SHAPE Engine

SHAPE Engine

The Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE), led by the MSU Research Foundation and supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines Development Grant, positions the Great Lakes region as a global leader in sustainable packaging. SHAPE focuses on reducing plastic and paper waste, advancing sustainable materials policies, developing recycling technologies, and building resilient, low-carbon supply chains. With more than 50 partners—including Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, and Resource Recycling Systems (NextCycle Michigan)—SHAPE drives environmental, economic, and community impact across the region.

Overview

Mission

To catalyze equitable economic growth across our Region of Service (ROS) in southern Michigan (MI) and northwestern Ohio (OH) by pioneering transformative solutions for reducing plastic, fiber-based, and paper packaging waste, and seamlessly integrating these solutions into the circular economy.

Vision

Build a regional innovation ecosystem that drives circularity in the packaging industry through cutting-edge, market-driven innovations, dramatically reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.

Intellectual Merit

Solve Packaging Waste Pollution

SHAPE aims to solve packaging waste pollution through a total transformation of existing practices via convergence and coordination of diverse stakeholder groups.

Invent Sustainable Packaging

SHAPE will combine the creation and development of new cost-effective sustainable structural matrices, polymers, compatibilizers, and package designs with collection, sorting, recycling, and upcycling of used packaging.

Repurpose Waste Streams

SHAPE will help repurpose industrial and agricultural bio-based wastes to generate robust local supplies of sustainable manufacturing feedstocks.

Broader Impacts

SHAPE will leverage existing industrial and academic core facilities in a Packaging Circular Economy Factory of the Future to house real world research and translational activities and provide provide a focus for industrial research and development.

SHAPE will connect communities in cross-sector partnerships to serve as test beds to reiteratively optimize and validate the effective operation of the Engine’s innovation and translational ecosystem.

SHAPE will expand to drive equal opportunity to participate in economic growth across the Great Lakes Region through integrated supply chains based on many decentralized waste management locations with a focus on creating jobs and opportunities for underemployed workers.

Functions

Use-Inspired Research

Develop innovative solutions that address the existing challenges in sustainable packaging. These solutions will enable sustainable packaging materials to effectively fulfill the requirements of both customers and manufacturers, while also enabling them to compete in the marketplace alongside conventional materials.

Practical Application of Innovations

Develop innovative solutions that address the existing challenges in sustainable packaging. These solutions will enable sustainable packaging materials to effectively fulfill the requirements of both customers and manufacturers, while also enabling them to compete in the marketplace alongside conventional materials.

Workplace Development

Actively support the establishment of a thriving packaging circular economy that generates well-paid and meaningful employment opportunities. The aim is to meet or surpass the targets outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which advocates for sustained economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for everyone.

Ecosystem Creation

Serve as a gateway for corporations in search of innovative solutions to the challenges they face. By doing so, it intends to establish a sustainable business ecosystem that fosters the growth and success of both entrepreneurs and multinational corporations.

Major Partners

Leadership Team

Brad
Fingland, PhD

Principal Investigator, MSU Research Foundation

Yael
Vodovotz

Co-Principal Investigator, The Ohio State University

Laurent
Matuana

Co-Principal Investigator, Michigan State University

JD
Lindeberg

President, RRS

Angela
Hall

Co-Principal Investigator, Michigan State University

Let’s Collaborate

For more information about the Great Lakes Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE), or to connect and collaborate with us, please fill out this form and our team will reach out.