C3PS Packaging Research Hub Launches to Tackle Sustainability Challenges

A new hub called C3PS Packaging Research has kicked off, aiming to tackle some tricky packaging problems. They showed it for the first time at the 2025 Packaging Recycling Summit, and people were watching closely.

C3PS stands for the Center for Plastics, Paper, and Hybrid Packaging End-of-Life Solutions. It’s a bit of a mouthful, sure, but basically it’s eight universities, 24 professors, and a bunch of industry partners working together. The goal is simple, make packaging more sustainable and usable, without each company having to figure it all alone.

The hub started in April, part of the National Science Foundation’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Center program. It’s focused on research that matters for industry, not just academics sitting in labs. Thomas Osip, the industry liaison officer, said projects are picked based on what members actually need. Members vote on which proposals move forward. And once it’s done, everyone gets the results royalty-free.

Early projects are looking at PFAS-free coatings, compostable barriers, chemical recycling that spits out less emissions, and getting post-consumer recycled materials to perform better. They’re also thinking about workforce training, making sure people know how to use these new solutions.

Membership costs $50,000 a year for full members, half that for associate members. Osip said companies should start thinking about 2026 budgets if they want in. “It’s budget-planning season,” he noted, “so now’s the time.”

C3PS is trying to make collaboration easier. Big companies get shared research without taking all the risk. Small companies get access to tech they probably couldn’t fund alone. Everyone can learn from each other.

Sustainability is a hot topic right now. Packaging waste, chemicals, emissions, all that stuff is on regulators’ radar and consumers care too. Companies want solutions that are practical and fast, not just ideas on paper.

Some industry watchers say hubs like C3PS could speed things up. Instead of each company doing its own thing, they share knowledge, try stuff together. Could mean faster results. Could mean technologies that actually hit shelves sooner.

Universities also benefit. Students can work on real-world projects, get experience that matters. Industry gets insight from fresh minds. It’s a two-way street.

Even though it’s just starting, C3PS Packaging Research has already caught attention. Several companies are thinking about joining for 2026. The hub hopes this mix of industry and academia will push sustainable packaging forward in ways that are doable, scalable, and useful.