MSU School of Packaging

What MSU School of Packaging does

The MSU School of Packaging, established in 1957 as the world's first university-based packaging program, is an academic department within Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. It offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees (including the recently launched MS Packaging Leadership for Professionals), non-degree short courses, and packaging testing services, while conducting applied and fundamental research in sustainable packaging, materials science, and food safety. The school's product portfolio spans the MS Packaging Leadership for Professionals graduate program, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the NewProductWorks innovation initiative, the Packaging Resource and Study Center, fee-based Packaging Testing Services, and the ongoing Packaging 2.0 building renovation.

The school is funded through a combination of tuition revenue, Michigan state appropriations, federal and state research grants, corporate research contracts, fee-based testing services, and private donations — most notably a historic $47 million gift from Chuck and Jackie Frasier announced in April 2026, the largest gift in the school's history. Its go-to-market is sales-led across three primary segments: prospective students (undergraduate, graduate, and working professionals), industry partners (corporate R&D collaboration, talent recruitment, testing services via the Innovation Center), and the broader research community. It runs an active digital presence across YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, supplemented by PR coverage in outlets such as MSU Today, Produce Grower, Packaging Tech Today, and IFT publications.

Recent strategic activity includes a new director appointment (Dr. Brian Via, 2026), a collaboration with the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, the Packaging 2.0 infrastructure expansion, and faculty research that has produced recyclable solutions for multilayer plastics and identified packaging materials with 70% lower emissions than alternatives. The school maintains a top-ranked global brand position and is part of MSU AgBioResearch's broader research infrastructure, with director George Smith stepping down in August 2026 to become dean at the University of Arizona.

Name

MSU School of Packaging

Legal name

Michigan State University School of Packaging

Website

https://packaging.msu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The MSU School of Packaging, founded in 1957 as the world's first university-based packaging program, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional short courses, and fee-based packaging testing within Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. It serves students, industry R&D partners, and the research community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Packaging Science

NAICS

Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Digital Courseware & Modules (EDAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK), Paper & Paperboard Packaging Converting & Finishing (Die-Cutting, Gluing, Windowing, Coating) (IMALACAL)

Keywords

• Packaging education
• Packaging research
• Sustainable packaging
• Packaging testing
• Degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

East Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and State Funding: Public university school funded through tuition revenue from degree programs and Michigan State University state appropriations
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Funded through federal and state research grants, corporate research contracts, and MSU AgBioResearch funding
3. Private Donations: Major gifts such as the $47M gift from Chuck and Jackie Frasier for building renovation and program development
4. Testing Services Revenue: Fee-based packaging testing services for industry clients

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MSU School of Packaging is an academic department within Michigan State University that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in packaging science, supported by applied research and fee-based packaging testing services for industry clients. It also runs short courses and professional development (including the new MS Packaging Leadership for Professionals) and operates the Packaging Resource and Study Center and NewProductWorks innovation program for students and corporate partners.

Product overview

MSU School of Packaging is an academic institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in packaging science. The school's product portfolio includes degree programs (Undergraduate Degrees, Graduate Degrees, and the new MS Packaging Leadership for Professionals), research initiatives (NewProductWorks, Packaging Resource and Study Center), professional education (Short Courses), testing services (Packaging Testing Services), and infrastructure programs (Packaging 2.0 building renovation). As the top-ranked School of Packaging, it provides comprehensive packaging education, research, and industry collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NewProductWorks: Innovation center and corporate engagement initiative at the School of Packaging focused on bringing research to market.

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs in Packaging Science
• Graduate Degree Programs in Packaging Science
• MS Packaging Leadership for Professionals New graduate degree program targeted at working packaging professionals seeking leadership development skills, delivered as part of the School of Packaging's professional education portfolio.
• Packaging Testing Services Fee-for-service testing and validation of packaging materials and systems for industry clients, supporting product development and certification needs.
• Short Courses and Professional Development Non-degree short courses, workshops, and professional development offerings for working industry professionals seeking continuing education in packaging.
• NewProductWorks Innovation and new product development program under the School of Packaging focused on bringing packaging research to market through industry collaboration.
• Packaging Resource and Study Center On-campus educational resource center providing hands-on access to packaging materials and technologies for student learning and study.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% lower emissions with certain packaging materials compared to alternatives

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Apple Manufacturing AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Collaboration between Apple and Michigan State University bringing packaging systems and decision modeling expertise to the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit. Faculty members Steven Gray and Euihark Lee provide hands-on expertise helping small and midsize businesses adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.
• MSU AgBioResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural biosecurity research partnership within Michigan State University's research infrastructure, with Director George Smith leading until August 2026 when he steps down to become dean at University of Arizona.
• Innovation Center - Corporate EngagementcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMSU Innovation Center provides corporate engagement services connecting industry partners with the School of Packaging for R&D partnerships, talent recruitment, and collaborative research initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Smithers: Smithers is a leading commercial provider of packaging testing, certification, and materials science services that directly competes with MSU's Packaging Testing Services for industry clients seeking validation and compliance testing.
• Clemson University: Clemson operates the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, one of the most prominent university packaging programs in the U.S., directly competing with MSU for students, faculty, and corporate research partnerships in packaging science.
• University of Wisconsin-Stout: UW-Stout has historically operated a B.S. in Packaging program with a similar industry-facing curriculum and corporate testing focus, positioning it as a direct educational peer to MSU School of Packaging in the Midwest.
• Rochester Institute of Technology: RIT offers a B.S. in Packaging Science and is a leading U.S. packaging program, making it a direct peer in delivering packaging education, applied research, and corporate testing services comparable to MSU's offerings.

Others

• PMMI: PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is an industry association that supports packaging education and workforce development, complementing MSU's mission by setting industry standards and providing student programs.
• Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP): IoPP is a professional association for packaging professionals that overlaps with MSU's industry engagement, offering certifications, networking, and continuing education adjacent to the School of Packaging's programs.

Broad incumbents

• Intertek: Intertek provides broad-based testing and certification services including for packaging materials, competing with MSU's testing services as part of a much wider portfolio spanning multiple industries and product categories.
• SGS: SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification company that competes with MSU's testing services in packaging and broader materials validation, though it operates across many industries rather than specializing in packaging.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MSUPackaging
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MSUSchoolofPackaging
• Facebookfacebook.com/MSUPackaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/msupackaging
• Instagraminstagram.com/msupackaging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MSU School of Packaging