The Packaging and Polymer Research Unit (PPRU) has strong associations with scientists and engineers across the University. Its purpose is to complement the University's educational courses with research programs in areas concerned with the packaging and distribution of goods.

The Unit is particularly mindful of its role in the development of partnerships with industry, commerce and government through collaborative research, consultancy, educational and training programs and dissemination of technical information. It has established a variety of research collaborations and networks with various research organizations in Australia and overseas.

The Unit's program is very much driven by the needs of industry, government and community as identified through the Sustainable Packaging Alliance (SPA; http://www.sustainablepack.org/ ), a strategic R&D initiative in collaboration with RMIT University and Birubi Innovation. Hence, the Unit's research focus is driven by the need to develop environmentally, economically and socially sustainable packaging systems.

Research programs currently in progress include anti-microbial and active food packaging; the use of recycled materials in food contact applications; environmental impact evaluation and strategy development; protective packaging; modeling distribution dynamics; odour characterization and oxidative stability of polymers; development of new techniques for sustainable packaging design and evaluation; and others. In addition the Unit undertakes technical studies and testing for industry clients.