Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability
Advancing knowledge and sharing expertise across all facets of the packaging industry
The Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability is Canada’s leading hub for researchers and industry professionals, dedicated to advancing knowledge and sharing expertise across all facets of the packaging industry, ranging from packaging materials, packaging structural design, packaging distribution, packaging printing, consumer behaviour, and sustainability.
Our Mission
- Advance knowledge through data-driven insights
- Empower students through hands-on learning
- Co-create with industry to deliver solutions that matter
Research Areas
CPIS brings together various labs to advance research on efficient packaging design and systems. Our work spans the many facets of the industry, touching on elements such as packaging structure and graphics, premedia and printing, materials, distribution and logistics, human factors, and environmental performance. By integrating these perspectives, we develop packaging solutions that are high-performing, environmentally responsible, and user-friendly. We welcome collaboration with industry partners to address real-world challenges and accelerate the transition toward efficient and innovative packaging systems.
Meet our Members
Outreach Coordinator
Facilities and Testing Services
As an ISTA-certified lab, the Distribution Packaging Lab helps companies ensure their packaging performs reliably within the distribution environment. Our advanced testing equipment supports both holistic system evaluations (e.g., ISTA 3A and ISTA-6A-Amazon.com standards) and targeted stressor and material-level assessments. In conjunction with our research initiatives, our practical testing supports packaging optimization for durability and efficiency.
Our Equipment and Software
Vibration testing system
Compression tester
Packaging drop tester 1
Packaging drop tester 2
- ISTA Standards Testing
- As an ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) Certified Laboratory, we provide advanced research and contract testing services for packaging performance and sustainability. Our expertise ensures that packaging solutions meet global standards, optimize product protection, and support supply chain efficiency.
- Corrugated Testing
- We provide comprehensive testing services to evaluate the properties of corrugated paperboard and corrugated boxes in accordance with ASTM and TAPPI standards. Our services include performance testing of corrugated fiberboard boxes, such as compression strength, as well as material-level evaluations, including the Edge Crush Test (ECT), Flat Crush Test (FCT), Burst Strength, and other industry-standard assessments. These tests ensure the durability, compliance, and reliability of packaging across supply chains.
With the decline of natural resources, sustainability is a must for all materials design and engineering activities, including polymeric packages. We promote greener and more responsible materials design and processing practices, while introducing advanced functionalities to end products. We are interested in understanding the structure-process-property relationships for materials in polymers and biocomposite materials through fundamental approaches in modern physics.
The Packaging Life Cycle Assessment Lab evaluates the environmental performance of packaging through LCA modelling. Our work examines packaging designs and systems across their full life-cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, to identify trade-offs and, ultimately, opportunities to reduce environmental impacts. Projects have assessed single-use, reusable, and compostable food packaging used on University campus dining systems, as well as cosmetic dispensing systems, including the influence of residual product on end-of-life burdens. By providing science-based insights, we help industry and institutions make informed decisions that advance sustainable packaging solutions.
The Packaging and Human Factors Lab explores how packaging design affects human interaction, perception, and its impact on diverse outcomes. Past projects investigated ergonomic influences on sustainable package-product consumption and consumer attention to eco-labels. By analyzing human-centred insights, we aim to understand and improve consumer experience and response to packaging solutions.
Our Methods
- Eye tracking analysis
- Virtual Reality
- Structural Equation Modelling
- Survey and Focus Groups