectors for enhanced stacking strength, and honeycomb fitments for secure cushioning. This design minimizes packaging volume, reduces fuel consumption, and ensures responsible end-of-life disposal - fiber components can be recycled, while wood can be reused or processed.

The solution impressed the judges with its ingenuity, practicality, and alignment with circular economy principles. In recognition of their achievement, the winning team received a financial prize to support their continued growth and innovation in sustainable packaging design.

“This competition is about empowering the next generation of packaging engineers and designers to rethink traditional solutions in a sustainable way,” said Eric Wickman, Regional Managing Director, Latin America. “As technology advances, products - especially in electronics - are becoming more complex and sensitive, requiring packaging that not only provides superior protection but is also resource-conscious. These students tackled this challenge with impressive creativity and problem-solving skills.”

Representatives from the University of Guadalajara praised the competition for providing students with a real-world platform to apply their skills to industry challenges.

“At the University of Guadalajara, we are committed to scientific and technological advancement that drives sustainable and inclusive development in our society. This competition provided our students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a way that not only fosters innovation but also aligns with our mission of promoting social justice, environmental responsibility, and prosperity for all,” said Ixchel Guadalupe Lomelí Pérez, Coordinator of the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, University of Guadalajara. “Collaborating with Nefab on this initiative has reinforced the importance of sustainability in design and given our students valuable real-world experience.”

By fostering hands-on learning experiences and industry mentorship, Nefab continues to drive innovation in sustainable packaging. The competition will return in 2026 for its fourth edition, reaffirming Nefab’s dedication to nurturing the next wave of sustainable packaging talent.

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About Nefab

Nefab saves environmental and financial resources by optimizing supply chains. We do this by innovating together with our customers to create smarter packaging and logistics solutions while always respecting people and high ethical standards. This contributes to a better tomorrow for our customers, for society and for the environment. 

With more than 75 years of experience combined with competence and presence in more than 38 countries, we offer global solutions and local service worldwide to companies in industries such as Telecom, Datacom, Semicon, Energy, Healthcare, Mining & Construction, and LiB & E-mobility. Nefab Group has over 4900 employees spread across 38 countries, with a yearly turnover of ~1 bn USD. The owners are the Nordgren/Pihl family and FAM AB, a privately owned holding company within the Wallenberg Ecosystem. 

www.nefab.com