In a move set to reshape the future of sustainable packaging, ProAmpac has announced a strategic partnership with Western Michigan University (WMU), one of North America’s premier institutions in fiber technologies and recycling research. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of fiber-based packaging solutions that are not only recyclable and compostable but also commercially viable at scale.
At the core of this partnership is ProAmpac’s “Fiberization of Packaging®” strategy a mission to replace traditional plastic-based packaging with curbside recyclable and fiber-based alternatives. With sustainability climbing the global agenda and regulatory pressures like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mounting, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
“This partnership strengthens our innovation pipeline,” said Hesam Tabatabaei, Senior Vice President of Global Product Development and Innovation at ProAmpac. “WMU’s leading-edge capabilities in fiber technology will enable us to fast-track the development of scalable, science-backed solutions that meet both consumer demand and regulatory expectations.”
WMU’s acclaimed paper and recycling research programs are expected to complement ProAmpac’s internal expertise, supporting new product innovations across its ProActive Sustainability® and ProActive Intelligence® platforms. These platforms are dedicated to delivering packaging that not only protects products but also aligns with a circular economy.
Dr. Kecheng Li, Chair and TAPPI Fellow at WMU, echoed this enthusiasm: “By blending ProAmpac’s global commercial reach and materials science acumen with our expertise in fiber and barrier coatings, we are positioned to co-create game-changing packaging technologies that are sustainable by design.”
This partnership is more than an academic alliance it’s a catalyst for industry change. Together, ProAmpac and WMU are not only imagining the future of sustainable packaging they’re building it.